A Life in Movies

Andy over at Fandango Groovers is hosting a blogathon in which we compile a list of movies - one from each year since we were born. It was a ridiculously fun task and I tried to include movies that "affected" me in some way or another - go here to check out the other entries and read on for my life in movies!

1992: Porco Rosso - Looking over a list of notable movies that came out in my birth year, I was shocked to see that I have missed out on almost every single one - nope, I still haven't seen "Reservoir Dogs" or "Unforgiven", or even "Lorenzo's Oil". It's bad, I know. However, as many of you know, I have quite an affinity for Hayao Miyazaki and thus it comes as no surprise that I have seen his 1992 release, "Porco Rosso". As a whole, I've often thought of Porco as the lowest point in his filmography (even if the lowest point is miles above most other filmmakers high points) but the scene where Porco dreams of a legion of the spirits of deceased pilots is perhaps one of the most beautiful Miyazaki has ever put to film.

1993: Super Mario Bros. - Though it's infamous for its alleged horribleness, I'll be the first to admit that I actually did not hate Super Mario Bros. I've always been a bit of a video game fanatic, and so when I watched Bros. for the first time I was too busy geeking out about seeing the Italian plumber in the flesh to really worry about how terrible the movie was. Truthfully, it's not even a faithful adaptation of the game (perennially cute green Yoshis being portrayed as freaky looking dinosaurs, for example), but as a symbol of the 90's I think it will last the test of time.

1994: The Lion King - I'm proud to say that The Lion Kingwas the first film whose poster I had hanging up on my wall. It's also the first movie whose t-shirt I sported. Needless to say, calling it a "part of my childhood" is a bit of an understatement. In fact, it wasn't until I recently went and saw the musical adaptation that I completely comprehended what kind of impact it had on me - during the opening scene, I began sobbing, waves of nostalgia and beauty overwhelming me. It's a little bit sappy, I know, but it's the truth.

1995: Se7en - I saw Se7en about a year ago, but still, it often creeps its way into my thoughts, especially whenever I catch a glimpse of a modern day crime-investigation show that inadvertently pays homage to David Fincher's darkly frightening masterpiece. Brad Pitt usually satisfies, but in Se7en he's particularly sensitive, along with a surprisingly memorable Gwyneth Paltrow, both pawns in the film's sinister plot.

1996: Waiting for Guffman -You all probably already know that Catherine O'Hara is one of, if not my absolute favorite actress. What you probably don't know is the very moment I fell in love with her, which was during her 'minimalist acting' monologue in "Waiting for Guffman". Catherine is brilliance throughout, but this is also the movie where I fell in love with Parker I'll-Always-Have-A-Place-At-The-Dairy-Queen Posey, and Christopher Guest's acting and directing.

1997: Life is Beautiful -I suppose you could say that my seeing this was a major step forward in my development as a film buff, since it was the first foreign film I ever watched. As a middle-schooler I remember feeling like I needed to watch this film because if I did I would seem so smart and alternative. No, "Life" is a beautiful film and though it's been ages since I've watched it it was definitely a turning point for me.

1998: The Parent Trap -Whenever I see poor Lindsay Lohan being berated by the media, I always feel a pang of sympathy for her, no doubt instilled by my love for "Parent Trap". To say this movie was a staple in my childhood is an understatement - I watched it constantly and listened to the soundtrack nonstop. The movie even holds up to my more discerning eye, since I rewatched it recently, and it's hard to deny the acting chops that Lohan possesses. Not to mention a simply lovely performance from Natasha Richardson that makes her recent passing so much more saddening.

1999: Mystery Men - This cult classic is a favorite in my family since we used to watch it on every road trip we took. I just watched this a week or so ago and the hilarity is not fleeting. And the cast is AMAZING - this is the first film where I saw Geoffrey Rush, and William H. Macy, and Greg Kinnear (who does perhaps his career best work here, no joke) a hysterical Hank Azaria, and a spicy Janeane Garofalo. If you haven't seen it, go rent it now - it's awesome.

