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The 1st Annual Edgy Award Winners
Well, Hollywood’s biggest night is this Sunday. However, the biggest night for this particular blog is right here and now. I announced the nominees for this year’s Edgy Awards last week and it’s now time to bestow said honors upon the winners. As the results will show, several films have proven their excellence by taking a high number of awards. However, much of the love has been equally spread out. Interestingly, four films out of my Top Ten List went home empty handed, while a film that I would consider quite a disappointment still propelled itself to a win in one category.
Overall, these awards are a very accurate depiction of my opinion on films this year. Now, if only the Oscars had this type of taste. However, if the Oscars always matched exactly what one person thought the best, where’s the fun in that? That kind of reality would eliminate the fun of having an opinion in the first place. It would do away with genuine discussion and healthy argument over film. And, most importantly, it would take away from making this site it’s own unique vision.
NOTE: I have been awesome enough to include a video selection for each award chosen, either a short documentary describing the category or a clip from the film that best exhibits what it has been awarded. However, I can not guarantee that any of the clips selected do or do not contain spoilers. Therefore, if you haven’t yet seen the chosen film, do not watch the clip. Simple.
Also, a number of the clips do not allow embedment. But don’t give up, so easily. Just click the link and it will take you directly to the video’s Youtube link where you can view it. Once again, simple.
Without further adieu, here are the winners of the 2011 Edgy Awards!
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“If I Rise” featured in “127 Hours”
Music by A.R. Rahman and Lyrics by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
Runner-Up: “Bred and Buttered” featured in “Winter’s Bone”
The 1st Annual Edgy Award Nominations
I have now been watching the Oscars, consecutively, for the last fourteen years. I love it. Even when I end up screaming at the television and throwing chairs around the room, I love the experience. Oscar night is like the Super Bowl, the World Series and Christmas all rolled into one night. However, if there’s one thing I enjoy more than watching the biggest awards of the year, it’s choosing my own.
I’ve been picking my own personal nominees and winners since before I can remember. Obviously, these particular honors don’t get as much attention as the actual Academy Awards, but they’ve always been amusing to me. Now, my awards not only get a home, but a name, as well. Welcome to the 1st Annual Edgy Award Nominations. They include all of the usual categories that the AMPAS offer. The final presentation will also contain a few other awards that tickle my fancy. Below, the nominees are listed in alphabetical order, not preferential. Expect my decision on the final winners some time next week. Hope that everyone enjoys them.
NOTE: Even though these are the first “published” Edgy Awards, I do have a solid, written record of them going back to 1940. Therefore, I’ve included a feature of noting how many nominations and wins that each individual has received from me in the past. This gives some extra input as to my own tastes in the nominees, how they’ve surprised me or continue to impress me. The connotations refer, however to how many mentions each person has had in each individual category, aside from all the acting categories included together. Once again, enjoy!
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“Bred and Buttered”
featured in “Winter’s Bone”
Music and Lyrics by John Hawkes (1st Nom)
“If I Rise”
featured in “127 Hours”
Music by A.R. Rahman (3rd Nom)
Lyrics by Dido and Rollo Armstrong (1st Nom)
“Shine”
featured in “Waiting for Superman”
Music and Lyrics by John Legend (1st Nom)
“We Belong Together”
featured in “Toy Story 3”
Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman (3rd Nom)
My Top Ten List – 2010
Last year, I can remember the huge uproar against the AMPAS extending the amount of Best Picture nominees to ten. I can also remember, that through it all, I was one of this notion’s strongest supporters. I recognize the faults in the logic. It allows for lesser films that have no business being considered one of the year’s best to fight their way in due to endless campaigning and the votes of stupid people. This flaw took shape last year in the form of “The Blind Side” getting nominated for Best Picture.
However, the upsides of the expansion are far greater. It gives the field a more diverse look, for one. It’s nice to see films from a wide range of directors and collaborators. If allows also a mix of both intelligent box office hits and scrappy indy favorites. More than anything else, however, is that five films is just two few to sum up a year in cinema. Had the Academy enacted this ruling ten years ago, one would look back on certain films and think it a crime had they not been nominated, which they haven’t. Imagine a world if films like “The Wrestler,” “The Dark Knight,” “WALL-E,” “Into the Wild,” “Once,” “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” “United 93,” “Little Children,” “Children of Men” and “Pan’s Labyrinth” could have been Best Picture nominees, and that’s only the last five years.
It must be for that reason that critics, for over fifty years, have been issuing top ten lists of their favorite films, rather than top five lists. It’s about that time, therefore, for The Edge of the Frame to release its own list for the 2010 year. I have now seen sixty films from 2010, which is low for me and not quite an respectable amount. Over the years, I’m sure that this list will change a spot or two as I see more, but for now, I believe that I’ve seen an acceptable sum to create an adequate list.
This has been a good year for film, but not really a great one. Out of sixty films, I gave only two films “A” grades. The year has had its high points and low points. For instance, it has been a great year for lead acting performances, but a rotten year for cinematography. For sure, I will always remember 2010 as the year that the Oscars snubbed its nose at great film and went home to their comfort zones. More than anything else, however, 2010 has been the year of the documentary. Never have I seen a year in cinema in which so many documentaries have captured my interest, let alone made it into my top ten.
