Oscar Contenders in 2013

BEAST OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

DRAMA/FANTASY

               

PLOT:  Young black girl has to deal with harsh realities by imagination.

Hushpuppy (Quvenzhane Wallis) is six years old who lost her mom and her father Wink (Dwight Henry) is trying to make her tough before he dies while escaping before the levees break.  WARNING:  Before you see this film this is an INDEPENTANT films it is not like what you would expect from a mainstream movie.  That being said it is a wild ride reality and fantasy combined.  To tell you the truth I can’t explain the plot but the young Ms Wallis is fantastic!!  She is tough, tender.  She has to be an adult in tragic situations.  I wasn’t going to see the movie until the black actress was nominated for an Oscar.  I like weird but this one baffled me.  If you want to see it wait and watch it when it comes to IFC or Sundance.

LIFE OF PI

ADVENTURE/FANTASY/DRAMA

PLOT:  A young man begins an epic journey alone on a boat with a Bengal tiger.

The story is not as simple as I stated.  The story is really not the movie’s strong point but the stunning visual effects.  It is a feast to the eyes.   Based on the novel by Yann Martel director Ang Lee(Hulk-2003 and Brokeback Mountain) brings an un-filmable movie to life!!   The actors are mostly India and they are fantastic!! If you can see it on the big screen for it was shown in 3D like Avatar 3D to see the depth and beauty of this amazing feature.

LES MISERABLES

MUSICAL/DRAMA

PLOT:  Based on the novel by Victor Hugo turned into a hit musical and now the film adaption.

Oh boy this is a tragic story so they release it on Christmas Day. Hugh Jackman plays Jean Valjean who is sent to jail for stealing a loaf of bread. He has done his time but Javert (Russell Crowe) still chases him because once a thief always a thief.  Jean also helps a dying prostitute Faintine( Anne Hathaway) and takes care of  her daughter, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried).  The performances by the leads are outstanding and director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) is epic!!  There is no dialogue only singing and that is great on Broadway and on the big screen if you like that.  I don’t really like it at all.