With only hours to spare, and the deadline looming, I finally finished screening the last of more than 100 BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) movies and submitted my votes! I also judged documentaries and there were some amazing pieces of work. I wish I could mention them all, but here are a few films I particularly enjoyed:
Rust and Bone. This story of loss, perseverance, and growth is an incredibly moving love story that portrays the importance of family and the growth of the human spirit. With strong performances from both Matthias Schoenaerts and Marion Cotillard, (who received an Oscar for her performance in La Vie en Rose) this movie was one of my favorites and Marion Cotillard deserves another Best Actress award.
Silver Linings Playbook. This was a complete surprise to me as some of the trailers seemed to depict the usual Hollywood screwball family comedy, but this film is so much more than that. Dark and funny, intelligent and crazy, it begs the question, what is normal? With terrific performances from Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and a great ensemble cast. I loved it!
McCullin. My favorite documentary of the BAFTA season. This was simply brilliant. It tells the story of internationally renowned British photojournalist, Donald McCullin, recognized for his unforgettable images of war and urban strife. His black-and-white images perfectly capture the futility of war, and are beautiful and unforgettable. Not to be missed!
Documentaries that also deserve a mention:
The Imposter: www.imposterfilm.com
Big Boys Gone Bananas: www.bigboysgonebananas.com
Jason Becker; Not Dead Yet: www.jasonbeckermovie.com
Town of Runners: www.townofrunners.com
So if you want to watch the BAFTA Awards, it will be aired on BBC America at 8PM East Coast Time, Sunday, February 10th, 2013. I know I will be tuning in and enjoying my tea and biscuits!
To learn more about BAFTA check out: www.bafta.org