2000: Dancer in the Dark - Bjork is one of my favorite musicians, and the soundtrack to this film introduced me to her. Besides the fact that this is probably the saddest, most emotionally draining movie I have ever seen, Bjork is brilliant and for that reason I cannot thank this film enough.

2001: Spirited Away - I don't think my mind was quite the same after I watched this movie. It's not that "Spirited Away" is one of the most revolutionary or shocking or groundbreaking films ever - it's simply that, at the time I watched it, I had never witnessed anything so complexly beautiful and gorgeous before. Miyazaki suddenly became my favorite director and "Spirited Away" became what I called (and still call) my absolute favorite film. I've watched it countless times and I will never grow tired of it.

2002: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - I had to fit an installment of the Harry Potter series in here somewhere, since I have and always will be a huge HP geek. By the way, I'm totally a Hufflepuff.

2003: Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King -Really, what can be said about the epicness that is LOTR? I cannot even describe the emotions in words.

2004: Napoleon Dynamite - My twelve-year-old self was not quite prepared for the indie brilliance that "Napoleon Dynamite" brought to the table. Perhaps one of the most polarizing films of my seventh grade life, my classmates either loved it or hated it - personally I was on the love side of the spectrum. It's just so unbelievably quirky and yet, completely endearing. GOSH!

2005: Good Night, and Good Luck -When people are arguing over whether they're Team Crash or Team Brokeback, I'll always stand behind the fact that I'm team Good Night and Good Luck. When I first watched this film, I thought I was so cool because it was a Best Picture nominee, and it was in black and white, and it had jazz music in it. Even though I didn't really understand the political history behind it. Fastforward a couple of years and I realized how exquisite this film really is - it's marvelously directed and acted with a simply phenomenal soundtrack.

2006: Little Miss Sunshine - Though 2004's entry is also partially to thank for this, I give "Little Miss Sunshine" credit for getting me into indie cinema. Sure, it's kind of crossover between indie and mainstream, but it made for a perfect transition. Full of great performances and perfectly loveable writing, LMS became a personal favorite after I watched it.

2007: Ratatouille - I always knew Pixar was great, especially after "The Incredibles", but "Ratatouille" was where I first really fell in love. It helps that the film was followed with the amazing "Wall-E" and the heart wrenching "Up" but I really cannot describe how much I love the little cooking rodent. Michael Giacchino's soundtrack over the lush visuals of Paris make me swoon every time I watch it.

2008: Slumdog Millionaire - As far as firsts go, this is the first Best Picture winner that I ever saw in the theaters. It was rather a monumental occasion for me - it was a prestige movie and I watched it in a packed theater, excited because it had won BP about a week earlier. I know this isn't one of the most unanimously loved winners of the big prize in the past few years, but I personally find it to be the perfect celebration of why we go to the movies in the first place.

2009: Inglourious Basterds - I hope I don't make myself sound too stupid when I say that for about the first two chapters of my favorite film of 2009 I thought, who knows why, that it was based on a true story. Of course, I figured out that it was fiction but that misconception may have just made this movie ten times better for me. This is, probably, the movie that influenced me to become a blogger though - after watching it, I was obsessed and I began to read movie blogs, and well, the rest is history.

2010: Scott Pilgrim Vs the World - What better way to end a retrospective on the movies of my life than my recent number one film of 2010. It was simply a film made for me - countless video game and other nerd-friendly references, a fun rock-inspired soundtrack, and a hilariously brilliant cast full of powerful actressing. It wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but to say that I love it is an understatement.

So there you have it! I got a little long winded but it's hard not to when you're being nostalgic. Check out everyone else's posts as well and comment below on which of these movies you love too!

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Top 10

And now, the moment for which you all have been waiting so fervently (ahem), my top ten films of the year. As should go without saying, this is my top ten right now - things can change over time. For example, I included "Avatar" at number 5 when I first made my list for last year, but then when I revisited recently it didn't even make the top ten. So! Anyway. Enough babble, on with the list!

