Oscar nominees

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Richard B

No problem, I prefer Walk A Line much more. But ****, Cinderella Man was a **** load better than Crash.

I saw Cinderella Man for free, courtesy of AMC. They offered a refund if you didn't like it, no questions asked, and I marched my ass right up to the customer service counter immediately afterwards.

Cinderella Man played like a foul ham sandwich and Crash was the resulting bowel movement.

Not to mention my old boss did the poster art for Walk The Line. And I have a original print:

I love that poster. One of the best ones from the last year. Loved the movie, too.

I really dug Witherspoon (I've loved her since Election), even more than Phoenix, but I still want Huffman to take it. Can't believe that Patricia Clarkson hasn't gotten any notice for The Dying Gaul, though. It's criminal that she doesn't have an Oscar yet.

Did you ever get that Blondie print?

No, I didn't, you just reminded me! I just moved recently and have been buying new stuff for the apartment, so now I have a great excuse to buy it.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Red

Alright, please explain to me why it sucked. I thought that every series of scenes, characters etc, was truthful, although maybe a little heavy handed. But what, racism shouldn't be addressed in such a manner?

It was so heavy-handed that I felt as if I were to going to explode from all of the feces being shoved down my poor throat. It reminded me of student film version of Magnolia, except it completely lacked even an ounce of the heart that Magnolia possessed. Crash is a prime example of Hollywood types being so detached from reality that they think such swill is some piece of art that has something important to say.

I don't think I've laughed harder at anything in any movie as much as I did when Don Cheadle said, completely stone-faced and as stolidly stoic as humanly possible, "I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something." HAVE MERCY ON ME, I swear that I caused such a ruckus that everyone turned and looked at me. I could not contain myself.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Red

I'm with you on that my dear.

Totally. Cinderella Man was pure torture to sit through. I'm allergic to Russell Crowe and hamfisted feel-good movies that have as much emotional honesty in them as a Larry King interview.

[Red]

Originally Posted by dissention

Totally. Cinderella Man was pure torture to sit through. I'm allergic to Russell Crowe and hamfisted feel-good movies that have as much emotional honesty in them as a Larry King interview.

Okay, Russell Crowe totally smells like chees - and not the good expensive kind. I'm with you on that.

However......

I'm in full agreeance that the Don Cheadle line in the intro was too much. That's the heavy handed part.

However.....

Do you not think that an American film needed to address this issue of racism so squarely? It was honest. Heavy handed yes, but so is Michael Moore and he had to get his point across about the devastation of the Bush administration. I know you know this, Diss!!!!

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Red

Alright, please explain to me why it sucked. I thought that every series of scenes, characters etc, was truthful, although maybe a little heavy handed. But what, racism shouldn't be addressed in such a manner?

Honestly...it does not matter. You liked it. What I say won't change your mind and I don't want to change your mind.

As for it's super preachy, shove it down your throat racism antics: don't you understand what racism is? Does it have to be s-p-e-l-l-e-d out for you?

The peeps I saw it with...we couldn't believe it. We're all very urban and chalked it up to "good for mid-westerners and people who don't get racism."

Not to mention the weak dialog.

[Miss Vicky]

I'm not going to bother watching the Oscars this year.

The only category with a nominee I give a damn about is Best Actor, but I know damn well that my fav is going to lose. I still haven't forgiven the academy for robbing him back in 2000 - Benicio Del Toro, Best Supporting Actor my ass. "Traffic" was bloody awful.

[Red]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Honestly...it does not matter. You liked it. What I say won't change your mind and I don't want to change your mind.

As for it's super preachy, shove it down your throat racism antics: don't you understand what racism is? Does it have to be s-p-e-l-l-e-d out for you?

The peeps I saw it with...we couldn't believe it. We're all very urban and chalked it up to "good for mid-westerners and people who don't get racism."

Not to mention the weak dialog.

Alright, I'm going to be very honest here.

The level of racism in this day and age (and this is coming from a Canadian spectator) is astounding. I am frequently ashamed and embarrased during the time I visit various cities in the States at how prevalent racism still is. Not to say that racism doesn't exist in Canada- sadly it does, but not in the same verbal and mental degree. I could go on, but this post would go on for pages.

Anyway, what I'm saying is, is that sometimes yes, the repurcussions of racism do need to be s-p-e-l-l-e-d out for the audience. I wish it didn't have to be that way. But in this case, it did.

[amber]

Originally Posted by dissention

"I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something." HAVE MERCY ON ME, I swear that I caused such a ruckus that everyone turned and looked at me. I could not contain myself.

Oh, c'mon! I've said that very same thing at least three times this week!

Here's Me: "Yes, I'd like cheddar on that. No, light mustard, extra mayo. By the way, I think we miss touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something. Mmhmm, yeah, the order is to go. Do you have a bag for this? Thanks. Take care!"



My friend kept telling me to watch Crash, and that it was really good. I haven't watched it, though. Good cast, bad movie?

Saw Cinderella Man. I got really emotional in the theatre, but it was against my will and I felt a bit used and cheap afterwards. To be fair to myself, I do love triumphant sports movies. But still.

I have to say that it made the South Park episode with "Russel Crow: Fightin' Round the World!" much funnier. The best part is when he sings and plays guitar, so his boat commits suicide.

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by Red

Alright, I'm going to be very honest here.

