6:50 I arrive early to Pop.Bop.Shop Girl's Oscar party, bearing chocolate and my notepad. The Slumdog kids are working the red carpet and are absolutely adorable.
7:03 Amy Adams -- floorlength red dress = yes, plastic-looking necklace = no. Marisa Tomei looks frazzled.
7:04 Holy earrings, Heidi Klum!
7:06 Ok so everyone is wearing red, apparently. I've seen 3 so far and it's been 3 minutes.
7:10 Seth Rogan appears with a girlfriend? sister? and Molly notes: "I would have dated him when he was fat and now I'll all aboard the Seth Rogan Jewish man train." Toot toot!
7:11 SJP looks like Cinderella, and Matthew Broderick is sporting a two-tone toupee. WTF. I discover a newfound dislike for the made up word "Glamastrator." Also, Jay Manuel looks like an icicle.
7:14 Are there two lines shaved in the side of Robert Downey Jr.'s hairline, circa 1992?!
7:16 Twilight's Robert Pattinson makes his sultry appearance... Woof.
7:17 Evan Rachel Wood has a new back tattoo. Are sure she's clear of Marilyn Manson, folks?
7:26 Robin Wright Penn is stunning! Sophia Loren is orange!
7:27 If Beyonce's dress were any other pattern than the nasty gold leaves I think I'd appreciate it more. Overheard at the party: "What, does she think she's at the BET awards?" Ohhh Snap.
7:28 Mickey Rourke TAKE YOUR HAND OUT OF YOUR PANTS
7:29 General complaints about the awful dress-viewing camera angles: "Once upon a time you could show me what she's wearing!!"
7:30 Josh Brolin and Diane Lane -- please lord, grant me a fraction of that lust at their age, and I can die happy.
7:31 From bedroom eyes to bedroom hair... Jessica Biel looks a hot mess. "She's wearing her drapes!"
7:34 MERYL... with her non-Mamie Gummer daughter...
7:38 Angelina is thankfully wearing a fitted dress instead of a tent, and, Shocker! she looks fabulous. Brad's cute as a brunette!
7:40 Penelope Cruz! Her boobs look a bit smushed, and she's done better on the red carpet in the past... but as soon as she speaks I'm transfixed. Now where's Javier, Penay-nay?
7:42 Really, Phillip Seymour Hoffman? A BEANIE?! And he's fat again. How come no one cares when the men blimp up between roles but if a woman does it good god she must be pregnant or in a crisis... PSH is just an artiste. Bullshit, yo.
7:43 Daniel Craig do me now.
7:44 Kate Winslet... has done better. Not loving the two-tone dress. Love the hair though.
7:51 Aaaaaaand Tilda Swinton is still ugly.
7:58 Brad Pitt hates Ryan Seacrest. Watch him run away... ("And I loooove to watch 'em go...")
8:00 Channel change! Tim Gunn! If you blindfolded me, I don't think I could tell you the difference between Robin Roberts' speaking voice and that of Jay Manuel. Her biceps could pass for his as well... hmmm.
8:03 Re-review of SJP: armpit boobs, ginormous skirt... ridiculous.
8:04 Taraji Henson has the best hair yet -- she's too cute! "Welcome to my party, y'all!" Love her.
8:06 Vommmmmit Miley Cyrus wearing a friggin shattered chandelier. How come SHE gets to go to this and I'm home on the couch?! EH?!
8:10 Baby Slumdogs again! Too cute.
8:12 Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Ephron. See my Miley Cyrus comment; rinse and repeat.
8:13 Robert Downey Jr. lookin' dapper -- perhaps my best dressed male thus far?
8:14 Viola Davis making the most of it -- she looks like an Oscar in that beautiful gold dress and matching eyeshadow. Milk it, girl.
8:24 Ok so I love Marisa Tomei's dress, upon further inspection. Too bad you're not gonna win tonight babycakes.
8:25 Why do we care about the production design?! Oh that's right we don't... Aaaand the time-wasting starts even before the show! Hot damn.
