Lincoln (and an apology)

Adam: Hey, everyone. I'd like to start off by apologizing for the lack of a Wreck-It Ralph review. I did see it, but it was a 2D show and after seeing it, I really wanted to see it in 3D before I reviewed it. Then, as fate would have it, I fell ill for a few days and didn't get a chance to go out and see it again. I mean, if you get a chance, definitely go see it because it's the most fun animated film to watch since Tangled, but sadly I won't be reviewing it.
However, I'm going to review Lincoln right now and then watch Skyfall tonight and hopefully get a review up on Wednesday. (Who knows, I might even review The Sessions as well, if I get a chance to see it.) And don't forget about this month's reader recommendation review! (That's more of a reminder to me to watch The Cabin in the Woods again and review it.)
So, again, sorry for the lack of Wreck-It Ralph review and here is my review/Oscar-rant for Lincoln!

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Lincoln: The Best Abe Has Ever Fared in a Theater

viewed and reviewed by Adam Stutsman

Honestly, this probably won’t be a very long review. Let’s face it: Steven Spielberg doing a historical drama about one of the United States’ best-loved presidents with a cast of some of the most talented people in the business simply cannot fail. And frankly, if I didn’t know that Spielberg and his crew had a legitimate love and passion (okay, obsession) with the source material, I’d be convinced this was just a big, juicy piece of Oscar-bait. But Lincoln is more than that. It will win (probably too many) awards come February; Spielberg has created a flawless historical drama, and the Academy will love him for it. Lincoln is beautiful, moving, historically accurate, and probably the best film about Abraham Lincoln ever made. (And before you say, “lol but what about Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter man? It was so good haha” I will say, “shut your horrible little mouth, that movie was terrible” and continue pontificating without a second glance at you.)

If you’re detecting a hint of annoyance in my tone, I assure you it is not toward Lincoln itself. Movies that are sure-sweeps at the Oscars generally leave me with a terrible taste in my mouth, and sadly, Lincoln is no exception. It is expertly written, acted (Daniel Day Lewis had such a magnetic presence and did a job worthy of Best Actor in every scene), directed, and filmed. The score is sweeping and inspiring. So why am I rolling my eyes at some of this Oscar talk? Because Lincoln has done nothing new; it is the definition of a safe film. But before the Lincoln fans grab their pitchforks and head for my apartment, let me explain why it being a safe film is not a bad thing. Lincoln is the kind of film that occurs when someone who has made more than his fair share of movies decides to make a film that is an expression of the fact that he has perfected his craft (or two, if you count last year’s War Horse); it should be safe. Spielberg set out to make an accurate portrayal of Abraham Lincoln’s last years of living, with candid moments and personal information about the man that sheds more light on his already glowing life story, and he did it perfectly. There was no need to push the envelope. I'm not saying Lincoln shouldn't win a single Oscar by any means. It deserves Best Actor, Best Actress, and probably Best Cinematography (even though I'm still pushing for Cloud Atlas to win a few). My issue with safe films sweeping up awards is that the best picture of the year should go to something that has pushed the art form forward in new ways. For instance, in 2010 when The King’s Speech won Best Picture, I was annoyed. Sure, it was a fantastic film (seriously if you haven’t seen it, see it) but the best film of the year? No. The films that year that really made everyone look at movies and go “wow, that’s new and original” were Black Swan, Inception, and The Social Network. In fact, I personally thought The Social Network should have won Best Picture; it was an excellent statement on where we are (or were in 2010) as a society and how we communicate. But alas, the safe historical film won, and that is what I think will happen with Lincoln this year.

My apologies for the Oscar rant, but I needed something to fill the space. I can’t just say, “Go see Lincoln. It’s near perfect.” A six-word review would look silly.

But hey, go see Lincoln. It’s near perfect.