Weinstein Studios Photo Credit

1920s Film has Similar Themes as Today: Love, Vanity, Pride and Fame

Shot in black and white with no dialogue, ‘cleverness’ is this 1920s nostalgic film’s strength. So many people have been asking me questions about its unique style, as “The Artist” is getting lots of award buzz. Here’s the repetitive burning question, “Is there really no talking?” The answer is yes, there’s basically no dialogue (except for a few lines near the end), however: the musical score, sound effects and written story details all compensate for the omission of human voices. The premise is simple storytelling at its best, with two talented stars whose personas appear eerily made-to-order for the 20s era. Add a scene stealing Jack Russell Terrier − and you’ve got a sure fire winner.

Visually, the film is stunning with spot-on direction by Michel Hazanavicius, who’s also the screenplay writer. He’s a Frenchman who would be considered a newcomer by Hollywood standards, as he has limited film-directing credits. Perhaps one clue to the film’s success (besides its unique nature) may be the cohesiveness between the director and his two stars, Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo. All have worked together on prior projects with Hazanavicius stating that in 2005 he’d approached the two actors with the idea. The script was written with the duo in mind.

Taking place in Hollywood, 1927, silent film megastar George Valentin (Dujardin) is having a tough time ‘getting on board’ with the idea of talking in film. He basically thumbs his nose at the studio and refuses to comply. While on the set of his last major silent film he meets a young, enthusiastic extra named Peppy Miller (don’t you love the name!), and both are smitten from the get go. Valentin is in a failing marriage and soon his wife does leave.

84th Academy Awards® Poster Photo Credit: ©A.M.P.A.S.®

“Hugo” Leads Oscar Race at 11, with “The Artist” Knockin’ at the Door with 10

The two front-runners in the Oscar derby are serendipitously a tribute to the early days of moviemaking. Earning eleven nominations, Martin Scorsese's "Hugo," is about a young boy who befriends the inventor of the cinema. A close second with ten nominations, "The Artist," is a silent black and white film set in the late 1920s when Hollywood was making the change from silent pictures to the talkies.

"Moneyball," centers on baseball and a general manager who, with the help of a mathematical genius, uses statistics to outmaneuver coaches, managers and professional scouts. This film, directed by Bennett Miller, scored six nominations.

Steven Spielberg’s “Warhorse,” a WWI film with a setting in England, claimed 6 nods including best picture and cinematography but Spielberg was snubbed for direction.

"The Descendants," Alexander Payne’s follow-up to “Sideways,” exhibits a family’s attempt to bond together during a tragedy and received five nominations.

SARAH ADAMSON

The Chicago Film Critics Awards 2012

An afternoon press conference with James Earl Jones, Jason Segel and Dennis Farina was the first event starting at 3pm in the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Jan. 7. A cocktail reception began at 4pm and the Red Carpet around 5pm.

Special guests included the stars named above with the addition of George Lucas, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard.

The Broadway Playhouse in Water Tower Place was the location of the CFCA awards, followed by the Comedy Awards.

Tickets were on sale earlier in the week and the cost to mingle with celebrities and chat about movies varied.

Silver Tickets - Awards Show at 6 pm Sat, $90

Gold Tickets - Awards Show AND After Party at the Ritz Carlton, $150

Platinum Tickets - Awards Show AND After Party AND Friday Night Cocktails at Second City 6 - 8 pm - $200

WLS radio personalities Richard Roeper and Roe Conn hosted the 23rd annual Chicago Film Critics Awards.

Three honorary award recipients were: James Earl Jones, recipient of the Oscar Micheaux Award; Chicago actor Dennis Farina, recipient of the Commitment to Chicago Award; and writer/actor/producer Jason Segel, recipient of the new Commedian Extraordinaire Award for contributions to the art of film comedy.

The Oscar Micheaux Award is named in honor of Illinois-born Micheaux, a black writer, producer and director who operated his own independent studio that straddled the silent and talkie eras in film.



Move over Angelina, there’s a new girl in town. With a stellar cast consisting of Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton and Michael Douglas, audiences may be convinced to run to the theater without even seeing the trailer. What audiences don’t know is that a woman with much less experience in the acting world impressively leads the cast. Mixed martial arts superstar, Gina Carano (American Gladiators) makes her film debut as female co-op specialist, Mallory Kane, and boy does Carano bring it! As soon as Mallory discovers she’s been double crossed, revenge is her answer to everything. Carano performs her own high adrenaline stunts in this action-thriller loaded with betrayal, espionage, action, suspense and secrecy.

Academy Award winning director Steven Soderbergh (Contagion) cranked out his 25th film, “Haywire,” and wasn’t afraid to go full throttle in the fighting department. Soderbergh set the bar high with his 2001 Oscar winning drug film, “Traffic” and the popular “Ocean’s” series. “Haywire” doesn’t quite stack up to those memorable films, however. Even though audiences are supposed to be almost as much in the dark as the victim, the storyline relies too heavily on the fighting itself and could have used a little more character development. With a title like “Haywire” expectations are high. Despite these criticisms, however, it’s still incredibly entertaining with its jaw dropping fight scenes, brilliant cast and gorgeous scenery throughout European cities and countrysides.

Thomas Horn plays Oskar Schell

Tambourine Clad Boy Searches for Answers After 9/11

That dreadful day (Sept. 11th), a precocious 11-yr. old boy, a deceased father, a grieving mother, a caring grandmother, a mysterious key, a silent renter and the residents of New York are all woven together into the movie version of author Jonathan Safran Foer’s book of the same name. A stellar cast, anchored by Tom Hanks, with Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis, all shine in scenes with young newcomer Thomas Horn. The downside − too many loose ends and inadequate explanations − leaves too many unanswered questions in this very sad story.

