Of the five movies nominated for best picture Oscars, I very much liked the two I’ve seen: “No Country for Old Men†and “Atonement.â€
“No Country,†the Coen brothers’ faithful adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s gritty, bleak novel, also garnered a well-deserved best supporting actor nomination for Javier Bardem (in photo), who plays one of the most chilling psychopathic villains ever to hit the big screen. (The coin-flip scene with the gas station attendant is a classic.) Even his haircut is creepy.
I was surprised that “Into the Wild†didn’t get more attention. I expected a best director nomination for Sean Penn, whose direction was poised, skillful, even inspired.
At any rate, it’s good to see the terrific actor Hal Holbrook, age 82, get his first Oscar nomination for his supporting role in “Into the Wild.†Hope he wins, but I also thought Casey Affleck’s supporting performance in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford†was Oscar-worthy.
And I can’t wait to see Daniel Day-Lewis as the oil tycoon in “There Will Be Blood,†in a performance many are calling awe-inspiring. (But couldn’t they have picked a better title?)
All in all, not a bad year for movies.
Also, sad to hear about the death of actor Heath Ledger, who earned a best actor nomination in 2005 for “Brokeback Mountain.â€
12 Comments
Haven’t seen any. Won’t likely do so. I see no reason to fund Hollywood.
Call me when they’re on video – maybe.
Somehow its difficult to get excited about watching war, misery and death on the movie screen when the real thing is happening around the globe and creeping closer to the U.S. all the time.
Above, I was thinking of Kenya, a formerly peaceful, economically growing, beacon of light in central eastern Africa. Suddenly a democratic election was shattered by the incumbent side which stuffed the ballot boxes when confronted with probable loss.
The battle appears to be between two old rivals, both long participants in Kenyan government. Both unwilling to back down even though thousands of Kenyans are being maimed and killed by “roving bands” on both sides.
Cases like this demand the U.S. act as policeman. Regardless of the old saying “the U.S. can’t be the policeman of the world,” if the U.S. doesn’t act … who will?
The U.S. should be playing the role of school principal not street bully. If the United States is a paper tiger … is the United Nations still around? Has it also lost its claws?
Forget the plastic screen. World discension will only spread unless someone steps up to stop it.
And Kansas’s contribution…Fred Phelps protesting Ledger’s funeral.
How sad it is.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Gredlen/Dump/heathhb9.jpg
Pmom did you expect otherwise from the Phelps?
As for the movies. I go to be entertained. Recently the movies out depressed me to death. I leave the theatre ready to slit my wrists. I Haven’t seen any of these and don’t plan to. I use my grandkids as a good excuse to see things like ‘Over the Hedge’, ‘The Silver Surfer’, ‘The Transformers’, etc.. With the dollars that aren’t being spent to go to these movies you think Hollywood would get the message and film for the audience and not expect the audience to change to fit your offerings.
<> The Oscars, the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Peoples Choice…etc., etc., etc. All the “glamour” and “excitement” of watching a bunch of overpaid people who make money by playing make believe congratulate each other on how wonderful they are.
No thanks. I think I have to do anything. I enjoy the entertainment value of some movies..but could not care one iota about what awards they give each other.
ksgrm, I’m with you 100%. I want to be entertained, not depressed, and the pickings this winter have been slim. We saw one movie in 2007, and that was the most recent Harry Potter. I admit there were a few others I would have liked to see on the big screen–the third “Pirates of the Caribbean” (now own it on DVD), and I heard that “Enchanted” definitely was…enchanting. Still waiting for “National Treasure 3″ to hit the cheap seats. :) I guess we don’t feel the need to see them the first week they come out…or even the first month.
Which is not to say that some of those listed in the running for best picture and the actors/actresses in them weren’t good, but if they are that good, I’ll catch them on DVD later. Those that I have, such as “Good Night and Good Luck” and “Crash” were both excellent, but I don’t feel I was hurt by waiting and seeing them on DVD. They didn’t ask for my vote for the Oscar. ;)
Taz,
I watch the Academy Awards for three reasons. One, to see who’s in the audience (note: Jack Nicholson always on the front row in shades); two, to watch clips of older movies I haven’t seen for years; and three, to hear the list of those who have passed on during the year. And then I feel sad and, quite often, let down.
But, hey, one never knows when a streaker might race across the stage in his altogether. David Niven’s response: Priceless.
Well, RD, I hope you enjoy! I in no way meant to “pass judgment” on others who do enjoy the various awards shows. To each his/her own. My wife loves them…but, thankfully, doesn’t expect me to watch them with her!
Only Oscar contender I saw was in the documentaries.
Michael Moore’s “Sicko” is a definite must see.
I don’t lend the Oscars much credibility since “Annie Hall” beat out “Star Wars” for best pic back in 78.
I love Scifi and have yet to see any (beyond best cinema, makeup, wardrobe, music etc) nominated for any major award ( other than Star Wars). Most (or all) of the nominees have been dramas and I hate dramas, to depressing. The Oscars, Emmys, Golden globes etc are all actors/movie professionals voting for other actors/movie professionals. It’s like Physicians voting for who is the best physician or lawyers voting for the best lawyer/judge.
JR,
Or how ’bout John Wayne’s win of best lead male in “True Grit” to Dustin Hoffman’s Ratso Rizzo in “Midnight Cowboy”, which DID win best picture? 1969 given in 1970.
I have nothing against John Wayne. He always played a superb…John Wayne. But DH was outstanding and deserved the award.
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Award glamour…
Great, hard hitting letter….
bill nighy films…
Thanks for the nice read, keep up the interesting posts…..