The level of racism in this day and age (and this is coming from a Canadian spectator) is astounding. I am frequently ashamed and embarrased during the time I visit various cities in the States at how prevalent racism still is. Not to say that racism doesn't exist in Canada- sadly it does, but not in the same verbal and mental degree. I could go on, but this post would go on for pages.

Anyway, what I'm saying is, is that sometimes yes, the repurcussions of racism do need to be s-p-e-l-l-e-d out for the audience. I wish it didn't have to be that way. But in this case, it did.

You're right racism is alive and well in the United States,in some states more prevalent than others .After all it been less than 150 years since some of the states kept human slaves and the nation as a whole committed mass genocide and other such things to be a proud American over.However this does not justify the film Crash as a Best Picture contender.What's next "The Fantastic Four"?

[Red]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

You're right racism is alive and well in the United States,in some states more prevalent than others .After all it been less than 150 years since some of the states kept human slaves and the nation as a whole committed mass genocide and other such things to be a proud American over.However this does not justify the film Crash as a Best Picture contender.What's next "The Fantastic Four"?

Okay, I'm glad that someone sees what I'm talking about - I was afraid of being blasted for my candor.

I'm not saying that Crash should win for best film. Brokeback Mountain should, and thankfully probably will. I'm just saying that Crash's heavy handed nature was an unfortunate necessity.

[elie]

I have somehow lost respect for the Oscars over the last few years (because of the many make-up-for not-getting-it-last-year-awards) but I watch it every year nonetheless!
When I heard the nominations I thought "wow, they're so predictable this year!", but after reading this thread I am not so sure anymore.
Anyway, my guesses are Philip Seymour Hoffman for Best Actor, BBM for both picture and direction (unless they decide to "split" it like they tend to do lately) and Felicity Huffmann for best actress (I am a big fan of Reese Witherspoon but I don'think she'll get it). And the sup. actors will probably be Rachel Weisz and...the other one I don't know, I would like to say G.Clooney but I guess it depends on what he gets in the other categories, so it's probably Giamatti (see, that's exactly whay I hate the Oscars! it's always so calculated and like "Hey, Russel, you dind't get it last year for the Insider, where you really deserved it, have it this year for The Gladiator where you had some pretty ridiculous lines".

Sorry for the long post, but I really agree with some of the above posters about it being a weak year for women. I mean , what's with Judi Dench almost every year?? And Charlize Theron?? I mean, come on! I was already disappointed with her superficial win for the Monster (I know I may be eaten up for this, but I really could not stand her- it was so "look, I am acting so well! I gained 60 pounds! That must have turned me into a good actress!").I am totally against the Academy's fascination about actors getting ugly. IMO, really good acting implies that you don't really have to do anything of the kind. Tom Hanks hardly ever changes his looks and yet he's convincing in every single role.
I liked Kiera Knightley in P&P though, even though I am not a fan of hers. But Laura Linney is constantly robbed.

Sorry for writing so much, I hope I didn't offend anyone with my views..

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

. . . After all it been less than 150 years since some of the states kept human slaves and the nation as a whole committed mass genocide and other such things to be a proud American over . . . .

Interestingly, the welfare state and the free money and benefits like Affirmative Action - have not done what they were supposed to do for black people as a whole. Thus, I say fix them or get rid of them altogether. But, when I dare to say things like that, people think I am being a racist, which is untrue. I just want a system that works, which pretty much everyone agrees the current one does not, at least they agree until you talk about changing it

Anyway - back to the regularly scheduled programming

[Keith]

Felicity Huffman in 'Transamerica." I was pulling for Reese Witherspoon until I saw the movie on Sunday, and was totally immersed in her performance. It was one of those soul connections for me. Before I saw the movie, I told my friend that I thought it was odd that a female was playing in the role of a male - but Felicity pulled it off! One of the better performances of the year, and if enough Academy voters actually see the movie, I think she might pull off an upset. I'm hoping! Bree had me in tears - I felt her isolation. And Dolly's song at the end should hopefully garner her an Oscar. It fit into the movie like a glove.

My pick for best Picture is Good Night, Good Luck. It was the one movie that was consistently good in all areas: production, acting, writing, set direction, directing, etc.

I think I'm one of the few homosexuals who was a little disappointed in Brokeback Mountain. (or maybe I'm not). It definitely had its moments - the scene towards the end when Ennis visits Jack's parents was perfection - even though you may not tell them, your parent's know, especially the mother. If each scene in BBM was as good as this scene, then it might have won me over as the Best Picture. Also, I don't consider it really a movie about gay love, etc.. It's more of an honest look at America and all it's flaws - it's easier to live a lie than to acknowledge the truth - and I'm not speaking just about gay people. Hmm.. maybe I should see this movie again.

Go Felicity!

p.s. I'm glad I Walk the Line didn't receive a best pic nod.. it had strong performances and musical numbers, but it plodded along in too many places.

[Moony]

I've no respect for the Academy ever since they gave Julia Roberts an oscar over Ellen Burstyn.

With that said, I really hope Brokeback Mountain wins.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by Keith

I think I'm one of the few homosexuals who was a little disappointed in Brokeback Mountain....Also, I don't consider it really a movie about gay love, etc..

It is so odd, the variety of responses gay guys have to this movie.
I think that it is the only movie ever made about gay love. The only one that ever made me feel anything, anyway.
And I believe I have seen them all.