Theory Thursday: Hans Zimmer's Score for "12 Years a Slave" was Unnecessary

Scene from 12 Years a Slave

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

Super Delegates: John Quincy Adams in "Amistad" (1997)

Anthony Hopkins in Amistad

Welcome to Super Delegates, a bi-monthly column released on Tuesdays and are done in part to recognize politics on film, specifically in regards to Oscar-nominated works. With this being an election year in the United States, it feels like a good time to revisit film history's vast relationship with politicians of any era and determine what makes them interesting while potentially connecting them to the modern era. The series plans to run until the end of this 2016 election cycle, so stay tuned for every installment and feel free to share your thoughts on films worthy of discussion in the comments section.

Review: "The Martian" is an Awe-Inspiring Ride Through Space

Matt Damon in The Martian

For most of the 20th century, there was something alluring about looking towards the skies and imagining the possibilities of travelling to other planets. It was a big draw for several decades and, thanks to NASA, has lead to a lot of impressive advancements for humankind. To some extent, the magic in the real world has died down in the past decade and is often saved for sci-fi and fantasy, leaving some to wonder if those ambitions to think beyond the stars would ever be as popular as they once were. Thanks largely to director Ridley Scott's The Martian - the first major film endorsed by NASA since 1995's Apollo 13 - one can only have faith that maybe, just maybe, the future of space travel will continue to allure audiences and bring the nation together over a common goal. It's not only what this feel good film's propaganda tendencies wants you to believe, it's what you get in between awe-inspiring cinematography and a brilliant performance by Matt Damon.

Nothing But the Best: "12 Years a Slave" (2013)

Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave

Welcome to the series Nothing But the Best in which I chronicle all of the Academy Award Best Picture winners as they celebrate their anniversaries. Instead of going in chronological order, this series will be presented on each film's anniversary and will feature personal opinions as well as facts regarding its legacy and behind the scenes information. The goal is to create an in depth essay for each film while looking not only how the medium progressed, but how the film is integral to pop culture. In some cases, it will be easy. Others not so much. Without further ado, let's start the show.

Theory Thursday: Chiwetel Ejiofor Should've Won Best Actor for "12 Years a Slave" (2013)

Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave

Welcome to a weekly column called Theory Thursdays, which will be released every Thursday and discuss my "controversial opinion" related to something relative to the week of release. Sometimes it will be birthdays while others is current events or a new film release. Whatever the case may be, this is a personal defense for why I disagree with the general opinion and hope to convince you of the same. While I don't expect you to be on my side, I do hope for a rational argument. After all, film is a subjective medium and this is merely just a theory that can be proven either way. 

What Happened to "12 Years a Slave"?

Chiwetel Ejiofor

It seemed like since its debut director Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave was bound to sweep the Oscars. It was a powerful film about a dark time in America's history told through thought-provoking images that haunted the viewer. With performances by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and newcomer Lupita Nyong'o adding depth of unprecedented nature to the story, it seemed like it was bound to win everything and anything that stood in its path. With less than two weeks until the big ceremony however, things are starting to paint a different picture. Is the film's prestige too much of an issue, as it has allowed the conversation to grow stale and move onto other films?

A Closer Look at the Best Actor Nominees

One of the most difficult races at this year's ceremony to predict is going to be the Best Actor race. Along with a scandalous moment in which CNN supposedly revealed this year's winner, this race has lead to plenty of discussion, and for good reason. Each performance delivers a slightly different skill that makes it better than the next. Its only issue is that in a year where the playing field almost feels too even, it leaves plenty of surprise for Oscar night and has already launched numerous think pieces such dissecting each nominee. The following is my look at the field as well as who I think should win as well as why.

Review: "12 Years a Slave" is a Quintessential Film About Slavery

Chiwetel Ejiofir

Once in awhile, a film comes along that almost seems to become bigger than its subject. Something that becomes so hyped that it almost feels like a cherished relic before it even hits theaters. After impressing audiences at TIFF, director Steve McQueen's latest 12 Years a Slave appears to be part of that select few. It seems bizarre that a film from the creator of Hunger and Shame, two morbidly bleak stories, could become an Oscar front runner and turn in a film that is arguably already one of the classics. His adoration for the novel by Solomon Northup and desire to bring to life a point in American history that tends to get overlooked brought together not only one of the best movies about slavery, but probably one of the best films of the decade.

"12 Years a Slave" Impresses Tiff and Raises Oscar Buzz Potential

Left to right: Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, and Chiwetel Ejiofir

This past week saw many already put the stamp on what is going to be the Best Picture winner this year.With such high praise, many critics who attended the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) were privy to seeing one of my most anticipated movies of the Fall: director Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave. While it has also given many other reveals on potential nominees (including the critically panned August: Osage County), this is great news not only from the standpoint of the director, but for the season to come. It may make the season dull, but to know that we already have a front runner suggests that Oscar Buzz season is starting off just right.

The "12 Years A Slave" Trailer Makes the Fall Season Look More Exciting

Left to right: Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender

If there has been one film that seems to have come out of nowhere and suggested Oscar Buzz in the past week, it has to be director Steve McQueen's latest 12 Years a Slave. With an all-star cast that includes Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, and last year's Academy Award Best Actress nominee Quvenzhane Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild), it already looks to be one of the most impressive groups in a film this year. With a mix of current events and the idea that a movie like Django Unchained can receive nominations, is it possible that this tale of slavery is capable of getting a Best Picture nomination? If the recently released trailer is any clue, I would place my money on it.