10. How to Train Your Dragon

Ever since I first fell in love with this surprising movie when I first saw it, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Its story line may be a bit cliche, sure, but it still manages to defy convention nonetheless. It's so sensitive and I fell in love with it despite its imperfections. And that score? It's just so wonderful. And, it's my current ringtone. Hahaha

9. Animal Kingdom

You all should know by now how much I adore Jacki Weaver, but there's more to this film than just her. It's masterfully written, frightening and intense and yet there's this heart to it all - a bizarre, slightly dysfunctional heart, but it's there nonetheless. The performances from the rest of the cast are great and Michod's subtle directorial work leaves you wanting more and more.

8. Dogtooth

I'll freely admit that its off putting subject matter is what's keeping this film from being higher on the list, but there is absolutely no denying how bizarrely brilliant it is. It's fascinatingly shot, with perfectly mysterious performances from the entire cast - and while so many movies force messages with cliches and manipulation "Dogtooth" tackles so many themes and lets the screenplay speak for itself. Shocking, but fascinating.

7. Mother

This movie should have been just another crime drama. Instead, it's a provocative, tense, fascinating and often beautiful portrait of a mother's unyielding love for her son. Bong Joon-Ho plots every frame with so much detail and thought, allowing Kim Hye-Ja to work her wonders.

6. True Grit

From the opening shot to the closing narration, "True Grit" is a surprisingly riveting tale that deals perfectly with the implications of redemption. The Coen Brothers totally turn what could have been an ordinary western into an extraordinary journey told through the eyes of a young fourteen year old girl. Surprisingly funny and extraordinarily grandiose, it's just another amazing movie from the Coens.

5. 127 Hours

Okay, Danny Boyle's sometimes erratic choices may not have always been good choices, but the overall film ends up being such a success that it's possible to overlook the mistakes - and then some. No film affected me as emotionally as "127 Hours" did - James Franco's fantastic performance takes the viewer on such a powerful journey. Inspiring and emotional, the power of this film cannot be understated.

4. Rabbit Hole

"Rabbit Hole" isn't necessarily sad - more like poignant and seeing grief treated in such a way is so refreshing and, ultimately affecting. The myriad of great performances from Kidman, Eckhart, Teller, Weist and Oh enhance the already gorgeous script, which is all put together by the tender hand of John Cameron Mitchell. This film never forces you to feel, it just allows itself to be so real that you can't help but be devastated, and yet, filled with hope.

3. Black Swan

My excitement for this film went down a wee bit since I first saw it (on opening day which is something I will be eternally proud of) but I still adore it so. Watching it was such a thrill ride that after I left the theater I was just speechless. It's scary, it's gorgeous, and it's thought provoking, featuring a career-best performance from Portman...and honestly, everyone else in the cast too. As the woman behind me in the theater put it, "WHAT THE HELLLLL WAS THAT?!", in the good way of course.

2. The Social Network

I'd be hard pressed to find as intelligent a film as "The Social Network" that also has such an emotional core. To quote everybody in the world, it's not about Facebook, it's about friendship. Fincher's direction brilliantly brings together such fantastic technical achievments (the score! the cinematography!) and though this may not win Best Picture tomorrow night, this will be the film that stands the test of time.

1. Scott Pilgrim Vs the World

Okay. It may not be the genius instant-classic that "The Social Network" is, nor is it perhaps the beautiful masterpiece that "Black Swan" is, but I did not fall in lesbians so hard with any film as hard as I fell for "Scott Pilgrim". My nerdier side loved the video game references and the 8-bit soundtrack but my intelligent side adored the perfect acting and creative filmmaking style. Behind all of the amazing visual effects it's still just a story of a rather imperfect relationship and what we all go through to be with the ones we love, and it's just so perfect. I simply couldn't not call it my favorite of the year.

Ah, so there you have it everyone! My favorites. I hope you've all enjoyed the Golden Corneas - what did you think of my choices? Surprised? Angry? Sad? The comment box is like a therapy session - all feelings welcome without judgment so sound off below!

