Birdman Leads SAG Nominations-What does this Mean for Oscar?

Somewhere in a high tower I imagine Harvey Weinstein is looking into a cauldron, and cackling.  The 

Weinstein Company did exceptionally well today, their film The Imitation Game has 3, including Best Ensemble, Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), and Supporting Actress (Keira Knightly).

I make this joke because Harvey just has a way of making these types of films happen during the award season, although that was not the case last year.  Somehow Harvey got voters to nominate Naomi Watts in Supporting for St. Vincent instead of Birdman.

That did not stop Birdman as the highest nominated film for this award show with 4 nominations, including Ensemble, Lead Actor (Michael Keaton), Supporting Actor (Edward Norton), and Supporting Actress (Emma Stone).

Watts nomination was not the only surprise.  Jennifer Aniston’s Lead Actress nomination came out of the clear blue, it’s a performance I know she has been talking up, but no one else had been talking much about her.  The other surprise was Jake Gyllenhaal’s nomination for Nightcrawler, this is a great performance, and I hope he gets a Globe nod too tomorrow.  Many will say Duvall was a surprise in Supporting Actor, but he has won his category before, and been nominated as individual performer 5 other times, pretty predictable.

In the ensemble category the biggest surprise was The Grand Budapest Hotel nomination, it surely replaced Into the Woods as “we have a lot of stars” but earned this nomination, and was huge treat.  Wes Anderson always has great casts, but this is his first film nominated in this category.

The fifth slot in this ensemble category was a toss-up, I had Selma, but like true Americans they had a hard on for a story about a British genius, The Theory of Everything.  This is the film to watch out for, not Imitation Game, by the way!  Theory tied Imitation Game, and Boyhood with 3 nominations each.

So what does this mean for Oscar?  This is the first of the guild nominations, and can be a good predictor.  Aside from the category analysis the SAG Awards have become less reliable in the last few years, with nominations, namely because if the voting body did not get the screener they did not vote for it.  This is why you see a lack of Selma, Unbroken, and other late release films, so keep that in mind. There is an analysis under every nominated category below:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role


Steve Carell as John du Pont – “Foxcatcher”

Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing – “The Imitation Game”

Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis Bloom – “Nightcrawler”

Michael Keaton as Riggan – “BIRDMAN”

Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking – “The Theory of Everything”

3 of these men have Oscar nominations, Keaton, Cumberbatch, and Redmayne.  Carell and Gyllenhaal are vulnerable still, but this could be the final five.  Watch out for Timothy Spall in Mr. Turner and David Oyelowo in Selma.  I think Oyelowo will replace someone.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role


Jennifer Aniston as Claire Bennett – “Cake”

Felicity Jones as Jane Hawking – “The Theory of Everything”


Julianne Moore as Alice Howland-Jones – “Still Alice”

Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne – “Gone Girl”

Resse Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed – “Wild”

Aniston threw me, I was half expecting Amy Adams, for Big Eyes or Hilary Swank for The Homesman.  I am not sure what to make of Aniston’s nomination at the moment, I do not think she will make the final five at Oscar, I think Marion Cotillard will replace her.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role


Robert Duvall as Joseph Palmer – “The Judge”


Ethan Hawke as Mason, Sr. – “Boyhood”

Edward Norton as Mike – “Birdman”

Mark Ruffalo as Dave Schultz – “Foxcatcher”


J.K. Simmons as Fletcher – “Whiplash”

This could be the final five at the Oscars, but Duvall is vulnerable.  Watch out for Josh Brolin for Inherent Vice, Tom Wilkinson in Selma, and a few others.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role


Patricia Arquette as Olivia – “Boyhood”

Keira Knightly as Joan Clarke – “The Imitation Game ”

Emma Stone as Sam – “Birdman”

Meryl Streep as The Witch – “Into the Woods”

Naomi Watts as Daka – “St. Vincent”

Watts like her Australian counterpart Nicole Kidman in The Paperboy will not be nominated for the Oscar; she will most likely be replaced by Jessica Chastain, for A Most Violent Year, which the group had not seen.  Watts could also score a nomination for Birdman over Stone.

