As I’m not the biggest fan of director Alexander Payne (About Schmidt, Election, and even less of one of Paul Giamatti (Saving Mr. Banks, Straight Outta Compton), I was lukewarm, at best, about seeing The Holders, a reunion of the director/actor duo that combined for 2004’s Sideways, a beloved critic and audience favorite, but a film I suffered through for 20 minutes before deciding that it was not for me. Sideways was a movie I was sure I would not enjoy, but I attempted it anyway because of the hype. I was miserable. After watching the trailer for The Holdovers, I anticipated a similar type of dread. However, I was willing to give this one a chance after hearing from critics and audiences that this film, while heartfelt and poignant, still maintained some edge.
Category Archives: Alexander Payne
Nebraska (2013)
Alexander Payne’s (The Descendants, About Schmidt) Nebraska is a very likable movie that has someone convinced the critics that it is a fantastic movie worthy of Best Picture discussion. I can see how a case could be made for the acting nominations (Best Actor – Bruce Dern & Best Supporting Actress June Squibb), much more so than I can the case for Best Picture or Best Director. While 2013 was not a great movie year, there were quite a few very, very good movies To me, Nebraska was a notch below these higher-tiered movies, And, to me, it didn’t feel like directing this movie was as challenging to produce as some of the better movies that did not have a nomination for Best Director So while the storytelling was great, and this was a delightful film to watch, the fact that is in the talk for best movie of the year is a little absurd. Of the five total Oscars (Cinematography was the fifth category) it received, I see it coming home empty on the big night. Continue reading Nebraska (2013)
The Descendants (2011)
With some of his performances, George Clooney has been known for hitting the ball out of the ballpark. A two-time Academy Award Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Performance (2007’s Michael Clayton, 2009’s Up In The Air), Clooney is poised for his third nomination with 2011’s The Descendants. Successful as both a supporting actor (Academy Award Winner – 2005’s Syriana) as for as work behind the camera (Academy Award Nominee for Best Director – 2005’s Good Night and Good Luck), Clooney is at his best when the movie revolves around his performance as a leading man. This is precisely what happens in this movie. Continue reading The Descendants (2011)
About Schmidt (2002)
I would have been highly disappointed if I had seen 2002’s About Schmidt in the movie theatre. I like character-driven movies, and while About Schmidt is one of those, I think I would have needed more patience to get through the first 45 minutes (perhaps longer). But watching it on the comfort of my couch, with little else going on, I went into this movie knowing very little about it and was willing to give whatever the movie offered a chance. As a result, I found the film to be a highly rewarding movie that had me reflecting on my life and those of other important senior figures who have since left me.