Cinema Basement

 A retrospective by Brooks Rich Lasse Hallstrom is one of those directors I think is incredibly talented but his films normally don't do a thing for me. There just always that comes up short for me, whether its the story or how its shot or the acting or something. Most people will know Hallstrom as the director of What's Eating Gilbert Grape, the breakout role of Leonardo Dicaprio. That is probably my favorite of his films. I know everyone loves Chocolat. Great, enjoy, I think it's lame. But today let's discuss his follow up to The Cider House Rules, his film from 1999 which did very well come awards season, and Chocolat. Both of these films did very well, especially The Cider House Rules. The big reward it got was Best Supporting Actor for Michael Caine. It also won Best Adapted Screenplay for John Irving. This isn't fair to Cider House Rules but I think it's overrated as far as nominations go. 1999 is one of the greatest years in cinema and really? We nominate...

 A retrospective by Brooks Rich Sometimes the Academy is right on the money. Occasionally I am confused on why a movie doesn't seem to hit when it comes to awards season. The early trailers come out and it seems inevitable this thing will be an awards player. No doubt in anyone's mind this is an Oscar player. Here's an awards film. This was the case when the first trailers for Amelia came out. A biopic about the world famous aviator starring two time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank? This thing can't miss. Spoiler alert. It missed. Amelia didn't crash and burn when it came to awards seasons. It didn't get off the runway. OK. I'm done with the plane puns. So the rest of the article is cleared for takeoff. Ok. Now I'm done. The first problem is the movie is just kind of boring. Nothing really happens beyond just the beats of her life. There is nothing that feels cinematic about it. Mira Nair is a wonderful person I'm sure but her direction just comes ...