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture


Birdman

Boyhood

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

The Theory of Everything

These five films could be Oscar nominees, I think four are safe bets.  If Grand Budapest gets this, and a PGA, it’s on even further solid ground.  Since no Wes Anderson film has gotten a nomination at SAG, I would add it to your Oscar top 9.

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Television Predictions 2015

Outstanding Ensemble for a Television Series, Comedy

The Big Bang Theory

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Modern Family

Orange is the New Black

Veep

SAG is the most repetiative in the television categories, there are two vacancies here from last year, no 30 Rock or Arrested Development.  Orange is the New Black will surely make the cut, but the fifth nominee is anyone's guess.  I am going on a limb and will say Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

                   Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series, Comedy
                                                   Andre Braugher-Brooklyn Nine-Nine
                                                            Ty Burrell-Modern Family
                                                          William H. Macy-Shameless
                                                      Jim Parsons-The Big Bang Theory
                                                          Robin Williams-The Crazy Ones

Parsons and Burrell would be the only returning nominees here, so this is me going out on a long shot, but this award show loves posthumous nominations, and this is their last chance to honor Williams, they will!  Macy is well liked, and Braugher is my hail mary.
                                                     

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Comedy
Julie Bowen-Modern Family
Allison Janney-Mom
Edie Falco-Nurse Jackie
Lisa Kudrow-The Comeback
Julia Louis-Dreyfus-Veep

Louis-Dreyfus, Bowen, and Falco are perennial nominees.  Janney is an Emmy winner for this role, they will not forget that.  Kudrow is favorite, and this, well comeback for this show has had a lot of publicity, look for these five to fit the bill.

Outstanding Ensemble for Television Series, Drama

Boardwalk Empire

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

House of Cards  

True Detective

I have never seen a show leave this category, and return, in recent years, this does not bode well for Mad Men, or The Good Wife, which both have several nominations here.  Breaking Bad is no longer eligible. Homeland will be given the boot.  Will Boardwalk Empire stay ?  It has always been nominated.  Detective will be in, the question is will this group go with the cool House or Cards or the past nominee.  I think they will go with House of Cards.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series. Drama

Steve Buscemi-Boardwalk Empire

Peter Dinklage-Game of Thrones

Woody Harrelson-True Detective

Matthew McConaughey-True Detective

Kevin Spacey-House of Cards 

This category will be a repeat of last year's nominees, with two Harrelson and McConaughey replacing Bryan Cranston who's show is over, and Jeff Daniels from The Newsroom, they are over that, but not Empire.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Drama

Viola Davis-How to Get Away with Murder

Jessica Lange-American Horror Story: Freak Show

Julianna Margulies-The Good Wife 

Robin Wright-House of Cards

Kerry Washington-Scandal

I know I am stupid not to predict Maggie Smith, but I am going to go on the hunch that since she won last year she will not be nominated.  I know voters don't remember that stuff, hell I forgot she won last year, but I am going out on that ledge.  I think Margulies will be back, and Davis will creep in; she does have two of these.

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award Predictions 2015

While a few critics groups have had their say about the best films of 2014, tomorrow the first true precursor to the Oscars is announced, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award.  SAG represents the largest voting block of the the Academy, the actors.  They have also merged in recent years with another group AFTRA, which has some actors, and radio personalities.  Not every member of SAG is an Oscar voter so there are some anomalies that change for Oscar, but they are generally a good predictor of the acting nominees.

Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture

This award is their equivalent to a best picture, but many of the nominees are not nominated for the Best Picture prize.  Last year three of the five nominees went on to the Oscar Best Picture race (Dallas Buyers Club, 12 Years a Slave, and American Hustle).  The other two films Lee Daniel's The Butler (no Oscar nominations) and August: Osage County (2 Oscar nominations) did not make the cut for Best Picture.

