Snapshots 3

The extremely hazardous part of watching all the nominees for Best Picture is you end up watching a lot of losers. And while some are just as good as the winner, others are not. This round up was a little rough to say the least.

Children of a Lesser God (1986)
Nominee
A film that has extreme societal importance because it highlights the lifestyle of a marginalized group, namely, the deaf. It gave Marlee Matlin, the role of a lifetime and she absolutely delivered. However, where the film really suffered was, ironically, the sound. The dialogue in this film was stilted and felt at times illogical.  And in lieu of William Hurt repeating everything Matlin was signing they should have subtitled her. Also, if you ever meet the person that thought synthesizers in movie soundtracks were a good idea, please smack them for me.
2/5 Stars 

Love is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955)
Nominee
This movie tries to do exactly two things, and fails at both. As a love story it fails because Jones and Holden hated each other, and their lack of chemistry is visible on screen. It also tried to be socially progressive by highlighting how Jones character is 'Eurasian', but what was an attempt at cultural commentary now verges on being racial insensitive. Moral of the story: when filming a movie about someone of a particular race, find a person of that race to play the part.
   1/5 Stars

Nicholas and Alexandra (1971)
Nominee
Alas, another movie that had great potential but fell short. The story of the fall of the Romanovs is very dramatic, full of political volatility, strange personal problems, and war. The worst thing they could have done to it was to make these characters flat, and that is exactly what they did...for three hours. But at least they were beautifully costumed while doing so.  Also I think the film struggled because it was filmed at the end of the 'classical epic' period, so the style was going out, and the few artsy moments they threw in to update the film felt disjointed. Yet, there is some credit due for the final scene of the assassination. It is extremely well constructed, and builds incredible suspense.
2/5 Stars

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
Nominee
Oddly, my favorite of this group. However, it was completely idiotic. Based on the Roman myth of the Sabine, it takes place in the Colorado mountains, and  tells the story of seven brothers who kidnap women to be their wives  This plot is incredibly objectifying and sexist, but I must say the music was very enjoyable while the dancing was innovative and wonderful to watch. So basically this film is causing me great inner turmoil, my intellectual feminist half votes nay, but my musical theater      appreciating half says yay.
   2.5/5 Stars