Roundup: What great genre-film performances deserve some love this year?
Also: Playing down the 'Skyfall' Oscar buzz, and a look at the doc feature race
Javier Bardem in "Skyfall."
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We all know genre films don't usually get the respect they deserve from the Academy, and the same goes for the actors in them: when pressed for options, voters will nominate a Sigourney Weaver in "Aliens," but they're generally more comfortable filling out the ballot with sundry biopics and prestige dramas. Geoff Berkshire wishes that would change this year, citing Liam Neeson in "The Grey," Mark Ruffalo in "The Avengers" and Christopher Walken in "Seven Psychopaths" as examples of actors who "elevated the material" with their performances. (Perhaps the problem lies in the perception that genre material even needs elevation?) I'd throw Elizabeth Olsen in "Silent House," Javier Bardem in "Skyfall" and assorted supporting players in "Killing Them Softly" into the mix -- how about you? [The Vote]
Nathaniel Rogers gets real about the "Skyfall" hype: a couple of tech nods would be a good get, but those talking about Best Picture are overreaching. [The Film Experience]
With the Academy's documentary feature shortlist due to land soon, Michael Ward offers a rundown of the category. (Also, we've finally assembled a Contenders page for it -- see the sidebar.) [Awards Circuit]
One of the potential frontrunners in that category, veteran docmaker Ken Burns, talks about "The Central Park Five" and the case's ongoing legal complications. [Vulture]
Matthias Schoenaerts, who deserves at least as much awards traction this season as his more famous co-star, on "Rust and Bone." [LA Times]
Daniel Montgomery offers a list of this year's 10 directors most overdue for an Oscar. Michael Haneke and Paul Thomas Anderson, sure. Ben Affleck and Joe Wright? Talented as they are, surely not. [Gold Derby]
Gregg Kilday wonders if likely Best Actress nominee Quvenzhane Wallis faces the possibility of a voter backlash. Also, her mom's name is Qulyndreia. Awesome. [Hollywood Reporter]
On the difficulties of catching a tiger -- well, creating one, at least -- in "Life of Pi." [New York Times]
Brad Bird is the latest name not directing "Star Wars" this week. Still in the running: Bela Tarr, John Waters, Adam Shankman. [The Guardian]
Among other things, this interview with "Silver Linings Playbook" novelist Matthew Quick reveals (to me, at least) that the film was originally set to star Mark Wahlberg and Anne Hathaway. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
2012-2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Film Editing
Best Makeup And Hairstyling
Best Original Score
Best Original Song
Best Production Design
Best Sound Editing
Best Sound Mixing
Best Visual Effects
Best Animated Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature
Best Foreign Language Film
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Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupRichardZ
November 19, 2012 at 11:27AM EST Reply to CommentI had to imdb which John Waters for possibly Dir. of Star Wars. John Waters? Not that its bad, but that John Waters? Not Walters? Also, that Adam Shankman?
We're talking Star Wars, right? Not Star Trek, or anything like that.
Mondays.
Ladesh It's one of Lodge's many unsupportably snide jokes. I keep looking for a single round-up where he didn't try to make jokes at someone's expense.
November 19, 2012 at 11:52AM ESTGuy Lodge Well, forgive me for trying to inject an otherwise routine list of links with a little personality -- in this case, a joke that I don't think was at anyone's expense. But hey, at least we've both used "unsupportably snide" in the last 72 hours.
November 19, 2012 at 12:20PM ESTIf you really dislike my style that much, there are many alternatives in the Oscar blogosphere. Please don't make yourself miserable on my account.
RichardZ Mondays. It's hilarious that I fell for it, knowing that there are jokes in these round-ups. Keep up the good work.
November 19, 2012 at 12:52PM ESTNow, I seriously wish that John Water's will happen for Star Wars. Think about it.
Rebecca FYI, I just guffawed at my desk at that joke, but sadly there is no one else in my office who gets it.
November 19, 2012 at 2:29PM ESTMykill I actually think that joke was hysterical. John Waters would be an inspired choice to direct Star Wars - he would highlight the camp value that, let's be real, is what the film series is really all about.