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Screenplays

Screenplays are the basis of the film - without a good screenplay, there's really nothing that can redeem a film. This year was full of really good writing, so now a few of my faves.

Adapted

5. True Grit - Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

The Coen Brothers consistently bring great writing to the screen. "True Grit" is not only rife with great period language and dialogue but it's also chock full with great characters and trademark Coen Brothers humor. Not to mention the perfect structure.

4. Winter's Bone - Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini

Similarly to "True Grit", "Winter's Bone" is full of colloquial dialogue and terminology which is an accomplishment on its own. But the script's greatest accomplishment is its minimalist structure which allows the emotional shocks in the arc to stand out shockingly and perfectly.

3. Rabbit Hole - David Lindsay-Abaire

Grief is such a difficult theme for the movies to get right - but "Rabbit Hole" is pretty much perfect. Lindsay-Abaire never lets his characters wallow in their situati

on, instead treating them like the real people that they are. The script also finds unexpected humor that makes the emotional parts so much more painful. The seamless transition from stage to screen is also a great accomplishment.

2. Scott Pilgrim VS The World - Michael Bacall, Edgar Wright

It's no easy feat to get a successful, memorable one-liner into a screenplay. However, Bacall and Wright were able to make almost every single line in "Scott Pilgrim" into one that you can quote innumerable times after the credits roll. However, the quirky and amazingly funny dialogue is just the icing on the cake that is the simple, adorable and timeless story of a boy who will do anything to be with the girl he loves.

1. The Social Network - Aaron Sorkin

There's not much I can say about this script that hasn't already been said - the dialogue is brilliant, the characters are fantastically fleshed out and the structure is simply perfect. Sorkin's script will assure this film's status as an instant classic.

Honorable Mentions: "127 Hours"'s screenplay balances Ralston in and out of the pit perfectly; "How to Train Your Dragon" might be a bit cliche but it still never takes the easy way out.

Original

5. The Kids Are All Right - Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg

Cholodenko and Blumberg craft a touching, creative and unique portrait of an alternative family, perhaps most effectively by treating them like any other family. Not to mention that the film is so funny.

4. The King's Speech - David Seidler

David Seidler's captivating screenplay is just another one of the reasons that "The King's Speech" defies some of the convention that it could have easily fallen into. Seidler humanizes each character and never loses an opportunity for humor, pathos or an appropriately timed zinger of dialogue.

3. Please Give - Nicole Holofcener

"Please Give" could so easily have come off annoying or too quirky for its own good. However, Holofcener's genius script avoids these possible pitfalls by thoroughly developing and shaping each character so well, and never losing anyone's plotline in this truly ensemble film. The dialogue is impeccably funny and smart, and the sensitive heart at the film's center is unflinchingly real.

2. Animal Kingdom - David Michod

Obviously my favorite thing about "Animal Kingdom" is Jacki Weaver but had David Michod not crafted such a fascinating, layered, and complex screenplay for her to work with, "Animal Kingdom" would not have been as successful or as fantastic as it was. Michod's crime drama tackles so many themes with passionate energy and underneath it all is a fantastic and rare emotional core.

1. Dogtooth - Giorgos Lanthimos, Efthymis Filippou

Based purely on creativity, "Dogtooth" is already one of the best films of the year. But not only does it have a ridiculously interesting concept, it totally delivers on that concept without ever alienating the viewer. Lanthimos and Filippou's bizarre (in the best sense of the word) work succeeds as satire, horror, and family relationship drama equally well and will surely last the test of time.

Honorable Mentions: "Greenberg" is so well written and it just nearly missed the top 5, but even the film's nearly unlikeable characters are portrayed so sympathetically; "Toy Story 3" relies on the first two films for a lot but it's still an original and creative piece of work with the perfect ending; "Solitary Man" has some amazing dialogue, along with some really interesting characters; I know a lot of people despise it and even though it really seems inconsequential, "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" is still a really well-written and funny piece by Allen; "Morning Glory" is more adorable, funny and emotionally engrossing than it had any right to be thanks to its screenplay.

