5 Minute Movie Guy
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
    • The 2015 5MMG Awards
    • The 2014 5MMG Awards
    • Top 5 Lists
  • Blog
  • Contact

The 2014 5MMG Awards - Favorite Movie Twist

4/5/2015

Comments

 
SPOILERS BELOW! There's just something magical about movie twists. When done right, they can totally BLOW YOUR MIND! Where you just can't stop thinking about it and want to discuss it with every friend you have. These days I think it works to the industry's disadvantage that almost every film tries to have one, or multiple twists, in some form or another. Doing it right often requires a lot of patience to properly build up to that pivotal moment. They need to feel earned rather than carelessly squeezed in. Let these 5 nominees be examples for how to do it right. These are my top 5 favorite movie twists that I never saw coming!

Favorite  Movie  Twist  Nominees:

Interstellar

Picture
Interstellar used its casting decision to its advantage to completely throw us off guard. Who can forget that emotional moment when the crew first discovered Dr. Mann on that distant planet? Enhanced by the fact that he was played by none other than Matt Damon! Then director Christopher Nolan used Damon's typical good nature against us by turning him into the unexpected bad guy! Matt Damon, you sly son of a gun!

The  Fault  in  Our  Stars

Picture
This one hurts. I hadn't read the book prior to seeing the movie, so I had no idea what was about to unfold. The reemergence of Augustus' cancer is a bitter and unexpected twist of fate. Just as things are reaching extraordinary new heights in Hazel and Gus' loving relationship, their worst nightmare rears its ugly head. Augustus'  premature death is a most unfortunate reversal of fate, but a highly effective twist nonetheless.

The  Drop

Picture
"They never see you coming, do they, Bob?" Detective Torres of The Drop may have been onto this twist, but I'm pretty sure the rest of is were totally taken by surprise. The Drop ends with one of the most shocking, powerful, and satisfying twists of the year. Tension climbs steadily throughout the film, and as it approaches this climactic moment, the kind but enigmatic Bob Saginowski must face his  inner-demons.

Gone  Girl

Picture
This twisted little film keeps the twists coming! Gone Girl is an unpredictable movie that holds you in suspense and keeps you guessing from beginning to end. With a director like David Fincher, I knew I would be in for a treat when watching this movie, but it was all so much more beautifully orchestrated than I could have imagined. It's single greatest twist is how it undoes the first major twist, in horrific fashion.

How  to  Train  Your  Dragon  2

Picture
A bittersweet twist concludes the second act of the movie, and will have a resonating impact on the future of the How to Train Your Dragon series. Stoick's untimely death is perhaps a necessary twist in Hiccup's story arc, but it happens in the most tragic of ways and at the most unsettling time. After having reunited with his long lost wife, Stoick dies honorably protecting his son, ultimately paving the way for him to lead.

And  the  Winner  Is...


Read More
Comments

The 2014 5MMG Awards - Favorite Transformation

4/4/2015

Comments

 
This award is for the actors and actresses who take their physical appearance to the next level for a movie role. These five actors sacrificed their bodies and their beauty to bring their characters to life, because sometimes being really, really ridiculously good looking just isn't enough!

Favorite  Transformation  Nominees:

Dave  Bautista
as Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy
Picture
Dave Bautista is completely unrecognizable as Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy. He underwent four hours of makeup daily and wore 18 prosthetic pieces for the role. It worked out well as Drax looks completely awesome. I particularly enjoy the elaborate scarification body art that covers the majority of his body. He looks like one dude that I sure wouldn't want to mess with, in this galaxy or any other.

Angelina  Jolie
as Maleficent in Maleficent
Picture
Could there have possibly been a better casting for Maleficent than Angelina Jolie? I think not. She was perfect for this role and she truly embraced the part. She literally became Maleficent and she elevated her like never before. She spent three hours a day having her makeup applied for the part, giving her a more wicked and sinister look without taking away from her natural beauty.

Jack  O'Connell
as Louis Zamperini in Unbroken
Picture
In Unbroken, Jack O'Connell transforms himself from an Olympic athlete to a starving, stranded survivor, and eventually a beaten-down prisoner of war. He showed great dedication to his character in honoring Louis Zamperini by making great physical changes to his body to convey the hardship he endured. Though, what I really want to know is how he managed to keep a perfectly groomed goatee throughout it all. Hm?

