OSCAR WANT-THINK LIST

W=Want; T= Think

Best Picture: W: BOYHOOD; T: BIRDMAN
Director: W: R. Linklater, Boyhood; T: A. Gonzalez-Inarritu, Birdman
Actor: W: M. Keaton, Birdman; T: E. Redmayne, Theory of Everything
Actress: W: Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night; T: J. Moore, Still Alice
Supp. Actor: W: Ethan Hawke or Edward Norton; T: JK Simmons, Whiplash
Supp. Actress: W: Laura Dern or P. Arquette; T: P. Arquette, Boyhood.
Foreign Film: W/T: IDA

Adapted Screenplay (the hardest one to predict): T: The Imitation Game
Original Screenplay: W/T: BIRDMAN
Original Score: W: A. Desplat, Grand Budapest Hotel; T: Theory of Everything.
Original Song: W/T: "Glory," SELMA

Cinematography: W: IDA; T: BIRDMAN
Film Editing: W: BOYHOOD; T: WHIPLASH
"Production Design" (really Art Direction): W/T: Grand Budapest Hotel.
Costume Design: W/T: Grand Budapest Hotel.
Makeup/Hair: W/T: GBH
Sound Editing: W/T: AMERICAN SNIPER
Sound Mixing: W: Interstellar; T: American Sniper
Visual Effects: W: Interstellar; T: Guardians of the Galaxy

Animated Feature: T: Big Hero 6
Documentary Feature: W: CITIZENFOUR; T: Virunga
Documentary Short: T: "Crisis Hotline"
Live Action Short: W: Butter Lamp; T: The Phone Call
Animated Short: T: "Me and My Moulton"

A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT

USA 2014

Director: Ana Lily Amirpour

Language: Farsi

It doesn't take long after delving into the world of pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers and addicts populating the streets of this fictional Iranian city (not to mention a chador-wearing vampire) that one asks oneself:  "HOW did the Iranian government ever allow this film to be made??" It breaks every taboo in the book (I will not mention the name of the book--Je suis un lâche).

I had to go online to find out that this feature film debut is, in fact, the product of a UCLA film school grad, who shot the entire movie with Los Angeles-based Iranian actors in the area around Bakersfield, CA! (I also learned that Los Angeles is home to the largest number of Iranians not living in Iran).

She certainly had me fooled ... all except for her film school background. From the opening credits, one is immediately aware of Ms. Amirpour's cinematic influences: Sergio Leone, James Dean, Italian neorealism, "Breathless" .. even Madonna!  That she can mash them all together to create this fictional black-and-white universe -- and hold the story together through it all -- is a testament to her vision and skill. It is a high compliment to think "This is a movie Quentin Tarantino would appreciate" (and surely, all lovers of film).

The titular character is indeed a vampire, but one who (under her chador) dresses like Jean Seberg (from Breathless), skateboards, listens to alt-rock, and likes to dance. Her love interest tools around in a white t-shirt and a Thunderbird convertible.While the drug dealer Saeed -- decked out in too much jewelry, tattoes and an adidas jumpsuit -- would be right at home walking the streets of Lodi, New Jersey as part of Tony Soprano's gang.

But I must mention the true star of the film: Masuka the Cat! More than a plot device, the cat serves as the Girl's spiritual cousin: wordlessly observant, unfazed, indestructible. While some scenes do drag in the film, the cat steals every scene he is in. The last scene in particular is a tour de force: a satisfying five minute resolution between the lovers where no dialog is spoken, and the Cat is literally front and center of the action. The visual pacing of that scene is spot-on, and all credit goes to the Cat's performance!

I've seen my share of "indie" films this year, but with the exception of "Boyhood." this was the most impressive of the bunch. And as far as vampire movies go, only "Only Lovers Left Alive"-- also this year, by another independent legend, Jim Jarmusch -- tops it. (He would love this movie, too!)

Careful with that finger!