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Supporting Actresses

Hm, this is perhaps my most "alternative" category, as almost none of my top five received as much mainstream praise as they perhaps deserved. I do think it was a very strong year though, with a really fantastic variety of performances from a whole group of fantastic ladies. So, my personal favorites!

5. Amy Adams - "The Fighter"

I honestly think Amy Adams can do no wrong, though playing against type seemed like a risky gamble for her. However, she totally pulls it off and then some. Charlene is such an interesting character, thanks heavily to Adams's complex and multilayered performance. She never takes the easy way out and even through her thick accent she has an irresistible heart and moxie that transcends the typical "supportive girlfriend" role that she was given.

4. Dale Dickey - "Winter's Bone"

Dickey's performance is simply frightening as Merab. She's a conflicted character - it's obvious that she cares about Ree, but her loyalty to her family comes first. Just watch as Dickey changes from protective matron to helpful friend from beginning to the end of the movie, it's a fantastic arc. Her haunting and expressive eyes seal the deal.

3. Naomi Watts - "Mother and Child"

"Mother and Child" is, as I mentioned before, full of fantastic performances. But Naomi Watts is particularly notable because of how much her performance simply should not have worked. On paper, her arc is borderline ridiculous. However, Watts makes her character powerfully real, human and believable. Her change from beginning to end is simply beautiful to watch and that elevator scene...perfection.

2. Ellen Wong - "Scott Pilgrim VS the World"

You can read my full thoughts on her here. Simply, Wong steals the movie from the rest of the uber-talented cast and creates an unbelievably loveable, beautifully sensitive and perfectly funny. I just can't get enough!

1. Jacki Weaver - "Animal Kingdom"

Oh my goodness, I can't even begin to describe this performance in words. Weaver is always in the background, always watching over her children, always an ever present force that drives the rest of her family. She's not perfect - she's manipulative, she's definitely a criminal, but she's no villain. Above all she loves her sons and will do anything for them. Weaver's Smurf is so effortlessly complex that her motives and actions can simply not be shaken from your mind. Weaver is truly a force of nature.

Honorable Mentions:

Okay, there will be a lot, so prepare yourselves. In "Black Swan", Mila Kunis slides effortlessly in and out of each of her scenes, with a natural ease that is unmatchable, while Barbara Hershey is a frighteningly powerful and even sympathetic force onscreen; Rebecca Hall is just the right amount of pathetic and loveable in "Please Give"; Kirsten Dunst single handedly saves "All Good Things" with a devastating and truly emotive performance (cast her NOW!). Dianne Wiest is fantastic as embodied grief in "Rabbit Hole"; Kerry Washington gives a wonderful, and perhaps the most interesting, performance in "Mother and Child", even when her character's being a total bitch; Marion Cotillard provides the complete heart and soul of "Inception" and her Mal is a fascinating force of primal emotion; Melanie Laurent's role in "The Concert" may be small but she does so much with it; I wasn't much a fan of "City Island" but Emily Mortimer is joyously cute and yet perfectly complicated; I thought Melissa Leo's performance in "The Fighter" was kind of all surface no substance but my oh my, what a surface it was.

Almost Made It:

Kristen Stewart in "The Runaways", Lucy Punch in "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger", Tammy Blanchard in "Rabbit Hole", Helena Bonham Carter in "Alice in Wonderland", Anna Kendrick in "Scott Pilgrim VS The World", Ann Guilbert in "Please Give"

Wow, so many ladies to mention I just couldn't stop myself. In case I haven't covered someone, who were your favorites? You know the drill, comments below! :)

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Supporting Actors

Gosh, this was tough. I kept rearranging and rearranging - needless to say it was a good year. My honorable mentions might have found their way into my top 5 on any other day, it was just so competitive.

5. Andrew Garfield - "The Social Network"

As the heart of the film, Garfield is a revelation. He gives Eduardo so much charisma and heart, but he's not afraid to bring out the flaws in his character as well. He's sympathetic but not pathetic, and that's Garfield's greatest achievement.

