2016 Vanity Fair Hollywood Cover

(Photo: Vanity Fair)

Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, the Hollywood cover issue of Vanity Fair has arrived, as it does every February. Featuring the top actresses of Hollywood, many of them who have been nominated for Oscars, past and present. From left to right, the wonderful women include Jane Fonda, Cate Blanchett, Viola Davis, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlotte Rampling, Brie Larson, Rachel Weisz, Lupita Nyong'o, Alicia Vikander, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Helen Mirren, Saoirse Ronan and Diane Keaton. What do you think of this gorgeous cover? Anybody missing? 

Movie Review: Prisoners

The thriller as a genre has evolved in the last decade or so. The chase, the hunt and the suspense have all become big action pieces sequences of cars, explosions and CGI. So when a quiet thriller like Prisoners comes along, we must appreciate it for its excellent storytelling and the non-reliance of the big spectacle in the final act.

A Thanksgiving lunch among family friends leads to the disappearance of the young daughters in the families of Dover and Birch. They all handle the news differently. Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is fixated on possible suspect Alex Jones (Paul Dano).  Franklin (Terrance Howard) and Nancy (Viola Davis) Birch are experiencing the various stages of grief and anger. While Grace Dover (Maria Bello) can barely get herself out of bed. 

Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) who's been assigned the case has to deal with them all while pursuing the elusive kidnapper and trying to find the girls, alive. Believe me when I tell you that no summary can do justice to the way these plotlines unfold onscreen.  Director Denis Villeneuve (Incendies) and legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins set the up somber, wintery mood which is accentuated with stark shadows and gloomy interiors. 

They describe how the characters are living in their own personal despair and hell as situations go out of their control. This is one of those rare films that doesn't give it all away in the trailer. There is much to discover and ponder as the film races along to the inevitable climax where it must all come to a head. 

Kudos also to the great ensemble cast of Prisoners who all bring their A-game to make the film one of the best of this fall. Hugh Jackman doesn't get enough credit for his dramatic roles and Jake Gyllenhaal is very good as the detective who has never lost a case and doesn't want this case to be the first. But you won't be able to forget Paul Dano whose character is suspicious with a capital S.  

It's been a long time since a great thriller held me from beginning to end. And the last scene will definitely make you gasp. In fact, certain parts of the film reminded me of the great Argentinean film The Secret in Their Eyes. I have a feeling the film's story can cause great debates about many of the characters' actions in the film especially Keller Dover's. 

Make time for Prisoners in your fall movie schedule. 

Directed by Denis Villeneuve; Written by Aaron Guzikowski; Cinematography by Roger Deakins; Editing by Joel Cox and Gary Coach; Music by Johann Johannsson

Rating:

2012 SAG Winners List

Another day, yet another awards show...this is all what January and February is all about.  Last night, the Screen Actors Guild held its 18th annual awards.  Here are the list of the film winners.

The ladies from The Help

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark, The Help

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Jean DuJardin as George, The Artist

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Christopher Plummer as Hal, Beginners

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson, The Help

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The Help

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Harry Potter finally won something, too bad we didn't know about the win until after the telecast.  An on air acknowledgement would have been nice.  On a night where the television branch winners basically repeated themselves, the film nominees yielded some surprises as The Help was the big winner with winners in three categories.  The beginnings of a race looks possible but since The Help is only nominated for acting and Best Picture, it doesn't look likely to win over The Artist.  What will happen on Oscar night?  Will it be Viola again or Meryl Streep?