Lord of the Rings

Movies

March 4, 2004

Aragorn's Coronation by Anke Eissmann

A conversation I heard the other day in line at the bank: “… cinematography, editing, direction… that we could never win but we should have won best adapted screenplay. After all, City of God is the true story, it all happened in real life, not that shit Lord of the Rings, which is all lies”.

Adapted screenplay is not a matter of being based on a true or not, but the quality of the adaptation. And I think Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King deserved all the awards it won.

Boromir's Funeral by Anke Eissmann

I finished reading the book, more of less a month ago. The book is fantastic and much richer than the movie (as almost all adaptations made for cinema). It contains more characters and complexities. It’s exciting, thrilling and sad. It’s another world and once you dive into this world you won’t want to return.

Éowyn and Faramir by Anke Eissmann

Peter Jackson did a great job and should be congratulated. Of course there are things missing in the films… one example is the story between Éowyn and Faramir (which is one of the best characters in the book. Anyway… as I do not want to say goodbye so early to Tolkien’s universe I am now reading the Silmarillion.

all illustrations by Anke Eissmann

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Movies

Oscar 2004

February 29, 2004

the march of the king

The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

Tonight is Oscar night and I’ll be watching. I know it’s bullshit, that there’s a lot of politics… but I like it. I’m rooting for Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Not only did I love the movie, it is a way to honor the entire trilogy. The category editing is the only one where I have another favorite: City of God.

Keisha Castle-Hughes in The Whale Rider Charlize Theron in Monster

best actress

Is hard to talk about many categories, most of the nominated films have not been released yet here in Brazil such as Monster, for which Charlize Theron is nominated as best actress (and according to many will take home the prize). She has won several awards for this role, including the Golden Globe and a Silver Berlin Bear. Keisha Castle-Hughes is the youngest actress to be nominated in the history of the Academy Awards. She ‘s cute and her performance moved me but I don’t know if she has chances of winning. Samantha Morton is good actress but did not impress me much in In America. Naomi Watts is always very good and has strong chances of winning.

Sean Penn in Mystic River Bill Murray in Lost in Translation

best actor

For best actor my bet is Sean Penn, who was nominated for his role in Mystic River, but also shined in 21 grams. Bill Murray is also in the running for his performance in Lost In Translation. Jude Law is just a pretty face in Cold Mountain. Unfortunately I haven’t had the chance of seeing Johnny Depp and Ben Kingsley’s performances.

Renee Zellweger in Cold Mountain Ken Watanabe in The Last Samurai

supporting actor & actress

Cold Mountain is a boring movie. It’s not but to square, very pretty… Nicole Kidman’s face as defenseless maiden was a bit too much. The best of the movie is, undoubtedly, Renée Zellweger (who’s favorite to win best supporting actress). My favorite is Patricia Clarkson in Pieces of April. Marcia Gay Harden for Mystic River: blergh! Actually, favorite in the race for best supporting actor, Tim Robbins, for the same movie: also also blergh! I’m rooting for Ken Watanabe for The Last Samurai; he is the soul of the movie. Benicio Del Toro was also amazing in 21 grams. Djimon Hounsou is good actor, but I prefer his role in Amistad than in the movie for which he is nominated, In America.

City of God

Well… may the best man/woman win. Although we all know this sentence can not be applied to the Oscars, who often prefer the cute (Gwyneth Paltrow), media darlings (Julia Roberts) and the politically correct (Denzel Washington & Halle Berry).

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