Director Stephen Daldry and screenwriter Eric Roth have crafted a film that is told through the inner voice of 11-year-old Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) while he searches New York City for a lock that will fit a key, hoping to solve a secret concerning his deceased father.

Oskar is no ordinary middle school child. He’s highly intelligent, has many fears, is rude to adults, talks in continuous monologue, is socially awkward, perseverates on a topic and has no friends his own age. In my past teaching of gifted 9-11 year olds, these characteristics were recognizable signs of Asperger’s syndrome. In the film, Oskar states that he was tested for this disorder, but then the topic is dropped and we are left to draw our own conclusions.

Viewing a grieving child on-screen as well as adding these unique characteristics could be a deal breaker as to whether you’ll decide to see the film, as Oskar is at the core of the movie. I can tell you that Horn had no previous acting experience and was a big winner on the TV show, “Kid’s Jeopardy.” I can also explicitly tell you, that he handled an extremely verbose script with spot-on pacing and flawless emotion. This was a tough role, even for an experienced child actor. Horn was perfect as Oskar. You can’t help but root for him; he draws you into his world, longing to be noticed, craving love, attention and sympathy.

G.G. (Dolly Parton) and Vi Rose (Queen Latifah) get into an all out girl fight in "Joyful Noise" Photo Credit: WarnerBros

"Joyful Noise" Doesn’t Quite Hit the High Note
When times aren’t exactly peachy in the peach state, the small town of Pacashau, Georgia looks to the two leading ladies of the Divinity Church Choir to bring home a trophy to revive the lost hope in the community. Winning the National Joyful Noise Competition seems to be the only thing that could lift the spirits of this economically depressed town.

This goody-goody “Glee” and “Disney”-esque film, directed by Todd Graff (“Bandslam”), centers on faith, love, music and restoration. While many of the musical numbers are hits in this musically driven comedy they are unfortunately accompanied by a lackluster, unorganized script.

Queen Latifah (“Chicago,”) and Dolly Parton (“Transamerica”), both past Academy Award nominees, are polar opposite power women who don’t quite sing to the same tune in this spiritually based film. Casting two very strong, contrasting women seems like the perfect idea for a movie, especially if looking to expand the target audience. Although this may work in theory, in the case of “Joyful Noise,” there is so much contrast between the characters that it falls short of genuine.

While both stars bring their overtly distinctive attitudes to the screen, Parton’s character, G.G. Sparrow, was overdone. As a viewer, I felt like I was watching a children’s program during most of Parton’s face time, with her unique high-pitched voice and overall ‘dolled’ up look that we’ve come to expect. She spoke to her troubled teenage grandson, Randy (Jeremy Jordan) as if he was 6 years old. Parton, playing her first lead role in nearly 20 years, wrote original songs for the film, including "Not Enough.” The scenes featuring her songs were entertaining for about 30 seconds. Audiences were especially restless during the scene where she sings, “From Here to the Moon and Back,” while fantasizing about her husband still being alive. I don’t blame them. Although die-hard Dolly fans may feel differently, her songs seemed to fall flat.

Anna (Felicity Jones) and Jacob (Anton Yelchin) in "Like Crazy." Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Raw, Intoxicating, Impulsive, Fresh…Crazy

Theaters today are filled with repetitive, abundant and predictable rom-coms. In contrast, “Like Crazy” is a breath of fresh air. Director Drake Doremus’ Sundance Award winning film depicts a unique look at the raw, emotional rollercoaster of love, or something like it. Is this what love is supposed to feel like? How do you know for sure? If not love, what is it?

Budding actors Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones ask themselves those very same questions while trying to dodge every roadblock in their path. Audiences will be amazed at Doremus’ ability to capture such an intense, authentic and intoxicating relationship with so little narrative. Purposefully vague, with an underdeveloped plot, the noteworthy acting coupled with the intricate camera work tells it all. As an audience, we feel like a fly on the wall, witnessing the troubled couple’s most intimate moments. Curiosity strikes us and we are immediately taken on a wild ride, jostling back and forth between heartache and euphoria.

While attending college in Los Angeles, Jacob (Yelchin), a local Californian with dreams of becoming a furniture designer, meets a free spirited British exchange student, Anna (Jones), after she places a note on his windshield. The passionate relationship begins at an intense high point with giddiness and flirtatious grins.

Unfortunately, what goes up must come down. One summer, Anna impulsively decides to overstay her visa. This decision will incessantly haunt her. Soon after, Anna finds herself in a small white room, face to face with immigration officials. Unable to return to the U.S., her overseas relationship with Jacob produces many waves.

Sarah Adamson's Top 10 list

1. The Descendants-George Clooney’s Hawaiian based film all the way.

2. Midnight in Paris- Woody Allen’s best film to date.

3. Hugo-Scorsese’s cinematic masterpiece.

4. The Artist-Best silent film about silent films.

5. Tree of Life-Poetry on the big screen.

6. Bridesmaids-These ladies are laugh out loud funny.

7. Moneyball-Baseball as you’ll never see it again.

8. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol-Non-stop action with a great script.

9. A Better Life-Heartwarming story of family.

10. Kung Fu Panda 2-Life lessons for the youngsters.

Runner-Ups

War Horse- WWI historical fiction centering on the love between a boy and his horse.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2-A beloved series comes to an astonishing end.