Typically 3 to 4 of the nominees make it to Best Picture, Dallas Buyers Club showing up here last year was a surprise, but it showed the strength and love for this film.  There are also years where only one film gets a Best Picture nomination, 2007 and No Country for Old Men.  What about this year?

Birdman is the first film that comes to mind, its a great ensemble full of impressive names, and is a movie about acting.  Boyhood is the critical darling of the season.  Into the Woods has the big names, which this show loves, and its a musical.  The Imitation Game has The Weinstein Co., but are we over estimating at this point? Probably not.  I would say that those four are locks, and then there are three films fighting it out for the fifth spot, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Foxcatcher, and Selma.

Oddly enough no Wes Anderson film has ever gotten a SAG nomination, this year may be different.  Foxcatcher has mixture of three like able "leads" Ruffalo, Carell, and Tatum who span films and television, and their film has been cited for ensemble work throughout most of the early awards season. Selma has a mixture of character actors who are well known, and the powerful message, but has it gained enough buzz to cross voters radar?  I think at the end of the day Selma makes the most sense of these three, but that could be idealism speaking.

My Predictions:

Birdman

Boyhood

The Imitation Game 

Into the Woods 

Selma 

Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

This category tends to match 4 out of 5 Oscar nominees, or there is a perfect match.  I think these odds are typically higher because the lack of female driven films.

Last year SAG went for the female driven Saving Mr. Banks, while the Academy went for Amy Adams who tagged along with the boys.  The year before Marion Cotillard got a SAG nomination for Rust and Bone, but her spot at the Oscars went to Emanuelle Riva (Amour had a ton of love).  

This year's race has a very small pool of contenders, Julianne Moore for Still Alice is the front runner.  Reese Witherspoon is also probably a safe bet for Wild.  Rosamund Pike still has a strong chance for Gone Girl.  The Theory of Everything could sneak into ensemble like Dallas Buyers Club, so Felicity Jones is a good bet too.  Who gets the fifth spot?  Amy Adams for Big Eyes, Hillary Swank for The Homesman or Marion Cotillard for Two Days, One Night. Adams is well liked but that film seemed to sink.  I am torn between Adams and Swank. Flip of the coin it is!

My Predictions
Amy Adams-Big Eyes 
Felicity Jones-The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore-Still Alice
Rosamund Pike-Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon-Wild

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

It's rare for Lead Actor to line-up, much like lead actress its typically a match of 4 out of 5, but in these incredibly competitive years Best Actor years, it tends to be more like 3 out of 5.  Last year Tom Hanks and Forrest Whitaker made the cut at SAG, while Leonardo DiCaprio, and Christian Bale were Oscar nominees.

At the moment there are several strong contenders, some of whom could come out of nowhere, but my money is on the five men I have predicted all along, so I am going to stick with my gut plain and simple, although Timothy Spall is a spoiler.  Carell is the most vulnerable for Oscar.

My Predictions
Steve Carell-Foxcatcher
Benedict Cumberbatch-The Imitation Game
Michael Keaton-Birdman
David Oyelowo-Selma
Eddie Redmayne-The Theory of Everything

Best Performance by a Female Actress in a Supporting Role 

Again on average this award usually contains 4 out of the five Oscar nominees.  Last year it was Oprah who missed out on an Oscar nomination, which seemed like a sure fire nomination for the the film. I will say this category has been more on point than the lead category the last few years, typically matching five for five, but there are a few off years that bring down the average.

Look for front runner Patircia Arquette to be nominee, and Keira Knightly will ride the coat tails of The Imitation Game.  Meryl Streep will snag her eleventh nomination (including Into the Woods ensemble).  I have a feeling Emma Stone will show up here, but not at Oscar, just a hunch.  I have Jessica Chastain predicted for A Most Violent Year, and I think she may get in on name and buzz alone, the same way J-Law was the only acting nominee for American Hustle last year.  Watch out for Laura Dern from Wild and Carmen Ejogo from Selma.  I think if Selma is liked Ejogo has a great shot at replacing one of these five women.

