by Father Robert Lauder
Because I frequently write about films and refer to films in lectures I give, the impression may be created that I frequently go to movie theatres. I don’t, but in the distant past, I saw most of the films that played in theatres.
Conducting the annual Friday Film Festival at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, each year I view 12 films – six in the fall and six in the spring. I choose the films to be shown in the festival. Since 1993, I have screened almost 260 films. This has been a great educational experience for me because most of the films I have chosen have either been classics or near classics. Viewing classics, I think, can help a person more easily distinguish great films from junk.
In the last two months, I have found myself in theatres nine times. Mike Geoghan, producer of “Reel Faith” on The NET, the Brooklyn diocesan television station, invited me to participate in a special show on this year’s Academy Awards. Once I accepted his invitation, I felt obligated to see the nine films that were nominated for best film.
The nine films are: “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Her,” “Philomena,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “American Hustle,” “Captain Phillips,” “Nebraska,” “Gravity” and “12 Years a Slave.”
Over the years, I have not paid serious attention to what films have won the award for best film, but I have the impression that this year’s nominees are a superior group. In eight of the films, I could find something worthy of praise.
The one film that I strongly dislike is Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Scorsese is one of the most talented American directors, but I don’t think he has yet made a truly great film. One reason is lack of restraint. He seems to have embraced the view that “more is better.” If one killing is good, then 10 are better. If there is blood in some scene, the more blood the better. There is more nudity in “Wolf” than in any other American film I can recall. The use of the “F-word,” spoken more than 500 times, has set some kind of record. If the “F-word” were removed, how much dialogue would be left?
“Philomena” and “Captain Phillips” are excellent films. Some of my friends think “Philomena” is anti-Catholic. I don’t think so. Any anti-Catholic remarks made by the character who is an ex-Catholic and an atheist are matched by some wise observations and insights into the Church by Judi Dench’s character.
“Captain Phillips” is a great thriller which I strongly recommend. Twice while watching the film, I thought I knew how it would end. One time I was wrong, one time right. Even when I thought I knew what the ending would be, I found the film exceptionally exciting.
In the film “Her,” the main character has a “love affair” with something like a computer. Once I accepted its extremely improbable situation, I thought the film said implicitly some important things about interpersonal relationships. I was never bored as I viewed “Her,” and that may be partly due to the fact that I am trying to figure out where the technological revolution that we are living in – an age of cell phones, iPhones, iPads and who knows what else – is taking us.
“Nebraska” is an excellent film, and I admire those who created what they must have known would not be a blockbuster but would say something important about interpersonal relationships.
“Dallas Buyers Club” introduces viewers to the world of those who suffer from AIDS. “American Hustle” takes us into a world of con artists. Both films are well made but may be difficult viewing at times, even for adults.
Excellent performances are turned in by Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas” and Christian Bale and Amy Adams in “Hustle.” I would not be very surprised if “American Hustle” received the award for best film, though it is not the film I would choose.
Favorites to Win
“Gravity” and “12 Years a Slave” are considered by many to be favorites to win. While the cinematography in “Gravity” is breathtaking, I think “12 Years a Slave” is by far the best film of the year. I would recommend it to any adult with the caution that there is some violence in the film. It is the type of film that can renew your faith in the power and importance of film.
So here are my predictions:
Best Film: “12 Years a Slave,”
Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyers Club,” and
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine.”