Review: Mud

Matthew McConaughey Stars in What is Sure to Be One of the Year's Best Films

By Chris Sabga

Release Date: April 26, 2013 – U.S.

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama

Running Time: 130 minutes

Director: Jeff Nichols

Writer: Jeff Nichols

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, 

Jacob Lofland, Sam Shepard, Reese Witherspoon, 

Sarah Paulson, Ray McKinnon, Michael Shannon  

"Mud" tells the story of a man who lives in a boat up on a tree. If that sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale, it's anything but; the movie is very realistic and gritty. The titular character (played by Matthew McConaughey) is hiding out in an island off a river in Arkansas. He's discovered by two boys, Ellis and Neckbone (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland), who take an interest in his boat before realizing that someone is living in it.

The man with the boat introduces himself as Mud. He's quite a sight to see: his hair is wild and stringy, his face is unkempt and unshaven, his teeth are cracked and crooked, and his clothes are ragged. Curiosity gets the best of the boys, and it isn't long before they are regularly visiting Mud – and striking deals with him.

Mud explains that he's waiting for the love of his life, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon), who is the prettiest girl he's ever seen. She has nightingales tattooed on her hands, which is how Ellis is eventually able to recognize her. He spots her outside the Piggly Wiggly – which sounds like one of those great movie names for a store, but believe it or not, it's actually real.

I began to wonder: What kind of person would refer to himself as Mud? Everyone already in his life calls him that, and he asks anyone new he meets to address him by that name as well. What does that say about him and how he feels about himself and views the world? What did he do to become Mud?

As details from Mud's background come to light, Neckbone's uncle (Michael Shannon, in a smaller role after starring in Jeff Nichols' previous film, "Take Shelter")  and Ellis's parents (played by Ray McKinnon, also from "Shelter," and Sarah Paulson) and grow more and more concerned. And then there's the old man who lives across from Ellis's family, Tom Blankenship (Sam Shepard).

Almost every character, big or small, ends up affecting the plot in some significant way. Like a great novel, there are no wasted moments. The writer and director, Jeff Nichols, has finely crafted a tight, compelling script.

The setting of rural Arkansas is a critical component of the film; it completely transports viewers to another world. This is the America that most people don't live in.

In order for a movie like this to truly work, it has to be an actors' showcase. Thankfully, the performances are outstanding – particularly by the three leads. Matthew McConaughey has taken interesting chances over the past few years with a string of roles in independent movies like "Bernie" and "Killer Joe." That trend continues here, and it's some of the best work he's ever done. The two children, Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland, are just as spectacular. Their performances are completely natural, unforced, and true-to-life. That's all the more amazing when you consider that Sheridan has appeared in only one other film ("The Tree of Life") and Lofland has never been in anything else. The success of "Mud" really hinges on the kids. It is up to them to carry it, and they do, meshing seamlessly with McConaughey and everyone else they share scenes with. The supporting cast more than carries their weight too. There isn't a bad performance in the bunch – but Sam Shepard's character is especially enjoyable.

Without spoiling anything, there's a dramatic sequence near the end, and I could actually feel the rest of the theater getting excited around me. It was exhilarating. The movie is a slow-burner, but it builds and builds with each scene until it pops.

"Mud" features multiple mysteries and several love stories. It's a film that will linger in my memory for some time to come. 

• Behind the Scenes of "Mud" – An Inside Look From the Set

Behind the Scenes of Mud

An Inside Look From the Set

By Mike Sabga

Hollywood Correspondent, SilverScreenSurprises.com

Note: Mike Sabga – known affectionately as "3D Mike" in Hollywood – has over thirty years of experience in the industry. He has worked on many major motion pictures and television series – including "Ocean's Eleven," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "CSI: Miami," and "Brothers & Sisters." His most recent project was "Mud," for which he did Video Playback and Assist. He goes into more detail below and shares some great anecdotes from the set.

Working with Matthew McConaughey

I thought I'd seen it all. In all the 30 years of working in movies I thought I had seen professional actors. However, I must confess that working with Matthew McConaughey took the meaning of professionalism to yet another level!

For starters, let's consider the fact that Matthew was filming both "Mud" and "Magic Mike" at the same time. He would be in Tampa, Florida for "Magic Mike" during the day and then fly out to the White River in Arkansas at night while we were filming "Mud." That alone is stunning.