Eddie  Redmayne
as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything
Picture
One of the things that impressed me the most about The Theory of Everything is how it focuses on Stephen Hawking's physical deterioration from auto-immune disease. It emphasizes the tragic way in which Hawkings gradually loses control of his body and motor functions. Redmayne does a truly exceptional job capturing the physicality and heartache of this indefatigable struggle.

Christian  Bale
as Moses in Exodus: Gods and Kings
Picture
Always one to push his body to the limits, even moreso than any other living actor, Christian Bale drastically slimmed down after packing on the pounds for his Oscar nominated performance in American Hustle. Once again, Bale pushes himself to the extreme, with Moses transforming from a physically fit Prince into a frail prophet. More than just that, though, he fully delves in and embodies Moses' character.

And  the  Winner  Is...


Read More
Comments

The 2014 5MMG Awards - Favorite Bad Ass

4/3/2015

Comments

 
All hail the bad mamma jammas! This one goes out to 2014's baddest bad asses of the bunch! These are the characters that you want fighting on your side. To the bad guys they're after, good luck trying to hide! You'd either have to be stupid or have a death wish if you were to knowingly take on any of these guys. These top 5 nominees know how to kick ass and take names!

Favorite  Bad  Ass  Nominees:

Rita  Vrataski
as played by Emily Blunt in Edge of Tomorrow
Picture
The Angel of Verdun! Rita Vrataski has earned her respect on the battlefield after single-handedly turning the tides against the alien race known as Mimics by leading humans to their first-ever victory. Given the power to restart after death, she's possibly spent an eternity honing her skills for combat, which I suppose gives her a pretty unfair advantage. Still, there's no denying her incredibly awesome results!

Robert  McCall
as played by Denzel Washington in The Equalizer
Picture
Denzel's turn as Robert McCall gives Liam Neeson some heavy competition in the old-guy-ass-kicker genre. His character McCall is intelligent, methodical, and relentless in his pursuit of justice. He's not afraid to get his hands dirty when it comes to helping innocent people. McCall is so efficient at stopping the bad guys that he almost makes me feel sorry for them. Naw, just kidding. Give 'em another corkscrew!

Caesar
as played by Andy Serkis in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Picture
As the leader of the ape colony in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Caesar possesses strength, intelligence, and bravery. He must guide the apes, while protecting them from the threat of the dangerous and fearful humans who seek to exterminate them. All the while, the apes are faced with a civil war among themselves, with Koba leading the rebellion, and Caesar has to prove that he's still the true king of the jungle.

Drax
as played by Dave Bautista in Guardians of the Galaxy
Picture
Star-Lord and the gang were wise to befriend this guy. Drax the Destroyer is one of the deadliest maniacs in the universe. After his wife and daughter were killed at the hands of Ronan the Accuser, Drax went on a rampage seeking revenge. With his brute strength and combat skills, he is a warrior of the highest caliber. Drax is as driven and he is fearless, challenging Ronan head-to-head without any hesitation.

John  Wick
as played by Keanu Reeves in John Wick
Picture
Known widely as The Boogeyman, John Wick lives up to his name by shooting fear into the hearts of criminals everywhere. After thugs break into his home at night, killing his dog and stealing his car, John Wick goes on a merciless quest for revenge to find those responsible. What ensues is a stylish shooting spree throughout the city as Wick piles up bodies of bad guys, all in the name of puppy love!

And  the  Winner  Is...


Read More
Comments

The 2014 5MMG Awards - Favorite Villain

4/2/2015

Comments

 
SPOILER ALERT! So often villains are an underwhelming obstacle for the protagonist to overcome. Not these guys! These top five nominees successfully raised the stakes and tension of their films, while providing an excellent contrast to the primary character. Here are my favorite villains of the year, who are all nearly as memorable as their film's protagonists, if not more so!

Favorite  Villain  Nominees:

Conrad  Stonebanks
as played by Mel Gibson in The Expendables 3
Picture
I love Mel Gibson and was ecstatic to see him return to the big screen. I was even more elated that his return was as the villain of The Expendables III, and he didn't disappoint! Gibson stars as Conrad Stonebanks, who co-founded The Expendables crew with Stallone's Barney Ross many years ago. Gibson's Stonebanks is intense and maniacal, and he steals every scene he's in. Nobody does crazy better than Gibson!

