Oscars 2011: Live-Blogging the Show

FilmMattic @ Work 

 

      The crown jewel of the film world, the Oscars will begin in a matter of moments. This Award's show carries an infectious luster. In keeping with this spirit, I have decided to live-blog the event—my first ever foray into the live-blogging realm. 
      Without further ado, ready yourself for a continuous onslaught of everything Oscar, and jump right into my live-blogging of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

It's Going Down Sunday

      And The Oscar Goes To

         
      Charlie Sheen. Before any readers permanently abandon my blog or boundlessly cut short any further reading, do realize that I am wholeheartedly kidding. On the contrary, the bulk of my post will breakdown the Big 4 Oscar categories—"And The Oscar Goes To" are five words that will never precede the announcement of Sheen's name. Rather, he's more likely to hear these five words: "You have been sentenced to." Nonetheless, I do want to provide a quick commentary on Mean Sheen's latest controversy. 

Movie Review: The King's Speech

Spoiler Free Review:

A film that carries the title of a King shall also. on merit, befit a King's royal tastes. Hooper's film not only matches the requisite ilk of a King-size demand, but it also beautifully encapsulates the age-old human drama.

A Story Befitting a King

(Minor Spoilers Ahead) 

      I know I could never admonish a person for stammering, but I never thought I would commend someone for it, and I still will not. Instead, I am going to do one better and shower limitless praise upon Colin Firth. His stupendously uplifting portrayal of Prince Albert (King George VI) in The King's Speech is—to quote Dick Vitale—simply sensational. So good, in fact, that I would already appoint Firth the global spokesperson on stammering. So good that, if Firth was commanding the Chicago Bears offense on their potentially game-tying drive against the vaunted Green Bay Packers last week, I'd wager my life's savings on him getting the ball in the end zone. So good, Michael Jordan would shake his head in awe. 

Person of the Week VI

A Struggle to the Throne

      Following in the footsteps of Colin Firth's mesmerizing portrayal of King George VI that would shine the global spotlight on stuttering—generating unprecedented awareness of the debilitating speech condition and the therapists who treat it—I will reciprocate the good deed and shine the spotlight on Colin Firth by appointing him, my new "Person of the Week."  
      If any one person can overcome the rigid constraints imposed upon their craft by effecting a performance that breaks through these constraints, then tremendous praise has to be warranted.  The arresting fact concerning Firth's portrayal of King George VI is not simply a reflection of his awe-inspiring depiction, but more so, a robust testimonial to the positive power that a captivating performance can generate.  According to Jane Fraser, President of the Stuttering Foundation, "This movie has done in one fell swoop what we've been working on for 64 years."  Undoubtedly, speech therapy has become a negligible beneficiary because of Firth's riveting performance in The King's Speech, and this fact is owed entirely to Firth's painstakingly accurate portrayal of the problem.  
      It comes as no surprise that Firth's performance is engendering a substantial groundswell highlighting a significant altruistic cause because Firth has been a steadfast champion of philanthropic endeavors his entire life.  Firth is a longtime supporter of Survival International—a non-governmental organization that defends the rights of tribal peoples—as well as an ardent political activist.  Firth launched his own film and political website called Brightwide.com and has been a pronounced supporter of the Oxfam global campaign Make Trade Fair.  Few actors can boast about being such a devout philanthropist and activist, yet I suspect that Colin Firth takes no pleasure in gaining recognition for his admirable work.  Truly, Firth is the epitome of the supremely talented performer with the proverbial big heart. 
      The momentum for the Best Actor Oscar is trending in Colin Firth's favor—and those who are unwilling to admit that he deserves the award are probably the same group that has neglected to see the film.  He narrowly missed out on a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in A Single Man, but I do not foresee the same fate befalling Firth this time around.  He is known for his exacting penchant for playing either the brooding, menacing figure or the tranquil, affable one, which has earned Firth a passionately appreciative fan base.  The gigantic shoes that must be filled in order to play such a prominent historical figure as King George VI—who is known for both his moody persona and speech problem—can be enormously daunting.  But Firth displays no such trepidation in his performance.  Consequently, the Academy should manifest no fearful uncertainty by crowning Colin Firth—for his virtuous depiction of a real life King—with their Best Actor Award at the upcoming Oscars.

 

*Below you will find the trailer of Firth's latest film and the subject of much of his acclaim, The King's Speech.