To add insult to injury, the movie was shot in late November, at the start of the bitterly cold Arkansas winter. This means that Matthew had to wear the skimpy white shirt and blue jeans all night long in temperatures almost below zero, while all the rest of us had our warm ski outfits on!

Even when director Jeff Nichols suggested to Matthew that we should stop for the night, Matthew would insist on finishing the shot list. I thought I had seen it all, but this was beyond greatness. Folks, I was ready to die freezing my backside!!!

Much respect, Matthew...

Filming in Arkansas

The colorful people in the small towns of Dumas and Dewitt, Arkansas, were very excited to have so many famous stars and big time crews coming into their towns and so they treated us very well. They made sure that Reese and Matthew had everything they needed. Considering that there were no five-star hotels in the area, this was not easy to accomplish, but I never heard either Reese, Matthew or anyone else complain about anything.

The Kids: Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland

Undoubtedly, my two favorite people of the film were the two child actors, Tye Sheridan (Ellis) and Jacob Lofland (Neckbone). They were incredible to work with: highly professional for their age, very well-mannered, and brought up properly – the old-fashioned way.

I thought to myself, these kids are not your standard city kids. So it turns out they live in Southern states, in areas where there is plenty of wildlife, trees and rivers – and this explains why the casting director, Francine Maisler, didn't have any problems picking them for these roles. The accent was there, the Southern attitude of growing boys, the curiosity of that age, the explorer spirit... No wonder these two kids had such a great chemistry in "Mud." They were instantly friends forever! You feel it throughout the film, and at the end, you know they are friends for life.

Southern Cuisine

The food was simply incredible. There is no way for me to explain with words how incredible and soulful the food was. You will have to go there yourself to find out. Matthew and Reese loved it. (Of course it helps that they are from the South!)

One incredible anecdote about these kids is that Tye brought a special treat for the cast and crew during the filming of the final shoot-out sequence between Mud and the bounty hunters, and this treat consisted of something called "Venison." It is a type of salami or sausage made of deer or elk – in this case a deer that Tye himself had hunted a few days earlier, and so he was very proud to bring something to the movie set that he had made himself. Everyone was very pleased, and I couldn't stay away from eating it!

A Word about Writer and Director Jeff Nichols

He is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas; a rising star in the world of independent films; a highly talented writer and down-to-earth director who drags you into the story by using the simplicity of life. This film, I feel, is his "baby." He wrote about his native land. He painted beautiful scenes for us with the camera and decorated them with amazing local music. Although not well-known yet, this director will be a household name in a matter of time.

Meanwhile, "Mud" and Jeff have picked up a "Palme d'Or" at Cannes, other awards as well, and are poised to pick up one or more Oscars in February 2014 – so we hope…

Working on "Mud"

I had two types of effects. One is called "Video Playback" and it pertains to the scene where the bounty hunters are in the small motel room and the old man walks in to have a chat with them. If you remember, there was a cartoon playing on an old television set. That is what I did for that scene sequence. I basically provided the old television, the cartoon, and I went to Arkansas to set it up and to "playback" the video of the cartoon during the filming of the scene.

The second video effect was what is called "Video Assist." This consists of a hi-tech video cart that holds various hi-def monitors and computers, which record what the film cameras see through the lens – and then this "video" is played back for the director and for Matthew during the final "shoot-out" sequence at the house boat. This is done so that they can review the stunts, the guns shooting, the angles, etc., and to make sure they "got" everything on film before they move onto the next scene. (This part of my job is one that saves them thousands of dollars.)

This is also done to match camera angles when doing the stunts (like when Matthew rolls on the floor inside the house as they are shooting at him, then when he jumps into the river, etc.).

These two types of video effects are just a small sample of what I do for a living.

In this film, they only required these two types of effects; but in other films, like "Ocean's Eleven," I also did many 3D animations for the computer monitors and TVs you see as part of the scenes.

If you haven't had the chance to see "Mud" yet, go see it! You will not regret it. I sometimes wait for years to have a great script like this fall on my lap, and I didn't hesitate to go out into the Deep South, braving some incredibly dangerous weather, to be part of this amazing film and to see it through. Enjoy it!

• Silver Screen Surprises: Review of "Mud"
• Mike Sabga on IMDB.com

One-Year Anniversary: The Silver Screen Surprises of 2013

Much Ado About Mud, Midnight, and More

By Chris Sabga

It has been exactly one year since Silver Screen Surprises launched – and I saw many great movies over the past 365 days! In lieu of a traditional top five or ten, I will simply present some of the best "silver screen surprises" I saw in 2013. Below that, I've included some of my favorite spectacles and blasts from the past as well.