8:30 That is a HuuuuuuuughJackman! Funny quips about being Australian and not being nominated... and we're off with a musical first number featuring Hugh's spray tan, Anne Hathaway (fresh dress...), homemade sets, and general ridiculousity. Hugh being able to laugh at himself makes it palatable as digi-dancers do the robot and he pronounces "I didn't see The Reader... I didn't see The Reader." Weird... but funny?
8:41 "With numbers like that Meryl, it's hard not to think... Steroids." 15 nominations and counting. Rock on, Meryl my love.
8:43 Annnd the curtain won't open... Ok here we go with the evening's first montage: Best Supporting Actress. All the old ones who showed up to present look pretty fug, but Viola Davis crying just at the mention of her nomination makes the moment for me. So sweet! Excellent nun speech by Whoopi, but the Oscar goes to... PENELOPE! Yay! "Has anybody ever fainted here?" Love her.
8:53 Tina Fey (best dressed female thus far? discuss!) and Steve Martin deliver the best intro of the night about writing... "To write is to live forever. The man who wrote that is dead." With a vaguely disguised jab at Scientology, the Best Original Screenplay Oscar goes to...
8:57 Dustin Lance Black for Milk. Holy cheekbones!! What a cutie! I'm sad it didn't go to Martin McDonagh for In Bruges, but wow, what an acceptance speech. "To all the gay and lesbian children out there... you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value." Amen.
9:02 "Don't fall in love with me," quips Steve to Tina. Best Adapted Screenplay goes to Slumdog.
9:03 I kind of want Jennifer Aniston to just give a big ol' wave in Angelina and Brad's direction... she has to see the cameras panning to them every two seconds as she hams it up with Jack Black...
9:05 Animation montage. Bad music.
9:07 Wall-E wins best animated feature. Speech is short and sweet -- excellent choice.
9:10 Best Animated Short Film goes to "La Maison En Petits Cubes." On name alone I'd have voted for "Lavatory - Lovestory." "Sank you," says the speaker, followed (in all seriousness) by "Domo Origato Mr. Roboto." Wow.
9:17 Benjamin Button takes Art Direction.
9:19 The Duchess bags Costume Design.
9:24 Bejamin Button wins for make up... I'm sorry, people, did you not see Heath Ledger's FACE in The Dark Knight?! It made the character!!!
9:25 Robert Pattinhot is back to show the Romance Montage. Unnecessary, but he's eye candy so I'm down.
9:31 Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix is the best thing of the night. Natalie Portman looks gorgeous as he puts his gum on the podium, looks and wanders away, and says "I want to retire from being a funny guy." She comes back "Well, you look like you work at a Hasidic meth lab." Touchee, Nat.
9:35 Slumdog takes Oscar #2 for Cinematography. The winner tells his British children to go to bed. Cute, I s'pose, if his hair didn't look like a wig.
9:37 Aaaand we're crying at the Mastercard lost-dog commercial.
9:38 Jessica Bedsheet Biel reminds us that the Sci-Tech awards happened. Thanks.
9:42 Seth Rogan and James Franco present the comedy montage and laugh at everything serious. Favs for me include the reference to James' turn as a 'mo in Milk and the recreating of the scenes from The Wrestler.
9:46 Rocking a velvet suit, Rogan & Co. present Best Live Action Short to "Spiegelzeuland." The random techie up there says "Suck on THAT!" Who knew there was such animosity in this category?
9:48 I realize there's no Jack Nicholson in the front row! Who what now?! Blasphemy!
9:52 Least favorite part of the evening as Hugh and Beyonce dance and sing their way through a hot mess of a Musicals Montage. Why am I watching this?!
9:56 Annnnnd it's still going on AND there's a drumline. Wtf.
9:58 There's a preview for "The Proposal!" It filmed across the street from my work! Holla!
10:01 Best Supporting Actor Montage. Alan Alda calls PSH "Seymour Phillip Hoffman," who laughs from under his beanie.
10:08 Shocker, it goes to Heath. Very touching speeches from his mom, dad, and sister. I'm amazed at how well they keep it together... and I'm feeling a little misty-eyed. Sadness.
10:11 Great! A montage of ugly people! Oh wait it's just the documentarians.
10:13 Bill Maher makes awkward mention of his un-nominated "Religulous," and gives the prize to "Man On Wire." Shocker.
