The 72nd Golden Globes

Because I’m actually trying to legitimize myself as a “pop culture” critic, I attempted to multi-task and play Civilization: Beyond Earth while watching this year’s Golden Globes awards. I also felt compelled to watch as this was the last show to be hosted by the near-perfect when it comes to comedy, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Or as they put it, “The 72nd and final Golden Globes.” Obviously there were good jokes, bad jokes, and speeches that went on too long, but who won what awards is ultimately the focus on any award show. And like every year, there are there choices you agree with, disagree with, and ones you are indifferent about.

Couldn’t have picked better myself

To my surprise the HFPA and I were thinking along the same lines this year about which films, shows, actors, and creative professionals deserved to be called the best in their category. Normally I find that for the bulk of the award season, the awards go to films that I don’t think deserve them or deserved them but I didn’t quite like them as much as another film that was nominated. This year, whether it was because of the high quality of films or because I think they almost all deserve to win, the HFPA  and I actually agree on our choices for the most part.

In my end of year blog, I expressed my hopes that Boyhood would win the accolades that it deserved. It certainly did that. Winning Best Picture for Drama, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress, it won all the categories that I thought this masterpiece was worthy of. Sure it didn’t win best supporting actor or best screenplay, but considering the other nominees this year they had really tough (and good) competition.

What I also did in my end of year blog is forget that Grand Budapest Hotel existed, which is (even though I didn’t write it) one of my favourite films from last year. So when it won for Best Picture for Comedy/Musical I was absolutely thrilled. While I may not have 100% agreed with their choices for Best Actor for Drama and Best Animated Film, considering how great all the nominees were this year I can't really disagree with them either. 

Changed the Channel

While I definitely didn't miss the big awards, I got bored during a majority of the television awards. It's not that I didn't watch any of the shows nominated this year, I just didn't watch most of them. Playing Civ: BE probably didn't help, but as I talked to friends about this year's show and read tweets by fellow viewers, the Golden Globes did often lose its steam. Whether due to video games, lack of interest, or lack of laughs, I'll admit that I didn't watch the entirety of show with interest. But for what I was interested in, I definitely stopped playing and started watching.

End of an Era

As I said earlier in the post, one of the reasons to watch this year's event is for the spectacular hosts. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler once again brought the laughs to the Golden Globes. What makes this all the more special is that this will be indeed the last Globes to be hosted by incredible duo.  Funnily enough, during the Golden Globes countdown on NBC prior to the start of the award show, the hosts speculated that the Tina and Amy would hold nothing back. Well, the Bill Cosby jokes were definitely evidence of that. That said though, the jokes were great. Not only from Tina and Amy, but from the presenters as well (Ricky Gervais was surprisingly good). But the creme de la creme were definitely in the monologue. Especially the joke about George Clooney's lifetime award and the game of "Who'd you rather" as well. 

Part of my interest in any award show apart from the nominees is whoever hosts it. With Tina Fey and Amy Poehler moving on to other things, who knows who will take on the daunting task of hosting. Some have suggested Kristen Wiig and Bill Mader, which would hopefully keep the same type of humour in the show. Only time will tell. But with the 2015 Golden Globes now over and Margret Cho no longer costumed as a disgruntled North Korean, we congratulate the winners and thank Tina and Amy for a phenomenal job these past three shows. You will be missed.

Top 5 Movies of Summer 2014

Disclaimer: As always, the order and contents of this list is purely subjective and open for debate

Another summer has come and gone, once again filled with generic summer block-busters and forgettable action flicks. But there have also been several brilliant films that are among the best of the year, one them even being hailed as one of the best films of the last decade. It's easy to be overwhelmed by the mediocrity and forget what truly great movies are out there. Here are my top 5 films of this summer, all of which would have been great regardless of their release season.

5. Chef

Jon Favreau's little indie gem comes in at number five. This comedy is a nice change of pace from a season dominated by explosions, depression, and more explosions. Jon Favreau's role as a chef going through a crisis-of-faith; or rather crisis-of-occupation, isn't a ground-breaking role by any means. But the writing and story are fresh and funny enough to keep the audience entertained for the length of the film. For some reason I can't help but draw parallels to Jon Favreau's earlier work "Swingers" (a favourite of mine), but thats not a bad comparison by any means. Definitely worth checking out.