Silver Screen Surprises 2013

The following movies presented here are listed in alphabetical order, with each title linking to the full review.

Before Midnight: My review was semi-negative. The movie actually made me angry. How many movies actually evoke such strong emotions in a viewer? All these many months later, I still can't stop thinking about it. The previous two "Before" films have a lot to do with the strong bond I've forged with these characters, but "Midnight" left me wanting more, even if it also left me in a deep depression.

The Big Wedding: This has a 7% Rotten rating on the RottenTomatoes.com Tomatometer. Needless to say, I don't care. It's a big, fun, well-acted screwball comedy with a great cast. I enjoyed the hell out of it, and I make no apologies for that.

The Book Thief: This epic tale about a little girl caught up in the whirlwind of Nazi Germany haunted me for weeks.

Dallas Buyers Club: Matthew McConaughey is having one of the best years of his career. His role here as HIV-positive black market medicine salesman and activist Ron Woodroof, circa the mid-1980s, is Oscar-worthy – unless he's nominated for "Mud" instead.

Dead Man Down: One of the most bizarre films of the year – I never quite knew where the story was going, or what Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace would do next. As I said in my review: I went into this expecting a dumb action movie; instead, it's an interesting meditation on the deep desire for revenge and what that can do to a person's soul.

Disconnect: Things aren't always what they seem on the internet. In this series of interconnecting tales, the allure – and danger – of the world wide wide is explored from all angles. It's one of the best – and most important – films I saw all year.

Emperor: It tells two different types of stories – it's an investigative procedural and a romance – but they're both above love. Matthew Fox plays U.S. General Bonner Fellers, who is caught between love of his country and the love of a Japanese woman. General Douglas MacArthur – portrayed bombastically by Tommy Lee Jones – recognizes Fellers' expertise of Eastern culture and assigns him to investigate Japan Emperor Hirohito for war crimes. "Emperor" is unique because it shows the effects of World War II from Japan's perspective.

Fruitvale Station: Based on a true story, this gripping day in the life of Oscar Grant will leave you riveted and then stunned. While Oscar is painted in a positive light, he's never unrealistically portrayed as a perfect angel. Featuring incredible performances by Michael B. Jordan and Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, "Fruitvale" has a powerful, lingering effect.

Jobs: People seemingly went out of their way to give this biopic a bad rap because it stars Ashton Kutcher. I've always liked him, and as it turns out, he's superb as the Apple founder. The movie isn't perfect and could have benefited from a longer running time. It races through the "insanely great" life of its subject. But the quick pace has its advantages too: "Jobs" never stops moving and is always entertaining.

Much Ado About Nothing: Shakespeare comes alive in this funny, fresh modern take on the Bard's classic work. Director Joss Whedon brought together his usual troupe of actors and filmed this in only twelve days. He called it the best vacation he's ever taken, and it's a vacation for the viewer too – from the usual mundane movie experiences that litter the landscape.

Mud: "Mud" succeeds spectacularly because it transports us to another world – the America that most of us don't live in. With beautiful performances by Matthew McConaughey and child actors Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland, this moving coming-of-age tale set in rural Arkansas is one of the year's best films. Don't miss Mike Sabga's behind-the-scenes report from the set of "Mud."

No: If you didn't know any better, you'd swear this was a documentary filmed in 1988 when the Pinochet dictatorship was in full swing in Chile. "No" could easily be mistaken for an old VHS recording. It looks like it was filmed with a camcorder in 1988. It tells the fascinating story of the revolutionary attempt to vote Pinochet out of power – via a "No" vote – and how fraught with danger that movement actually was.

Parkland: This powerful, gritty look at the JFK assassination focuses on "the people on the ground" who were affected in the aftermath – the doctors and nurses, FBI and Secret Service Agents, the photographer, the Oswald family, and JFK's grieving widow. It's hard to come up with a fresh take on these events after 50 years, but "Parkland" manages to do just that in spellbinding fashion.

The Place Beyond the Pines: This is a vast story with many layers. To reveal too much would be a disservice. My own review hardly does the film justice because I didn't want to even hint at what would happen. Let's just say it's about fathers, sons, and the long-term effects and consequences of choices made sometimes in the heat of the moment.