My Predictions
Patricia Arquette-Boyhood
Jessica Chastain-A Most Violent Year
Keira Knightly-The Imitation Game
Emma Stone-Birdman
Meryl Streep-Into the Woods

Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

With the change in the awards timeline, this award used to be more spot on, but last year each category missed 1 or 2 key players in the Oscar race.  The same could happen this year.  Last year James Gandolfini was nominated for Enough Said, this award show does a lot of posthumous nominations, and Daniel Bruhl for Rush.  They were replaced with Jonah Hill and Bradley Cooper.  The trend here is that American Hustle and Wolf of Wall Street got out of the gate late, so many people had not seen them, this could impact these nominees greatly.

I have four solid nominees that I am sticking with, the last spot is going to be earned by either Robert Duvall in The Judge or Tom Wilkinson for Selma, both well liked and respected men.  Wilkinson has more nominations, with 8, four of the 8 are as part of the ensemble. While Duvall has 6, only one is for an ensemble, and he won this award for A Civil Action.  Name and win, does it for me.

My Predictions
Robert Duvall-The Judge 
Ethan Hawke-Boyhood
Edward Norton-Birdman
Mark Ruffalo-Foxcatcher 
J.K. Simmons-Whiplash

Big Hero 6 is another Visually Stunning Heartfelt Disney Masterpiece

Big Hero 6 (4 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by Don Hall (Winnie the Pooh), and Chris Williams (Bolt)

Written by: Robert L. Baird (Monsters University), Daniel Gerson (Monsters University) Jordan Roberts (March of the Penguins)

Voice Work by: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, TJ Miller, Genesis Rodriguez, Damon Wayans Jr., Maya Rudolph, and James Cromwell

I know what you are thinking, Ugh another movie about super heroes!  Super hero fatigue is on the rise.  Many critics/journalists are feeling the fatigue, especially as Marvel announces Phases 3 of their Avengers stories, and DC announced their long term plans.  I have always been an avid comic book reader, and as long as the stories are well executed I am happy to welcome more adventures based in comics.  Big Hero 6 does not contribute to the fatigue, but rather adds a nice Disney spin, with fantastic visuals, some great laughs, and tremendous heart.

Hiro (Potter) is a smart 13 year old who finished high school early; he has entered the world of Bot Fighting, something,  illegal in San Fransokyo.  When he brother comes to get him out of a jam Hiro is soon shown the world of a high tech "nerd school" or well college, where everyone is working on amazing technological advances.  Hiro forms a bond with a larger than life inflatable robot named Baymax (Adsit), and the students at the school to save the city to form a tech savy super hero group.

Without giving too much plot away, although if you are an adult you can guess the direction the film is going to take, hell even the dead parent Disney trope is there at the beginning, this was a fantastic film.  Disney knows how to tug at the heart strings, make you laugh, and provide some of the best animation I have ever seen them put on the big screen.

Big Hero 6 provides the perfect blend of the world of Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar.  Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams have worked primarily on the Walt Disney Pictures side, they have each directed one of their bigger films in the 2000s, Bolt and Winnie the Pooh, they have also written for other films on that side of the House of Mouse.  Meanwhile the writing team has mainly come from the Pixar side working on the Monsters movies.  This blend of creativity sucks you into the story, and Disney is on a roll, three years in a row, following Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen.

Disney also once again defied their tradition, in the past their animated films were by the book, and while as stated above many of the plot points are predictable, this traditional movie about a young boy as a super hero packs a lot of emotional punch.  The film also casts a wide array of characters and while some could see them as checking a box, I applaud the way the have diversified their representation in their animated films.

 There is something about the way in which Disney constructs and experience, blend that with the super-hero trope, and you have another winner. The visuals of the city landscape are breathtaking, they blend the construct of Victorian and Japanese culture.  My only minor complaint is that the voice work took a bit to get used to in the beginning, I am mainly talking about the tech-savy team, but in the the end they each work fantastically.  On the other hand Maya Rudolph's voice work as Aunt Cass was brilliant, and Scott Adsit made Baymax you connect with Baymax more than you would expect, especially since he is programmed as a robotic nurse.