10:15 The actual Man On Wire is currently balancing his Oscar on his chin.
10:17 Best Documentary Short Subject goes to Megan Mylan for "Smile Pinki." She has a pretty dress. That is all.
10:22 Three minute action movie montage. Seriously?
10:25 Will Smith! So affable! He makes this look easy. Why not have him host next year? His lead in about visual effects ("They can turn Brad Pitt into a ... garden gnome!") is refreshingly smooth and actually makes sense. Fittingly, Benjamin Button takes the aforementioned prize.
10:28 Sound editing goes to The Dark Knight.
10:30 Sound mixing (how, again, does this differ?) goes to Slumdog. (#3, but who's counting?)
10:33 Will: "Yes, they still have me up here. Hugh's napping." I'M friggin napping, Willy!! (At this point in the action, I neglected to write down what Slumdog won for, just that it won. #4.)
10:41 Eddie Murphy presents Jerry Lewis with the Jean Herscholt Humanitarian Award. I neglect to listen to his speech.
10:53 Zac Ephron and Alicia Keyes (husky voice much?) present Best Original Score to -- wait for it -- Slumdog (#5) and the cute little man who accepts says "I am excited and terrified... the last time I felt like that was during my marriage." Ahhh, the breakdown of English as a second language. Methinks he meant "during my WEDDING" as opposed to his entire MARRIAGE... no?
10:55 YES BHANGRA! He just won and he's singing! John Legend! Fun Dancing! (direct transcription of my notes. Thank you.) Best Original Song goes to Jai Ho from Slumdog. #6 oh heyyyy
11:05 Liam Hottie Neeson and Frieda Pinto present Best Foreign Language Film to Departures. "I'm berry, berry happy," crows the director. I wanted him to say something funny too. Alas, he did not.
11:10 Queen Latifah (in a new, better dress) singgs "I'll Be Seeing You" during the In Memoriam Montage. I remember that Paul Newman will be a part of it, and I get sad. Sure enough, he's the last image... :(
11:18 The President of the Academy is apparently retiring, and he is not giving a speech. I like him. Instead we get Reese! Again with the two-tone dresses. Not a fan.
11:19 Best Director goes to Danny Boyle for Slumdog, who calls it "Bloody wonderful." Amen.
11:24 Best Actress Montage. Sophia Loren has see through sleeves on her dress, is the color of an apricot, and is possibly drugged.
11:32 Best Actress goes to Kate Winslet! Yay! "When I was 8 years old I practiced this staring into the bathroom mirror... only this would have been a shampoo bottle. Well, it's not a shampoo bottle now!!" Also loved when she had her (hatted) dad whistle so she could find him. Very cute. Her celebratory "YEAH!" was joyous and made me love her even more. Another gem: "I think we all can't believe that we're in a category with Meryl Streep at ALL... I'm sorry, Meryl, but you're just going to have to suck that up!"
11:36 Best Actor Montage. At least they're keeping it moving.
11:38 Frank Langhella looks cute and cuddly! I would like to know him.
11:39 Beautiful speech about Sean Penn from Robert DeNiro. Despite my annoyance at the extra time because of all the montages, it has to be super nice to have amazing forbears speak such lovely things about you.
11:42 Ben Kingsley, rocking the alliteration about Mickey: "... bleached blond battered bruiser..." Rock on, Ghandi.
11:43 Best Actor goes to Sean Penn, who immediately wins the night by saying "You Commie, Homo loving sons of guns." Twice. "I know how hard I make it to appreciate me often," he says, and then goes on to make a moving speech... from which I am momentarily distracted by their showing the Pretty Writer Boy again, He of the Epic Cheekbones. Hallelujah. Anyway, Sean goes on to say, "For those who voted for the ban of gay marriage, reflect, and anticipate your shame and the shame in your grandchildren's eyes. We have GOT to have equal rights for ALL." (No way would Mickey Rourke have taken such a moment to be so compelling.)
11:47 Steven Spielberg... Introducing Another. Freaking. Montage. This one contrasts this year's Best Picture nominees with similar past winners; my annoyance fades as I realize that this is an effective (dare I use my least favorite word?) juxtaposition of subject matter, getting me excited about each movie all over again.
