...about Juno and Knocked Up. Yeah, the main character doesn't go through with an abortion. THAT'S NOT WHAT THE MOVIE IS ABOUT. IF THEY HAD ABORTIONS, THE MOVIES WOULD HAVE NO POINT IN EXISTING. There are other, less...well...retarded criticisms to make about these movies, but that really isn't a legitimate one, in my mind.
PS. Knocked Up gets much better on a second viewing. Or at least, it did for me. It's still self-indulgent and just once I'd love to see a film where some chubby, schlubby girl gets a super hot guy, but it's FAR better than The 40-Year-Old Virgin. The writing is actually funny...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Analyzing Best Supporting Actress.
My rankings, and analyzing their chances. So very fun. Also, the order of these nominees are very subject to change, because... it's me.
5. Ruby Dee, American Gangster.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy little tiny Ruby Dee slapping the human charisma machine Denzel, and she's undoubtedly had an awesome career, but she simply didn't have the screentime to develop a full character. She did way more than just "read the lines" like some have accused her of doing, but she really didn't have much of a character to work with - yes, that's the script's fault, but she's gotta take the fall for it. Not at all embarassing, but a win would be ridiculous overkill.
Why she might win: Overdue. SAG winner is usually a pretty good indication. Oscar loves the geezers in this category. You know some of them out there loved American Gangster and might want to reward it.
Why she might not: The peformance is really short and has a lot of backlash. This category is crazy.
4. Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone.
Amy Ryan here reminds me of Laura Linney in Kinsey; given a stock role, she doesn't sleepwalk through it. She earns her nomination as opposed to coasting into it with the role. She has an utterly unsympathetic character, yet she adds nuance enough to earn your sympathy. My only problem with her is that this performance gets showy at times. Still, her job is tough - gaining sympathy through an essentially unsympathetic role, showing depth in an unchanging character - and I certainly acknowledge her achievement.
Why she might win: Dominated the critics' awards. The Oscars love the "monster/crazy mom" role. Oscar loves deglam. She had a good year. You know there are those out there that love her theater work.
Why she might not: Lost the Globe and the BAFTA. Ask poor Virginia Madsen if the critics' choice always wins the Oscar. Her character isn't likable (but this is made up for by the fact that monster moms are some of Oscars' favorite roles). This category is crazy.
3. Saoirse Ronan, Atonement.
This performance is extremely overrated by the Atonement crazies (actually, I don't know why I said that in such a derogatory manner, as I love the film too), but that's not to say it isn't very good. One thing I truly loved about Ronan was her absolute refusal to make Briony a "likeable" character. She's a pretentious little twat with a sick, insane jealousy that leads her to actually ruin a man's life; why hide it? It's kind of amazing that such a young actress would give such an unsympathetic performance.
Why she might win: When the Oscars like little kiddies, they like them in the supporting categories. Crazy vote-splitting? She's in a Best Picture nominee.
Why she might not: The only one in this category to emerge without major awards. Her character isn't sympathetic (if Oscar likes little kiddies, they like 'em likable). This category is crazy.
2. Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There.
Sorry ya'll Haynes fans, but I thought I'm Not There was...pretty awful. What the hell was the point? There were no discernable characters. Dylan is ambiguous AND SO ARE REAL PEOPLE! OMG SO DEEP. Thanks, Todd. Didn't get that. Just like I didn't get the racism and homophobia in Far from Heaven, but that's another story for another time. Anyway, with such a bizarre narrative, many of the actors and actresses in this piece have no time to create actual characters - Heath Ledger and Ben Whishaw are absolutely victims of this, and Richard Gere is just terrible. I don't know whether I too was affected by the "OMG CATE BLANCHETT IS A DUDE!!!" thing, but she seemed to be the only Dylan that actually created a living, breathing entity, both absolutely recognizable and frustratingly obscure. In addition, she bought some humor to the piece, which it really needed. At any rate, it's Cate's only deserved nomination this millennium, so good on her I guess...