4. John Hawkes - "Winter's Bone"

Hawkes is frighteningly good as Teardrop in "Winter's Bone". There is no Hawkes, there is only Teardrop and he is a force of nature without ever stealing the spotlight from Jennifer Lawrence. The amount of expression in his eyes is breathtaking.

3. Won Bin - "Mother"

As Mother's criminally accused son, Won Bin is perfect at being slightly off, yet still so sympathetic. Do-Joon is definitely hiding something but Bin keeps us guessing until the very end. A surprising and memorable performance.

2. Mark Ruffalo - "The Kids Are All Right"

It's really quite remarkable, what Mark Ruffalo did in "Kids". Ruffalo effortlessly turns Paul into such a complex character - he's the definition of a man child, and yet he's not immature. His arc is absolutely perfect and his chemistry with every member of the cast is such a joy to watch.

1. Geoffrey Rush - "The King's Speech"

I was truly awed by Rush's fantastic work in "Speech". Rush is usually known for being crazily over the top but as Lionel Logue, he's remarkably subtle. His audition scene near the beginning of the movie is simply brilliant and it defines his character - a man who has to help others in order to help himself. Remarkable.

Honorable Mentions:

Oh, how it kills me to not be able to mention these guys! Kieran Culkin is hilarious and yet, so sensitive in "Scott Pilgrim"; Samuel L. Jackson gives an uncharacteristically emotive and human performance in "Mother and Child"; Matt Damon is so funny, but also so endearing in "True Grit"; Michael Shannon is so full of sleazy, over-the-top goodness in "The Runaways".

Just Missed It:

Mark Webber in "Scott Pilgrim", Vincent Cassell in "Black Swan", Luke Ford in "Animal Kingdom"

What are your thoughts on this category? It was a fantastic year for supporting men, eh? Comments are welcome as always! :)

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Ensembles

There's nothing like a great cast to make a movie wonderful. This year was full of fantastic feats of ensemble acting, so without further ado, my favorites from 2010.

5. The Concert

Though the advertising campaign will have you believe that this movie is all about Melanie Laurent, tis not the case - though she's lovely in her small role, it's the rest of the cast that breathes such a whimsical life into the film. Be it the goofy Valeri Barinov as the Communist sympathizing manager or the entire crowd of gypsy musicians this wonderful group had a lot of fun, and thus, so did the audience.

4. Mother and Child

The script may have been a bit contrived but thanks to the wonderful performances by the whole cast, "Mother and Child" excels. Bening, Watts and Washington make for great leads but Samuel L. Jackson, Shareeka Epps and Cherry Jones, along with the rest of the supporting players, all give their parts so much more depth than expected.

3. Please Give

This cast of droll and almost unanimously unlikable characters could have been ridiculous or grating. Intsead, Keener, Hall, Platt, Peet, Guilbert and Steele are funny, lovable and work off of each other so remarkably well.

2. The Social Network

Sorkin's dialogue is brilliant, yes, but without the fantastic delivery by every member of the cast, there would not have been the fireworks that there were. And not only do Eisenberg and Garfield do well, but so do the smaller players - Timberlake is surprisingly good, Jones and Song make the most out of their small roles, Hammer is fantastic and Mara is a raw emotional turning point. Simply marvelous.

1. Scott Pilgrim VS The World

Well of COURSE! There's just too much brilliance in every moment of every scene thanks to this amazing cast to be written down in words. I could easily write a paragraph about how great every member of the cast is - Cera, Winstead, Kulkin, Wong, Pill, Plaza, Kendrick, Larson, Whitman...ahhhh. This cast is teh epic.

Honorable Mentions: I do think that Jacki Weaver unabashedly steals the show in Animal Kingdom but the rest of the cast is really quite fantastic as well; Dogtooth's ensemble is marvelous at being both creepy yet surprisingly sympathetic; Winter's Bone is a great spotlight for Jennifer Lawrence but the supporting players hold up remarkably; Greenberg's main trio of Stiller, Gerwig and Ifans is great and it's supported well; Black Swan belongs to Portman but her costars surround her brilliantly; The Fighter is an ensemble piece at its best and those sisters are irresistible!

