Award Ceremony for January, 2006
I’m not sure how wise it is to tack this on to the task at hand, but I have decided (in the best show business tradition) to hand out monthly awards. (And, yes, that probably means I’ll do an end of year one as well.)
So let’s get this started:
Best Supporting Actor
Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah in Unbreakable (2000)
Jackson has given many strong performances, and in Unbreakable he uses his immense skills to establish a character instantly in a way that brings him powerfully to life. The layers of the performance are only revealed at the end, making it all the more stunning.
Best Supporting Actress
Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Of all the performances in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Yeoh’s was the one that stood out the most at the time I watched it and has lingered with me the longest afterwards. She brought an amazing vibrancy to the character, tinged with the sadness of her unrequited love. She made the extremely complicated “fighting and flying” scenes seem effortless. A performance that excelled in every respect.
Best Director
M. Night Shyamalan for Unbreakable (2000)
Not as original or innovative as some of his other films, this more personal story is remarkable for it’s consistancy from start to finish. It never falters in its visuals or in its storytelling.
Best Actor
Buster Keaton as William Canfield, Jr. in Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
One of Buster’s best performances, his turn in Steamboat Bill, Jr. wins out because he completely dominates the film without ever feeling like it is a one-man-show. He is at turns inept, sympathetic and brave. A performance to remember. Special notice to Richard E. Grant in Withnail & I (1987), but while he gives a virtuoso performance, it’s a bit too one-note.
Best Actress
Maggie Cheung as Ruan Ling-yu in Center Stage (1996).
It takes a lot of skill to re-create another person, but to attempt to re-create not only an actor, but that actor’s performances, is a true test of ability. Maggie Cheung’s success is all the more remarkable given the relatively small amount of reference material that exists.
Best Film (comedy)
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
Keaton’s last film before joining MGM (and seeing his creative power taken away) is also one of his best, both visually and in its comedy. While there are plenty of pratfalls and the like, there is also an abundance of visual gags, wordplay jokes and enormously funny situations on view.
Best Film (drama)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
It’s universality that wins this one. Although Unbreakable (2000) is arguably the more consistant film, it’s appeal is probably limited by its subject matter. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon can be enjoyed on many more levels and by a more diverse audience.
And of course…
Worst Film
The Ape Man (1943)
Ugh.