Why she might win: She's Cate Blanchett - added to that, she's got the bonus of having a gimmick to attract voters. She was the frontrunner forever. Globe winner. Harvey Weinstein (WHY do I always write Harvey Fierstein? They are very different people!!!!) is promoting the shit out of her.
Why she might not: She wasn't exactly the precursors' darling. She lost the BAFTA and SAG. Nobody saw her movie (that might not matter, since I think Harvey is trying to make sure every Academy member sees at least Cate's performance, if not the movie...). This category is crazy.
1. Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton.
Truth be told, before 2007, I absolutely despised Tilda Swinton. I thought she was a not-really-talented oddity that got overrated because of her novelty. She was okay in Orlando and The Deep End, but her physical awkwardness and bland on-screen persona was often just way too much to handle. Then came Michael Clayton - and well, to be honest, my entire opinion changed. Tilda's role in Michael Clayton could have been hopelessly generic or even, as I read somewhere, misogynistic; instead, she transforms it into a true cinematic achievement. I was amazed anyone could get so much out of a character that is, basically, a giant, quivering orb of fear. When Michael says "for such a smart person, you really are lost, aren't you?" he really knows her - and so do we all, thanks to Tilda's simply fantastic performance. For the first time ever, her utter strangeness totally works for her. Now I feel obliged to go back and check out the rest of her filmography.........dammit.
Why she might win: BAFTA winner. In a Best Picture nominee that doesn't appear to be picking up any awards at all, this might be a good way for the Academy to reward it (though I always think this way of thinking is kind of stupid. All the members of AMPAS do not gather in a room and say "we're snubbing X here, so we've got to give X this category here." Dumb.). Career achievement?
Why she might not: She's obscure. Besides the BAFTA she hasn't won any other major awards. You know that weird thing about her having two boyfriends/husbands/lovers/whatever is gonna squick out some members of the Academy. This category is crazy.
Will win: I'm predicting Cate Blanchett, but nobody would be shocking.
Might win: Everyone (Saoirse has a slightly smaller chance than the other four, but it still wouldn't be a shock).
Dark horse: Could the crazy vote-splitting let Saoirse win? Wouldn't that be insane?
The snubbed: As far as those that might have gotten noticed by Oscar for whatever reason, I liked Vanessa Redgrave in Atonement, Marisa Tomei in Before the Devil..., Kelly MacDonald in No Country for Old Men, and Jennifer Garner in Juno. I prefer all of these to Saoirse, Amy, and Ruby (not to say that these performances were bad - I am pretty enthusiastic over the Academy's choices). And of course, there are a number of outstanding performances that the Oscars wouldn't have looked twice (or even once, in some cases) at...but you'll have to wait for my personal awards to see some of those ;)
5. Ruby Dee, American Gangster.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy little tiny Ruby Dee slapping the human charisma machine Denzel, and she's undoubtedly had an awesome career, but she simply didn't have the screentime to develop a full character. She did way more than just "read the lines" like some have accused her of doing, but she really didn't have much of a character to work with - yes, that's the script's fault, but she's gotta take the fall for it. Not at all embarassing, but a win would be ridiculous overkill.
Why she might win: Overdue. SAG winner is usually a pretty good indication. Oscar loves the geezers in this category. You know some of them out there loved American Gangster and might want to reward it.
Why she might not: The peformance is really short and has a lot of backlash. This category is crazy.
4. Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone.
Amy Ryan here reminds me of Laura Linney in Kinsey; given a stock role, she doesn't sleepwalk through it. She earns her nomination as opposed to coasting into it with the role. She has an utterly unsympathetic character, yet she adds nuance enough to earn your sympathy. My only problem with her is that this performance gets showy at times. Still, her job is tough - gaining sympathy through an essentially unsympathetic role, showing depth in an unchanging character - and I certainly acknowledge her achievement.