This was a tough one! What were your favorite ensembles this year?

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Art Direction

To finish out the technical categories, I bring you the art direction.

5. David Stein - "Black Swan"

Goodness, is there any single set more brilliantly designed than the Sayers's apartment? It's so claustrophobic, sickeningly pink and uneasily scary. The more subtle designs, such as the ballet company and those stairwells, are subtly marvelous as well but that apartment is just...amazing.

4. Dante Ferretti - "Shutter Island"

Designing a mental institution must be such a fun assignment for any art director. "Shutter Island"'s castle is epic and frightening, but the smaller sets work too - don't those prisons just feel endless? - and even the interiors are gaudy and brilliant.

3. Elli Papageorgakopoulou - "Dogtooth"

Wow, what a name. Anyway! It's one location for almost the entire film, but what a perfect location it is. The walls are just a bit too white, the grass is just slightly too green, the ceiling just a little bit too high - everything is "perfect", yet at the same time, so frighteningly off. It's just a regular house, but there's a marvelous unease.

2. Nadine Herrmann - "I Am Love"

Those lush country vineyards, those spiraling staircases and those lush mansions...every single set piece in this film is a beauty as intricate and carefully designed as the costumes. It's just another piece of Guadagnino's marvelous aesthetic.

1. Eve Stewart and Judy Farr - "The King's Speech"

Yes, I went for the predictable choice - but it is deserving. Everyone keeps mentioning "the wall" in Logue's office and it totally deserves to be mentioned. In fact, that and the rest of the sets in the film are all so wonderful and interesting it's impossible to look away.

Honorable Mentions: Scott Pilgrim Vs the World's art direction gracefully captured the spirit of its characters, especially in that Chaos Theatre; I'm not sure if it counts as "art direction" but Summer Wars was such a visual feast that I had to mention it somewhere; True Grit's old-west landscapes are so, so solid; I didn't love Inception but it definitely deserves praise in the art direction department.

What were the most well designed films in your opinion? Comment!

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Cinematography

The awardage continues! Now one of my favorite categories, cinematography. I'm telling you, if a sucky movie has amazing cinematography, I'll love it. ;)

5. Bill Pope - "Scott Pilgrim Vs the World"

I know it seems like "Scott" has shown up everywhere but it does deserve it, haha. Pope's work is fun and colorful but also surprisingly sensitive (that shot of Scott and Ramona on the swings, for example) and the action sequences are perfectly absorbing thanks to his focused camerawork.

4. Anthony Dod Mantle - "127 Hours"

"127 Hours" was no easy feat for a cinematographer - after all, you're trapped in a small crevasse for most of the movie. Yet, Mantle rises and surpasses this challenge. We feel just as trapped as Ralston - and when the sunlight touches his foot, we feel it too. Also, notice how the beautiful colors begin to fade as the hours pass...a subtle but wonderful touch.

3. Kyung-Pyo Hong - "Mother"

What I love most about Hong's work on "Mother" is how perfect his color scheme is. The monochromatic tones allow the frightening injections of red (blood, Mother's clothing) to stand out beautifully. The closing shot and opening shots are especially unbelievable.

2. Yorick le Saux - "I Am Love"

There's no questioning the artistic merit of "I Am Love" and the cinematography is one of its greatest assets. Every scene is so gorgeously lit and shot that it's impossible to look away - Le Saux knows what beauty is and works it in so well.

1. Matthew Libatique - "Black Swan"

Libatique masterfully frames every shot of "Black Swan" with beauty and power. We swirl with Nina while she dances, stalk her as she walks, and descend into madness just as she does because of the camera's absorbing lens.

Honorable Mentions: It was such a good year for cinematography, that it's actually sad that I couldn't include the wonderful work on True Grit, Shutter Island or The Social Network, all three of which might have made this list on any other day! Other notable efforts include The King's Speech and Greenberg.

