The Oscar nominations were announced this morning. And, as usual, Ive seen almost none of the films in the running for Best Picture.
The only one among the five finalists that Ive seen was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which led all Academy Award contenders with 13 nominations. I thought Benjamin Button was a very good film, a little slow in the beginning and a little long overall, but it was interesting and moving. Seeing a computer-generated younger Brad Pitt was startling, and for someone who still thinks of the actor as young, provided a jarring jolt of reality. Brad Pitt isnt a young dude anymore.
While I enjoyed Benjamin Button, its not a Best Picture in my mind. The worst Best Picture winner I can recall was Gladiator. Russell Crowe as a Spaniard? Please.
A few weeks ago, I watched a handful of movies I thought would get Oscar consideration, Gran Torino and Doubt among them. I also saw The Dark Knight in the theaters, and figured it too had potential for a Best Picture nomination. The Dark Knight, while an excellent, excellent movie, still is about a superhero. And superhero movies shouldnt be Best Picture Oscar winners. (Actually, Iron Man may have been better.) Heath Ledger does deserve the supporting-actor award, however.
After watching Doubt, I had great doubt it would end up as a finalist. Good, but not great. Same for Revolutionary Road.
But I really felt Gran Torino belonged on this list. Now, Im not a big Clint Eastwood fan, as an actor or a director. But I was surprised by how affected I was by Gran Torino. Its a pretty simple movie, among other things about a crotchety Korean War veterans relationship with his Hmong neighbors. But the turns that Eastwoods character takes, both in his actions and feelings, are quite surprising. This movie tugs at heart strings in ways I didnt expect. I thought it was a better film than Benjamin Button.
But what do I know?
As for the other Best Picture finalists ...
I still wish to see Frost/Nixon, and probably will try harder to do so before Oscar night. I have minimal interest in seeing Milk (Sean Penn, blech) and The Reader (looks a little too creepy). I would like to see Slumdog Millionaire, but so far my wife rolls her eyes at its mention. Maybe todays nomination will change her outlook!
Maybe Ill get around to my thoughts on best actor, actress, etc., sometime before the awards show. For now, Id like to hear what you think about todays nominations.
The only one among the five finalists that Ive seen was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which led all Academy Award contenders with 13 nominations. I thought Benjamin Button was a very good film, a little slow in the beginning and a little long overall, but it was interesting and moving. Seeing a computer-generated younger Brad Pitt was startling, and for someone who still thinks of the actor as young, provided a jarring jolt of reality. Brad Pitt isnt a young dude anymore.
While I enjoyed Benjamin Button, its not a Best Picture in my mind. The worst Best Picture winner I can recall was Gladiator. Russell Crowe as a Spaniard? Please.
A few weeks ago, I watched a handful of movies I thought would get Oscar consideration, Gran Torino and Doubt among them. I also saw The Dark Knight in the theaters, and figured it too had potential for a Best Picture nomination. The Dark Knight, while an excellent, excellent movie, still is about a superhero. And superhero movies shouldnt be Best Picture Oscar winners. (Actually, Iron Man may have been better.) Heath Ledger does deserve the supporting-actor award, however.
After watching Doubt, I had great doubt it would end up as a finalist. Good, but not great. Same for Revolutionary Road.
But I really felt Gran Torino belonged on this list. Now, Im not a big Clint Eastwood fan, as an actor or a director. But I was surprised by how affected I was by Gran Torino. Its a pretty simple movie, among other things about a crotchety Korean War veterans relationship with his Hmong neighbors. But the turns that Eastwoods character takes, both in his actions and feelings, are quite surprising. This movie tugs at heart strings in ways I didnt expect. I thought it was a better film than Benjamin Button.
But what do I know?
As for the other Best Picture finalists ...
I still wish to see Frost/Nixon, and probably will try harder to do so before Oscar night. I have minimal interest in seeing Milk (Sean Penn, blech) and The Reader (looks a little too creepy). I would like to see Slumdog Millionaire, but so far my wife rolls her eyes at its mention. Maybe todays nomination will change her outlook!
Maybe Ill get around to my thoughts on best actor, actress, etc., sometime before the awards show. For now, Id like to hear what you think about todays nominations.