4. Snowpiercer

A Korean film with an international cast that didn't get the attention that it deserved, this film is worth seeing for both the story and the performances. Its post apocalyptic world is interesting and engaging to the viewer, while every character is full of life and wonderful to watch. The best part is that nothing is as it seems, and part of the fun is figuring out the story bit by bit. Chances are you're already able to see this film outside of theatres due to its limited north-american release. So if you like post-apocalyptic sci-fi, this is the movie for you.

3. How To Train Your Dragon 2

The sequel to DreamWorks Animation's most successful animated feature, HTTYD2 risks suffering sequelitis that so many films suffer from. But it takes the characters from the first film and expands them and allows them to evolve, keeping the story fresh and allowing for the world to mature rather than stick to the same old formula. While in some ways it isn't as good as it's big brother, it's still an amazing movie. You can read my original review here for more details.

2. Guardians Of The Galaxy

When Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man himself; says that Guardians of The Galaxy is best movie that Marvel has released, you know that the film has to be special. It's already broken the record for most successful film of 2014 and is still drawing people to the theatres. There's so many fantastic things about this movie, from its story and characters, to the amazing performances and soundtrack. You can read my original review here for more details. While part of me wanted to give Guardians the number one spot, there's another movie that deserves that much more.

1. Boyhood

If you've been reading my blog, then you know that Boyhood is a masterpiece. Really that's all I want to or can say about it. You can read my review for more details. But, if you can go out and see this film you should stop reading and go and see it now.

Summer 2014 had some truly amazing movies. If you haven't seen all of the movies on this list, then you know what you need to go and see next.

A Repeat Performance: How to Train Your Dragon 2 Review

In 2010, DreamWorks released How to Train Your Dragon. I didn't see it when it first came out, in fact I didn't see it for about 2 years. To provide some context as to why I didn't see it at the time, the film came out with a slew of other 3D movies that seemed to be following the new benchmark in 3D movies, Avatar. Now while I still think that 3D is a gimmick and merely a way for studios to make more money, I lament that I didn't see this movie when it was first released. Because while many of DreamWorks' animated films are forgettable and generic childish features, How to Train Your Dragon has become considered by many to be one of greatest animated films of all time. While it differs significantly from it's inspiration, It's setting, characters and beautiful animation have made it a favourite for all ages. Even the cartoon series spin-off uses many of the original cast to expand the universe further without becoming too kiddie for old viewers. But is this franchise Dreamwork's Toy Story? How to Train Your Dragon 2 has arrived to eagerly awaiting fans, and with a more mature storyline and even more stunning animation, it is a sequel that is just as good, if not better; than it's older brother.

Five Years Later

HTTYD2 takes place five years after the events of the original film. Hiccup, Astrid, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut are all now young adults and seasoned dragon trainers. What made the last film so great was the wonderful characters that made the world come alive. All the performances of characters new and old are a real treat to watch. When it comes to the six dragon trainers it's especially evident. While they all maintain they're wonderful personalities, they've clearly grown and matured allowing for great dynamics between them and their dragons. But it's not just the characters that have become more mature, the world and the story have grown as well. Combined with the laughs is a more mature storyline that will definitely tug at your heart strings. What I love the most about the movie's writing is that there's no predicting where things are headed. Sure you have some idea, but DreamWorks is continuing to prove that just because it's a kids movie doesn't mean everything is sunshine and rainbows.

Beyond Berk

Because the vikings of Berk are now at peace with their former enemies the dragons, It's gone beyond the familiar island village that we've grown to love. While the islands that surround Berk are as unknown to us as they are to most of our main cast, it's clear that we're going to be treated to a vibrant and vast world of dragons. One of the downsides to the movie is that it tries almost too hard to cram everything. And yet despite this, I still want more, maybe because the movie was almost all about Hiccup and him finding himself. Maybe a little bit more from the supporting cast would nice, in many ways they're interactions as a team with hiccup are infinitely more enjoyable to watch.

Beautiful Creatures

I think what I take away from this movie the most though is how amazing the animation is. While everything does have a cartoonish aesthetic (as it should), the details and lighting truly make everything come alive. The dragons scales look real, hell even the hair of the heroes depending on lighting looks uncanny. By far this is the most beautifully rendered animated film I have seen in a long time, if not ever. I liken it to the amazing pre-rendered cutscenes of Square Enix and blizzard, based in fantasy but rendered/animated in such detail that it looks almost real. I can't wait to see what levels they can take it.

A fantastic follow-up flick, HTTYD2 shows that DreamWorks is able to take this franchise is new directions without resting on its laurels. Is it better than the first film? Not entirely. But only because the first film was simply that close to perfection for an animated movie. But is it as good? Absolutely. Go see this movie.

Verdict 10/10