The Way Way Back: A lost, lonely boy experiences the best summer of his life: Many movies could be described that way, but very few of them are as smart, touching, and subtle as "The Way Way Back." Here is a script that deeply understands the painful, awkward transition every teenage boy goes through – where he's no longer a child but not close to being an adult yet.

Vehicle 19: The late Paul Walker always came across as truly genuine on screen, which is something even the best actors can't fake. I suspect people who sat down to watch "Vehicle 19" expected a clone of "The Fast and The Furious," but there are very few American-style car chases. Instead, it's a tense thriller set in South Africa – and one of the best movies Walker has ever done. (Paul Walker died on November 30, 2013.)

Spectacles

Providing explosive action or crazy laughs, here are some of the most enjoyable "popcorn" spectacles I reviewed over the year.

Cloud Atlas

Django Unchained

The Last Stand

Now You See Me

Olympus Has Fallen

Parker

Skyfall

This is the End

Gravity

Blasts From The Past...

From 1925 all the way to the end of 2012, here are several truly great movies – and a few oddballs as well.

A Bag of Hammers

Death Ship

The Heiress

Hugo

The Impossible
Jeff, Who Lives at Home

My Girl [Fan Chan, 2003 Thailand]

The Producers

Seven Chances

Silver Linings Playbook

Stay

The Wages of Fear

• The Silver Screen Surprises of 2012

Review: Logan

A Family Affair

By Chris Sabga

Release Date: March 3rd, 2017 – U.S.

Rating: R

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

Running Time: 137 minutes

Director: James Mangold

Writers: James Mangold, 

Scott Frank, Michael Green

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, 

Dafne Keen, Boyd Holbrook, 

Stephen Merchant, Elizabeth Rodriguez, 

Richard E. Grant, Eriq La Salle, 

Elise Neal, Quincy Fouse

My cousin Mike Sabga (credited as Michael "3D Mike" Sabga) worked on "Logan," which is a hell of a cool thing. IMDb.com lists him as the film's Video and Computer Supervisor. One look at his IMDb page reveals that he's had an incredible career. His credits range from cinematic classics like "Catch Me If You Can," "Ocean's Eleven," and the wonderful "Mud" to television staples such as "CSI," "CSI" Miami," and "Brothers & Sisters" (among many others in both mediums). But "Logan" may represent the pinnacle of his numerous achievements in Hollywood. When I found out my cousin was involved, I couldn't help but feel immensely proud – and even more excited than ever to see the movie. 

It is appropriate, then, that "Logan" is all about family.

James "Logan" Howlett (Hugh Jackman) is older now but not necessarily any wiser. The ravages of time have not been kind to the once mighty Wolverine. He has degenerated into a broken down alcoholic who drives a limo make ends meet. Mutants like him have become a dying breed. But they're not totally extinct just yet.

Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) is in even worse shape. He's now 90 years old and his health is failing. What's more dangerous than a mutant with full control of his capabilities? A mutant without any control at all. Seizures cause the former Professor X to unleash his powers randomly and recklessly. In their younger years, Xavier became like a father to Logan. The X-Men were their family. That is why Logan still tends to the old man – with the help of Caliban (a surprisingly touching Stephen Merchant), an "albino" allergic to sunlight. I get the sense that he, like Logan, has become another surrogate son.

Laura (newcomer Dafne Keen) is an 11-year-old girl in danger. Her caregiver (played by Elizabeth Rodriguez) begs Logan to protect them both. I don't think it's a spoiler to mention who Laura's father is. Her trademark claws make that obvious. 

Mike Sabga - AKA "3D Mike"

All of the actors in "Logan" are top-notch, but it's Patrick Stewart, in particular, who delivers an Oscar-caliber performance. It's a shame these types of roles are generally shunned by the Academy. 

This is a much rougher and grittier version of Wolverine. Harsh language, gratuitous violence, and graphic bloodshed dominate several scenes. The main characters spend most of the film bloody, bruised, and badly wounded. The kills look like something straight out of a seedy slasher flick. "Logan" is strictly for adults – and I love that!

But beneath its grimy exterior beats a big (bleeding) heart.

For a series all about mutants and powers, "Logan" may be the most human superhero story ever told. Logan and Charles are no longer saving the world – they can barely save themselves. Despite their gifts and heroic backgrounds, it's their failings and frailties that take center stage here. Even Wolverine and Professor X aren't immune to the realities of aging and the traumas of the past finally catching up to them.