11:53 Best Picture goes to ... SLUMDOG! yay the kids are on stage! Love that the acceptor says the script inspired "MAD LOVE" in everyone. Truth, yo.
Et Fin, only 23 minutes over.
Tips for next year: Cut the montages down, start at 8pm, have a separate ceremony for the shitty technical stuff, and have better material for your host as opposed to having him simply describe the movie-making process. You have talent to work with -- use it.
Showing posts with label The Dark Knight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Dark Knight. Show all posts
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Oscar Noms '09
Here they are, folks! (MFB) indicates my pick. And I'm feeling indecisive.
Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire (MFB)
Ride the optimistic, indie-lovin' wave, Hollywood. I think this film has so much momentum that it's going sweep this season, and deservedly so.
Actor
Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"
Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
Sean Penn, "Milk" (MFB)
Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler" (MFB)
I mean... Sean is great. Haven't seen Mickey yet (plan to). On the one hand, they could feel that the GG was enough of a "welcome back" for Mr. MR, but on the other, they could feel that Sean just keeps on turnin' in great character acting and they may be tired of awarding people for portraying real people (as was the trend for the past few years). For me right now it's a toss up; I will of course review "The Wrestler" when I see it.
Actress
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
Kate Winslet, "The Reader" (MFB)
Hands down. No Question here. It's Kate the Great this year!
Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight" (MFB)
Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road"
There's no way Hollywood will pass up the opportunity to award Heath's amazing work, especially with the bitter knowledge that this is his penultimate work (and last completed work). No one else in this category was strong enough or has the sentimental clout to knock him out, in my opinion. And it's so deserved -- he's insanely good at playing insane.
Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, "Doubt"
Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (MFB)
Viola Davis, "Doubt"
Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler"
I hope it's Penelope! She was fantastic. What a sultry, crazy, realistic, shimmering performance from her as a follow up to last year's "Volver" -- and with that Nom under her belt, maybe it's just the right time for a win!
Director
David Fincher, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon"
Gus Van Sant, "Milk"
Stephen Daldry, "The Reader"
Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire" (MFB)
Again, I just don't think anyone else carries the same sentimental power here as the adorable Danny Boyle.
Foreign Film
"The Baader Meinhof Complex," Germany
"The Class," France
"Departures," Japan
"Revanche," Austria
"Waltz With Bashir," Israel
Adapted Screenplay
Eric Roth and Robin Swicord, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (MFB)
John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt"
Peter Morgan, "Frost/Nixon"
David Hare, "The Reader"
Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire" (MFB)
Original Screenplay
Courtney Hunt, "Frozen River"
Mike Leigh, "Happy-Go-Lucky"
Martin McDonagh, "In Bruges" (MFB)
Dustin Lance Black, "Milk" (MFB)
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter, "WALL-E"
Animated Feature Film
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E (MFB)
Art Direction
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road (MFB)
Cinematography
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire (MFB)
Sound Mixing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight (MFB)
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted
Sound Editing
The Dark Knight
Iron Man (MFB)
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted
Original Score
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Alexandre Desplat
"Defiance," James Newton Howard
"Milk," Danny Elfman
"Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman (MFB)
"WALL-E," Thomas Newman
Original Song
"Down to Earth" from "WALL-E," Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar (MFB)
"O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam
Costume
Australia (MFB)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess
Milk
Revolutionary Road
Documentary Feature
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire (MFB)
Trouble the Water
Documentary (short subject)
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness — From the Balcony of Room 306
Film Editing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Animated Short Film
La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory — Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto
This Way Up
Live Action Short Film
Auf der Strecke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)
Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
So yeah, basically I think "Button" could be the one that takes all the things no one really cares about.
Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire (MFB)
Ride the optimistic, indie-lovin' wave, Hollywood. I think this film has so much momentum that it's going sweep this season, and deservedly so.