Mike  Shiner
as played by Edward Norton in Birdman
Picture
Norton's Mike Shiner in Birdman is precisely the kind of character you love to hate. To put it bluntly, he's a prissy and arrogant prick. When Riggan Thomson (Keaton) needs a better actor for his play, he scores the talented Broadway actor, Mike Shiner. Though it turns out that he wound up casting more than be bargained for. Despite Shiner's talent, he's unapologetic, and difficult to work with, but he's also a joy to watch.

Amy  Dunne
as played by Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl
Picture
"Amazing Amy" Dunne dances joyfully between the fine line of genius and complete psychopath. There's no denying that this chick is out-of-this-world crazy, but she's also methodical, patient, and all too clever. Amy is the kind of character that will be giving men nightmares about marriage for decades. And if ever a man should think of committing infidelity, may he be reminded of Amy Dunne and wisely reconsider.

Viggo  Tarasov
as played by Michael Nyqvist in John Wick
Picture
Viggo Tarasov is the head of New York's Russian crime syndicate, although he owes much of his success to his own former assassin, John Wick, who eliminated all of his competition. Now that his foolish son has assaulted the retired Wick, Viggo has to reluctantly prepare for retaliation. While no match for Wick alone, Viggo's a delightful villain who has the resources and power to make things interesting for his old hitman.

Koba
as played by Toby Kebbell in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Picture
Koba is the perfect contrast to Caesar, the leader of the apes. He is the id to Caesar's ego, acting on instinct to fulfill his own desires, no matter how ruthless the cost. Having been abused and experimented on by humans for years, Koba despises the human race, and struggles with following Caesar's sympathy towards them. He is willing to abandon his allegiance to his savior, Caesar, to get his revenge.

And  the  Winner  Is...


Read More
Comments

The 2015 5MMG Awards - Favorite Fight

4/1/2015

Comments

 
A great movie fight can be the pinnacle of cinematic excitement. Who doesn't love an epic final battle? Or a one-on-one battle to the death? Or an against-all-odds fight for survival? Any way good and evil choose to duke it out, I'm always hoping they put up a good fight. This award goes out to the single best fight from any film in 2014!

Favorite  Fight  Nominees:

Caesar  vs  Koba
in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Picture
As war breaks out between the humans and apes, the violent and rebellious Koba challenges Caesar's authority and attempts to overthrow his rule of the ape kingdom. These two apes converge atop a tower, unaware that humans have rigged it with explosives. They battle it out, ape versus ape, in an epic, climactic finale for supremacy. I hate to be the one to say it, but man, it was on like Donkey Kong!

Shredder  vs  Splinter
in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Picture
Growing up, I was obsessed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, so seeing Shredder and Splinter finally face-off was a total dream come true for me. I loved watching these two martial arts masters go at it, and I was really impressed by how good their fight actually was. Kudos for making Splinter such a beast in battle. His fighting was kind of reminiscent of Yoda in Attack of the Clones, without feeling quite so ridiculous.

John  Wick  vs  Intruders 

in John Wick
Picture
Legendary hitman John Wick spends almost his entire movie seriously messing dudes up! For that reason, it's hard to narrow his fights down to any one particular scene,  but the moment that stood out most to me was when he defended himself from the second wave of home invaders. It's the scene that first showcases John's deadly talents. Here, John is on the defensive and fighting for his life, and he's getting angry!

Captain  America  vs  S.t.r.i.k.e.
in Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Picture
A superhero becomes surrounded by an attack squad in an elevator. Many men enter, but only one man will leave! As Captain America is cornered and outnumbered, he must rely on his quick thinking and super strength to overcome his attackers. What ensues is a tense, raucous, close-quarters battle in which Captain's allies have turned against him. It's an excellent display of Captain's fighting ability and survival instincts.

X-Men  vs  Sentinels
in X-Men: Days of Future Past
Picture
The remaining X-Men are living in a dark time at the start of Days of Future Past. Sentinels have exterminated mutants nearly to extinction, and the survivors are forced to send one of their own back in time to prevent this terrible fate. The battle itself is a bleak, desperate fight for survival as the X-Men are outmatched and one by one slowly succumb to their enemies. It's graphic, it's unsettling, and it's awesome!

And  the  Winner  Is...


Read More
Comments
Forward>>

    5  Minute
    Movie  Guy

    Here are the nominees and winners in the 1st annual 5MMG Awards!

    Archives

    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.