The only person standing in your way is you.

Black Swan

Black Swan was number one on my list of winter movies and right now it sits at number one on my list of best movies of the year. Darren Aronofsky's masterpiece is a psychological thriller with brilliant performances, intriguing themes, and rich visuals. I was emotionally and physically moved by Black Swan and I believe the film will stay with me for a very long time.

To get started, I'll state the obvious: Natalie Portman was spellbinding and produced a genius performance. This really is the performance of the year. Portman disappeared into Nina. She was vulnerable, naive, and childish; I've never seen Portman this way before. With many of her other roles, she has a strength and confidence. Nina completely lacked both. Portman's fragile frame matched Nina's psyche. Portman completely disappeared into this role; she let go and just fell into the role. I can't imagine any other actress playing Nina.

On top of the revolutionary performance, Portman mastered ballet. She trained for a year and it shows. In many films where an actor must master a skill, the camera rarely shows the actor's face and body in the same shot to better hide a double. But Portman's face and body are seen together throughout the whole movie. She looked as if she'd been doing ballet her entire life. If Natalie Portman doesn't win the Oscar for Black Swan, I'll completely lose what faith I had left in the Academy. Sorry Annette Benning, but your performance in that awful movie can't even touch Portman.

Mila Kunis is exceptional as Lily, a rival dancer. She's very natural in the role and can definitely do more than just comedy. She pushed herself out of her niche and made the role her own. Barbara Hershey also did an outstanding job as Nina's mother. She was equally horrifying and sympathetic. While Vincent Cassel did a great job as the ballet director and provided an excellent motivation for Nina, Black Swan belongs to the ladies.

The visuals and editing rival Portman in strength. The continuous use of black and white emphasize the battle of good and evil that can rage inside a person. The costumes are beautiful and the sets are breath taking. Black Swan is brilliantly shot to look like Nina is being stalked. The visual effects are the stuff of nightmares; this film is scary. Clint Mansell's haunting score moves the film along and adds to the intensity of every scene.

The script brilliantly interweaves Nina's story with the story of Swan Lake; they fold into each other perfectly. The script also moves Nina's character development along well, giving us time with each change. Everything is revealed at the right time. Her transformation left me speechless and my body lifeless. The last act is some of the most riveting, tense, and visually striking minutes I've ever experienced in a film.

The script and story pair well with Aronofsky's previous film, The Wrestler. Both are about a physically demanding and under appreciated art, and the lengths one goes to to be an artist, to achieve perfection, and the costs. Both films are shot similarly for different reasons and both endings pack a powerful punch. But Black Swan is much riskier than The Wrestler. Aronofsky laid the ground work with The Wrestler and raised the stakes with Black Swan.

Black Swan is one of the scariest, engaging, and best films I've ever seen. It's a masterpiece.

Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal

Definitely one of Judi Dench's most memorable performances and one of my favorites. She could've taken this performance in two directions and she chose an effective path of subtly, slight humor, and bitterness that all flow into her obsessive behavior. She comes across as sympathetic but behind that curtain she's sucking the life out of you. Cate Blanchett describes Dench's character as a vampire and that's exactly what she is. Dench sinks her fangs into this role in a way only Judi Dench can.

Netflix

Inception-Love it. Love it. Must see again. Love it.
Wild Child-Some cute Emma Roberts comedy along the lines of a Mary-Kate and Ashley movie. I'll get this when I need a break from the heavy stuff.
Skins Vol 3-Netflix Instant. I'll try it again.