It's Oscar Day! The nominations are in. Let's discuss...
Best Picture thoughts:
The Artist -- The future winner! Alright, so I'm biased. Sue me.
War Horse -- Listen Stephen Spielberg, I enjoy you. I do. But the thing is, I've already seen this totally derivative, slow moving, horse drama on the Broadway stage, and as far as I know, your movie does not have the awesome horse puppets, so I'm not sure it's necessarily for me. Also, am I the only one who just feels like it would be better if Ralph Fiennes was a part of this somehow? That said, I don't want to underestimate you. I'm willing to give it a shot at a movie theater near me sometime soon.
The Descendants -- I think I'd be a little more excited about this movie if two unfortunate things didn't keep getting in the way of my excitement. 1) Is it possible that Alexander Payne is a bit of a horse's ass? (No offense to the cast of War Horse). Whenever he's speaking, it seems like what he's really saying is, "I despise you all." 2) Whenever I see Shailene Woodley, all I can feel is residual anger over the fact that The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a thing that exists.
Moneyball -- The thing is, I really enjoyed this movie while I was watching it, but in the interim between then and the moment when its name was called as a Best Picture nominee I kind of forgot about it. It just didn't stay with me in the way that other movies this year have. I'm not saying it wasn't a good movie, but I don't think there's any chance it can win, and if that's the case, does it really deserve a nomination? In a perfect world, wouldn't each and every film on the Oscar roll call have at least some shot at the title? I'm just saying.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close --
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| via the Daily Beast |
The Tree of Life -- Can I just be honest for a second? I really have no desire to see this movie. Every time I try to work up some enthusiasm for it, it peters out within moments. Terrence Malick is kind of like a high school boyfriend who was right for me at one time (Badlands), but over the years we've grown apart until we're no longer really relevant in each other's lives. But whatever, don't think this means I'm wavering in my commitment to my Oscar Gauntlet flow chart. Because I am not. Tree of Life, here I come.
The Help -- I think we all know how I feel about this movie so there's no real need to harp on my general annoyance with the nomination. I've come to think of this slot on the Best Picture roster as The Blind Side Hall of Fame. In fairness, I'm okay with the acting nods, although Jessica Chastain may be a bit of a stretch. I like her just fine, but can you really tell me no other actress gave a better, more nuanced supporting performance in a movie this year? Exactly.
That said, I love love love Viola Davis...
And frankly, I think she may have been robbed of an Oscar for her performance in Doubt (although, tough call! Penelope Cruz was so good in Vicky Christina Barcelona!), so if this is what the Academy needs to do to recognize her for consistently amazing performances, then so be it.
Hugo -- What is it about Jude Law's impossibly charming presence in a movie trailer that makes me forget not only his questionable personal behavior, but also my pervasive hatred of 3D technology? Let's do this, Martin Scorsese. I'm on board.
Midnight in Paris -- This movie was fun, no? I'm completely content with it's place on the nomination list. Here's hoping Marion Cotillard shows up on Oscar night wearing something like this...
Happy watching, friends. See you on Oscar night.
xo,
Lindy
Previously: 2011 Oscar Nominations: Day One
Oscar Prep 2012: Best Picture Edition
Academy Awards Debrief 2011
Academy Awards Debrief 2010
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