Think about the countless superhero movies we've all seen over the years. The good ones have captured our imaginations, thrilled us to the very core, and introduced us to worlds and powers that are quite literally beyond belief. "Logan" has done something different and more: It caused me to shed a tear.

• Review: Mud
• Mike Sabga: Behind the Scenes of Mud
• Mike Sabga's IMDb Profile

The 86th Annual Academy Awards: Nominations and Analysis

Thoughts, Snubs, and Early Predictions

By Chris Sabga

The nominations for the 86th Annual Academy Awards have finally been revealed. As usual, I'm happy, excited, and completely agitated – all in the same breath.

I've broken down the major categories into three sections:

Thoughts: Just my general take on the various nominations.

Snubs: What I feel got left out. I knew certain movies wouldn't make it to the Oscars, but that doesn't mean I can't personally champion them myself.

Early (and Probably Wrong) Prediction: Don't make your Oscar pool picks based on my thoughts.

And the Oscar goes to...

Best Motion Picture of the Year

American Hustle (2013)

Captain Phillips (2013)

Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Gravity (2013)

Her (2013)

Nebraska (2013)

Philomena (2013)

12 Years a Slave (2013)

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Thoughts: An interesting, if slightly predictable, list. I have never been a fan of expanding this category to up to ten nominations. We get nine this year, and good movies are still left out. I miss the days when the list was nice and trim with only five films.

Snubs: "Mud" and "Fruitvale Station" stand out in my mind. "Saving Mr. Banks" is another I expected to see here. I had no illusions of "The Book Thief" making the cut though, as 1. I think I'm the only one who liked it, and 2. I think I'm the only one who saw it. I also think "Disconnect" was one of the most important films released in 2013, but I knew it wasn't going to end up being recognized. Ditto for Joss Whedon's inventive take on William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" and the lovely coming-of-age film, "The Way Way Back."

Early (and Probably Wrong) Prediction: My friend Martha runs an Oscar pool every year. The prize is...well, I actually have no idea what it is, because I never even come close to sniffing it. I am not good at playing these sorts of lottery guessing games, as fun as it is. This early in the race, it's almost impossible to accurately guess. For now, I'll say "Gravity" because it really felt like an experience you could get nowhere else, and isn't that what makes the movies so magical? But I am hardly confident in that prediction.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Christian Bale for American Hustle (2013)

Bruce Dern for Nebraska (2013)

Leonardo DiCaprio for The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Chiwetel Ejiofor for 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Thoughts: Most people probably expected Tom Hanks to get nominated for "Captain Phillips," but I'm not too broken up about it that he didn't. Whether Chiwetel Ejiofor wins or not (and I don't see it happening), I'm glad he's finally getting recognized on the Oscar stage. He has been one of my favorites for years, and this acclaim will likely open him up to more prestigious leading roles in major films. That's a win-win for serious movie buffs.

Snubs: Matthew McConaughey got a deserved nomination for his superb performance in "Dallas Buyers Club," but I slightly preferred his incredible role in "Mud." Then again, maybe I'm biased. Of course, the reality is, he's getting nominated for his amazing body of work over the past year or so. Michael B. Jordan is nowhere to be found for "Fruitvale Station," which is a mild surprise considering Oscar buzz he had when the film first came out. Joaquin Phoenix's role in "Her" was also expected to be recognized, but I can't personally comment on that yet – the movie was just released here, finally.

Early (and Probably Wrong) Prediction: Matthew McConaughey, but I don't think I'm wrong.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Amy Adams for American Hustle (2013)

Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine (2013)

Sandra Bullock for Gravity (2013)

Judi Dench for Philomena (2013)

Meryl Streep for August: Osage County (2013)

Thoughts: Can Sandra Bullock trade her Oscar for "The Blind Side" and get it for "Gravity" instead? As good as she was in "Blind Side," her soulful work in "Gravity" is by far the best of her career. Meryl Streep irritated the entire world by winning for 2011's "The Iron Lady." Her performance was amazing; the movie was not. I really think the quality of a film should be taken into account when handing out statuettes. What does that have to do with "August: Osage County"? Not a damn thing, but this site didn't exist when Meryl won her last Oscar, so I'm getting on my soapbox now. Better late than never!

Snubs: I expected Emma Thompson to land here for "Saving Mr. Banks." It was a truly marvelous, multi-layered performance – funny, touching, and at times heartbreaking.

