And the Oscar Won't Go to ... (Michelle's picks)

We spent the last week looking back on the biggest Oscar snubs in recent history. Now, in honour of tonight's big broadcast, we bring you what we think were the most notable non-nominations of the year.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes

THE ACTUAL NOMINEES:

• Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
• Jonah Hill, Moneyball
• Nick Nolte, Warrior
• Christopher Plummer, Beginners
• Max Von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

WHY HE DIDN'T GET NOMINATED: It's a movie in which apes ravage humankind in eventual escalation (possibly the previously released Wahlberg-starring sequel) to world dominance. It's not Oscar material, despite the ongoing campaign to get Andy Serkis the nom.

WHY HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN: Serkis makes ape Caesar more human than the humans in this film, even behind CGI. He creates a character you both sympathize with, wishing you could hold his hand at times and tell him it'll be OK, but who you also fear will lash out with unrestrained power. It's one of the most deeply emotional and moving performances of the year that the Academy failed to realize.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Drive, Newton Thomas Sigel

THE ACTUAL NOMINEES:

• The Artist, Guillaume Schiffman
• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Jeff Cronenweth
• Hugo, Robert Richardson
• The Tree of Life, Emmanuel Lubezki
• War Horse, Janusz Kamiński

WHY IT DIDN'T GET NOMINATED: As Emily mentioned when she chose it for Best Pic, it's far too gritty and daring of a film to garner a nom.

WHY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN: The hues, lighting and composition in this movie are beyond gorgeous. If you ask me, I'd compare it to fine art. Choices are bold and risky, and they more than pay off. What the Academy literally did not see, I really can't say.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Elle Fanning, Super 8

THE ACTUAL NOMINEES:

• Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
• Jessica Chastain, The Help
• Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
• Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
• Octavia Spencer, The Help

WHY SHE DIDN'T GET NOMINATED: Like Rise of the Planet of the Apes, sci-fi isn't a friend of the Academy unless it's got a political message (like District 9), though even then it's rare. Plus, kids don't get nominated as often as they should.

WHY SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN: Elle Fanning frequently stole scenes away in Super 8, amid an also amazing ensemble of kids. She was completely her age (which you can't always say for her famous sister) though created so much heartfelt depth to her character. Even when her character was acting in a movie within the movie, she was perfectly convincing.

BEST ACTOR: Ryan Gosling, anything (Ides of March, Drive and Crazy, Stupid Love)

THE ACTUAL NOMINEES:

• Demián Bichir, A Better Life
• George Clooney, The Descendants
• Jean Dujardin, The Artist
• Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
• Brad Pitt, Moneyball

WHY HE DIDN'T GET NOMINATED: It's beyond me. Seriously.

WHY HE SHOULD HAVE: To me, this was the ultimate snub this year. In three stellar performances, Ryan Gosling proved he was more than young hearthrob and would be competent, award-winning actor for years to come, delivering expertly in comedy, drama and action. It was a dream year of a career which would only fittingly have been tied up with an Oscar nom (or even SAG).

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Sandra Bullock, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

THE ACTUAL NOMINEES:

• Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
• Jessica Chastain, The Help
• Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
• Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
• Octavia Spencer, The Help

WHY SHE DIDN'T GET NOMINATED: This is another one that's beyond reason, as was her win two years ago for Best Actress in The Blind Side. What the Academy saw then, I will never understand.

WHY SHE SHOULD HAVE: I was completely surprised by her performance in this film. After (overrated) The Blind Side performance and win, I wasn't expecting much but I was entirely blown away by her understated heart-wrenching performance of a woman who'd just lost her husband and was losing touch with her son. It was absolutely unforgettably touching.

Michelle's Top 10 of 2011, Part 2

5) Rise of the Planet of the Apes

I didn't really want to see this movie. When I first saw the trailer, I found no appeal in apes dominating the world, lashing out against cruel humanity, especially considering it was the prequel to a seemingly cheesy movie about more talking, plotting apes. But there seemed something more deeply sinister and compelling to the story. And there was. Through chimp Caesar, it begs to remind us that apes are people too (you know what I mean). Though it wouldn't have been possible without Andy Serkis behind the CGI, making us feel for Caesar, making him one of us. And yes, by the end, you'll be rooting for them as they wreck havok on our very own.