As always there are a few stragglers that, even though they don’t qualify for my top ten, they still deserve an honorable mention. Therefore, this next selection of films are all very good, but just not good enough. They may be packed with amazing moments, but there’s also one too many flaws that have kept them down. So without further adieu, here are the films that just didn’t quite make it:
THE RUNNERS-UP
“127 Hours”
Directed by Danny Boyle
Written by Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy
Click HERE to see the rest of the list
My Top Ten Trailers of 2010
So, it’s been a while since I’ve made my last list, aside from the unveiling of the Mitchell List. My last compilation was the Top Ten Movie Monsters of all time, which was a reasonable hit for the site. Now, it’s time for the second edition: The Top Ten Trailers of 2010.
I love movie trailers. I know that some people can’t stand them and even refuse to watch them, but I believe that they can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of going to the movies, as long as their made well. It’s always, actually, been a semi-dream job of mine to edit trailers, because there’s really nothing more fun.
In order to be phenomenal, a trailer must have many of the same qualifications of a great film. It has to have stellar pacing, it must give proper introduction to the film’s character’s and plot. However, unlike a film, it cannot give too much away of the plot and has to leave something exciting for the ticket price. It usually doesn’t hurt to have a decent choice of music, too.
The following are a selection of my favorite trailers that encompass all of these aspects. This includes trailers only for films released during the 2010 year, or else “Battle: Los Angeles” would most certainly be here. Without, further ado, here are the five runners-up:
Chicago Film Critics Pick “The Social Network”
So, some nice news from the home front. It’s just been announced that my town of Chicago has picked “The Social Network” as its number one film of the year. I can now rest easy.
Aside from that, however, I’m afraid that these awards are really kind of boring. Nice to see “Exit Through the Gift Shop” getting a consistent amount of love. Hopefully, it will gain enough traction to at least make it to a nomination for Best Documentary. Hailee Steinfeld is really starting to rack in the awards, as well, though I don’t think she has much of a chance. The Academy loves to nominate child actors, but only once in a blue moon do they actually hand over the gold to them.
Aside from the possible backlash that might be headed it’s way, I still see absolutely no boredom or regret over this unprecedented domination of the awards season. As I’ve said since the first time I saw it, this is one of the best films I’ve ever seen. It is nearly flawless, down to the last detail. I also don’t think there has ever been a film that better defines my generation. I don’t think that we’re likely to see a film this good come along for some time.
Check out the continuing tally of “The Social Network”‘s critical wins and nominations here.
I have the full list of winners after the jump or you can read the official press release from the CFCA.
Best Picture
“Black Swan”
“Inception”
“The King’s Speech”
“The Social Network”
“Winter’s Bone”
Toronto Film Critics Association Announces
Toronto has just announced not only a “Social Network” win, but more or less a complete sweep of their awards. One of the most interesting of these awards, and I believe the first of its kind, is the Best Supporting Actor Award going to Armie Hammer in his duel performance as the Winklevi. While I believe Andrew Garfield is the soul of the supporting roles in this film, it’s very nice to see Hammer get some recognition for such an energized and inspired performance.
Another big surprise is “How to Train Your Dragon” upheaving “Toy Story 3” in Best Animated Feature. “HTTYD” is an enjoyable and thrilling film, but “Toy Story 3” is one of the greatest animated achievements of all time, in my opinion. It deserves a sweep of that category as much as “The Social Network deserves its.
Here’s the full list of winners:
BEST PICTURE
“The Social Network”
R/U: “Black Swan” AND “Uncle Boonme Who Can Recall His Past Lives”
BEST DIRECTOR
David Fincher – “The Social Network”
R/U: Darren Aronofsky – “The Social Network” AND Christopher Nolan – “Inception”
BEST ACTOR
Jesse Eisenberg – “The Social Network”
R/U: Colin Firth – “The King’s Speech” AND James Franco – “127 Hours”
BEST ACTRESS
Jennifer Lawrence – “Winter’s Bone”
R/U: Natalie Portman – “Black Swan” AND Michelle Williams – “Blue Valentine”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Armie Hammer – “The Social Network”
R/U: Geoffrey Rush – “The King’s Speech” AND Christian Bale – “The Fighter”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Hailee Steinfeld – “True Grit”
R/U: Amy Adams – “The Fighter” AND Melissa Leo – “The Fighter”
BEST SCREENPLAY
“The Social Network”
R/U: “The King’s Speech” AND “True Grit”
BEST FIRST FEATURE
“Exit Through the Gift Shop”
R/U: “Get Low” AND “Monsters”
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
“How to Train Your Dragon”
R/U: “Despicable Me” AND “Toy Story 3”
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“Exit Through the Gift Shop”
R/U: “Inside Job” AND “Marwencol”
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives”
R/U: “Mother” AND “Of Gods and Men”
Los Angeles Film Critics Winners
Continuing one of the biggest weeks in the entire awards season, the LAFCA has finished its awards announcement. Los Angeles has a tendency to sometimes go against the grain in random places, while sometimes picking rather Hollywoodesque choices in other areas. This year, Best Picture was not quite against the grain, but yet another big win for “The Social Network,” perhaps their biggest win, yet. The film also took down the Best Screenplay award, edging out “The King’s Speech.”
