Almost too much of a good thing?

Heading to the multiplex? The Aviator is deserving of most of its 11 (yes, 11!) Oscar nominations. Don’t have enough dough to afford the outrageously-priced popcorn? No problem. Ray is even better (even though it “only” garnered five Oscar nominations), and you can watch it from the comfort of your own home.

The fact that one of them is playing at the theater, while the other one must be watched on your television is actually perfect. The Aviator, like the man whose life it is based on, is BIG. Some of its best scenes are filmed in the cockpits of the planes Howard Hughes flew, and they really need to be seen on a canvas that matches their grandiosity. Ray, on the other hand, is visually much more low-key, and will be just fine in your living room. In fact, the only thing I’d say is absolutely necessary, for full enjoyment, is a nice set of speakers.

“He nailed it”

Formerly known as merely a B-list jokester, Jamie Foxx just exploded to the top of the A-list, stealing two Oscar nominations in the same year, for Best Actor in Ray, and Best Supporting Actor in Collateral (though, I’m not sure whey they’re calling his role in Collateral “supporting”; he’s a co-star). His work in Collateral is good, and deserving of the Oscar consideration. His work in Ray, however, is mesmerizing—a performance so outstanding that it could be the crowning achievement for any actors’ career.

Foxx captures all of Ray Charles’ mannerisms, facial expressions, body language, etc., and imitates them perfectly. But this isn’t just an impersonation. Foxx brings his character to life, keeping the audience enraptured, as he leads us through the joys and pains of the late, great Ray Charles Robinson. But that’s just a bunch of hot air. My friend and former boss, Dan, said it best while sipping a cup of the finest coffee Saipan has to offer—“Jamie Foxx nailed it. He nailed it.”

Writer/director Taylor Hackford (also up for Oscar consideration) wisely chose not to gloss over his subject, and we see the musical genius for who he is, warts and all. A large part of that is the fact that he’s known for being a womanizer. We see a lot of the women he loves (and hurts), and by and large, the performances of Foxx’s three female costars are quite good, especially Kerry Washington’s as his wife.

Musicians, in particular, are going to love this movie, though anybody with an appreciation for classic soul is in for a treat. The soundtrack is a gimmee. Who else’ music would you use in a movie about Ray Charles? But the manner in which it is used is perfect. It’s woeful when it needs to be; joyous when it needs to be; painful when it needs to be; triumphant when it needs to be. And in the end, that’s exactly what it is—a triumph.

The word “tragic” is insufficient

Howard Hughes was a rich man, with a rich life, and now the subject of a rich, lavish production. The Aviator is the front-runner for Best Picture (though Million Dollar Baby is making a solid push); Scorsese is a shoo-in for Best Director; DiCrapio has a solid chance for Best Actor, and who knows how many more awards will be bestowed on this film.

Befitting of the man whose life it is based on, The Aviator is a sensational spectacle. Following approximately two decades of Howard Hughes’ life (while taking some major liberties with sequential accuracy), Martin Scorsese skillfully leads us to the peak of a mountain, then whips us right back down to the depths of despair. There’s really no way he could do otherwise, considering how horrible of a decline Howard Hughes took, in his latter years.

I can’t, however, agree with the rest of the film-critic world in giving The Aviator an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Thumbs-up? Yes. Enthusiastic? Nah.

The Aviator is very entertaining, with terrific production values, and some outstanding acting. I love Cate Blanchett. She steals the show as Katherine Hepburn and her performance is but one of many great ones.

For me, however, the movie just really never completely pulled me in. I always felt like I was watching this extraordinary life from a distance, not fully given the chance to experience the emotional highs and lows. So I was entertained, but never really feeling anything.

But I could be wrong. Walking through the parking lot, my mom and I had a brief exchange about the merits of the movie, and she, like pretty much the rest of the world, simply loves The Aviator. And who am I to disagree with my mom?

The Aviator; 2:46; PG-13, for sexual content, nudity, language, and a crash sequence; Grade: B+ (now playing at Hollywood Theater)

Ray; 2:33; PG-13, for drug use and sexual content; Grade: A+ (now available for DVD rental) (Joe Weindl, Special to the Saipan Tribune)