4) X-Men: First Class

Superhero movies are very formulaic. Act one: A superhero is born. Act two: Evil is born. Act three: Superhero fails against evil. Act four: Superhero strengthens and defeats evil. Right? But this one is different. It's the X-Men flick that goes against the entire series, contradicting story lines and re-defining characters. And thankfully so. What makes this superhero movie stand out against all others is threefold: the story, the acting and the just plain awesomeness. The story is complex, it's about how evil is rooted and the story of how friends with a common enemy became enemies themselves. The acting is amazing. It's almost a toss-up between frenemies James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, but Fassbender takes it, convincing you that there is some righteousness behind his evil. And then it's just awesome: Watching the mutants harness their powers, picking out familiar faces during the recruitment, then duking it out with the big guns. It puts the rest of the series to shame.


3) Insidious

Yeah, I know judging from the photo above, this movie doesn't look very scary. But that's because I was too scared to search for a different one. Seriously. I can't say much without spoiling it but after a couple moves into a new house, strange, chilling, supernatural things start happening. I saw this movie in theatres and came home running it over and over in my head, afraid to turn the lights off, afraid to go to bed, afraid of the dark and eerie shadows. It went on for days. And when the fear finally went away, it came out on DVD and I watched it again. And it began again. This is exactly why I watch horror movies, the fun in fear, which I rarely get. But I can guarantee you watching this one again will bring nightmares back.


2) Super 8

This was one of the most anticipated movies of the year for me, so it also came with the greatest fear of disappointment. But surpassed my expectations. The J. J. Abrams-directed, Steven Spielberg-produced sci-fi seemed like a darker E.T. And it kind of was. Though what made this movie for me was the kid-cast. Led by Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning, the crew of kids witnessed an awesomely CGI-ed train wreck as it unravelled into mystery and pulled them along with it. These young actors gave some of the most convincing performances I've seen all year, or even ever. Alongside, they've also got a subplot where they're shooting a zombie movie with Joe's (Courtney) Dad's camera, homemade firecrackers and all that good stuff. And then it's screened it during the credits. And let me tell you, it's just as awesome as the movie itself.

1) Midnight in Paris

This movie is sci-fi and fantasy disguised as drama. It's a fairy tale for grown ups, really. Not to mention, it's the funniest movie I've seen all year. Of course everyone is nostalgic about some period in history, some place in the world, some famous faces of the past. And a movie that explores one person's daydream of that is more than charming. But to a girl who loves Paris and literature, this movie becomes nearly her own daydream. Plus, it's hilarious in the most surprising places. "Have you ever shot a charging lion?" Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll) asks Gil (Owen Wilson). WHAT?! And Salvador Dalí (Adrien Brody) on about rhinoceroses, and Gertrude Stein's (Kathy Bates) writing advice! So good.

Honourable mentions: Scream 4, Moneyball

Home Theatre Tuesday (Dec. 13, 2011)

 Each week, we bring you a quick run-down of what's out on DVD so you don't miss the hits and you can skip the misses.

Buy it now: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

If I had to judge this film prior to seeing it based on its title alone, I probably wouldn't see it. Talking apes waging war on humanity? Monkeys are cute but that's just not appealing. But after seeing this trailer, there was something deeper to it, something sinister and uncanny. And it didn't disappoint. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is like Deep Blue Sea with chimps.

Read the rest of Michelle's review.

The Fille Files (November 26 - December 3)

 REEL GREAT READS

•  Andy Serkis Gets an Oscar Push for 'Apes' (Next Movie) - Andy Serkis deserves an Oscar nom for his role as Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, says Michelle. Co-chairman and CEO of the film's studio Tom Rothman agrees and is pushing to get Serkis the well-deserved recognition for his emotional performance.
• "X-Men: First Class" studio wants Matthew Vaughn back for sequel (IFC) - In more news about Tom Rothman and movies Michelle loved this year, he's also trying to bring director Matthew Vaughn back to shoot the sequel to the amazingly re-imagined X-Men series, First Class. Go Rothman, Go!
• VOD Rides to the Rescue of Indie Film (The Wrap) - As video rental stores shut down and VOD services take slack for lack of competent services for mainstream releases, VOD services are actually turning out to be a great source for indie films. How else are you going to catch Grave Encounters? (Yes, yet another movie Michelle loved this year.)
• 'The Artist': How a Black-and-White Silent Movie Defied the Odds and Became an Oscar Contender (The Hollywood Reporter) - An indepth look at the creation and promotion one of the most talked about movies of the year, which ironically, contains no talking itself, and may just become the first silent movie to get awards attention since the 1920s. 
• The Long-Awaited Poster for Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard's Cabin in the Woods (Ain't It Cool News) - This movie has literally been in distribution hell, despite being an over-anticipated fanboy/girl fantasy come true (Whedon and Goddard together again! A pre-Thor Chris Hemsworth!). This poster and way-short synopsis is the first hint of anything we've really gotten about the movie in a long while. And it is a mindfuck and a half. Emily, at least, can't wait!