November 19, 2012 at 3:31PM EST/3rt
November 19, 2012 at 11:54AM EST Reply to Comment"Perhaps the problem lies in the perception that genre material even needs elevation?" — Could you expand on this thought? There's a reason outside of snobbery why genre hasn't been taken seriously in the past whether from award season bodies or critical consensus — most of the output is bad and in need of new ideas to elevate it out of complacency.
Guy Lodge But that goes for genre and non-genre films alike, surely? Uninspired films in any field outweigh the good stuff. But I think a lot of the time, even outstanding genre films are taken less seriously than average-to-tepid prestige fare.
November 19, 2012 at 12:28PM ESTMike in Canada
November 19, 2012 at 12:23PM EST Reply to Comment"Bela Tarr, John Waters, Adam Shankman." Love it! If only...
DylanS
November 19, 2012 at 12:28PM EST Reply to CommentIts very easy to see just from the trailer (I haven't seen the film yet) that Lawrence and Cooper's parts could very well have been written for Hathaway and Wahlberg. You can just picture either actor saying the dialogue instead. It would be interesting to see that alternate universe version of the film, as I think it would be great performances from both Wahlberg and Hathaway.
Guy Lodge Yeah, I can also see how that casting would work rather nicely -- though I think Lawrence has a warier quality about her that fits the character better than Hathaway might have done, even in Rachel Getting Married mode.
November 19, 2012 at 12:32PM ESTDylanS And this isn't to suggest that Cooper or Lawrence were sloppy seconds in their casting, as the first thing that struck me from that trailer was how electric their chemistry (despite what should be a jarring age difference). It's just interesting to picture how movies might be different with alternate casting. And I do think there would be a potential for Hathaway to be on overly familiar ground with "Rachel Getting Married" in this kind of role.
November 19, 2012 at 12:39PM ESTPaul I wonder how the film would have fared this season with different actors. I quite liked the film, but I do feel like a Cooper/Lawrence Silver Linings would feel distinctly different than a Wahlberg/Hathaway Silver Linings.
November 19, 2012 at 1:52PM ESTNow I keep imagined Love and Other Drugs with Cooper/Lawrence. Ha (granted I know that was Gyllenhaal and not Wahlberg, but you get my drift).
Matthew Starr
November 19, 2012 at 12:44PM EST Reply to CommentGuy, you liked Silent House? I thought that was one of the lesser films I've seen all year.
I would nominate Bardem (Skyfall), Frank Grillo (The Grey) and Matthew M (Magic Mike) in supporting not even thinking about genre.
Guy Lodge The film itself is a mixed bag -- judderingly effective at the outset, limp in its conclusion --but Olsen is wholly committed and wholly terrific.
November 19, 2012 at 1:18PM ESTMatthew Starr I love Olsen but that film got tired and silly very quickly.
November 19, 2012 at 1:21PM ESTGuy Lodge Well then, we agree. We're talking performances, not films, after all.
November 19, 2012 at 1:24PM ESTGlennAU I have no desire to see that remake. The original Paraguayan (?) film is woeful.
November 19, 2012 at 10:35PM ESTGuy Lodge Close -- Uruguayan. The remake is an improvement, actually.
November 20, 2012 at 7:05AM ESTChris138
November 19, 2012 at 1:37PM EST Reply to CommentI didn't think anything or anyone 'elevated' the material in The Avengers. I'm not saying that as a way to start some argument, I've just never understood why anyone thinks Ruffalo was the standout or would even think he deserves awards recognition for that movie.
Ur mom I don't understand either and I'm a huge fan.
November 19, 2012 at 6:20PM ESTAmir
November 19, 2012 at 2:30PM EST Reply to CommentThe 'Ten Overdue Directors' is the most misleadingly titled article I've seen. They're all directors that are in contention this year and half of them don't fit that categorization.
Mykill
November 19, 2012 at 3:27PM EST Reply to CommentMy favorite Genre Film performances this year (in addition to the ones already mentioned):
Gretchen Lodge - "Lovely Molly"
Traci Lords - "Excision"
Fran Kranz - "The Cabin in the Woods"
Sara Paxton - "The Innkeepers"
Caleb Landry Jones - "Antiviral"
Dana
November 19, 2012 at 3:34PM EST Reply to CommentGuy & Kris, there´s something fishy going on with the "Off the carpet" article. It looks like there´s only one comment (Dylans). But when you post your own comment, a string of other comments magically appear. And then they disappear....