Why she might win: Dominated the critics' awards. The Oscars love the "monster/crazy mom" role. Oscar loves deglam. She had a good year. You know there are those out there that love her theater work.
Why she might not: Lost the Globe and the BAFTA. Ask poor Virginia Madsen if the critics' choice always wins the Oscar. Her character isn't likable (but this is made up for by the fact that monster moms are some of Oscars' favorite roles). This category is crazy.
3. Saoirse Ronan, Atonement.
Why she might win: When the Oscars like little kiddies, they like them in the supporting categories. Crazy vote-splitting? She's in a Best Picture nominee.
Why she might not: The only one in this category to emerge without major awards. Her character isn't sympathetic (if Oscar likes little kiddies, they like 'em likable). This category is crazy.
2. Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There.
Sorry ya'll Haynes fans, but I thought I'm Not There was...pretty awful. What the hell was the point? There were no discernable characters. Dylan is ambiguous AND SO ARE REAL PEOPLE! OMG SO DEEP. Thanks, Todd. Didn't get that. Just like I didn't get the racism and homophobia in Far from Heaven, but that's another story for another time. Anyway, with such a bizarre narrative, many of the actors and actresses in this piece have no time to create actual characters - Heath Ledger and Ben Whishaw are absolutely victims of this, and Richard Gere is just terrible. I don't know whether I too was affected by the "OMG CATE BLANCHETT IS A DUDE!!!" thing, but she seemed to be the only Dylan that actually created a living, breathing entity, both absolutely recognizable and frustratingly obscure. In addition, she bought some humor to the piece, which it really needed. At any rate, it's Cate's only deserved nomination this millennium, so good on her I guess...
Why she might win: She's Cate Blanchett - added to that, she's got the bonus of having a gimmick to attract voters. She was the frontrunner forever. Globe winner. Harvey Weinstein (WHY do I always write Harvey Fierstein? They are very different people!!!!) is promoting the shit out of her.
Why she might not: She wasn't exactly the precursors' darling. She lost the BAFTA and SAG. Nobody saw her movie (that might not matter, since I think Harvey is trying to make sure every Academy member sees at least Cate's performance, if not the movie...). This category is crazy.
1. Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton.
Truth be told, before 2007, I absolutely despised Tilda Swinton. I thought she was a not-really-talented oddity that got overrated because of her novelty. She was okay in Orlando and The Deep End, but her physical awkwardness and bland on-screen persona was often just way too much to handle. Then came Michael Clayton - and well, to be honest, my entire opinion changed. Tilda's role in Michael Clayton could have been hopelessly generic or even, as I read somewhere, misogynistic; instead, she transforms it into a true cinematic achievement. I was amazed anyone could get so much out of a character that is, basically, a giant, quivering orb of fear. When Michael says "for such a smart person, you really are lost, aren't you?" he really knows her - and so do we all, thanks to Tilda's simply fantastic performance. For the first time ever, her utter strangeness totally works for her. Now I feel obliged to go back and check out the rest of her filmography.........dammit.
Why she might win: BAFTA winner. In a Best Picture nominee that doesn't appear to be picking up any awards at all, this might be a good way for the Academy to reward it (though I always think this way of thinking is kind of stupid. All the members of AMPAS do not gather in a room and say "we're snubbing X here, so we've got to give X this category here." Dumb.). Career achievement?
Why she might not: She's obscure. Besides the BAFTA she hasn't won any other major awards. You know that weird thing about her having two boyfriends/husbands/lovers/whatever is gonna squick out some members of the Academy. This category is crazy.
Will win: I'm predicting Cate Blanchett, but nobody would be shocking.
Might win: Everyone (Saoirse has a slightly smaller chance than the other four, but it still wouldn't be a shock).
Dark horse: Could the crazy vote-splitting let Saoirse win? Wouldn't that be insane?