I almost let the failed teaser trailer, prevent me from having any interest in this film.  Do yourself a favor and go see this film, so you can laugh, cry, and once again experience the magic of another fantastic Disney animated experience.

Birdman is Visually Stunning, and the Most Creative look at the Arts and Modern Celebrity

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance (5 out of 5 Stars)

Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Babel, 21 Grams)

Written by: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (21 Grams), Nicholas Giacobone (Biutiful), Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo (Biutiful)

Starring: Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, and Zach Galifianakis 



About 25 years ago in 1989 Michael Keaton was at beginning of what seemed like a star studded career.  Flash forward to the present day and he is known as the first guy to play Batman on the big screen, in a credible way.  Sure you could give the credit to Adam West for his 1966 adaptation of the television series, but does anyone remember that was a movie?  Either way both of these men are known as "the guys who played Batman."

As super hero films are taking center stage at the box office it seems odd that these men, who were at the forefront of this trend were cast aside, their acting chops cut down by their role as super heroes, and mere celebrities that no one took seriously, because their roles lacked depth.  Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is the perfect allegory to modern celebrity, and the evolution of a career like Michael Keaton's, and funnily enough the central role, Riggan is being played by Michael Keaton.

 Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) follows Riggan as he attempts to mount a play as director, writer, and star. Riggan is attempting to bring to life the dramatic play "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" from Raymond Carver.  Ironically released in 1988, I am talking another Batman connection, but maybe in this one is in my head.  As the play goes into previews Riggan is forced to bring in a new actor, Mike Shiner (Edward Norton), who tries to re-write, direct himself, and use his acting clout to steal the spotlight from Riggan.  Interesting if you know anything about Norton's alleged behind the screen antics.  Birdman focuses on the re-birth, in the mix of creating art in a modern society.

Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, this film feels different from each of his other films.  Iñárritu has always been a director I respected, getting the some of the best performances from his actors.  Just watch 21 Grams and tell me the ensemble of Benicio del Torro, Sean Penn, Melissa Leo, and Naomi Watts (who also stars in this film) don't make you feel every emotional wrinkle in their lives.  Iñárritu did the same commanding the sweeping drama Babel, and while that had Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, it was the lesser known actors like Adriana Barraza, and Rinko Kikuchi who stole every moment of that film.   Iñárritu is an actor's director, and its no surprise that his best film would be about the craft of acting vs. the modern day celebrity.

Iñárritu is working with screen writers Nicholas Giacobone, and Armando Bo from one of his last films Biutiful. Add Alexander Dinelaris to the writing mix, and you have one of the emotionally satisfying, not to mention wittiest screenplays of the year.  These men worked to create a world where the celebrity is under a microscope, the man question Riggan is a failure at life; he focused on his career, that was and has been the love of his life.  Riggan cheated on his wife Sylvia, played by the always fantastic Amy Ryan, and was an absent father to his daughter just out of rehab Sam, played with deep intensity by Emma Stone.  

Iñárritu and his team show Riggan at the make or break moment with the love of his life, acting.  Riggan is the guy known for playing Birdman; he takes photographs with adoring fans, gets kissed on the cheek, but not one person recognizes the talent he hopes/believes he has.  The one person who pointed this out to Riggan was Raymond Carver who saw him in an adaptation of his play while Riggan was in high school.  Keaton will get a lot of work because of this role; he is both heartbreaking, and hilarious.  In the past Keaton has shown, his take on Beetlejuice was great, and his TLC quoting cop in The Other Guys was fantastic.  In this film Keaton gives one of the performances of the year, and proves he is no longer just Batman, I mean Birdman...

