the 2011 Oscars

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

She is great in To Die For. Her best performance, I believe, is Dogville. She has had some misfires recently, but I think she is wonderful.

I agree - she was fantastic in Dogville - one of my top 3 favourite films ever.

[CreepingDeath]

Originally Posted by Dodfather

I'm about to make a sweeping generalisation and apologies if it offends... but there is no way that a British film about royalty that, if nominated, would ever not win at least one Oscar - regardless of quality. It was obvious.

While I happen to think The King's Speech is excellent, it's a repeat of The Queen all over again. I like Helen Mirren and there's no doubting her talent but that film is in my opinion flawed, to say the least. Last night's Oscars have just pandered to the particularly American/Academy obsession with British aristocracy. I know this does not apply to everyone but when it does it's predictably ridiculous and does not paint those involved in a flattering light at all.

Bah, I'm still bitter that Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson didn't win for The Remains of the Day.

Piss on Tom Hanks.

[daniellaaarisen]

Originally Posted by Dodfather

Oh I do love The Hours and there's no denying Kidman does some great work in the film but I think both Streep and Moore are better in it.

Well, Streep can't do anything wrong. She is literally perfect, invincible.

[daniellaaarisen]

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

Agreed--loved it. Have you read the book?
I've always thought the director wanted to give Streep some Oscar bait in that role. Her big breakdown in the kitchen was another character's in the book.

The book has been sitting on my shelf for months.... I really need to read it.

The thing is, Meryl doesn't even NEED Oscar bait. She's won her fair share already, and her prestige as an actress isn't defined by her awards. She's just internationally accepted to be one of the most talented actors of our time.

(I have a major major Meryl crush, if no one can tell).

[CreepingDeath]

Originally Posted by daniellaaarisen

The book has been sitting on my shelf for months.... I really need to read it.

The thing is, Meryl doesn't even NEED Oscar bait. She's won her fair share already, and her prestige as an actress isn't defined by her awards. She's just internationally accepted to be one of the most talented actors of our time.

(I have a major major Meryl crush, if no one can tell).

Same here. I'm really interested in how she'll portray Margaret Thatcher...

[amberlemegan]

Originally Posted by daniellaaarisen

The book has been sitting on my shelf for months.... I really need to read it.

The thing is, Meryl doesn't even NEED Oscar bait. She's won her fair share already, and her prestige as an actress isn't defined by her awards. She's just internationally accepted to be one of the most talented actors of our time.

(I have a major major Meryl crush, if no one can tell).

If you are talking about the book The Hours. You HAVE to read it. I loved it!!!

You're not the only one with a major Meryl crush

[GypsySorcerer]

Originally Posted by daniellaaarisen

The book has been sitting on my shelf for months.... I really need to read it.

The thing is, Meryl doesn't even NEED Oscar bait. She's won her fair share already, and her prestige as an actress isn't defined by her awards. She's just internationally accepted to be one of the most talented actors of our time.

(I have a major major Meryl crush, if no one can tell).

Oh, you must read The Hours. You will love it.

As for Meryl, she's terrific; one of the few actors who can successfully portray both comedic and dramatic roles.

[mezzoforte]

Originally Posted by daniellaaarisen

The book has been sitting on my shelf for months.... I really need to read it.

The thing is, Meryl doesn't even NEED Oscar bait. She's won her fair share already, and her prestige as an actress isn't defined by her awards. She's just internationally accepted to be one of the most talented actors of our time.

(I have a major major Meryl crush, if no one can tell).

Streep is a goddess. The accents, the talent, the cheekbones...

And you should definitely read the Hours, but if you haven't already, you should read some Woolf first--it makes it so much more interesting when you can see Cunningham crafting Woolfian images. I loved Mrs. Dalloway and To The Lighthouse.

[Dodfather]

Dani - there's a very interesting passage in The Hours that specifically mentions Streep... it's incredibly foresighted!

No mention of Death Becomes Her for a Meryl moment? I love it!

Again - there's a large case study of Streep in the phD. It goes from Streep to Kidman....

[LikeAWillow]

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

Streep is a goddess. The accents, the talent, the cheekbones...

And you should definitely read the Hours, but if you haven't already, you should read some Woolf first--it makes it so much more interesting when you can see Cunningham crafting Woolfian images. I loved Mrs. Dalloway and To The Lighthouse.

Heaven. I'd also recommend Orlando just because you have to recommend Orlando.

[TrueFaith77]

I never found Kidman enjoyable, comfortable, or convincing on screen... until her last two movies: Rabbit Hole and Just Go With It. Clearly, Keith Urban is having a good effect on her. She's no Naomi Watts, but she's at least convincing, moving, and charming now. I wish she had won the Oscar of the nominees. (Though Annette should have been nominated for and won for Mother and Child.)

As for Meryl Streep, I thought she was good in the 70s, awful in the 80s but she got better in the 90s and has finally hit her stride in the 00s. The Manchurian Candidate, Prairie Home Companion, Lions for Lambs are all extraordinary. And, yet, still, she remains a poor man's Vanessa Redgrave.

[chiliD]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith77

As for Meryl Streep, I thought she was good in the 70s, awful in the 80s but she got better in the 90s and has finally hit her stride in the 00s. The Manchurian Candidate, Prairie Home Companion, Lions for Lambs are all extraordinary. And, yet, still, she remains a poor man's Vanessa Redgrave.

???? Two words: Mamma Mia

[Dodfather]

Originally Posted by chiliD

???? Two words: Mamma Mia

Awww come on.... it's fun! At least she's having an absolute ball making it, which comes across on screen. I also really like It's Complicated with Meryl and Alec Baldwin.

[mezzoforte]

BTW, anyone else skeptical of Natalie Portman's win? Yes, she was great, but I would have preferred Annette Benning. I think straight crazy is a lot less challenging to portray than what AB did.

Originally Posted by LikeAWillow

Heaven. I'd also recommend Orlando just because you have to recommend Orlando.

Actually, Orlando is next on my list. I'm reading The Edwardians by Vita Sackville-West right now, and thought it would be fun to follow it with what what I've heard described as Woolf's love letter to VSW.

Originally Posted by Dodfather

Awww come on.... it's fun! At least she's having an absolute ball making it, which comes across on screen. I also really like It's Complicated with Meryl and Alec Baldwin.

Agreed or both counts. Now that her legacy as a serious actor is secure, Meryl's free to have fun. Glad she's taking advantage of it! Mamma Mia was a kick.

[elle]

Originally Posted by Dodfather

Awww come on.... it's fun! At least she's having an absolute ball making it, which comes across on screen. I also really like It's Complicated with Meryl and Alec Baldwin.

who wouldn't have fun - just getting to look at both Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth for days in a row would be fun!

i actually like Meryl better in roles like the one she had in "It's complicated" or the movie with De Niro years ago. i think she overacts in her most lauded roles.

back to the actual winners this year - anybody else happy to see Colin Firth finally getting his due? i loved him since Valmont (come to think of it, Annette Benning was in that one, too!), and although he had some duds in the meantime (plus acting as his own caricature in Bridget Jones movies), i finally saw King's Speech last weekend and thought he was great in that one. it's kinda weird that now all of the sudden everybody knows who he is... and so nice to see the guy who had his share of ups and downs and is therefore able to actually be self-deprecating and appreciative of everything coming his way now - instead of feeling entitled or completely messed up like many celebrities with successes earlier in life seem to be...