The snubbed: As far as those that might have gotten noticed by Oscar for whatever reason, I liked Vanessa Redgrave in Atonement, Marisa Tomei in Before the Devil..., Kelly MacDonald in No Country for Old Men, and Jennifer Garner in Juno. I prefer all of these to Saoirse, Amy, and Ruby (not to say that these performances were bad - I am pretty enthusiastic over the Academy's choices). And of course, there are a number of outstanding performances that the Oscars wouldn't have looked twice (or even once, in some cases) at...but you'll have to wait for my personal awards to see some of those ;)
Monday, February 18, 2008
It suddenly occurred to me why...
...I just flat-out don't like Emily Blunt, stupid Prada hype machine be damned. I watched The Jane Austen Book Club Thing Whatever yesterday, and she was fine in it. Not Oscar-worthy, but better than in The Devil Wears Prada, where all she did was spew one-liners in a bitchy tone; at least she was an actual identifiable character in Jane Austen. But I figured out why I just don't like her, even when she's giving good performances. And that is:
1. Her eyes are absolutely dead 100% of the time.
2. She's just droll. Droll, droll, droll. Sometimes she puts depth in that droll, but more often not. She gets praised up the ass for it, though. Hey, you know who's been droll his entire career, but who nobody seems to be falling all over themselves to praise? This guy! And he often adds absolute depth and creates full characters where the script doesn't have them. I don't see nobody sayin' "OMG HE SHOULD HAVE WON THE OSCAR FOR Caddyshack" like everyone was going on about with Emily and Prada.
Anyway. I'm glad I finally figured out what bothered me about her. When I finish that Supporting Actress post, I think I'll bump it up to the top, just because seriously, Emily's dead eyes freak me out a little.
1. Her eyes are absolutely dead 100% of the time.
2. She's just droll. Droll, droll, droll. Sometimes she puts depth in that droll, but more often not. She gets praised up the ass for it, though. Hey, you know who's been droll his entire career, but who nobody seems to be falling all over themselves to praise? This guy! And he often adds absolute depth and creates full characters where the script doesn't have them. I don't see nobody sayin' "OMG HE SHOULD HAVE WON THE OSCAR FOR Caddyshack" like everyone was going on about with Emily and Prada.
Anyway. I'm glad I finally figured out what bothered me about her. When I finish that Supporting Actress post, I think I'll bump it up to the top, just because seriously, Emily's dead eyes freak me out a little.
ScarJo and Natalie Part 2.
Sort of creepy? Yeah. But it's W. And they can both kind of pull off anything.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
In less than a week...
...we will all be heartily glued to our TV screens, either bitching or rejoicing, maybe knowing the outcome of that crazy Best Supporting Actress roster. I can't wait. Can you?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Thoughts on the Oscar presenters.
Alan Arkin: This should be Eddie Murphy. Or...any of the other nominees from last year.
Jennifer Hudson: She'll probably be totally charming and then everyone will be like OMG SHE IS FAT AND GROSS. I hate people.
Helen Mirren: is amazing.
Forest Whitaker: You can tell he's really shy and doesn't really like being in the public eye. Thus, he probably won't be the best presenter...
Amy Adams: YES. JESUS ATTENDS THE OSCARS!!!! I don't see why she's not singing "That's How You Know" instead of "Happy Working Song," though. :(
Jessica Alba: Whatever. I like her. I think she's cute and charming. Can't act for shit, but hey.
Cate Blanchett: But of course. We might be 8 months pregnant, but we've still got to self-promote!!!!
Josh Brolin: You bet your ass. He had a banner year. The fact that he got no awards attention at all while every other awards association was basically falling all over themselves to give his costars attention is a sin.
Steve Carell: YESSSS. Always hysterically funny.
George Clooney: Since 2005, I think we can all agree - it ain't an Oscars without George Clooney.
Penelope Cruz: Whatever. As long as she sticks to Spanish, cuz she kinda pisses me off in English.
