The Annual Morgan Awards for Excellence in Film - 2012
Every year, I watch a number of films, never as many as I would like, but a fair number, both new and old. As Hollywood moves into full-swing mode in awards season, I thought why not give out my own awards which mean absolutely nothing and probably satisfy no one, except for me.
So without further ado, the annual Morgan Awards are here!
I will only focus on the big categories and remember, I'm from NZ, so obvious awards players are as of yet, unseen. (Les Mis, Django, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, Argo etc)
Best Supporting Actor:
What a year to be an actor. Such a wealth of roles, so varied a spread. The following nine actors all stole the film in their own way and may be a little out of left field for some, but for me, they were the best of the year, from the films that I saw.
(at last count, I had seen 41 movies released in 2012)
Michael Caine - The Dark Knight Rises - Alfred
The Dark Knight Rises was nothing to phone home about aside from being overlong, with a ridiculous twist near the end that negated all that had gone before. However, it did have a brilliant performance from veteran actor Michael Caine as the Batman's faithful butler and pseudo father-figure, Alfred. Every look was full of regret, every word spoke volumes about the pain he was feeling and you felt his palpable anger as he watched Bruce fall deeper into his role as Batman and let it consume him. He was the human conscience of the film and the only one able to portray real emotion beyond the glassy look and feel of the bloated mess. His fantasy scene at the end was sheer brilliance and lingers in your mind long after. Michael Caine's Morgan Clip
Mathew McConaughey - Magic Mike - Dallas:
A stellar year for the former rom-com king is capped off with this scene stealing performance as Dallas, the owner and manager of Xquisite, the strip club where Channing Tatum's title character works. He's like dynamite let loose in the middle of summer, from the opening scene right through to the gutbusting finale strip show where he lets loose with raunchy abandon. A supporting performance that steals the whole film and by the end he lets you know that he is loving every minute of it too. (See also this year, Killer Joe, The Paperboy & Bernie). Matthew McConaughey's Morgan Clip
From the moment Norton walks on screen in Wes Anderson's whimiscal delight, the audience started giggling (bear in mind I was watching it with 2500 people!). His charisma and breath of life into a rather non descript character is just fantastic and several little scenes, including him writing his journal late at night and debating whether he is a maths teacher first and a scout master second or vice versa is absolute perfection. With just a few broad strokes he hints at a character with a backstory just begging to be told and makes a somewhat pathetic character into something else entirely unexpected and an extra delight to the already fantastic film. Edward Norton's Morgan Clip (only one available)
Andy Serkis - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Gollum
You knew it was coming; with a hiss and a sibilant snap, Andy Serkis enters the Hobbit and leaves, 15 minutes later, taking the heart, soul and best moments of the film with him. His acting is impeccable as Gollum, which, when combined with the advancements in the motion capture technology that render Gollum even more painfully real, make for one hell of a "precioussss" moment and his scene with Bilbo in the cave, "Riddles in the Dark" is the only scene worthy of standing alongside the original Lord of the Rings trilogy. Very well played Sir, indeed. Andy Serkis' Morgan Clip
Tom Wilkinson - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Graham Dashwood
As the man retiring to India to find his past lover and fix his wrongs, Tom Wilkinson gives life to his character in a subtler way than the film tries to express him. Quiet, calm and the anchor in the storm, he has the most beautiful, subtle story in the film. Despite the film's heavy-handed attempts to portray his situation, both seriously and humorously, he quietly underplays it and breathes a new life into this high court judge changing his life and coming to grips with who he is as a person and realising how much he has missed out on. His face speaks volumes where the script cannot, a single wistful look on his face as he meets his ex-lover says it all really; he's working in a different film to the other cast members and we thank him for that. Tom Wilkinson's Morgan Clip (Trailer)
Michael Fassbender - Prometheus - David
Again, like most nominees in this category, he brings a touch of class to an otherwise shitty film. As David, the robot son created by Weyland, he is funny, creepy and the touch of Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia? Perfection. He didn't have to do much, other than look pretty and shocked like the rest of the cast (still annoyed at the waste of Charlize Theron in that film) but he steps it up beyond what he is asked to do and it is in those moments that we see Fassbender calmly and quietly walk off with the film, giving another Class A performance, from an actor who we have come to expect them from. (See also: Shame, Inglorious Basterds). Michael Fassbender's Morgan Clip
Semi-Finalists
Wes Bentley is a nervous wreck as head gamemaker, Seneca Crane, in The Hunger Games, Tom Cruise is in fine form as hedonistic rock star, Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages, Bruce Willis is fifty shades of tragi-comedy to brilliant effect as Captain Sharp in Moonrise Kingdom.
Next Week: Best Supporting Actress & Best Ensemble
Next Week: Best Supporting Actress & Best Ensemble
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