Movie: Argo

Release Date: October 12, 2012

Director: Ben Affleck

Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman

Tag Lines: “The movie was fake. The mission was real.”

“Based on the exaggerated true story.”

“Based on the Declassified True Story.”

Relevance: If you haven’t noticed by now, or if this is the first post that you are reading, I am a huge fan of the Academy Awards and all things Oscar. Thanks to my mom, I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t at least watching the broadcast of the award ceremony. Then mid-1980’s I became a full-fledged “geek” about them that has only intensified since that period. I shared this love of Oscars with a very dear friend of mine, who unfortunately is no longer on this planet. Of course we were in contact throughout the entire year, but from December through March, our calls, texts, chats and meetings over lettuce leaves (his joke about the only food I was able to eat safely due to an allergy) intensified.

2012 was one of our busiest years. At least for us, that year was filled with many possible Oscar contenders and movies that were generating some buzz. So of course, we tried to see them all. Although, I don’t think we actually saw any of the movies together throughout the award season. But I would get messages like, “Leaving ‘Lincoln’,” or I would send one saying “Just saw Pi.” Then either through phone call or Facebook chat we would give details about what we thought about those movies. ‘Argo’ was one of those movies.

My friend had seen the movie when it first came out and I remember him reaching out to me telling me that I must go see “Ben’s new movie.” I don’t think I actually saw it in theaters until after it was nominated for seven Academy Awards. I texted him, “I’m going to see Ben, we’ll talk later.” As soon as I walked out of the theater, we discussed. I absolutely loved the movie. It was a well-acted dramatic, intense thriller with a great cast and interesting story of which I wasn’t very familiar. My friend’s response was, “I’ve been telling you that since October.”

I don’t think that ‘Argo’ was my friend’s favorite nominated movie that year. It wasn’t mine (I think we actually have the same favorite) but it’s still a great film and holds a special place in my heart because of its memories I have of it.

Today’s Thoughts: ‘Argo’ represents one of the later movies released to make my list. In fact, there are no films released past 2012 that are on my list of most influential movies. There are however (spoiler alert) two more films from that year that will be showing up sooner or later.

Watching ‘Argo’ today was just as exciting as seeing it the first time. It is a sit-at-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of drama. I still get chills during one of the last scenes in the movie. The visual of the plane being chased down the runway and then finally lifting off is beautifully shot. That announcement on the plane that they are out of Iranian air is quite emotional. I won’t lie. I teared up. The film really captures the intensity of the situation it portrays and it is still hard to believe that Ben Affleck wasn’t even nominated for Best Director. Luckily he was a Producer of the movie, so he has his Oscar for this triumphant accomplishment.

‘Argo’ is also quite a humorous film, thanks to both John Goodman and Alan Arkin. Alan Arkin steals every scene he is in with his Academy Award nominated role. Bryan Cranston and the rest of the ensemble are fantastic as well. The screenplay has as much wit as it does thrills, making this a must see film for all.

Awards: Academy Award for Best Motion Picture of the Year (winner), Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, Chris Terrio (winner), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Film Editing, William Goldenberg (winner), Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Alan Arkin (nomination), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score, Alexandre Desplat (nomination), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Sound Mixing, John T. Reitz, Gregg Rudloff, Jose Antonio Garcia (nomination), Academy Award for Best Achievement in Sound Editing, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama (winner), Golden Globe for Best Director, Ben Affleck (winner), Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Alan Arkin (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Screenplay, Chris Terrio (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Original Score, Alexandre Desplat (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Film (winner), BAFTA Award forBest Director, Ben Affleck (winner), BAFTA Award for Best Editing, William Goldenberg (winner), BAFTA Award for Best Lead Actor, Ben Affleck (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Chris Terrio (nomination), BAFTA Award for Best Film Music, Alexandre Desplat (nomination), Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (winner), Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role, Alan Arkin (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Picture (winner), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Director, Ben Affleck (winner), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor, Alan Arkin (nommination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Acting Ensemble (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Chris Terrio (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Editing, William Goldenberg (nomination), Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Score, Alexandre Desplat (nomination), Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures, Ben Affleck (winner), Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay, Chris Terrio (winner), Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Editing, Willliam Goldenberg (nomination), National Board of Review Award for Top Films (winner), National Board of Review Award for Special Achievement in Filmmaking, Ben Affleck (winner), National Board of Review Award Spotlight Award, John Goodman (winner), New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film (nomination), New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director, Ben Affleck (nomination), PGA Award of Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures, Ben Affleck, George Clooney, Grant Heslov (winner), Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Chris Terrio (winner).

Ways to Watch: iTunes, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, DVD Availability.