Miley Cyrus: While I do think it's stupid that she's presenting at the Oscars, everyone's really overreacting about it. OMG she's going to be on the Oscars for like 2 minutes out of 4 hours. Get over it.
Patrick Dempsey: I love him. And hey...he was in Enchanted...so he's clearly part of the movie world...of course...
Cameron Diaz: I wonder if she's gonna wear something crazy like she did all last year.
Colin Farrell: Will he be sober?
Harrison Ford: OMG INDY 4!
Jennifer Garner: I just love her. Remember when she tripped over herself a few years ago? That was the cutest thing.
Tom Hanks: Yeah, it still ain't an Oscars without Tom Hanks.
Anne Hathaway: I absolutely love how for the past three years, Anne Hathaway tries to launch some kind of Oscar campaign and it totally fails (Brokeback, Prada, Becoming Jane). In your face, Hathaway. Ha!
Katherine Heigl: Yeah, she's getting majorly overexposed. It's annoying. I still like her, though.
Jonah Hill: So annoying. Why couldn't they get the vastly superior Michael Cera from Superbad?
Dwayne Johnson: LOL The Rock is going to the Oscars.
Nicole Kidman: Still a red carpet goddess, even if her movies tend to miss out on the Oscars now, even when she totally deserves a nomination (Margot at the Wedding, anyone?).
James McAvoy: Hot. There's actually like, a pretty significant lack of hot when it comes to many of these presenters...
Queen Latifah: Hey. I wonder if she's going to present Best Song again.
Seth Rogen: He's better than Jonah Hill. Jonah Hill is like the totally bargain-bin version of Seth Rogen that ain't half as good.
Martin Scorsese: YES!!!!! Can he be the host??!?!!?
Hilary Swank: Oh hey. Another one people are gonna bitch over.
John Travolta: As long as he doesn't give the performance he gave in Hairspray.
Denzel Washington: I love him. Totally classy.
Renee Zellweger: YAAAAY LEATHERHEADS!!!
There are gonna be, like, more people, right? Right...?
Jennifer Hudson: She'll probably be totally charming and then everyone will be like OMG SHE IS FAT AND GROSS. I hate people.
Helen Mirren: is amazing.
Forest Whitaker: You can tell he's really shy and doesn't really like being in the public eye. Thus, he probably won't be the best presenter...
Amy Adams: YES. JESUS ATTENDS THE OSCARS!!!! I don't see why she's not singing "That's How You Know" instead of "Happy Working Song," though. :(
Jessica Alba: Whatever. I like her. I think she's cute and charming. Can't act for shit, but hey.
Cate Blanchett: But of course. We might be 8 months pregnant, but we've still got to self-promote!!!!
Josh Brolin: You bet your ass. He had a banner year. The fact that he got no awards attention at all while every other awards association was basically falling all over themselves to give his costars attention is a sin.
Steve Carell: YESSSS. Always hysterically funny.
George Clooney: Since 2005, I think we can all agree - it ain't an Oscars without George Clooney.
Penelope Cruz: Whatever. As long as she sticks to Spanish, cuz she kinda pisses me off in English.
Miley Cyrus: While I do think it's stupid that she's presenting at the Oscars, everyone's really overreacting about it. OMG she's going to be on the Oscars for like 2 minutes out of 4 hours. Get over it.
Patrick Dempsey: I love him. And hey...he was in Enchanted...so he's clearly part of the movie world...of course...
Cameron Diaz: I wonder if she's gonna wear something crazy like she did all last year.
Colin Farrell: Will he be sober?
Harrison Ford: OMG INDY 4!
Jennifer Garner: I just love her. Remember when she tripped over herself a few years ago? That was the cutest thing.
Tom Hanks: Yeah, it still ain't an Oscars without Tom Hanks.
Anne Hathaway: I absolutely love how for the past three years, Anne Hathaway tries to launch some kind of Oscar campaign and it totally fails (Brokeback, Prada, Becoming Jane). In your face, Hathaway. Ha!
