Posts Tagged ‘Heath Ledger’

Here we are in the modern age of cinema; past the halfway point in the year and towards the end of the summer blockbuster season. Just as it is never too early to begin Christmas shopping, it is never too early to begin generating Oscar buzz.

In the Christopher Guest film, “For Your Consideration,” the demeanor and attitudes of a group of actors change dramatically when an independent media website suggests that their film and their performances in it could win them all Oscar nominations. With all of the egos flying around Hollywood, it’s not an unlikely story. Therefore, in forecasting these following ten predictions, I apologize to anyone who might be treated badly by any of the following artists.

1. Even before it opened to limited release, Emma Thompson’s performance in “Brideshead Revisited” was garnering buzz for the big “O.” This is a guaranteed nomination.

2. While I am against posthumous awards, I believe that not only will Heath Ledger’s performance in “The Dark Knight” earn a Best Supporting Actor nomination, but as of right now, his odds for winning are about 75%.

3. Speaking of “The Dark Knight,” the film will sweep most of the technical awards.

4. A lot of people are considering “Wall-E” as a shoe-in for Best Animated Feature. But before you put money on it, wait until you see “The Tale of Despereaux,” out in December.

5. Robert Downey Jr.’s performance as a white actor taking on an African American role in “Tropic Thunder” can be compared to the bold risk taking of Mel Brooks when he did “Blazing Saddles.” It’s so wrong, so non-PC. But if he gets away with it (and Downey does), he will not only shock audiences but he could shock himself into a nomination.

6. On another technical note, “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” will get a much deserved nomination for make-up.

7. It’s Academy tradition that if Meryl Streep works at all during any given year of cinema, she must be nominated. But this nomination will not come from “Mamma Mia.” It will come from her performance as Sister Aloysius in John Patrick Stanley’s “Doubt,” due later this year.

The list will be capped by three films generating buzz in the Best Picture category.

8. “Revolutionary Road” -  the reunion of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, directed by Winslet’s husband, Sam Mendes.

9. “Frost/Nixon,” based on the Tony nominated play directed by Ron Howard.

10. Baz Luhrman’s “Australia.” The trailer alone will give you chills.

2008 overall has been a pretty good year for cinema; lots of movies based on plays, lots of groundbreaking technological effects. Look for more Oscar favorites the closer we get to the holiday season.

The Beatrice Inn may sound like a quaint place to stay while vacationing, but it’s actually a hip club in New York City’s West Village where stars such as Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, Orlando Bloom, Ashley Olsen and the late Heath Ledger frequent.

New couple Sienna Miller and “Brothers & Sister’s” Balthazar Getty snuggled there recently, and Lindsay Lohan and gal pal Samantha Ronson had a spat at the club on July 25, according to People magazine.

New York magazine describes the Beatrice Inn as a quasi-private club featuring oil paintings, antique furniture and nautical mirrors. A candle-filled fireplace sits in a tiny den, deep-set couches fill the main room and classic cocktails are served in a white-tiled barroom.

Yet, you probably won’t find DJ Ronson spinning the tunes at the Beatrice Inn. Instead, club-going celebs dance to mainstream music such as U2, Tom Petty and The Knack’s “My Sharona”, per New York magazine.

Feds are trying to question Mary Kate Olsen on how gone-far-too-soon actor, Heath Ledger, got his hands on two painkillers that caused his death, but she isn’t talking.

It seems her lawyer refused to hook her up with investigators on at least two separate occasions, and Ms. Olsen is now looking for a deal of immunity. Immunity from what? Only Ms. Olsen knows for sure.

“Wow” is simply not enough to describe “The Dark Knight”.  I was one of those who got the chance to see it in IMAX opening weekend and let me tell you, if you have an IMAX near you, go see it on the ultimate Big Screen!

This perfect package of a movie has all the ingredients of a classic (and dare I say “award winner”). Everything is at the right caliber – from the acting to the cinematography, to the writing and especially the directing.

PROS:

The Acting.  This is an ensemble movie.  The performances by each actor whether they are a criminal that dies within 5 minutes of appearing on screen or just an extra in the street, all come together to create a believable and captivating world.

The Story.  This is a villain movie.  We see a city in the midst of change as well as criminals that are evolving to meet and exceed Batman’s capabilities.  It’s intriguing to watch as Batman realizes what Gotham City is really in need of.

The Writing.  Witty, subtle and smart – just the way I like it.

The Directing.  Only one person can be given the ultimate credit for creating a film that is a “Complete Package” – director Christopher Nolan.

Heath Ledger/The Joker. Ledger’s “Joker” is funny, likes chaos and killing and doesn’t really like planning or money – quite the villain.  Ledger is able to invent and mold a character completely different than himself (or who I would think Ledger to be) and execute a performance that is 100% believable.  We do not see Heath Ledger on the screen, not even for a second and that is the talent that will be missed.

Aaron Eckhart/Two Face. Two Face is a conflicted man, which is also a characteristic seen in Batman.  They both want what is right, what is fair, and what is just, but they are also human and feel the need for revenge.  Eckhart does a wonderful job of showing “Two Face’s” emotional torment and the ultimate break down of Gotham City’s “White Knight.”

CONS:

It’s a little long and there’s not enough Morgan Freeman or Michael Caine.

UNIQUE QUALITIES:

The cinematography! Especially in IMAX. I left the theater feeling like “I cannot WAIT for the next one!!  What’s going to happen next?!”

The Dark Knight is easily 2008’s best film in terms of direction, storyline and casting.

The anticipation of the film has been building since its previews were first seen last year. After the premature death of Heath Ledger on Jan. 22 of this year, the urgency to see The Dark Knight was only enhanced.

On July 18, Batman enthusiasts, comic book fans, and movie lovers nationwide flooded theatres to see what the sequel to Batman Begins had to offer. After watching what proved to be a sheer masterpiece, fans and critics alike have been raving of the film’s brilliance. The role of the Joker was the most notable amongst the film’s characters.

Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker is most certainly up for best supporting actor at next year’s Academy Awards. If he does win an Oscar, he will be the second person in history to be awarded posthumously.

The sinister tone to which Ledger executed the character amazed audiences to the point of terror. His preparation for the role was as grim and unorthodox as the character itself.

For example, he lived alone in a hotel room for a month, developing the Joker’s posture, voice, and psychology. Ledger also kept a diary, in which he recorded the thoughts and feelings of the Joker to guide him through his performance.

He was also given The Killing Joke and Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth to read, which are two prominent comic books in the Batman genre.

As a comic book fan myself, to see a character executed so accurately is something spectacular. Ledger’s performance of the Joker in the Dark Knight is his magnum opus.

I haven’t had a nightmare from a movie since middle school, where it seemed that every film held the awesome potential to haunt my reveries.  The last villainous, murderous creep that roused me from slumber was either Dr. Hannibal Lecter or Patrick Bateman…it’s a toss up.

That was until I saw The Dark Knight.  True, Heath’s performance has been much ballyhooed and touted.  Yes, it was all that and more.  The strongest evidence I have of the magnitude of his performance was the nightmares I had from it.  I won’t get into those details but trust me when I say it was scary.

A posthumous golden man for Heath Ledger? Although too early for this film buff to start making those sorts of predictions (although I do relish the chance to say “I told you so” and “I called it in July”) based solely on Heath’s dynamo performance in my knightmare, I would say the Ledger camp can start preparing their Oscar statement. Also, please come back to this article next February and read this line: I called it in August.