Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Since someone told me to update...

Been doing a lot of movie watching lately, gearing up for the Main Event – the Oscars! I've been a little underwhelmed with the movies, they are all ending the same. Just because someone kills themselves does not make the movie deep. I'm really sick and tired of this plot. Suicide is not profound and worthy of thought. Stop glorifying it Hollywood. Seriously. I'm sick of it.

So- my commentary on the contenders –

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- Ok. Seriously? This was the movie with the MOST nominations. That is so unfortunate. The movie was definitely worthy of its technical nominations, but BEST MOVIE?!? Please. This movie was a bad rip off of Forest Gump and Big Fish. They tried to fit too many life experiences into one movie, and it ended up being a big jumple of uneccesary scenes. In my opinion.

Frost/Nixon- Have not seen this movie yet, but will watch either today or tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

MILK- Best movie by far. This movie should win. Will it? No. Sean Penn will (or better!) get best actor, but honestly this movie was moving in ways the other movies failed in my opinion.

The Reader- I'll admit, a very unique story. It was very captivating. But really? The ending just got to me. Maybe because it was the umpteenth million movie I saw this year that ended in suicide. It's getting old people, really really old. Kate Winslet was great though.

Slumdog Millionare- This movie will get the prize, because it is sort of the unsung hero of the Oscars. I did like this movie and I'll admit it was extremely unique. I will not be upset to see this movie get its award. It came in second for me, behind MILK.

Other notes regarding movies:

The Wrestler- I did like this movie, but it just didn't move me like I thought it was going to. People really built this one up and I wasn't super impressed. Though Rourke and Tomei did good jobs. Once again, was the ending really neccesary?

Doubt- Hands down the best acting in any of the movies this season. I thought it was epic. Though I have never seen the stage version of this, I was so happy they made a movie version and I thought the casting was very apropos.

Rachel Getting Married- Very artsy, sort of film class sort of movie. Anne Hathaway's performance is worthy of her nomination and carried the movie in my opinion.

The Changeling- More specifically Angelina Jolie. This is awful. This is Hollywood bending over backwards to make sure its king and queen (UGH Brangelina) feel worthy and attend. Its utter BS. This role was not that great and in my opinon just an imiation of her performance in "A Mighty Heart." Which was a better movie. Instead of screaming for her husband, she is just screaming for her child in this one. Bleh. SHE. IS. SO. NOT. WORTHY. She seriously just needs to go away already. I'm sick of it.

Revolutionary Road- This was the snub of the awards season. I thought the acting was great and it was an interesting critism of how life "should" go with the kids, the white picket fence, etc. But once again, not an original ending.

So there is my recap. I would like to challenge the film makers in Hollywood to make a positive piece with superb acting. I'd like to see something a little more positive nominated for Best Picture. It's been a long time since we have glorified happiness. I guess that just doesn't sell, but I'm getting a little depressed with the choice of movies as of late. It's either total bublegum (Bride Wars, He's Just Not That Into You) or complete downers (everything nominated).

One more note. Finished watching Gran Torino last night. I went into it thinking I wasn't going to like it and was completely suprised. I really liked it and personally think it should have gotten some nominations itself.