Early (and Probably Wrong) Prediction: Cate Blanchett

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Barkhad Abdi for Captain Phillips (2013)

Bradley Cooper for American Hustle (2013)

Jonah Hill for The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Michael Fassbender for 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Thoughts: Despite my strong feelings about "Captain Phillips," I am pleased as punch to see the Somali actor Barkhad Abdi get nominated; it's even more surprising because "Captain Phillips" himself – Tom Hanks – was omitted.

Snubs: I wouldn't have minded seeing the fantastic Sam Rockwell recognized for "The Way Way Back," but I'd be lying if I said I expected it. Geoffrey Rush's work in "The Book Thief" was also stellar, but like Rockwell, I knew his name wouldn't be appearing on this list. Paul Giamatti's powerful performances in both "Mr. Banks" and "Parkland" were unfairly overlooked too. Hollywood tends to take him for granted at times because he makes it look so easy.

Early (and Probably Wrong) Prediction: Jared Leto, but I could see the Academy throwing us a curveball. I hope not though.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Sally Hawkins for Blue Jasmine (2013)

Julia Roberts for August: Osage County (2013)

Lupita Nyong'o for 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Jennifer Lawrence for American Hustle (2013)

June Squibb for Nebraska (2013)

Thoughts: A fascinating mixture of major Hollywood stars, respected character actors, and fresh faces. Not bad for a small list of five.

Snubs: When "Fruitvale Station" first came out, I fully expected Octavia Spencer to receive a second Oscar nomination. I am less surprised now that she didn't, but she should have. I was hoping for – but not at all expecting – Sophie Nélisse or Emily Watson to get nominated for their roles in "The Book Thief." I realize Nélisse is actually the lead, but she's a child actor, and those sometimes get dumped down to the "Supporting" category to give them a better chance (for example, Haley Joel Osment in "The Sixth Sense." But since I'm the only one buzzing about that movie, I knew it had no chance.

Early (and Probably Wrong) Prediction: This one seems wide open to me. I'll take a wild guess and go with June Squibb.

Best Achievement in Directing

Alfonso Cuarón for Gravity (2013)

Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave (2013)

David O. Russell for American Hustle (2013)

Martin Scorsese for The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Alexander Payne for Nebraska (2013)

Thoughts: Some feel the movies recognized in this category are the "true" Best Picture nominees, before that category expanded to ten. I don't know if the conventional thinking still applies. If so, "Nebraska's" inclusion has to be considered a slight surprise, but Alexander Payne is more than worthy of being listed alongside Scorcese and the others.

Snubs: Jeff Nichols for "Mud" and Paul Greengrass for "Captain Phillips" leap out in my mind. Even though I didn't love "Phillips," Greengrass's exciting direction was not among my issues with that film. I also think Joss Whedon should have been recognized for filming such a bold, original telling of "Much About Nothing," but expecting that would have been like hoping to lose weight after eating a Big Mac value meal.

Early (and Probably Wrong) Prediction: Alfonso Cuarón

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

American Hustle (2013): Eric Singer, David O. Russell

Blue Jasmine (2013): Woody Allen

Her (2013): Spike Jonze

Nebraska (2013): Bob Nelson

Dallas Buyers Club (2013): Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack

Thoughts: I haven't seen "Her" yet, but it sounds like the type of thing that would be tough to write – and tougher yet for other people to recognize as a good piece of writing (assuming it is). I'm honestly surprised to see the Academy include it.

Snubs: The dialogue in "Thanks for Sharing" was among the best I've had the pleasure of listening to in a film all year. I was hoping against hope that Stuart Blumberg and Matt Winston would get recognized for it.

Early (and Probably Wrong) Prediction: Spike Jonze

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Before Midnight (2013): Richard Linklater

Captain Phillips (2013): Billy Ray

12 Years a Slave (2013): John Ridley

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): Terence Winter

Philomena (2013): Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope

Thoughts: Even though I had an angry reaction to "Before Midnight," I'm glad it's here – because the writing in the "Before" films has always been superb.

Snubs: I'm tempted to say Joss Whedon should also be here for "Much Ado About Nothing," but maybe Shakespeare should be granted an honorary Oscar instead. Yes, I'm joking – maybe.

Early (and Probably Wrong) Prediction: Philomena, just because I want to hear Steve Coogan's speech. Yeah, I won't be winning Martha's pool this year – or any other year.

_________

Other Thoughts: "Mud" was shut out entirely. No nominations at all. Why? Nothing for "Fruitvale" either. At least "Book Thief" got some sort of musical nomination – whoopee!