Actor
Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"
Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
Sean Penn, "Milk" (MFB)
Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler" (MFB)
I mean... Sean is great. Haven't seen Mickey yet (plan to). On the one hand, they could feel that the GG was enough of a "welcome back" for Mr. MR, but on the other, they could feel that Sean just keeps on turnin' in great character acting and they may be tired of awarding people for portraying real people (as was the trend for the past few years). For me right now it's a toss up; I will of course review "The Wrestler" when I see it.
Actress
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
Kate Winslet, "The Reader" (MFB)
Hands down. No Question here. It's Kate the Great this year!
Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight" (MFB)
Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road"
There's no way Hollywood will pass up the opportunity to award Heath's amazing work, especially with the bitter knowledge that this is his penultimate work (and last completed work). No one else in this category was strong enough or has the sentimental clout to knock him out, in my opinion. And it's so deserved -- he's insanely good at playing insane.
Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, "Doubt"
Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (MFB)
Viola Davis, "Doubt"
Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler"
I hope it's Penelope! She was fantastic. What a sultry, crazy, realistic, shimmering performance from her as a follow up to last year's "Volver" -- and with that Nom under her belt, maybe it's just the right time for a win!
Director
David Fincher, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon"
Gus Van Sant, "Milk"
Stephen Daldry, "The Reader"
Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire" (MFB)
Again, I just don't think anyone else carries the same sentimental power here as the adorable Danny Boyle.
Foreign Film
"The Baader Meinhof Complex," Germany
"The Class," France
"Departures," Japan
"Revanche," Austria
"Waltz With Bashir," Israel
Adapted Screenplay
Eric Roth and Robin Swicord, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (MFB)
John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt"
Peter Morgan, "Frost/Nixon"
David Hare, "The Reader"
Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire" (MFB)
Original Screenplay
Courtney Hunt, "Frozen River"
Mike Leigh, "Happy-Go-Lucky"
Martin McDonagh, "In Bruges" (MFB)
Dustin Lance Black, "Milk" (MFB)
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter, "WALL-E"
Animated Feature Film
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E (MFB)
Art Direction
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road (MFB)
Cinematography
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire (MFB)
Sound Mixing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight (MFB)
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted
Sound Editing
The Dark Knight
Iron Man (MFB)
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted
Original Score
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Alexandre Desplat
"Defiance," James Newton Howard
"Milk," Danny Elfman
"Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman (MFB)
"WALL-E," Thomas Newman
Original Song
"Down to Earth" from "WALL-E," Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar (MFB)
"O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam
Costume
Australia (MFB)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess
Milk
Revolutionary Road
Documentary Feature
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire (MFB)
Trouble the Water
Documentary (short subject)
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness — From the Balcony of Room 306
Film Editing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Animated Short Film
La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory — Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto
This Way Up
Live Action Short Film
Auf der Strecke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)
Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (MFB)
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
So yeah, basically I think "Button" could be the one that takes all the things no one really cares about.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Golden Globes '09
A little late, here are my takes on the Golden Globe category wins that I remotely care about. Admittedly need to play a little catch up on what I see, prior to the Oscars, but feel that I had enough under my belt in order to weigh in even a bit:
Best Picture – Drama
*Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
In terms of what Hollywood likes, I absolutely understand this choice for Best Picture; Boy meets Girl, Boy and Girl Bond While Surviving Tough Times, Boy Loses Girl, Boy Fights for Girl, Boy Wins Big Money and Gets Girl, Entire Cast Dances Bhangra! Perfect! The only other contender for this category, in my opinion, was The Reader, which was distinctly less of a wrapped-up-in-a-pretty-package kind of movie. Given the economic circumstances of the mo’ and the hopeful atmosphere involving the new Prez, I totally get that they voted for the FeelGood option, and especially given the joyous and adorable celebration from the Slumdog table that I enjoyed seeing repeatedly throughout the evening, I am entirely pleased with this selection.
Director
* Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry – The Reader
David Fincher – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes – Revolutionary Road
Again, love this. He’s humble, has a cute accent, emanates true joy as he accepts his award, and later comments that his tuxedo didn’t fit him like The Cloon’s and that was the only bad part of his evening. Love it. Also love his Millions from a few years ago – looks like homeboy has a thing for poor adorable people coming into large sums of money. I’m ok with that. Hopefully his life will imitate his art from now on! (Except for that whole Trainspotting bit…)
Actor – Drama
* Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler
Leo – Revolutionary Road
Frank Langhella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Haven’t seen it. Kind of love the preview. Kind of loved his sparkly blue belt into which he promptly hooked his thumb whilst accepting his award. Have a hunch that Hollywood might throw the Oscar Sean’s way, feeling that a Globe is good enough for Mickey. So whatever, welcome back, buddy. Keep on truckin’.
