Men, Women & Children (2014)

Directed by Jason Reitman
Written by Jason Reitman and Erin Cressida Wilson, based on the novel by Chad Kultgen
Starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Gardner, Ansel Elgort and Kaitlyn Dever

A group of high school teenagers and their parents attempt to navigate the man ways the Internet has changed their relationships, their communication, their self-image and their love lives.

An example in the potential dangers of the Internet, as well as the dangers of being an overly protective parent when it comes to your child's online activities, there are very few people who will not relate to at least one of the many scenarios portrayed in this film. Emotionally driven by the feeling of hopelessness  and insignificance we all feel at some point in our lives, Jason Reitman does not hold back when telling this universal story.

This movie touches on so many subjects in such a short amount of time, yet drives home a point with every single one. It's remarkable that a story that's all over the place, such as this, can make so much sense.

The acting in this movie is top notch. Not award winning, but great none the less. Particularly by Adam Sandler. It's movies like this that make we wonder why he still does comedies. His dramatic roles are always more impressive and enjoyable, and this was no exception. Perhaps it's because most dramas don't give him a reason to vacation in exotic locales.

My Rating: 7/10

Oscar Best Picture Nominee: Whiplash

With the Oscars coming up in a little over a week, I decided I would take these next few days to discuss my opinions of the Best Picture Nominees.

"Whiplash"
Written and Directed by Damien Chazelle
Starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Raul Reiser and Melissa Benoist

A promising young drummer enrolls in a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are are tested by a mentor who will stop at nothing to realize the full potential of his students.

An intense look at the lengths people will go to and the abuse they will take in order to obtain their dream, this film breaks down a mans hopes in order to build him up. It is superbly written, directed and acted and contains the role to define J.K. Simmons career.

Nominated for 5 Oscars, "Whiplash" is the film many think came out of nowhere. But it is films like that that define film making. A film that, if it weren't for it's quality would have never been heard of. Every other film nominated this year as some sort of hook, whether it be an A-list actor or even just a story based on actual events. This film gained notoriety for one reason. It's a damn great movie.

J.K. Simmons is unmatched this year in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category. He brings force to his character that is believable yet commanding simultaneously. You want to hate him, but you just can't. The extremes his character goes to to bring the best out of his students cross the line, yet you find yourself understanding exactly why he's doing it.

Not Pictured: Miles Teller's urine soaked trousers.

The categories that it's nominated for alone tell the story of why this film is so fantastic. Best sound mixing, editing, adapted screenplay, actor in a supporting role and of course, best picture. All of these things are the very foundation in which unforgettable movies are based on.

This is the final Best Picture Nominee of this series, and while I did do them in alphabetical order, it is appropriate that my favorite of the eight films nominated is the last one I cover. While the chances of this movie winning are slim-to-none, this film has a caliber unmatched by "Selma", "American Sniper" and "The Theory of Everything". An intensity unequaled by "The Grand Budapest Hotel", "Boyhood" and "The Imitation Game". And a realism unmet by "Birdman". Those are the reasons why "Whiplash" is my favorite film of 2014.

And while I write this, J.K. Simmons appears as both the Yellow M&M in an M&M commercial and the spokesman of Farmers Insurance. A truly versatile actor.

And the Oscar goes to… Yellow! 

For "Russian Mob Ice Cream Commercial"!

My Rating: 10/10

Today, I will be watching all of the Best Picture Nominees at the AMC Loews Georgetown 14 in Washington, D.C. I'll be tweeting and posting pictures on Instagram throughout the day. Follow me!

Twitter: @MichaelDCHicks

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