The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button is a rich and exceptional tale

Over the past few weeks I've had a pleasure of seeing films that have won numerous industry awards and ultimately becoming front runners for this year's biggest pictures at the Oscars to take place shortly. Finally, I was able to watch The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button yesterday afternoon. The Gary Finch-directed film happens to lead the 2009 Academy Awards with an impressive 13 nominations (just 1 nod shy of historic Titanic), including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for leading man Brad Pitt, Best Writing for screenwriter Eric Roth, as well as Best Supporting Actress for groudbreaking acting showcase from Teraji P. Henson.

Based on a true story, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button is an epic story of a man who ages backwards. Born in a body of an 80 year old man, Benjamin Button (played by Brad Pitt) grows backwards as we see different eras in his life from old age, to middle age, to young adulthood, to teenager, as ultimately to infancy just before he dies. Gary Finch takes us through a captivating journey of Button's experiences, good and bad. Done in an immensely emaculate manner, the richness of the story permeates through the well-synchronised parts to the whole tale.

The acting is exceptional, thanks to Brad Pitt's comfortability in displaying the troubled, yet content character. His ability to fit into each and every period of his life as Button, from the 80 year old man to his teenage years (although there was help from other stand-ins and CGI animation technology), is marvellous. Brad is not the only one who delves into the inner emotions to bring forth a credible and well-developed character. Cate Blanchett, as always, takes her role and plays it with such flair and poise. As much as Cate Blanchett shows her awesome acting chops, Teraji P. Henson steals the show with her sterling and outstanding portrayal of Button's adopted mother. I had heard and read about her performance being dubbed a groundbraking one, and after seeing her dig deeper into her strength as a woman, mother and a nurturer, I've got to say she really deserves the hype and the nomination she garnered for her role in this film.

Speaking of the hype, I'm not show why Tilda Swinton is not getting any for her role here because she was also on a class of her own, reminding me of the great work she has done on movies like Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian (which is where I took notice of her great acting ability), Michael Clayton (a film that won her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2007), and Burn After Reading (I believe the first time she acted on the same set with Brad Pitt). Mahershalalhashbaz Ali also plays his part very well as Queenie's (played by Teraji P. Henson) husband. He reminded me why I enjoyed his performance on the supernatural series The 4400, making an impression on me as one of the great black actors there is.

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button is an amazing piece of work. Not just the story, but the manner in which it is told, the people telling it, and the director's simple way of conveying the different characters and their experiences. Although it's almost 3 hours, there is never a dull moment as you get engaged and want to know what happens next. I appluad everybody involved because it's no mean feat holding a viewers attention for such a long time, and do it successfully.

Even though Teraji P. Henson has some really tough competition in the Supporting Actress contest at the Oscars, I'll be rooting for her all the way. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button opens at Mzansi cinemas nationwide on the 27th of February 2009.

Another filmmaking brilliance shown by the Coen Brothers.

If you have not heard of the Coen Brothers, where have you been hiding? They have directed some of the biggest and greatest films on the big screen. One of their outstanding works is the recent No Country For Old Men, which clinged 4 Oscars last year. Another memorable film I immensely enjoyed that they excelled in was a collage of short stories, adapted into a motion picture, called Paris je T'aime.

This past Tuesday I had a pleasure of experiencing their brilliance in their latest body of work titled Burn After Reading. The hilarious comedy is about 2 gym workers who come across sensitive ex-CIA memoir notes. They try to solicit or rather extort money in return of this information to the rightful owner. The chain of events that follow are presented in such clever, unique and witty humour. Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand plat the 2 gym workers. You see Brad Pitt in a way you have never seen him before. Frances is wonderful too, impressing me more after her awesome performance on Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day a few months ago. George Clooney's character is just as different, switching up his always charming and commanding role for more normal, and rather silly character. Another superhouse, John Malkovich delivers the goods too with his more calculated humour that's relayed in a tongue-in-cheek kind of fashion.

The story and the cast are so engaging, proving a winning formula in the selection of the actors blended with the screenplay. It seems the Coen Brothers rolled in the red capert in an impressive line-up that includes 3 Oscar winners and 2 Oscar nominees. On top of Frances and Clooney as Academy Award winners is the recent victor of the statuette, Tilda Swinton, who equally empresses in her role. I have to mention JK Simmons on the same breath too as he has become one of the most notable and sterling actors of our time.

Burn After Reading is a fantastic piece of work. The Coen Brothers have taken a serious subject and whimsically turned it into a joyous journey for the audience. The ability to draw out and inspire the actors to be so un-inhibited in their characters makes for a great gift too. This is definitely one of the best films to come out this year. Go out and see Brad Pitt, George Clooney and John Malkovich like you've never seen them before. Totally hilarious.

Burn After Reading opens at cnemas on the 09th of January 2009.