Actress – Drama
* Kate Winslet – Revolutionary Road
Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie – The Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas – I’ve Loved You So Long
Wouldn’t have minded seeing Kristin get this one, given that Hollywood has loved Meryl for so long that they seem to feel the nominations are enough, but Kate has had this coming to her for a long time and she was so cute when accepting that I ended up being ok with this even though I could ultimately take or leave this specific performance. I personally felt that Leo was better in this particular movie and that both of them have turned in better performances in other films over the course of their careers, but whatever. Go Kate! Loved your dress!
Picture – Musical/Comedy
* Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Burn After Reading
Happy Go Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia
Good. Given that none of these movies are looking like they’re going to make the Oscar cut given that they don’t do the split between Comedy and Drama, it’s always fun to see which ones get nommed in this category. I’d say Vicky… was the best choice of the 5 (with In Bruges coming in at a close-but-too-wacky-and-no-one-saw-it second), but that’s all it’s getting for the season. But... where was Woody?
Actor – Musical/Comedy
* Colin Farrell – In Bruges
Javier Bardem – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
James Franco – The Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson – In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman – Last Chance Harvey
His speech, while slightly rambling, proved that he does have a mind and a vocabulary and an intelligent take on the world, which made me doubly support this win. Martin McDonaugh being my favorite playwright, it’s fun to see him break into the movie world, and it’s exciting to see a Gaiety boy finally be recognized for a craft that I do think he practices well. And his coke joke made me laugh, even if it was technically inappropriate.
Actress – Musical/Comedy
* Sally Hawkins – Happy Go Lucky
Rebecca Hall – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Frances McDormand - Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia
Emma Thompson – Last Chance Harvey
If I hadn’t recently seen her in the PBS broadcast of the BBC’s redone “Persuasion,” I’d have the same “Who the heck are you?” reaction that I think most viewers and even most of the audience had as she walked past MERYL to Britishly accept. Even seeing her before, however, didn’t make me feel any more inclined to give her this award. I actually think I’d re-do this entire category’s worth of noms. I pick me. I win. Happy Go Home.
Supporting Actor
* Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Tom Cruise – Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey, Jr. – Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes – The Duchess
Phillip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
Of the other nominees, PSH was the only contender who had a shot at beating Heath, and c’mon, against a dead guy who we have been loving to love this year even HE didn’t stand a chance. It’s not an unjustified win, however. I think he would have been nominated even if he hadn’t kicked the bucket, and I think there’s a good chance he still would have won. Hollywood was on the Heath Train even before January 22, 2008, and his performance was already being buzzed about then. He really took it to the next level with his ability to think of physical things he could adopt to make his performance all the more convincing, as in, chewing the inside of his cheeks to make that awfully disturbing sound and motion, flicking his tongue, and perfecting that laugh. I do think, however, their “montage” could have been more than 5 seconds and included more than one scene. I’m sure the Oscars will do better if he noms/wins there too.
Supporting Actress
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis – Doubt
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler
* Kate Winslet – The Reader
A-freaking-men. Loved this movie, loved her, could take or leave her Rev Road win, but absolutely, hands down feel that she deserves this win. Close on her heels for me is PeNay-Nay for her sizzling turn in Vicky…, but maybe she needs to lose as much as Kate first in order to get the goods.
And that's that! Stay tuned as January 22nd rolls around (Oscar Noms) and then, of course, February 22nd for the Big Ones.
