Seven Oscar Thoughts
1) "Dreamgirls" wasn't that good. It was a good movie, sure, but there shouldn't be head-shaking when a "good" movie isn't nominated for best picture. I'm thrilled Eddie Murphy was nominated. He had two killer scenes--the first when the attempt to reinvent his career is snubbed by Jamie Foxx and you can just see his soul leave him, the second when he ditches his crooning act in the middle of the song and becomes 'Thunder' again before breaking down. It's Murphy's first nomination, though I still think he was snubbed for "The Nutty Professor." And though it was just a "good" movie, I've never seen a movie get a standing ovation in the middle of the film like my theater gave "Dreamgirls" after Effie brought the house down. So congrats to Eddie and Jennifer Hudson for much-deserved nominations. But after "Miami Vice," his unbelievably flat performance in "Dreamgirls" and the pretty terrible reviews his com-musical concerts have received, I wonder if Jamie Foxx has jumped the shark...
2) Forget that he's been snubbed for an Oscar despite directing some of the landmark films in American cinematic history, Scorsese deserves to win for "The Departed," my choice for Best Picture of the year. A movie without an ounce of "movie fat," a lean, mean machine that had A+ performances from every members of an astounding cast. Plus it firmly established my theory that Matt Damon should only play amnesiatic spies or assholes from Boston.
3) On that note, I'm glad Marky Mark was nominated for his performance as the pitbull Dignam. After the movie ended, I thought he'd given the best performance in that kind of role since Joe Pesci in "Goodfellas." Plus he gets the best comeback in the film:
Inept technician: "Who the hell are you?"
Dignam: "I'm the guy who does his job. You must be the other guy."
4) I haven't seen "The Last King of Scotland," but I feel like they need to reward Forest Whitaker, one of the best actors working today, who was viciously snubbed for his performance as I.A. investigator John Cavanaugh on "The Shield" (my favorite t.v. show. We miss you, Lem).
5) "Little Miss Sunshine" was a terrific movie, but Abigail Breslin for Best Supporting Actress? Come on. If the Academy was going to reward one young actor from that movie, it should have been Paul Dano who showed more pathos as the mute Dwight than every hammy, overwritten monologue from "Studio 60" combined.
6) How much money will it take for Al Gore to perform the Oscar-nominated song from "An Inconvenient Truth"?
7) Which actor's performance will likely be remembered ten years from now: Oscar-nominated Ryan Gosling in "Half Nelson," or Sacha Baron Cohen in "Borat"?
1) "Dreamgirls" wasn't that good. It was a good movie, sure, but there shouldn't be head-shaking when a "good" movie isn't nominated for best picture. I'm thrilled Eddie Murphy was nominated. He had two killer scenes--the first when the attempt to reinvent his career is snubbed by Jamie Foxx and you can just see his soul leave him, the second when he ditches his crooning act in the middle of the song and becomes 'Thunder' again before breaking down. It's Murphy's first nomination, though I still think he was snubbed for "The Nutty Professor." And though it was just a "good" movie, I've never seen a movie get a standing ovation in the middle of the film like my theater gave "Dreamgirls" after Effie brought the house down. So congrats to Eddie and Jennifer Hudson for much-deserved nominations. But after "Miami Vice," his unbelievably flat performance in "Dreamgirls" and the pretty terrible reviews his com-musical concerts have received, I wonder if Jamie Foxx has jumped the shark...
2) Forget that he's been snubbed for an Oscar despite directing some of the landmark films in American cinematic history, Scorsese deserves to win for "The Departed," my choice for Best Picture of the year. A movie without an ounce of "movie fat," a lean, mean machine that had A+ performances from every members of an astounding cast. Plus it firmly established my theory that Matt Damon should only play amnesiatic spies or assholes from Boston.
3) On that note, I'm glad Marky Mark was nominated for his performance as the pitbull Dignam. After the movie ended, I thought he'd given the best performance in that kind of role since Joe Pesci in "Goodfellas." Plus he gets the best comeback in the film:
Inept technician: "Who the hell are you?"
Dignam: "I'm the guy who does his job. You must be the other guy."
4) I haven't seen "The Last King of Scotland," but I feel like they need to reward Forest Whitaker, one of the best actors working today, who was viciously snubbed for his performance as I.A. investigator John Cavanaugh on "The Shield" (my favorite t.v. show. We miss you, Lem).
5) "Little Miss Sunshine" was a terrific movie, but Abigail Breslin for Best Supporting Actress? Come on. If the Academy was going to reward one young actor from that movie, it should have been Paul Dano who showed more pathos as the mute Dwight than every hammy, overwritten monologue from "Studio 60" combined.
6) How much money will it take for Al Gore to perform the Oscar-nominated song from "An Inconvenient Truth"?
7) Which actor's performance will likely be remembered ten years from now: Oscar-nominated Ryan Gosling in "Half Nelson," or Sacha Baron Cohen in "Borat"?
posted by Jason Pinter at
9:19 AM
7 Comments:
I say Gosling--except only five of us saw the movie. Borat is a sketch character. Gosling is the real deal.
Fox was horrible, wasn't he? It took me a few hours to realize what was wrong with the movie--and it was him. Afraid to play a bastard, I think.
What I want to know is how Children of Men fell through the cracks for Best Picture. I watched that the other night and was amazed. What an incredible movie!
I haven't seen Dreamgirls, but Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson were supposed to have been fabulous! I'm glad to hear a supporting voice to that; I never quite trust the critics.:) It's definitely on my to-see list.
Maprilynne
Agree with you about The Departed. By far the best I've seen in MANY years.
Don't agree about Miami Vice. I liked it for what it was. And I liked it a lot. And I liked Jamie Foxx in it.
Also, I wouldn't judge Foxx's concert by the reviews any more than I'd judge a book by its reviews.
See Damon in the Good Shepherd. It's the spy version of Remains of the Day.
Agree about Marky Mark and Forrest Whitaker.
And give the kid a break. She was great.
Would like to have seen Children of Men be nominated for best picture also.
I think Ryan Gosling had his moment in Remember the Titans.
Jason's dog is cute but I feel my my cats could easily destroy it in a best 2 of 3 falls handicap match.
The spy version of Remains of the Day.
Is that a compliment?
I remember Remains of the Day the book, had to read it in college, and I kinda liked it.
Totally agree with your views here. I mean though, that little girl from Little Miss Sunshine doesn't not deserve the nomination either. But you are right, that other kid was amazing, he made me cry. Okay fine. Everything makes me cry. But still.
I'll say Gosling too. He's a terrific actor. And I think he's hot. I've loved him ever since his days on Breaker High, top that!
I can't help but mention "Queen" here. Helen Mirren was unbelievable, as were many of her supporting actors. I kept having to pinch myself to remind me these were actors, not the real people.
My choice for best actress. Definitely.
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