oscars 2015

Awards season is always a total buzz for me, and I always intend to watch as many of the nominated films as possible before the trophies are handed out. However, it looks like I might be boycotting some of this year's Oscar nominees - currently being nicknamed 'The White Oscars', and for good reason. I thought I was hallucinating when I realised the entirety of the finalists - Leading and Supporting - were all white. David Oyelowo's inspiring performance of Martin Luther King in Selma, released at such a poignant time with the riots in America, was somehow overlooked for Leading Actor.
And what does it say about society that Oyelowo was ignored, and American Sniper picked up multiple nominations including best actor for Bradley Cooper, a film that is arguably enforcing the perpetual villainising of Islam? I thought blatant racial bias could be contained to mainstream media, but Clint Eastwood has aided in its trickling through into the highest critically acclaimed films of the year. Jimmy Fallon puts it perfectly: 'An Oscar nominee is like a snowflake: each one is different, and they’re all white.' We need to stop kidding ourselves about diversity in film. Last year was a refreshing change thanks to films like 12 Years A Slave, but it really looks like we've regressed.

Along with American Sniper, also up for Best Picture are The Imitation Game and The Theory Of Everything, proving that the Academy is mad for true story dramas - as long as they're about misunderstood white men. Benedict Cumberbatch and Eddie Redmayne are both at loggerheads to claim the title of Sensitive British Genius with their respective performances of Alan Turing and Stephen Hawking. As proud as I am of Eddie for his constantly rising credibility as an actor after Les Mis, I can't help feeling that the Oscars are too focused on their beloved realism, resulting in some incredible films have been left out, such as the tense and dramatic Interstellar. And it goes without saying how disappointed I am that none of the female led movies are up for best picture. Reese Witherspoon has proved her worth as an independent and capable actress in Wild; likewise the phenomenal Julianne Moore promises to move and inspire the audience, starring in Still Alice. I'm upset but unsurprised at these snubs for Best Picture.

Moore has already picked up a Golden Globe for her performance as Alice Howland

And I can't end this without saying how outraged I am that Billy Boyd's The Last Goodbye wasn't included for Best Original Song. I cried all the way through the credits because of how beautiful it was, such a wonderful send off to the Hobbit trilogy and to the Lord of the Rings franchise in general. They've picked up a nomination for Sound, but as with the other categories, I've been left feeling bit empty.


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movies with kirsty: Guardians Of The Galaxy

In short, this movie was just so much fun. In typical marvel fashion, the jokes were stupid, the villain was overly theatrical, and Stan Lee's cameo was just as ridiculous - but it all added to this film's charm. A sci-fi and a fantasy rolled into one - kind of like Narnia, but set in space. (And almost a spiritual experience when viewed in 3D.)

The stars of the show are the galaxy's very own Breakfast Club; a bunch of misfits in their own right, each with their own heartbreaking backstory, leading them to empathise with each other and form a very special bond. (Friendship. Obviously.)

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is the John Bender of the group, sporting an impressive superiority complex and an unhealthy dose of repressed childhood trauma. Dave Bautista's Drax provides some amusement due to his new companions acting as a catalyst to develop his pitifully limited sense of humour and understanding of sarcasm. As for the double act comprised of Rocket (raccoon? rodent? hamster?) and -who I like to imagine as a distant relation of Tolkien's Ents- Groot, I was more than pleasantly surprised.

Deadly duo? You decide.

I was prepared for the anthropomorphic characters to constantly grate on my nerves as their likes usually do, but they were not what I expected at all. Every one of Bradley Cooper's lines as Rocket were bursting with attitude and expression. On the other hand, Groot was, to put it quite simply - adorable and completely endearing.

From a feminist point of view this film was really refreshing; the most deadly of the ensemble was Gamora, Thanos' adopted daughter. On top of that, the best fight scene was without a doubt between her and sister Nebula. And, without spoiling too much, a romance was established between two characters without objectification or any slow-mo kissing scenes! You go James Gunn!

For me, the crowning glory of Guardians was the soundtrack, aka 'Awesome Mix Vol. 1'. Full of absolute gems from the 70s, to name a few; Bowie, Jackson 5, Blue Swede - and it keeps getting better. These are the perks of having a main character removed from Earth during the 80s with only a cassette tape to his name. 

The proclaimed mixtape.

Overall, this film has something to please everyone. The world they have created is beautiful and intricate, thanks no doubt to the hundreds of graphic designers credited at the end. Lovable characters, a killer soundtrack, and a relatively easy to follow plot, embellished with witty one liners and slapstick humour. What more could you ask for in a superhero movie?