Katherine Heigl: Yeah, she's getting majorly overexposed. It's annoying. I still like her, though.
Jonah Hill: So annoying. Why couldn't they get the vastly superior Michael Cera from Superbad?
Dwayne Johnson: LOL The Rock is going to the Oscars.
Nicole Kidman: Still a red carpet goddess, even if her movies tend to miss out on the Oscars now, even when she totally deserves a nomination (Margot at the Wedding, anyone?).
James McAvoy: Hot. There's actually like, a pretty significant lack of hot when it comes to many of these presenters...
Queen Latifah: Hey. I wonder if she's going to present Best Song again.
Seth Rogen: He's better than Jonah Hill. Jonah Hill is like the totally bargain-bin version of Seth Rogen that ain't half as good.
Martin Scorsese: YES!!!!! Can he be the host??!?!!?
Hilary Swank: Oh hey. Another one people are gonna bitch over.
John Travolta: As long as he doesn't give the performance he gave in Hairspray.
Denzel Washington: I love him. Totally classy.
Renee Zellweger: YAAAAY LEATHERHEADS!!!
There are gonna be, like, more people, right? Right...?
Friday, February 15, 2008
Julian Schnabel is insane. AND I LOVE IT.
He's...kissing Javier Bardem. And... wearing a skirt. That...appears to be made out of a rug that he wrapped around himself. And...he's only wearing a denim vest as a shirt. And...he got paint all over it (well. that's cuz he's an artiste, dontcha know.). And... did I mention he's kissing Javier Bardem? Of course!
My silver & bronze medalists of 00-06.
Because they don't get enough love, and I guess I need a break from Oscar talk (well...maybe I should save it for those cold dark scary months when only Meet the Spartans and its ilk are playing?). My awards for 2007 will be announced February 23, 2008 (hopefully.). Oscar-qualified nominees only (IE, no Wit or Angels in America count)
2000
Best Picture: Requiem for a Dream & Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Best Director: Aronofsky & Soderbergh
Best Actor: Crudup & Owen
Best Actress: Linney & Zellweger
Best Supporting Actor: del Toro & Dafoe
Best Supporting Actress: Morton & Dunst
Best Original Screenplay: Billy Elliot & Nurse Betty
Best Adapted Screenplay: The House of Mirth & Requiem for a Dream
2001
Best Picture: In the Mood for Love & In the Bedroom
Best Director: Lynch & Kar Wai
Best Actor: Crowe & Washington
Best Actress: Zellweger & Kidman
Best Supporting Actor: McKellen & Buscemi
Best Supporting Actress: Winslet & Harring
Best Original Screenplay: Gosford Park & The Royal Tenenbaums
Best Adapted Screenplay: In the Bedroom & Shrek
2002
Best Picture: Chicago & Talk to Her
Best Director: Marshall & Almodovar
Best Actor: Day-Lewis & Scott
Best Actress: Gyllenhaal & Moore
Best Supporting Actor: Newman & Quaid
Best Supporting Actress: Streep & Collette
Best Original Screenplay: Y tu mama tambien & Spirited Away
Best Adapted Screenplay: Adaptation. & About Schmidt
2003
Best Picture: Kill Bill Vol. 1 & Mystic River
Best Director: Tarantino & Jackson
Best Actor: Penn & Law
Best Actress: Thurman & Deschanel
Best Supporting Actor: Sarsgaard & Nighy
Best Supporting Actress: Hunter & Zellweger
Best Original Screenplay: Kill Bill Vol. 1 & Love Actually
Best Adapted Screenplay: City of God & Cold Mountain
2004
Best Picture: Kill Bill Vol. 2 & Bad Education
Best Director: Raimi & Tarantino
Best Actor: Giamatti & Bacon
Best Actress: Kidman & Thurman
Best Supporting Actor: Carell & Carradine
Best Supporting Actress: Dunst & Linney
Best Original Screenplay: Kill Bill Vol. 2 & Kinsey
Best Adapted Screenplay: Sideways & Before Sunset
2005
Best Picture: A History of Violence & Pride and Prejudice
Best Director: Haneke & Meirelles
Best Actor: Mortensen & Fiennes
Best Actress: Kilcher & Lee (Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. Is that '06...?)