Riggans like Keaton had a lot to prove, but when Edward Norton comes into the play at the 11th hour as Mike Shiner he provides he hilariously starts to provide direction for Riggan, knows Riggans part, and takes over the stage.  Mike is a buffoon, but his talent and ability to handle the craft make people like the critics take him seriously, even if he shows his boner on stage.  Norton is a talented actor; he is always recognized for doing magnetic things on camera since his first role in Primal Fear (1996).  Since this role expectations are always high for a Norton film, and the same can be said for Mike, even leading to a little ED.  Norton's Mike may may be a joke off stage, but Norton gives the character a true sense of depth that could have been missing, he also makes you like a true asshole. Mike and Riggan represent the contrarian image of celebrity, the popular versus the talented, and how each must compete in different ways.

The film uses words to wound, critics are reviled, they are talent less people who could not master the craft.  Social media is maligned, Sam creates a twitter account for Riggan, and its his celebrity, his antics that sustain his fame.  While this film cuts, it also makes you laugh at the absurdity of the this world, and the people who take everything too serious. Iñárritu pushes the boundaries with his direction, and the screenwriting team take this to new heights, but the visuals heighten every aspect of this film.

While the story is genius its the visuals from Emmanual Lubezki, the cinematographer of the moment that take this film to a higher level.  Lubezki just won the Best Cinematography Oscar for Gravity, and the thing I love about his work is that he gives each film a singular feel.  In this movie Lubezki's signature camera move makes moment feel like a continuous shot, much like Alfred Hitchcock's Rope.  Lubezki plays with these transitions blending reality and illusion.  There is a perfect transition as you walk through the theatre where you move from each characters interaction to the next moment in the play, or when you watch Riggan use what he believe is telepathy to destroy his dressing room or summon a giant Birdman to level New York City.  These moments mixed with haunting score from first time composer Antonio Sanchez hold you to edge of your seat until the final moments.

Birdman is near perfection, the ensemble is one of the best of the year, the deliver the great depth needed to make this dark comedy a success.  Birdman soars to new heights, taking you on an adventure of the soul, and is an exploration of both the mind and the craft of acting/theatre.  Birdman is simply one of the best films of the year.

Robin Williams, a King, a Genie, a Great Human Being, and so Much More

Many years ago, I remember being obsessed with saying “Good Morning, Vietnam” as a young kid.  I was probably five or six, but I remember this loud boisterous guy bringing humor and joy with this phrase.

Then came the re-runs of Mork and Mindy, was this the same guy from that movie?  This was different, he was funnier, his physical humor, and presence on screen was undeniable; he was a star.

As a young boy most of the Disney movies were about princess but I found solace in the story of a poor outcast named Aladdin.  I know boys have a lot of stories, but I loved this one, in the end Aladdin just needed to be himself with the Princess.  Most of these lessons would never have been learned without the Genie.  Williams’s voice work as the Genie is probably the only time I would have awarded an Oscar to animated voice performer.

 I also remember my parents fighting a lot as a kid, and Mrs. Doubtfire helped sooth my soul, Williams had the heart and soul to bring humor to life, but to add a deeper layer, a deeper meaning to everything he did.

I am in education (in some capacity) today because of Dead Poet’s Society.  The phrase “O Captain, my Captain” may get thrown out a lot within the next few days, but it has continued to mean something to me throughout my years as I have grown up.  The same can be said for the actual suicide in the film, and the impact it had on me.

The first person I knew who committed suicide was my first grade teacher, I was 14 fourteen and I was crushed.  I was in a small private, religious K-12 school; a nun came in to inform us, rather bluntly about her passing.  I remember my mom stayed behind and I ran out of the sobbing, almost having a panic attack, it was an emotional experience.  While I did not know Mr. Williams personally, yesterday felt similar in a sense.  While people may not understand this feeling, losing a person who enters your home on a regular, or touches your life in a specific way is tough, and this death is one of the toughest I have experienced.  Williams was such a magnetic performer, and person.

