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January 24, 2007
plan of attack
The Oscar nominations are out. I don't know if I consider the following ramble as a spoiler, but just in case if you are sensitive about spoilers stop reading this now.
Anyway, I'm happy to see Pan's Labryinth get nominated in many categories (but I don't hold any hope that it'll win in the big ones), especially since it got snubbed at the Golden Globes. Children of Men I think got three nods (oh well). Little Miss Sunshine - happy that Alan Arkin got nominated. He's fantastic in it.
I have to admit, I don't quite get Meryl Streep's nomination for The Devil Wears Prada (her golden globe win either). After awhile I didn't find the movie _that_ funny and to be honest, she kinda seemed like she was just "there". You don't hear her side of the phone calls to the Anne Hathaway character, you just know that she's barking an order (over and over and over again - we get the point). Meh.
Cinematography will be a tough one for me to figure out how to vote. Children of Men, The Illusionist, The Prestige and Pan's Labryinth (didn't see Black Dahlia). All good stuff (although, if I had to pick between the illusionist and the prestige, I'd pick The Illusionist).
Animation is an easy one for me. I liked Happy Feet, but not near as much as Cars. I have put Monster House on the netflix queue, but I suspect I won't like it as much as Cars.
Nbh and I have a lot of movies to watch in the next month. The good news is that many of the films are still in the theatres or I can netflix.
The following are the ones I'm interested in but just hadn't made time for until now:
* The Departed (probably ASAP as it's appears to be in one theatre locally)
* Babel (again ASAP as it's in a few theatres locally but not _that_ many)
* Blood Diamond
* Little Children
* Volver
* The Good Shepherd
* The Queen (ooh...it's playing at the premium cinema!)
* Jesus Camp (Netflix)
* Half Nelson (Netflix)
* Last King of Scotland (again ASAP as it's in a few theatres locally but not _that_ many)
Not interested (but will probably netflix at some point):
* Dreamgirls (I just can't bring myself to go see it.....not sure why....)
* The Pursuit of Happyness
* Notes on a Scandal
* Venus (even though it has my favorite, Peter O'Toole, just not sure I want to see it RIGHT NOW...I may change my mind...)
* United 93
* Letters from Iwo Jima
Even though the list appears long, I have seen many of the films nominated. No, really.
Hmm. Maybe I should put together a MS Project plan.....hmmm....
Posted by jennj at January 24, 2007 01:46 PM
Clue-ments:
Monster House was pure genius.
i haven't seen Cars yet,
so i can't compare either.
but i think you may be pleasantly surprised
by Monster House.
it is a very predictable plot
and in that sense is a "kid's" film,
but there is a lot of "not for kids" humor in it
and a lot of "not for kids" scary in it
(i know as a kid i'd have been terrified).
so,
if you're the sort of person
who can watch a film
with a child-like suspension of disbelief
in terms of plot critique,
i think you will enjoy it a great deal.
Posted by: jhimm at January 24, 2007 04:19 PM
jhimm - I can totally do that. I've heard good things about Monster House, actually. My concern about picking a favorite is if I could let go of my bias towards Pixar after watching it. :-)
Posted by: cf at January 24, 2007 05:57 PM
In movie news.....
I went to a black tie wedding (wearing a "tie tie", naturally) on Saturday, but before that I met some friends at a nice bar.
I looked at the bartender and ordered a Vesper - 3 parts Gordin's, 1 Part Vodka, and 1/2 Lillet, with a lemon twist.
My friend looked at me and said, "did you want that shaken or stirred?" To which I replied, "Do I look like I give a damn?"
Seriously, if you are in a tux, you have to play the Bond part. And the drink is actually quite good. I was totally surprised at the taste, but I was going to drink it regardless. It was perfect for starting off a night on the town.
As far as real movie thoughts... Blood Diamond and Babel are still on my list to see. As is Pan's Labyrinth.
I find it interesting that DiCaprio is in Blood Diamond and the Departed, but was nominated for Blood Diamond. Now I *have* to see Blood Diamond to see if he acted better in that movie, because he was really good in Departed. Think it is a tactic to boost movie revenues?
My thoghts on Children of Men is on www.foamtotem.com.
Posted by: Iwan at January 26, 2007 09:16 AM
I have started my research, but so far most of my regular sources have not been forthcoming with information. I think that in the weeks to come, I will be able to get better information.
I am looking to defend my title at the event, even thought betonsports.com was shut down.
Posted by: mess at January 26, 2007 10:04 AM
Iwan - Ah, isn't it great when life imitates art? I haven't tried the drink, we should all order it when we get together in NY again. Hehehe.
Babel I'm definitely seeing this weekend. I put together a spreadsheet of times and theatres in the area to see Oscar films. I may have to graph it.
Absolutely it's a tactic to boost movie revenues. Before the announcement for oscar nominations there were only a few theatres showing most of the movies I want to see, but after the anouncement many of the local theatres upped their showings. One of the problems I have when I try to figure out who to vote for when we watch is the political stuff. Did they get a golden globe? Have they won before? What about the "it's about time" factor? hehe. I love the Oscars.
I read your thoughts re: CoM.....I can definitely see why you think it's about individual purpose re: Clive Owen character. Absolutely. Hmm. Very complex movie....:-)
Posted by: cf at January 26, 2007 09:08 PM
we saw Pan's Labyrinth last night.
-wow-.
i haven't seen something
that horrifying
and that beautiful and compelling
in a really long time.
Posted by: jhimm at January 27, 2007 12:54 PM
jhimm - yeah!!! You've summed it up perfectly.
Posted by: cf at January 27, 2007 04:24 PM
:)
Posted by: jhimm at January 27, 2007 04:45 PM