Best Supporting Actor: Collins Jr. & Rourke
Best Supporting Actress: Bello & Williams
Best Original Screenplay: The Squid and the Whale & Crash
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Constant Gardener & Munich
2006
Best Picture: Marie-Antoinette & Children of Men
Best Director: Scorsese & Cuaron
Best Actor: Jackman & DiCaprio/Damon (I can't separate them)
Best Actress: Dern & Dench
Best Supporting Actor: Downey Jr. & Baldwin
Best Supporting Actress: Epps & Barraza
Best Original Screenplay: Little Miss Sunshine & Volver
Best Adapted Screenplay: Marie-Antoinette & The Prestige
Coming up in '07? Ah, you'll just have to see.
2000
Best Picture: Requiem for a Dream & Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Best Director: Aronofsky & Soderbergh
Best Actor: Crudup & Owen
Best Actress: Linney & Zellweger
Best Supporting Actor: del Toro & Dafoe
Best Supporting Actress: Morton & Dunst
Best Original Screenplay: Billy Elliot & Nurse Betty
Best Adapted Screenplay: The House of Mirth & Requiem for a Dream
2001
Best Picture: In the Mood for Love & In the Bedroom
Best Director: Lynch & Kar Wai
Best Actor: Crowe & Washington
Best Actress: Zellweger & Kidman
Best Supporting Actor: McKellen & Buscemi
Best Supporting Actress: Winslet & Harring
Best Original Screenplay: Gosford Park & The Royal Tenenbaums
Best Adapted Screenplay: In the Bedroom & Shrek
2002
Best Picture: Chicago & Talk to Her
Best Director: Marshall & Almodovar
Best Actor: Day-Lewis & Scott
Best Actress: Gyllenhaal & Moore
Best Supporting Actor: Newman & Quaid
Best Supporting Actress: Streep & Collette
Best Original Screenplay: Y tu mama tambien & Spirited Away
Best Adapted Screenplay: Adaptation. & About Schmidt
2003
Best Picture: Kill Bill Vol. 1 & Mystic River
Best Director: Tarantino & Jackson
Best Actor: Penn & Law
Best Actress: Thurman & Deschanel
Best Supporting Actor: Sarsgaard & Nighy
Best Supporting Actress: Hunter & Zellweger
Best Original Screenplay: Kill Bill Vol. 1 & Love Actually
Best Adapted Screenplay: City of God & Cold Mountain
2004
Best Picture: Kill Bill Vol. 2 & Bad Education
Best Director: Raimi & Tarantino
Best Actor: Giamatti & Bacon
Best Actress: Kidman & Thurman
Best Supporting Actor: Carell & Carradine
Best Supporting Actress: Dunst & Linney
Best Original Screenplay: Kill Bill Vol. 2 & Kinsey
Best Adapted Screenplay: Sideways & Before Sunset
2005
Best Picture: A History of Violence & Pride and Prejudice
Best Director: Haneke & Meirelles
Best Actor: Mortensen & Fiennes
Best Actress: Kilcher & Lee (Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. Is that '06...?)
Best Supporting Actor: Collins Jr. & Rourke
Best Supporting Actress: Bello & Williams
Best Original Screenplay: The Squid and the Whale & Crash
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Constant Gardener & Munich
2006
Best Picture: Marie-Antoinette & Children of Men
Best Director: Scorsese & Cuaron
Best Actor: Jackman & DiCaprio/Damon (I can't separate them)
Best Actress: Dern & Dench
Best Supporting Actor: Downey Jr. & Baldwin
Best Supporting Actress: Epps & Barraza
Best Original Screenplay: Little Miss Sunshine & Volver
Best Adapted Screenplay: Marie-Antoinette & The Prestige
Coming up in '07? Ah, you'll just have to see.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
You know you want it.