_________

Here are the rest of the categories and nominees:

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

The Croods (2013)

Despicable Me 2 (2013)

Ernest & Celestine (2012)

Frozen (2013)

The Wind Rises (2013)

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

The Broken Circle Breakdown (2012): Felix Van Groeningen (Belgium)

The Missing Picture (2013): Rithy Panh (Cambodia)

The Hunt (2012): Thomas Vinterberg (Denmark)

The Great Beauty (2013): Paolo Sorrentino (Italy)

Omar (2013): Hany Abu-Assad (Palestine)

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Gravity (2013): Emmanuel Lubezki

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013): Bruno Delbonnel

Nebraska (2013): Phedon Papamichael

Prisoners (2013): Roger Deakins

The Grandmaster (2013): Philippe Le Sourd

Best Achievement in Editing

12 Years a Slave (2013): Joe Walker

American Hustle (2013): Alan Baumgarten, Jay Cassidy, Crispin Struthers

Gravity (2013): Alfonso Cuarón, Mark Sanger

Captain Phillips (2013): Christopher Rouse

Dallas Buyers Club (2013): Martin Pensa, John Mac McMurphy

Best Achievement in Production Design

12 Years a Slave (2013): Adam Stockhausen, Alice Baker

American Hustle (2013): Judy Becker, Heather Loeffler

Gravity (2013)

The Great Gatsby (2013): Catherine Martin, Beverley Dunn

Her (2013): K.K. Barrett, Gene Serdena

Best Achievement in Costume Design

American Hustle (2013): Michael Wilkinson

The Great Gatsby (2013): Catherine Martin

12 Years a Slave (2013): Patricia Norris

The Grandmaster (2013): William Chang

The Invisible Woman (2013): Michael O'Connor

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling

Dallas Buyers Club (2013): Adruitha Lee, Robin Mathews

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013): Steve Prouty

The Lone Ranger (2013): Joel Harlow, Gloria Pasqua Casny

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

The Book Thief (2013): John Williams

Gravity (2013): Steven Price

Her (2013): William Butler, Andy Koyama

Saving Mr. Banks (2013): Thomas Newman

Philomena (2013): Alexandre Desplat

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song

Despicable Me 2 (2013): Pharrell Williams ( "Happy")

Frozen (2013): Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez ("Let It Go")

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013): Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., Brian Burton ("Ordinary Love")

Alone Yet Not Alone (2013): Bruce Broughton ("Alone Yet Not Alone")

Her (2013): Karen O ("The Moon Song")

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

Gravity (2013): Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead, Chris Munro

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013): Christopher Boyes, Michael Hedges, Michael Semanick, Tony Johnson

Captain Phillips (2013): Chris Burdon, Mark Taylor, Mike Prestwood Smith, Chris Munro

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013): Skip Lievsay, Greg Orloff, Peter F. Kurland

Lone Survivor (2013): Andy Koyama, Beau Borders, David Brownlow

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

All Is Lost (2013): Steve Boeddeker, Richard Hymns

Captain Phillips (2013): Oliver Tarney

Gravity (2013): Glenn Freemantle

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013): Brent Burge

Lone Survivor (2013): Wylie Stateman

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Gravity (2013): Timothy Webber, Chris Lawrence, David Shirk, Neil Corbould

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013): Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton, Eric Reynolds

Iron Man 3 (2013): Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Erik Nash, Daniel Sudick

The Lone Ranger (2013): Tim Alexander, Gary Brozenich, Edson Williams, John Frazier

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013): Roger Guyett, Pat Tubach, Ben Grossmann, Burt Dalton

Best Documentary, Feature

The Act of Killing (2012): Joshua Oppenheimer, Signe Byrge Sørensen

Cutie and the Boxer (2013): Zachary Heinzerling, Lydia Dean Pilcher

Dirty Wars (2013): Rick Rowley, Jeremy Scahill

The Square (2013): Jehane Noujaim, Karim Amer

20 Feet from Stardom (2013): Morgan Neville

Best Documentary, Short Subject

Cavedigger (2013): Jeffrey Karoff

Facing Fear (2013): Jason Cohen

Karama Has No Walls (2012): Sara Ishaq

The Lady In Number 6 (2013): Malcolm Clarke, Carl Freed

Prison Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall (2013): Edgar Barens

