For the first time in history, I saw all ten nominees for “Best Picture” before the Oscar awards were telecast. Prior to my year of movies (I’ve seen over 200 movies this year), the most nominees for best picture I had seen was in 2007 when I saw “There Will Be Blood”, “No Country For Old Men” and “Atonement” on the big screen. I later watched “Michael Clayton” and “Juno” in hotel rooms; of the five nominees, the best was “Atonement”- it had everything: a heartbreaking story, period authenticity, great acting, and a surprise twist. Maybe I’m just a sucker for European WWII movies (as my 2009 pick will reflect), but it was the most memorable and beautiful.
This year’s nominee list expanded from five to ten; why? Probably to attract a wider audience, particularly younger viewers; although the lackluster telecast lost them early on, and hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were cardboard cutouts with the exception of their spoof on “Paranormal Activity” – that was pretty funny.
Of the ten nominees, only five really deserved to be there: Avatar, Inglorious Basterds, The Hurt Locker, Precious, and District 9. The following are my mini-reviews of the nominees and which movie I think should have won and why:
Avatar – First, let’s remember this is the guy who brought us “Titanic.” The “wow” factor was commercially successful, but lush animation, fakery, and sophisticated technology cannot cover unsophisticated, rehashed banality and forgettable acting.
The Blind Side – based on a true story, this was a good, albeit predictable movie. Bullock is very convincing and it was her best role to date. I laughed, I cried, I recommend it.
District 9 – this movie is a satire, but it tends to be too dark for much laughter. It was such a unique take on issues of apartheid, bigotry, the politics of fear, xenophobia, and disenfranchisement that it’s well worth some of the more bizarre parts.
An Education – the acting and art direction of this movie save it from making you uneasy (as a woman); and the lovely Carey Mulligan is charming and entirely credible. Fans of the Narcissist’s Handbook of Romance will appreciate the ending.
The Hurt Locker – I avoided this movie for months, but my curiosity in light of all the hoopla overcame my aversion. I’m glad I saw it. This movie manages to overcome the distasteful subject matter and total lack of star-power to create a riveting, unvarnished drama without sugarcoating the message or the messengers.
Inglorious Basterds – this is a movie for film buffs, although history buffs and Tarantino fans won’t be disappointed, either. Tarantino will have a hard act to follow. The trailer is perhaps deliberately misleading, because you will be surprised, amazed, shocked, horrified, comically relieved and gratified in the next two-plus hours. It was worth every minute and more. Basterds should have won Best Picture and Best Screenplay.
Precious – this was such a hard movie to watch, but it was well done and deserved all the praise it received. Not recommended for the faint of heart, tea baggers, evangelicals, or children under age 16.
A Serious Man – I don’t understand the Coen brothers these days. I try, honestly, I try. I am utterly stumped at what makes these guys tick. Basically, “A Serious Man” is a parody of The Book of Job. There are a number of spoofs on Judaism and the tired theme of self-loathing; what is most impressive about this movie is the period flavor: it’s flawless reconstruction of 1970s suburbia. I have seen almost every movie the Coens have made, and after “Intolerable Cruelty” I haven’t been able to enjoy their work. My favorite Coen movies remain “Blood Simple” and “The Man Who Wasn’t There”. Go watch one of those, instead.
Up – why was a cartoon nominated for best film? Seriously? It’s a pleasant movie with the usual exciting animation, visuals, cute kid voice, talking animals, grumpy old men, ridiculous suspension of disbelief throughout, happy ending. But, it’s not Oscar-worthy.
Up in the Air – While I always enjoy George Clooney and will watch even a mediocre movie if he’s in it, I believe Up in the Air was highly overrated. I was so disappointed. There are some interesting visuals, symbolism, clever hat tips to classic business literature and lots of delicious irony, but the movie fails on a pathos level when we aren’t allowed to care about anyone. I was repelled by almost every character in the film. Wait – maybe that was the point!
My Picks:
Best Movie – Inglorious Basterds
Best Screenplay – Inglorious Basterds
Best Actress – Meryl Streep in “Julie and Julia”
Best Actor – I guess I’ll give it to Jeff Bridges
Best Dress of the Night – costume design winner, Sandy Powell. Did you see her dress? Gorgeous!
Pathetic as it is, I saw none of the movies this year, because my erstwhile movie “date,” my mom, died on me, and I’ve been sorely remiss in making other arrangements. I have to applaud my brother, who predicted a showdown between Avatar and Hurt Locker, and liked them both for different reasons.
I guess I lost interest in the Oscars when Crash beat Brokeback Mountain, but maybe this year’s choices are a bit redeeming, after all.
I’m sorry you lost your mother. I didn’t realize it was so recent.
Someday we will go to the movies together.
Actually it was two years ago, but you know how time flies after a certain age. Since you’re inconveniently in Cleveland, I’m planning to walk down the park and see “Green Zone” tomorrow on my own.
I’m a big Matt Damon fan (both professionally and politically), and no doubt I’ll be seeing “Green Zone.” We can discuss.