I’d like to thank the Rickademy
Oscars are over, but what about movies that were overlooked
The Roscars, AKA the Rickademy Awards, are Farhar movie critic Rick Rodriguez’ way to recognize films that were overlooked at the big awards shows.
The 2014 Oscars have come and gone and every film and actor that was been nominated truly deserved that special “Best Picture/Actor” award. But what about the ones that deserved a nod and didn’t receive it? Well, this is what the Roscars are for! Here are the winners:
Best Director: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, “Don Jon”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt crafted a stylized and energetic comedy/drama that tells a struggle of a man who’s in love with a beautiful woman, but is finding difficulty containing his inner demons that could jeopardize his relationship.
Best Script: “Prisoners”
“They didn’t cry until I left them…”
Aaron Guzikowski wrote a dark and depressing script that created a mysterious, suspenseful, and very emotional film.
Best Breakthrough Actor: Michael B. Jordan, “Fruitvale Station”
“You shot me, I got a daughter…”
Michael B. Jordan delivers a realistic performance of a man who was followed by trouble that tragically ended his life. I am definitely going to going to keep an eye on this actor, because he left audience members crying in their seats long after the credits started rolling.
Best Supporting Actor: Sharlto Copley, “Elysium”
“He ate a grenade, huh? He’s fine, but he’s gonna be p—— when he wakes up.”
If I ever have children, I would show them this movie and then I’ll tell them, “You kids better go to bed or else Kruger is gonna come get you!” Sharlto Copley is known for his heroic roles in “District 9” and “The A-Team,” but this role is not so jovial. The second he appears on screen, he immediately seemed evil and menacing and held that tone until the end. It showed that Sharlto Copley can be an amazing versatile actor, and I predict that he is going to have a very diverse filmography.
Best Overall Actor: Hugh Jackman, “Prisoners”
“It’s day six, and every day she’s wondering why I’m not there to rescue her! Do you understand that? Me, not you! Not you! But me! Everyday! So forgive me for not going home to get a good night’s rest!”
This is gonna sound blasphemous to comic book fans, but this is Hugh Jackman’s best interpretation of the “Wolverine” ever performed. He plays a man who’s got everything to lose when his daughter goes missing and is willing to break his moral code and go beyond extreme measures in order to get her back. I will always love him in the “X-Men” series and the “Wolverine” spin-offs, but this is Hugh Jackman’s best performance so far.
Best Breakthrough/Overall Actress: Adèle Exarchopoulos, “Blue Is The Warmest Color”
“I miss you. I miss not touching each other, not breathing into each other. I want you. All the time. No one else.”
This French actress gives her fearless performance as a young woman who realizes that she has feelings for other women as well. She was so convincingly real, I couldn’t help but feel for her during her best and worst times in her life. I am aching to see her perform again in “Blue Is the Warmest Color Part 2” and other projects she will have a role in.
Best Comedy: “The World’s End”
“How can you tell if you’re drunk, if you’re never sober?”
This is director’s Edgar Wright’s third collaboration with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz”) and it’s still going strong. “The World’s End” has an hysterical British cast with some funny surprises and situations. If you’re tired of Adam Sandler and his poop joke-filled movies, this is definitely a breath of fresh air.
Best Romance: “Blue Is the Warmest Color”
“I am happy. I’m happy with you, like this. It’s my way of being happy.”
This three-hour French romance is a triumph in a number of ways. Actresses Adèle Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux, names that I unfortunately cannot pronounce, had excellent chemistry and they truly shine from the heart-warming to the heart-breaking moments. I am more than willing to go through another three hours for the sequel.
“He’s not a person anymore. No, he stopped being a person when he took our daughters.”
This film is thick with despair. With a child missing and no leads to follow, the story is haunting and frightening and the cast conveyed the dire situation perfectly.
Best Sci-Fi: “Elysium”
“Life is better up there.”
Not only does Elysium brings great special effects with sci-fi elements, but it also displays a social commentary about class systems and how we should put our health care to use. It’s a summer blockbuster movie that is thought-provoking while being entertaining.
Best Action: “Lone Survivor”
“You can die for your country. I’m going to live for mine.”
I was not expecting to add “Lone Survivor” to this list, but after viewing it I couldn’t help but acknowledge how visceral and gritty the movie was and how everything in it is true. “Lone Survivor” is a non-stop military action film that impacts you. In the end, I had more respect for active U.S. troops than I originally did.
Best Soundtrack: “Prisoners”
The soundtrack perfectly matched the tone of the movie and helped it as a whole. The music will linger with long after you leave the auditorium.
Best Special Effects: “Elysium”
There is not one frame of CGI or special effects that took me out of the amazing experience that “Elysium” presented. From the rusty robots to the awesome explosions, it does have some eye candy.
Best Overall Picture: “Prisoners”
I’ve already covered the highlights of this movie in other categories, but let me say this: This movie is a masterpiece and it’s a shame it didn’t get enough recognition. I truly believe that it’s going to be a cult classic in the future. This is impactful film will probably be talked about for a long time alongside films like “Fight Club.”
