Amazing films

Due to a random set of events, I am happy to say that this year I have seen two of the films nominated for the Academy Award's Best Picture Award. I don't have the chance to see films that often in the movie theater (or I suppose I should say that I choose not to shell out $50+ for a sitter to attend a movie in the theater that often), so when I have the rare opportunity to see a movie in the theater I want it to be an intense, high-quality film. I want it to be an amazing experience that completely transforms my mind and takes me out the normal day-to-day element for two+ hours.

I am so content with the two Academy Award-nominated films I was able to see in the theater this year. Both were extraordinary and went way beyond my expectations for enjoyment.

First up was Life of Pi. Scott and I saw this together on a date night back in early December.

I had not read the book beforehand and all I knew of the plot was what the media was reporting of the story in the few weeks after the film was released. Most "reviews" I read before we saw this film were that it was about an Indian boy on a lifeboat with a tiger, and that the film had extraordinary scenery and cinematography. I was prepared to enjoy the movie itself but wasn't entrenched in the story at all.

So I didn't know about the surprise ending, or the multiple story-line parallels that were revealed at the end of the film. This film was stunning, both visually and mentally, and Scott and I both agreed that is was quite fantastic. I thought about this movie for weeks on end afterwards and plan to read the book someday soon (Scott gave it to me as a Christmas gift because we both enjoyed the movie so much). Definitely a must-see in the theater because of the stunning visual elements on the big screen. 

Perhaps more surprising - because it was so enjoyable - was Silver Linings Playbook. I saw this movie alone tonight. I am on a trip for work and decided to treat myself to a movie tonight after the conference was over before I fly home early tomorrow morning.

A girlfriend of mine had told me that this movie was good, but after I watched the trailer online I wasn't convinced that it sounded that interesting. Boy was I wrong. I LOVED this film!

Silver Linings Playbook is a fantastic story with an intricate plot that is interwoven on multiple dimensions. I have seen some media outlets advertise it as a "date move", which is kind-of is, it's also a comedy and a drama and a romance all rolled into one. I laughed out loud over a dozen times, nearly cried twice, and didn't want the movie to end. It was a two hour film and I didn't want the movie to end, it was that good. The acting was phenomenal. Probably not necessary to see this one on the big screen, but it is definitely a fantastic film that will blow your mind away.

Have you seen any of the Academy Award-nominated films? Any recommendations for other movies I should see - in the theaters or not - in the near future?