Wednesday 27 November 2013

"I've always seen myself in sentences. I begin to recognize myself, word by word, as I work through a sentence."

      The New York Times have released their annual shorts celebrating the year's best performers, and in the case of this year, the best writers. They have all been shot by the incredible cinematographer Janusz Kaminski. As usual, some of them are quite "out there", but I do like the concept a lot and the lines are kind of amazeballs.


Cate Blanchett with line by Andrew Bujalski
"Show me where the bed is, put a blanket over me, and don't ever let me see you again."
This one is definitely one of the weirder ones but god, I love the Cate-ness of it all! She's such a goddess. Also, one of my favourite lines.


Bradley Cooper with line by J.C. Chandor
"I’m broke. I mean it. Don’t laugh. It’s all gone. Seriously, I got nothing left. But I still got this. What’s it worth to you?"
Oooo dancey and sparkly. Also, I don't know how to put this any other way, I was kind of staring at Bradley Cooper's butt throughout it :/


Robert Redford with line by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
"Actually, I’ve never really liked tofu."
 One of my favourites. I love the anticlimactic humour, and boy, is the climax built in this.


Oprah Winfrey with line by Sarah Polley
So you died while I was out. How convenient. I thought it would be easier if you were dead. But actually, it’s just irritating."
 OPRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I liked it.


Greta Gerwig with line by Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater
You look like you want to say something. But don’t. That look on your face is so different now."
I liked this one too, especially the line. Plus, the The Shining-esque setting is pretty awesome. And I am a little bit in love with Gerwig at present.


Forest Whitaker with line by Greta Gerwig
"People are always telling me, ‘It’s so messed up what she did to you.’ Whatever. It’s all in the past."
 This was one of the more sensible ones and Whitaker kind of gives it his all. What an actor.


Julia Louis-Dreyfuss with line by Nicole Holofcener
"Yes, I’m wearing a wig."
My absolute favourite. What can I say, I am biased towards red lipstick. And then you pair it with a shiny pistol, a lipstick-stained cigarette and a line like that that just comes out of nowhere- love!


Michael B. Jordan with line by Spike Jonze
"Well, recently I found out that I am alive. And I guess it’s a lot to take in. I didn’t realize exactly what it all entailed. And I really didn’t know it was going to be so incredibly sad."
Just reminds me of how hilarious "Bound 3" actually is.


Oscar Isaac with line by Lake Bell
"I hope this is a joke."
 Was anyone else reminded of Amelie? I thought it was funny.


Chiwetel Ejiofor with line by Jeff Nichols
"How long have you been waiting there?"
This was kind of meh.


Adele Exarchopolous with line by Danny Strong
"They call me sexy, smart and sociopathic. But not necessarily in that order."
I am definitely in love with Adele. I thought it was lovely.


       I am guessing that the lines were given first and then the shorts were made around them. My favourites turned out to be the really mundane lines that would have probably stuck out in any context. I am super happy that Exarchopoulos and Gerwig were included but it would have been great to see some other biggies of the year, performance-wise, like Scarlett Johansson, James Franco (though he still wins) and Tom Hanks.

        Awards season is go!

9 comments:

  1. Wow some great and very stylish pictures here.

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  2. I can't believe Franco and Rogen did that vid, they actually kiss! hilarious! And somewhat disturbing.

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    1. I think it's awesome and they're awesome.

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  3. How did I miss Bound 2 and 3? Anyway, both are ridiculous - the former in a bad way, the latter in an awesome way. Love the shorts too, my favorite is the one with Adele although it's kind of like a perfume ad. Or maybe that's the exact reason why.

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    1. It is quite like a perfume ad. I love it.

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  4. This is a great post. I'm enjoying all of these shorts. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Thanks! They're fun, aren't they? :)

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  5. Interesting project. I really need to watch these.

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