Carpet-Bagging: Supp. Actress is dead on arrival

Yesterday I talked a great deal about the supporting actor race, which was far from concrete and boasted plenty of weak performances in roles of the Academy mold as well as strong performances that are far outside that mold. For men in cinema, it often relies on that key factor of going for the gut. The key job of a supporting actor is often to be that antagonistic presence, and that's what's payed off most in the past. The supporting actress branch is often seen as something quite different, but history has shown that inclination to believe female winners aren't as vicious performances as men to be false.

Mo'Nique in "Precious" is the prime example of that, but also Melissa Leo ("The Fighter") and Penelope Cruz ("Vicky Christina Barcelona") in a certain way. They're not hardcore villains, as they have redeeming factors, but they've got those unstable problems in them. I'd like to think the trend will continue, but I can't say anything for certain. After all, the most assured nomination in this category for this year thus far, is Octavia Spencer for "The Help". God willing, she's not going to ever be the frontrunner this year. Not that I don't like her performance, but there as absolutely nothing spectacular about it.

"My Week with Marilyn" Trailer

Oh, poor Michelle Williams. She deserves so much more than she gets. It's easy to forget its British period heritage amongst the buzz and hype, but "My Week with Marilyn" looks exactly like what I feared it would be. Your typical never-gonna-happen romantic story, all decked out with British talent. Kenneth Branagh, Emma Watson, Judi Dench, and Toby Jones. But the main attraction is Michelle Williams, who is focused on embodying Marilyn, and she looks to be doing a fine job of it. But is the film gonna be worth it?

"The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" Trailer

In case the trailer doesn't manage to blow that news, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" is no awards play. It's a collection of four of the best British performers (and Dev Patel) taking a bit of a breather in less dicey waters. This isn't something I'll be waiting for in heated anticipation. It's nothing to get excited about. It's not supposed to be. This is the film they release in March to alleviate the dour post-festival season, much like "Win Win" did this year. This looks kinda humorous. Not ecstatically so in any way. It looks, simply, fine.

Film Review: Jane Eyre [2011] (**)

I have a very serious problem with costume dramas, in that most of them cause me to hate the very soul of England's history. Some of them have occasionally worked for me, like Joe Wright's 2007 film Atonement, but more often they are coldly executed with barely an inch of flair or liveliness. I had hoped that Jane Eyre would not be something like that. The trailers put forth the idea that it would be a passionate piece starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender, two actors whom I respect very deeply. As I settled into the start of the film, I came to terms with the fact that this wasn't the case.

The film follows the painful and depressing life of Jane Eyre, whose life is put in disarray through the cruelty of cousin and aunt. She's sent off to a cruel school where she is punished and scorned for no real reason. Case in point, she drops her tray one day, and is then shunned by the rest of the school, all except one kind girl, obviously. The depressing atmosphere of her situation is overly infectious, and it's impossible to be entertained or impressed with the film. As she gets older, she leaves the school in favor of life as a governess at Thornfield, a mansion owned by the mysterious and powerful Edward Fairfax Rochester.

Are We Equals, Mr. Bond?

Theatrical Trailer + Poster: Jane Eyre

Consider me completely confused, but oddly intrigued here. I think everyone on earth has at least heard about Jane Eyre, but never actually read it, so I have no idea what to make of all this. I find the film interesting because it stars Judy Dench, Michael Fassbender, and Mia Wasikowska, who have all made a positive impression with the work they've done. Fassbender's character in Inglourious Basterds really put him on the map, just because he had such great lines. We always took him as the intellectual Brit, so I can't wait to see what he does with such dramatic roles as this. All the same, I have absolutely no idea what's going on in this trailer. The poster is nice and all, but the light white/blue filter is the only thing that makes it such. Easiest thing in the world to duplicate.