Best Picture – Drama
*Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
In terms of what Hollywood likes, I absolutely understand this choice for Best Picture; Boy meets Girl, Boy and Girl Bond While Surviving Tough Times, Boy Loses Girl, Boy Fights for Girl, Boy Wins Big Money and Gets Girl, Entire Cast Dances Bhangra! Perfect! The only other contender for this category, in my opinion, was The Reader, which was distinctly less of a wrapped-up-in-a-pretty-package kind of movie. Given the economic circumstances of the mo’ and the hopeful atmosphere involving the new Prez, I totally get that they voted for the FeelGood option, and especially given the joyous and adorable celebration from the Slumdog table that I enjoyed seeing repeatedly throughout the evening, I am entirely pleased with this selection.
Director
* Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry – The Reader
David Fincher – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes – Revolutionary Road
Again, love this. He’s humble, has a cute accent, emanates true joy as he accepts his award, and later comments that his tuxedo didn’t fit him like The Cloon’s and that was the only bad part of his evening. Love it. Also love his Millions from a few years ago – looks like homeboy has a thing for poor adorable people coming into large sums of money. I’m ok with that. Hopefully his life will imitate his art from now on! (Except for that whole Trainspotting bit…)
Actor – Drama
* Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler
Leo – Revolutionary Road
Frank Langhella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Haven’t seen it. Kind of love the preview. Kind of loved his sparkly blue belt into which he promptly hooked his thumb whilst accepting his award. Have a hunch that Hollywood might throw the Oscar Sean’s way, feeling that a Globe is good enough for Mickey. So whatever, welcome back, buddy. Keep on truckin’.
Actress – Drama
* Kate Winslet – Revolutionary Road
Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie – The Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas – I’ve Loved You So Long
Wouldn’t have minded seeing Kristin get this one, given that Hollywood has loved Meryl for so long that they seem to feel the nominations are enough, but Kate has had this coming to her for a long time and she was so cute when accepting that I ended up being ok with this even though I could ultimately take or leave this specific performance. I personally felt that Leo was better in this particular movie and that both of them have turned in better performances in other films over the course of their careers, but whatever. Go Kate! Loved your dress!
Picture – Musical/Comedy
* Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Burn After Reading
Happy Go Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia
Good. Given that none of these movies are looking like they’re going to make the Oscar cut given that they don’t do the split between Comedy and Drama, it’s always fun to see which ones get nommed in this category. I’d say Vicky… was the best choice of the 5 (with In Bruges coming in at a close-but-too-wacky-and-no-one-saw-it second), but that’s all it’s getting for the season. But... where was Woody?
Actor – Musical/Comedy
* Colin Farrell – In Bruges
Javier Bardem – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
James Franco – The Pineapple Express
Brendan Gleeson – In Bruges
Dustin Hoffman – Last Chance Harvey
His speech, while slightly rambling, proved that he does have a mind and a vocabulary and an intelligent take on the world, which made me doubly support this win. Martin McDonaugh being my favorite playwright, it’s fun to see him break into the movie world, and it’s exciting to see a Gaiety boy finally be recognized for a craft that I do think he practices well. And his coke joke made me laugh, even if it was technically inappropriate.
Actress – Musical/Comedy
* Sally Hawkins – Happy Go Lucky
Rebecca Hall – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Frances McDormand - Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia
Emma Thompson – Last Chance Harvey
If I hadn’t recently seen her in the PBS broadcast of the BBC’s redone “Persuasion,” I’d have the same “Who the heck are you?” reaction that I think most viewers and even most of the audience had as she walked past MERYL to Britishly accept. Even seeing her before, however, didn’t make me feel any more inclined to give her this award. I actually think I’d re-do this entire category’s worth of noms. I pick me. I win. Happy Go Home.
Supporting Actor
* Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Tom Cruise – Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey, Jr. – Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes – The Duchess
Phillip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
Of the other nominees, PSH was the only contender who had a shot at beating Heath, and c’mon, against a dead guy who we have been loving to love this year even HE didn’t stand a chance. It’s not an unjustified win, however. I think he would have been nominated even if he hadn’t kicked the bucket, and I think there’s a good chance he still would have won. Hollywood was on the Heath Train even before January 22, 2008, and his performance was already being buzzed about then. He really took it to the next level with his ability to think of physical things he could adopt to make his performance all the more convincing, as in, chewing the inside of his cheeks to make that awfully disturbing sound and motion, flicking his tongue, and perfecting that laugh. I do think, however, their “montage” could have been more than 5 seconds and included more than one scene. I’m sure the Oscars will do better if he noms/wins there too.