The Fille Files (August 12-18, 2011)

Each week, the Filles bring you some of our favourite films finds of the week -  news, reviews,  features, interviews, tweets, new releases, etc. -  just in case you missed them.

REEL GREAT READS

• What's Missing from Planet of the Apes? Revenge (Toronto Standard): A heartfelt piece by Andrew Westoll, placing his experiences working on his latest book The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary in context of a review of Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
• Pixar's 25th anniversary: How the studio changed the animation game (Entertainment Weekly): A 5-point piece on the iconic animation studio's 25-year history, making stops at WALL-E, Cars, Toy Story and more. If this doesn't make you excited for Monsters Inc 2, we don't know what will.
• Lust Have ("Insert Something Trendy Here"): A short post with charming black-and-white photos of some of the most fashionable, lust-worthy Hollywood classics.

WEEKEND WATCHES

• One Day: Based on the international bestseller by David Nicholls, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess as lovers-by-chance who see each other only one day a year.
• Fright Night: It's just refreshing to see vampires who are supposed to be scary, not beautiful. Okay, maybe a little beautiful too.

TRAILER OF THE WEEK: The Woman in Black

If The Others met Harry Potter...

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Photo: allmoviephoto.com

Starring James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto and John Lithgow. Directed by Rupert Wyatt. 105 minutes. PG

If I had to judge this film prior to seeing it based on its title alone, I probably wouldn't see it. Talking apes waging war on humanity? Monkeys are cute but that's just not appealing. But after seeing this trailer, there was something deeper to it, something sinister and uncanny. And it didn't disappoint.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is like Deep Blue Sea with chimps. Will (James Franco) is a scientist genetically experimenting on chimps, giving them injections to increase their intelligence, in efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. He's also fuelled by the hope that he could one day reverse the disease in his father (John Lithgow). One day, things go terribly wrong. When an ape escapes and ravages the lab complex, Will's research is shut down and the apes are put to sleep. All except one, baby Caesar (a CGI-ed Andy Serkis), who Will reluctantly takes home. Predictably, Will becomes to attached the chimp and raises him until Caesar has an outbreak and is sent to chimp pound. Caesar, now full grown, is mistreated to the point where he can't handle it anymore. Then things turn dire.

I couldn't say how much of the credit goes to Serkis and how much to CGI artists, but what makes this film so compelling are the apes. More human than the humans, it's hard not to sympathize with Caesar when he's taken away from home, when he feels betrayed and when he's deeply infuriated. But mixed with compassion for the apes is also fear of them. While one half of you wishes you could be there to hold Caesar's hand, the other half wants to keep a very safe distance in fear of their unrestrained power.

Franco also does well as will, but after the likes of 127 Hours, Milk and, yes, even Pineapple Express (let me add, one of the funniest films I've seen in the past 5 years), it's expected. Which is why it's so tough not to be a fan of his. There's an Oscar waiting for him. Maybe not for this film, but we all know they've already inscribed it.

Two others I'm glad to see on-screen: Tyler Labine and Freida Pinto. It's nice to see Tyler Labine (Breaker High's Jimmy) in a bigger role, showing potential I never noticed before. Brampton represent! And as for Pinto, it's great to see an Indian actress getting mainstream Hollywood roles and playing them so well.

Story-wise, the film also delivers. A combination of emotion and tension keep you glued to the narrative. It's pegged as an action flick which usually doesn't lend much to story-telling, but a film that grapples with what exactly it means to be human can't be taken lightly. And it isn't. A-