What movies were your cinematographic favorites this year? Let me know in the comments! :)

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Editing

I do apologize for the snail's pace at which these awards are being handed out. Unfortunately it's been kind of crazy around here at chez Robert, but I promise to speed things up a bit. Anyway, on to the editing!

5. "Scott Pilgrim Vs the World" - Jonathan Amos and Paul Machliss

Obviously this is the most fun entry on the list - sure, it's unapologetically flashy but the great comic-book editing enhances and adds its o

wn injection of humor. Without the brash work of Amos and Machliss, "Pilgrim" would not have been half the fun that it was.

4. "127 Hours" - Jon Harris

Claustrophobic, fast-paced and exhilirating, Jon Harris's editing matches and even exceeds Danny Boyle's vision. And yet, we never lose a minute of the emotion, and Aron Ralston is always and rightfully the focus.

3. "Exit Through the Gift Shop" - Tom Fulford and Chris King

Any self respecting documentary should have good editing, and "Gift Shop"'s editing certainly exceeds that requirement. The seamless and masterful integration of Guetta's indie footage, interviews and narration gives the doc its perfect and unhaltingly fast pace.

2. "Black Swan" - Andrew Weisblum

A flashy display of editing, "Black Swan" swirls along with frightening intensity augmented by the tight and slick cuts. Not to mention the in-your-face shock scares that'll make you jump out of your seat.

1. "The Social Network" - Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall

The impeccable pace of "Network" can be attributed greatly to its masterful editing. The timeline hopping and quick-fire conversations are riveting and undeniably brilliant.

Honorable Mentions: Coen Bros. films are always greatly edited so it's no surprise that True Grit is so well cut; Inception mixes its dream layers with masterful skill and precision; It may not seem like much but The King's Speech is as absorbing as it is thanks much to its editing; every shot in Mother is unbearably precise and tense.

What were your favorite editing achievements of the year? As always, thoughts are more than welcome down below! :)

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Costumes

I'm not going to pretend to be a connoisseur of fashion or anything, but I can definitely tell you what I like and dislike and movie costumes, when done well, can be extremely enjoyable eye candy. So, without further ado, 2011 in costumes...

5. Jacqueline West - "The Social Network"

At first it may not seem like much, but this subtlety is its greatest strength. Every character is dressed marvelously and the integration of the costumes with the rest of the narrative is seamless.

4. Laura Jean Shannon - "Scott Pilgrim VS the World"

Every colorful and often over-the-top costume in "Scott Pilgrim" is perfectly suited to the character that wears it. Shannon suits Scott in the perfect band shirts, Knives in the most adorable of Catholic school girl uniforms, and Ramona in perfect hipster chic. Every costume is so much fun to behold!

3. Mary Zophres - "True Grit"

The film doesn't have many costumes, but the ones it does have are simply marvelous. The way that Mattie's clothes are always just a little bit too big and way that LaBeouf's uniform seems to both match and betray his persona are just a couple of Zophres's wonderfully solid achievements.

2. Antonella Cannarozzi - "I Am Love"

The costume design nomination for Cannarozzi at the Oscars was surprising, but totally and utterly deserved. Never before has Tilda Swinton looked so fabulous as in this film, and like "The Social Network" Cannarozzi fits the characters so well, contrasting the stoic suits of the Recchis with the colorful outfits of Emma. Perfection.

1. Carol Beadle - "The Runaways"

This may seem like an off kilter choice for the best costumes of the year, but simply watch the movie and you'll see what an accomplishment they are. Beadle not only captures the era perfectly, but is able to costume the film's characters with a unique voice and vision, too often lost in period recreations. But perhaps best of all is that the costumes, while brilliant, never distract from the movie, and that is the most important accomplishment.

Honorable Mentions: Black Swan's gorgeous and often demented costumes just barely missed this list; I don't think they're very unique but The King's Speech still dresses its characters well; Obviously it's not hard to make Marion Cotillard look stunning, but her black dress in Inception was perfect and the rest of the cast looks really spiffy too.

Surprised by my choices? What were your favorite costumes of the year? Sound off in the comments!