Supporting Actress
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis – Doubt
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler
* Kate Winslet – The Reader
A-freaking-men. Loved this movie, loved her, could take or leave her Rev Road win, but absolutely, hands down feel that she deserves this win. Close on her heels for me is PeNay-Nay for her sizzling turn in Vicky…, but maybe she needs to lose as much as Kate first in order to get the goods.
And that's that! Stay tuned as January 22nd rolls around (Oscar Noms) and then, of course, February 22nd for the Big Ones.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Dark Knight
Director: Christopher Nolan
Year: 2008
Rating: ***
Holy Heath Ledger, Batman! What a fantastic performance, worth every bee’s bit of buzz. While the movie itself seemed a tad long (I checked my watch, I admit) and a bit like it contained two separate plots, I was utterly captivated by his devotion and commitment throughout. I sincerely hope he’s at least nominated, although a true Oscar win for a box office biggie like this one seems like a bit of a stretch, despite the sentiment surrounding his death. But anyway, every second of his screentime was riveting and makes the movie one that is certain to end up on my shelves next to its predecessor.
As for the cons, Christian Bale’s voice was ridiculously over the top and started to grate on my nerves immediately, but he’s pretty so I got over it. (Side bar: how come the one scene featuring him shirtless also featured a solid display of the special effects crew’s bruises and scarring mechanisms!? Unless I’ll be getting to kiss those boo-boos, I want to see him nekkid and flawless, thank you.) Maggie Gyllenhaal (who I usually love) felt out of place as Rachel (a character I honestly care nothing about anyway); I’d much rather see her in the likes of her "Stranger Than Fiction" and "Secretary" roles. I also felt distracted in the scene between her and Heath, as I found myself wondering if they were about to kiss and then thinking that Heath would have kissed both GyllSybs. Weird. Aaron Eckhart never convinced me that he could have made her fall in love with him, and Two-Face’s plotline seemed excessive and irrelevant to the progression of the movie.
About halfway through, I remembered that Gary Oldham is an actor whose work I always mean to check out more thoroughly. Cute little plot twist for his character though; I was definitely sad when they wanted me to be sad – I’m being vague for those of you who haven’t seen this.
All in all, good action flick, seriously sick acting by one dearly departed craftsman, and the interesting promise of more to come for The BatMan.
Year: 2008
Rating: ***
Holy Heath Ledger, Batman! What a fantastic performance, worth every bee’s bit of buzz. While the movie itself seemed a tad long (I checked my watch, I admit) and a bit like it contained two separate plots, I was utterly captivated by his devotion and commitment throughout. I sincerely hope he’s at least nominated, although a true Oscar win for a box office biggie like this one seems like a bit of a stretch, despite the sentiment surrounding his death. But anyway, every second of his screentime was riveting and makes the movie one that is certain to end up on my shelves next to its predecessor.
As for the cons, Christian Bale’s voice was ridiculously over the top and started to grate on my nerves immediately, but he’s pretty so I got over it. (Side bar: how come the one scene featuring him shirtless also featured a solid display of the special effects crew’s bruises and scarring mechanisms!? Unless I’ll be getting to kiss those boo-boos, I want to see him nekkid and flawless, thank you.) Maggie Gyllenhaal (who I usually love) felt out of place as Rachel (a character I honestly care nothing about anyway); I’d much rather see her in the likes of her "Stranger Than Fiction" and "Secretary" roles. I also felt distracted in the scene between her and Heath, as I found myself wondering if they were about to kiss and then thinking that Heath would have kissed both GyllSybs. Weird. Aaron Eckhart never convinced me that he could have made her fall in love with him, and Two-Face’s plotline seemed excessive and irrelevant to the progression of the movie.
About halfway through, I remembered that Gary Oldham is an actor whose work I always mean to check out more thoroughly. Cute little plot twist for his character though; I was definitely sad when they wanted me to be sad – I’m being vague for those of you who haven’t seen this.
All in all, good action flick, seriously sick acting by one dearly departed craftsman, and the interesting promise of more to come for The BatMan.
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