Best Short Film, Animated

Feral (2012): Daniel Sousa, Dan Golden

Get a Horse! (2013): Lauren MacMullan, Dorothy McKim

Mr Hublot (2013): Laurent Witz, Alexandre Espigares

Possessions (2012): Shuhei Morita

Room on the Broom (2012) (TV): Max Lang, Jan Lachauer

Best Short Film, Live Action

Aquel no era yo (2012): Esteban Crespo

Just Before Losing Everything (2013): Xavier Legrand

Helium (2013): Anders Walter

Do I Have to Take Care of Everything? (2012): Selma Vilhunen

The Voorman Problem (2013): Mark Gill

Review: Dallas Buyers Club

Human Lives for Sale

By Chris Sabga

Release Date: November 22, 2013 – U.S. (wide)

Rating: R

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Running Time: 117 minutes

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée

Writers: Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, 

Jared Leto, Steve Zahn, Griffin Dunne, 

Michael O'Neill

Matthew McConaughey has such an innate ability to charm that you can't help but like him even as his character makes vile homophobic slurs and acts like a loud, boorish redneck. He's not relying on his movie star good looks either; they have been stripped away completely. Now dozens of pounds lighter with bad brown hair and a bushy mustache, his appearance is almost skeletal.

"Dallas Buyers Club" tells the true story of Ron Woodroof (McConaughey), a good old boy from Texas who was diagnosed with HIV in 1985. Back then, HIV and AIDS were still considered "the gay cancer." But Woodroof is proudly, fiercely straight. The movie begins with him cracking jokes about Rock Hudson's homosexuality – the actor had just died from AIDS. With that mindset, Woodroof's own subsequent HIV+ diagnosis is a shock to his system. His friends certainly don't know how to handle it; they believe he must secretly be a "cocksucker." The only one who remains loyal to him is Tucker (the underrated Steve Zahn in a small role).

Experimental trials are beginning for a new HIV drug called AZT, but not everyone who needs it can get their hands on it; testing is strictly controlled. Given only 30 days to live, a desperate Woodroof approaches a sympathetic doctor, Eve Saks (Jennifer Garner), and begs her to let him buy the drug. She understands his plight but cannot accept his money; her hands are tied by medical laws and the FDA.

Woodroof uses his street smarts to get AZT smuggled out of the hospital. Originally intending to use it only on himself, his plans change after he meets a savvy transgender patient, Rayon (Jared Leto). Despite Woodroof's discomfort around Rayon, they go into business together to supply other people with HIV who need meds right away.

At first, the Dallas Buyers Club is just a means to an end: a way to make money and stay alive. But it soon becomes much more than that, especially when the validity of AZT comes into question. With the help of a medical practitioner in Mexico (played by Griffin Dunne) who lost his license in the States, Woodroof begins researching alternative treatments. One such drug, Peptide T, is not approved by the FDA despite being non-toxic. Another, Interferon, can only be prescribed by Japanese doctors.

My doctor looks like him.
Should I be worried?

The Buyers Club's biggest obstacles are Dr. Sevard (Denis O'Hare) and the FDA themselves. Sevard is a strictly by-the-books doctor who is concerned with his own profit margins and won't take even one step out of regulation. The FDA, represented here by Richard Barkley (Michael O'Neill, who memorably portrayed hospital shooter Gary Clark on "Grey's Anatomy"), does everything in its power to make sure its guidelines are enforced – even at the cost of human lives. Both parties go out of their way to prevent the Dallas Buyers Club from securing and supplying crucial medication to people with HIV. Jennifer Garner's Dr. Saks is caught in the middle: beholden to her boss but beginning to see the benefit the buyers clubs are having in both Dallas and other parts of the country.

Woodroof's transformation from homophobic hick to international businessman and medical researcher is fascinating to watch. Matthew McConaughey once again delivers a mesmerizing performance – in a year filled with interesting roles from him. Along with "Mud," he is doing some of the best work of his career right now. The real revelation here, however, is Jared Leto. I've always been a fan of his work, but he takes it to another level entirely with his sweet, touching, and sometimes heartbreaking portrayal of the transgendered Rayon. I cannot imagine a scenario where he doesn't get nominated for an Academy Award. McConaughey deserves one, too.

"Dallas Buyers Club" is a captivating portrait of another time and place – Dallas, Texas, in the mid-1980s – where AIDS was misunderstood and maligned, and help was all too rare for the people who so urgently needed it. Films like this remind us of how far we've come, and that bravery, progress, and change can originate from the unlikeliest of sources.