Joe7827
November 19, 2012 at 3:54PM EST Reply to CommentIf "Wreck It Ralph" is considered genre, then I'd throw Jane Lynch's name in the mix. She has some great Jane Lynch-ian line readings. Which also makes me wonder... why can't it be a darkhorse candidate for Original Screenplay?
Mr.F If it had the Pixar logo before the film, people would be talking about it as a strong candidate for Best Picture and Original Screenplay nominations. But since it doesn't it'll be lucky to get in for Animated Feature, even though it's the best animated film of the year so far.
November 19, 2012 at 5:15PM ESTJonnybon
November 19, 2012 at 4:27PM EST Reply to CommentWow. I thought Schoenaerts' performance was very good, but nowhere near the level of Marion Cotillard.
Douglas
November 19, 2012 at 5:42PM EST Reply to CommentGuys, please! Michael Fassbender in Prometheus.
Tom Shone
November 19, 2012 at 9:20PM EST Reply to CommentLove this post...
Elizabeth Olsen, Silent House
Emma Stone, The Amazing Spiderman
Eva Green, Dark Shadows
Tom Cruise, Rock of Ages
Mark Ruffalo, The Avengers
Liam Neeson, The Grey
Javier Bardem, Skyfall
Jonathan Absolutely on Cruise, if ROA had made Hairspray money, Cruise would be a lock.
November 19, 2012 at 9:39PM ESTThe fascinating thing about is watching him unleash every ounce of charisma he can muster to be as Tom Cruise as he possibly can.
Granted, it may have helped that anyone looks good next to Diego "Wet Cardboard" Boneta.
Guy Lodge Yep, totally agree on Cruise -- he'll probably be on my Best Support Actor ballot when all is said and done. (Plus, I actually like the film.) And glad someone's with me on Olsen.
November 19, 2012 at 9:50PM ESTGlennAU
November 19, 2012 at 10:37PM EST Reply to CommentSara Paxton in "The Innkeepers" is where the best performance in a horror film of 2012 is at, I say.
Mykill Yay I'm glad someone else has mentioned her performance in that film! I hadn't really noticed her before, but she gave the kind of effortless, easy-to-like performance that totally elevated the film because of it.
November 19, 2012 at 10:48PM ESTKyle J. Loved Sara Paxton in "The Innkeepers." That scene where she takes the trash bag out to the dumpster is classic.
November 20, 2012 at 6:12AM ESTm1
November 19, 2012 at 10:49PM EST Reply to CommentHmm, I'd say:
Anne Hathaway, The Dark Knight Rises
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, The Dark Knight Rises
Channing Tatum, 21 Jump Street
Jonah Hill, 21 Jump Street
Judi Dench, Skyfall
Javier Bardem, Skyfall
Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games
Woody Harrelson, The Hunger Games
Michael Fassbender, Prometheus
Josh Brolin, Men In Black 3
Mark Ruffalo, The Avengers (everyone is pretty good in this movie, but he stands out)
Honorable mention:
Brie Larson, 21 Jump Street (I don't remember seeing her in any other movie so I was impressed by her in this)
DylanS Agree with both Hathaway and Levitt. And I'd also spring for Fassbender (and possibly Rapace) in the otherwise lunky "Prometheus".
November 20, 2012 at 8:34AM ESTshark
November 20, 2012 at 7:33PM EST Reply to CommentThe first actor in a genre film that comes to mind is Michael Fassbender in Prometheus. I mean, I love Lance Henriksen and Ian Holm, but Fassbender's David was incredibly compelling, a fully realized character, and probably the stealth protagonist of the film (which is why I've considered having him in Lead, before keeping him in supporting because lead is too crowded).
Someone
November 21, 2012 at 3:20AM EST Reply to CommentEbizo Ichikawa - Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai
Jean-Claude Van Damme - The Expendables 2
Tom Hiddleston - The Avengers
Bruce Willis - Looper