Thor (2011)

The problem with a movie exceeding expectations is that it then warps your critique of that movie. Did I enjoy "Thor" as much as I did because it was a legitimately good movie, or was it just because it exceeded rather drastically my remarkably low expectations? Perhaps a bit of both. For me the most surprising aspect of the film was actually Chris Hemsworth's performance as Thor. The character Thor could have been so easily turned into a muscular lump of grunts and growls but Hemsworth nuances his performance with emotional ups and downs that turn Thor into one of the more interesting superheroes of recent memory. However, best in show easily goes to Kat Dennings who steals every scene she's in. The biggest problem I had with the movie was that it was far too reliant on CGI, which made it feel a bit artificial - for example, Asgard was not anywhere near as awe inspiring as it aspired to be because it felt so phony. Anyway, "Thor" is surprising - not brilliant or timeless cinema by any means but as a piece of entertainment it totally succeeds.

7/10

(It's tough for me to decide between a 6 and a 7. Hm)

Golden Cornea Awards 2011: The Actresses

Coming up with a top five for this category was a surprisingly simple task, since there were exactly five performances that really, really stood out to me this year. Of course, there were several women who didn't quite make the top five but would have been totally deserving - it was such a strong year. Anyway, the top five!

5. Kim Hye-Ja - "Mother"

When I first saw this film, the only adjective I could use to describe Kim's performance was operatic. The range of emotions she goes through to portray her character are so expansive and thus so marvelous to watch unfold. Her final shot is simply haunting - the entire performance is a magnificent piece of work.

4. Nicole Kidman - "Rabbit Hole"

Almost the polar opposite of Kim Hye-Ja, Kidman plays Becca with such a quiet force of emotion. Her cold exterior is never alienating and Kidman's handling of the long grief period her character experienced before the start of the movie is masterful. Kidman gives a simply beauiful performance - those park scenes are perfection.

3. Emma Stone - "Easy A"

Compared to the other women on this list, and many of the other fantastic performances that didn't make the top five, Stone's performance may seem a bit lightweight. Take a second look though, and you'll see that in "Easy A" Emma Stone delivers an absolutely brilliant, radiant comedic performance. She elevates every single aspect of the movie, and every single line from her mouth, every single facial expression, and every little twitch or bodily reaction is perfectly timed to achieve the ultimate comedic affect. A star-making turn that leaves you wanting more.

2. Annette Bening - "Mother and Child"

It's Bening's performance in "The Kids are All Right" that's been getting the most praise (and it is a fantastic performance) but it's her work in "Mother and Child" that I remember, and will remember, the most. Bening is perfect at being cold, even mean, but she knows Karen so, so well that it's impossible for us not to connect. The way she paces her performance is also great, so that the big emotional moment in her performance is truly heart wrenching. Limited screentime does not hinder this magnificent work.

1. Natalie Portman - "Black Swan"

It's hard to really formulate thoughts around this epic performance. Portman gives the performance of a lifetime as the mentally deteriorating Nina, balancing her innocent persona in the first act marvelously with her unraveling character in the second act. Even disregarding the physical effort that this performance required, Natalie Portman's complete immersion in her character hasn't got a single gap and is horrifying, beautiful, and awesome all at once. And that scene in the bathroom stall? Best acting all year.

Honorable Mentions:

It was difficult to not mention Michelle Williams who does beautiful, multilayered and age-spanning work in "Blue Valentine"; Greta Gerwig's quiet, non-actressy performance is so marvelously simple in "Greenberg" as she becomes the film's unlikely hero; Jennifer Lawrence carries "Winter's Bone" so well with a raw naturalism that is rarely seen done so well; Hailee Steinfeld shows acting skills beyond her years as she gives her character remarkable candor and yet, perfect subtlety.

Just Missed It:

Catherine Keener in "Please Give", Julianne Moore in "The Kids Are All Right", Rachel McAdams in "Morning Glory", Mary Elizabeth Winstead in "Scott Pilgrim Vs the World"

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!

Incoherent Ramblings Regarding "Black Swan"

Because I cannot even begin to wrap my head around it enough to write any kind of formal review, I decided to do this instead. It's like, a review, minus all that stuff you learned in English class about development and paragraphs and stuff! Bahaha.

• After the movie ended, a very candid woman behind me loudly exclaimed: "What the HELL was that?!", which gave me a giggle. Speaking of giggle, during a scene that, at the time, I thought was particularly serious, a woman near the front of the packed theater began laughing hysterically. It was a little awkward though it did cause me to see the obvious humor that existed during that shot.
  
  
• I know I'm totally the first one in the whole world saying this, but, Natalie Portman basically knocks it out of the park. In fact, hers is probably my favorite female performance this year. I never once saw her acting - I simply saw Nina Sayers onscreen, and I was totally immersed. Her descent into madness is perfectly timed and brilliantly executed. And how about that scene where she was on the phone with her mom in the bathroom stall? Oh my goodness. That was just so...so perfect.
  
  
• The supporting cast is great too even though this is obviously about Nina, and nobody else. Mila Kunis (who was kind of awesome) is seductive and mysterious without being cliche, Hershey is scary and overbearing without being irritating, and Cassell is sultry and egotistical without being stupid.
  
• But my personal favorite in the supporting cast was Winona Ryder. She gets her own whole bullet point! As I was thinking about it today, I think her total screentime was probably about 5 minutes (if even that) and in that time she probably only says about 3 lines, but even so I left the movie with her character having left the greatest impression on me. As Beth, the past her prime dancer, she evokes so much in just the way that she carries herself, the way that she speaks, the looks in her eyes. She was just so captivating to behold.
  
  
• Um, technically, this movie is kind of perfect. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, and the score...ah, ah, ah the SCORE. Thank you Clint Mansell, for being freaking awesome once again. The way that the score seamlessly intertwines with Tchaikovsky and the way that it could stand alone as its own ballet music is just...so...wonderful. It heightens the emotion in every scene and is so perfectly orchestrated.
  
  
• I was effin' scared during this movie. Like, the most scared I've been in a LONG time at the movies. Maybe even ever. Though I haven't seen a lot of scary movies. But I was seriously clammy the whole time. I also felt kind of sick for the rest of the day after watching it - though that's probably the fault that all I ate all day was a bagel and a sandwich from Starbucks. Not the most stomach-friendly choice. Hehe.



• Personal Story: A couple hours after I saw this, I had one of the more rigorous piano lessons I've had in quite some time, and I just kept thinking about the movie, and how Thomas was like, intensely coaching Nina and how she was getting all stressed and I kind of related. Okay, I don't know if anyone can fully relate to this movie, but the theme of a relentless pursuit of success and how it can affect your persona really resonated with me.
  
  
• I loved it.
  
  

9/10

"Black Swan" Trailer

OMG THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW! So many good trailers lately! Mmmz.

I found myself smiling with satisfaction when I finished watching this trailer. This is absolutely one of my top anticipated movies of the year, and this trailer makes it look SO promising. It looks sensual, stylish, disturbing, dramatic, and with some amazing chances for killer acting. And that shot of Natalie at the end! Oooh! Gah. This needs to come out right now because it looks freaking amazing.

Are you as excited as I about Aronofsky's next outing? Speak up below!