In his later career Williams took on some darker roles like One Hour Photo, and Insomnia, these two performances were some of his strongest.  Williams was walking away from the humor and showing a layered view into his life, and his talent as an actor.  As you look at these two roles specifically along with the rest of his career you see the talent this man had.

This talent was awarded, and honored throughout his whole career.  Williams was nominated for 11 Golden Globes, and won 5.  Williams was also given the Cecille B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Honor in 2005.  Williams was also nominated 4 times for the Academy Award, and won with his last nomination for Good Will Hunting.  In his speech, he stated “For once I am speechless.”  This was the first Academy Award ceremony I remember where I had seen all the films, and I remember rooting for his win.  William’s was a well-respected and talent man in his craft; he was also a great human being.

Throughout his time Williams not only made people laugh, but he made them smile with his work for countless charities.  Williams is a face you would see every time you went to the movies if there was a commercial for St. Jude.  Williams was good friends with Christopher Reeves in the 80s, and after Reeves tragic horse riding accident his good friend was always by his side fighting tirelessly.   In the 1980s Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and Whoopi Goldberg helped put the charity Comic Relief on the map, a charity set up to help the homeless.  These are just a few of the almost 100 different charities Williams was involved with. 

Williams was also a voice for struggling with addiction, and mental health problems.  He used his voice to help others.  As I sit back and think about this person, this funny, kind, warm hearted man, I find myself struggling to find no better words to close this out than his own, “You will have bad times, but they will always wake you up to the stuff you weren’t paying attention to.”  Williams was a friend to many, and his voice will be missed.

August Movies to See and Skip

August 1st 

Guardians of the Galaxy

The most fun you will have at the movies all summer, this is what action/comic book movies should be all about.

My review: http://eternalthoughtsofkevinsmind.blogspot.com/2014/08/guardians-of-galaxy-may-be-most-fun-you.html

Get on Up

Bio-Pics have become a dime a dozen, the reviews for this have been middle of the road, but Chadwick Boseman is getting excellent write ups for this film, in a crowded Best Actor year he will probably be forgotten, but this film may be worth your time.

August 8th 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

They aren't aliens, whew, but April O'Neil is still Meaghan Fox, and I am hesitant about this film on multiple levels.  Two words, Michael Bay.  With Michael Bay's involvement the CGI will be great but the story will suffer, the price you pay.  I will watch this on the small screen.

The Hundred-Foot Journey

Lasse Hallstrom film's are a bit too saccharine at times from Chocolat, to Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, but there is alway some charm, this could fit into the middle ground because of the talen involved.

Into the Storm

Shouldn't this just be called Twister (2014)

About Alex

The Big Chill for 2014, the talent is there, but will this be too millennial?

August 15th

The Expendables 3 

The poster almost can't fit the entire cast, this looks like a train wreck that Han Solo/Indiana Jones can't save.

The Giver 

This was one of my favorite books growing up.  I remember reading this in fourth grade, and starting to fall in love with reading even more with this book.  I feel like adapting books like this can be tricky, the trailer is pretty solid, and it has Streep and Bridges in great roles.  Use your gut on this one.

Let's Be Cops

Two stars on the rise, Damon Wayans Jr., and Jake Johnson, both from the television series New Girl in a film with an absurd premise that looks hilarious, let's just hope all the funniest jokes are not in the trailer like with Neighbors.

Life After Beth

Aubrey Plaza is the star of the month, in her own words this zom-rom-com takes a the genre to a whole new level, but the real point is that if you love Plaza this film will be something you should be all over.  I am excited to see her career continue this growth.

August 22nd 

Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill For

I loved the first Sin City, but Dame looks like it lacks the energy of the first film. which was released almost 10 years ago.  There were so many casting rumors including Angelina Jolie, but most of the cast from the first are returning with a few new folks.

When the Game Stands Tall

The most emotionally manipulative film of the year, just watch the trailer.

Movies to See: Guardians of the Galaxy, Get On Up, Let's Be Cops
Movies to Skip: When the Game Stands Tall, Into the Storm, Sin City 2