Hey, Academy. Remember that time you gave Jennifer Connelly the Oscar over four performances that completely towered over her, while she was Razzie-worthy? And remember how you didn't give Martin Scorsese an Oscar until 2006? And remember how you didn't give Spike Lee an Oscar ever? And remember how you only gave Lost in Translation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Best Original Screenplay? And remember how Bill Murray didn't win for the former? And how Scarlett Johansson wasn't even nominated? Well, if you do this little favor for me, I will forgive you for all this shit.
PS. Christie will do too.
PPS. Or Page, too. I guess.
PPPS. Please, not Marion. (Though I'm prepared to accept it.)
PPPPS. If Cate Blanchett upsets here, I am officially throwing something at the TV.
PS. Christie will do too.
PPS. Or Page, too. I guess.
PPPS. Please, not Marion. (Though I'm prepared to accept it.)
PPPPS. If Cate Blanchett upsets here, I am officially throwing something at the TV.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Which do you think will be worse?
If Marion Cotillard wins the Oscar or if she loses it? I'm sure at least 10% of the reason I dislike that performance so is her incredibly obnoxious, beyond-disrespectful team of supporters. If you don't think Marion gave the greatest performance of all time, you are SO WRONG. Also, La vie en rose was an AMAZING movie, that has given us an ACTING GENIUS. Also, Marion deserved an Oscar for Love Me If You Dare. Of course! Julie Christie is an absolute hack who does nothing in Away from Her except stare. MARION COTILLARD HAS BEEN IN OVER 35 FILMS!!!!!!! Jesus Christ. I've never met a single non-crazed Marion fan. A lot of Christie and Page fans can admit they liked the other two, they just liked their candidate more. But as for Marion fans - every other performance this year was crap. MARION IS THE CHOSEN ONE!!!!!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Have I never done a proper worship post of...
Catherine Zeta-Jones in Chicago? Really? Chicago is just a really fucking great movie, and Zeta-Jones is like at least 25% of that awesomeness. So beyond fierce - she gobbles up every scene she has (not in the bad way). She's a killer diva (literally, ha, I'm so funny) and it is one of the most deserving Oscars of the new millennium.
Honestly?
This is super hot, says the straight female. Though I don't know what's up with the dog. Or the weird collars.
Sooooo...
...the Writers' Strike is pretty much officially over, right? Three questions:
A. I NEED TO KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE AT THE OSCARS RIGHT NOW.
B. Can't, like, CNN or something, put out just a simple article that says "the writers' strike is over"?
C. WHEN DOES THE OFFICE GET BACK ON THE AIR!?!?!??#!??!?!?!??!
A. I NEED TO KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE AT THE OSCARS RIGHT NOW.
B. Can't, like, CNN or something, put out just a simple article that says "the writers' strike is over"?
C. WHEN DOES THE OFFICE GET BACK ON THE AIR!?!?!??#!??!?!?!??!
Monday, February 11, 2008
It had to be said.
I'd like to see Queen Lizzy command the wind against this bitch...
I'm quite sure I said this when I first analyzed the Oscar nominees, but it bears repeating. Jodie Foster and Cate Blanchett, two of the most acclaimed actresses, both played the lead in truly crappy films that were way beneath them this year. Jodie Foster gave a fierce and intensely modulated performance. Cate Blanchett...seemed to understand that her movie was more like a farce than a serious movie, and treated it as such, and I give her credit for that, but that's about it. Jodie actually put effort in. However, from day one, who was talked about for the Oscar? And who ended up with the Oscar nomination? Yeah. Thanks, Academy.
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