The rest of the wins are a bit scattered and patternless. Colin Firth takes his first major award for Best Actor, perhaps keeping him in the lead for the big win. Jacki Weaver picks up another win for “Animal Kingdom,” making her once considered extremely dark horse nomination more of a reality. Fincher ended up in a tie with “Carlos” director Oliver Assayas. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, composers of “The Social Network” score, also tied with the great Alexander Desplat for “The Ghost Writer.”
Oh, and once again, “A Prophet” was released last year. I’m sick of there not being a proper distinction on this matter.
Full list of winners:
BEST PICTURE
“The Social Network”
Runner-up: “Carlos”
BEST DIRECTOR
Olivier Assayas – “Carlos” AND David Fincher – “The Social Network”
BEST ACTOR
Colin Firth – “The King’s Speech”
Runner-up: Edgar Ramirez – “Carlos”
BEST ACTRESS
Kim Hye-ja – “Mother”
Runner-up: Jennifer Lawrence – “Winter’s Bone”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Niels Arestrup – “A Prophet”
Runner-up: Geoffrey Rush – “The King’s Speech”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jacki Weaver – “Animal Kingdom”
Runner-up: Olivia Williams – “The Ghost Writer”
BEST SCREENPLAY
“The Social Network”
Runner-up: “The King’s Speech”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Black Swan”
Runner-up: “True Grit”
BEST ANIMATED FILM
“Toy Story 3″
runner-up: “The Illusionist”
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“Carlos”
Runner-up: “Mother”
BEST DOCUMENTARY
“Last Train Home”
Runner-up: “Exit Through the Gift Shop”
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
“The Ghost Writer” AND “The Social Network”
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
“Inception”
Runner-up: “The King’s Speech”
NEW GENERATION AWARD
Lena Dunham, “Tiny Furniture”
DOUGLAS E. EDWARDS AWARD
“Film Socialisme”
15 Best Documentary Finalists
For those who don’t know how the Oscars are chosen, there are certain awards that are narrowed down to a series of finalists which are eventually narrowed down to their respective nominations. Best Make-Up Effects takes seven finalists, while Best Visual Effects has fifteen. Another award that has fifteen submissions is Best Documentary Feature. Those finalists have been listed below, and though I haven’t seen them all, I can tell you that this is an extremely crowded and competitive field.
These are the finalists:
“Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer,” Alex Gibney, director (ES Productions LLC)
“Enemies of the People,” Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath, directors (Old Street Films)
“Exit through the Gift Shop,” Banksy, director (Paranoid Pictures)
“Gasland,” Josh Fox, director (Gasland Productions, LLC)
“Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould,” Michele Hozer and Peter Raymont, directors (White Pine Pictures)
“Inside Job,” Charles Ferguson, director (Representational Pictures)
“The Lottery,” Madeleine Sackler, director (Great Curve Films)
“Precious Life,” Shlomi Eldar, director (Origami Productions)
“Quest for Honor,” Mary Ann Smothers Bruni, director (Smothers Bruni Productions)
“Restrepo,” Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger, directors (Outpost Films)
“This Way of Life,” Thomas Burstyn, director (Cloud South Films)
“The Tillman Story,” Amir Bar-Lev, director (Passion Pictures/Axis Films)
“Waiting for ‘Superman’”, Davis Guggenheim, director (Electric Kinney Films)
“Waste Land,” Lucy Walker, director (Almega Projects)
“William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe,” Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler, directors (Disturbing the Universe LLC)
For sure, the showdown for the big prize will end up being the inspirational education rally “Waiting for Superman” by Davis Guggenheim, who won previously for “An Inconvenient Truth,” and the hard-boiled assault on corrupt Wall Street bankers “Inside Job,” by Charles Ferguson, who was shamefully robbed of an Oscar for his enraging look at the Iraq War, “No End in Sight.”
“Waiting for Superman” has some heavyweights backing it up, such as Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates, however “Inside Job” has the added benefit of being extraordinarily good (as I will write in my upcoming review) which sometimes has an influence on the Academy.
My personal favorite in the category, however, would probably be “Restrepo,” the heart-wrenching story of a platoon of soldiers stationed at the most dangerous outpost in all of Afghanistan. It’s a bit too small and unknown to take home the gold, but I’m confident that it can ring in with a darkhorse nomination.
Probably the most surprising omissions from this list are “12th and Delaware” a searing look at the abortion argument by the makers of “Jesus Camp” and “A Film Unfinished,” a film piecing together never-before-seen footage of Holocaust propaganda films made by the Nazis. These are powerful subjects by great filmmakers, and they should have deserved a spot on this list.
Stay tuned for my updated Oscar Predictions which should be coming out within the next few days.
The Edge of the Frame 