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Sunday, February 24, 2008
Well, my predictions were terrible. 9 of 24. But I did hit 6 of the 8 big ones (Picture, Actor, Supporting Actor, Actress, Supporting Actress, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Original Screenplay), only missing Best Actress and Director.
And in case you were wondering about my top 10, here it is:
1. There Will Be Blood
2. No Country For Old Men
3. The Darjeeling Limited
4. Waitress
5. Hairspray
6. Michael Clayton
7. Knocked Up
8. Atonement
9. Hot Fuzz
10. Charlie Wilson's War
And in case you were wondering about my top 10, here it is:
1. There Will Be Blood
2. No Country For Old Men
3. The Darjeeling Limited
4. Waitress
5. Hairspray
6. Michael Clayton
7. Knocked Up
8. Atonement
9. Hot Fuzz
10. Charlie Wilson's War
Friday, February 22, 2008
Ok, last minute Oscar predictions! I did catch There Will Be Blood this weekend...I give it an A!
Here goes...
Best Actor: Daniel Day Lewis
Ladies and gentlemen, this year's Oscar gimme.
Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem
The best film villain since Hannibal Lecter.
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett
I have no idea here.
Supporting Actress: Tilda Swinton
I thought she was great in Michael Clayton. Ronan from Atonement is worth mention too.
Best Animated Film: Persepolis
I really wanted to see this, but didn't have time. I would have had to go to NY to find it anyway.
Art Direction: There Will Be Blood
Cinematography: Atonement
Costume Design: Atonement
Directing: There Will Be Blood
Best Documentary: No End in Sight
Documentary Short: La Corona
Film Editing: There Will Be Blood
Foreign Language Film: 12
Makeup: Pirates of the Carribean
Original Score: Atonement
Original Song: August Rush
Animated Short: Peter and the Wolf
Live Action Short: At Night
Sound Editing: The Bourne Ultimatum
Sound Mixing: Transformers
Apparently this guy has been nominated like 20 times and never won.
Visual Effects: Transformers
Adapted Screenplay: No Country for Old Men
Original Screenplay: Juno
You have to think they'll give it something, right?
Best Picture: No Country for Old Men
I think There Will Be Blood might have been better, but I liked No Country more. And I think that's how the voters will go too. However, something in the back of my head keeps saying that if there ever was a year that they give it to a move like Juno, then this would be it.
Here goes...
Best Actor: Daniel Day Lewis
Ladies and gentlemen, this year's Oscar gimme.
Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem
The best film villain since Hannibal Lecter.
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett
I have no idea here.
Supporting Actress: Tilda Swinton
I thought she was great in Michael Clayton. Ronan from Atonement is worth mention too.
Best Animated Film: Persepolis
I really wanted to see this, but didn't have time. I would have had to go to NY to find it anyway.
Art Direction: There Will Be Blood
Cinematography: Atonement
Costume Design: Atonement
Directing: There Will Be Blood
Best Documentary: No End in Sight
Documentary Short: La Corona
Film Editing: There Will Be Blood
Foreign Language Film: 12
Makeup: Pirates of the Carribean
Original Score: Atonement
Original Song: August Rush
Animated Short: Peter and the Wolf
Live Action Short: At Night
Sound Editing: The Bourne Ultimatum
Sound Mixing: Transformers
Apparently this guy has been nominated like 20 times and never won.
Visual Effects: Transformers
Adapted Screenplay: No Country for Old Men
Original Screenplay: Juno
You have to think they'll give it something, right?
Best Picture: No Country for Old Men
I think There Will Be Blood might have been better, but I liked No Country more. And I think that's how the voters will go too. However, something in the back of my head keeps saying that if there ever was a year that they give it to a move like Juno, then this would be it.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Ok. How did it get to be a week until the Oscars? I haven't had time to catch as many nominated movies as I usually do during January and February, but if I can make it to There Will Be Blood this week, I'll have covered the Best Picture nominees.
I will post my predictions for the awards by the end of the week. Miles, and anyone else out there in the blogosphere are welcome to post there guesses as well.
I did catch a few movies over the past two months. So let's catch up on those...
I Am Legend
Director: Francis Lawrence
Grade: C-
I only went to see this because I was bored and it was the only thing playing that sounded promising. And it was promising, but it didn't follow through with the setup. I also have no idea why it was titled I Am Legend.
Shoot 'Em Up
Director: Michael Davis
Grade: C+
With a wink at the camera, this movie goes so far over the top that it is a lot more fun than most mindless action movies. If you ever wanted to see a fight scene done in mid skydive, or a baby delivered during a shoot out, then this is a must see.
Michael Clayton
Director: Tony Gilroy
Grade: B+
I think I liked this movie. It took me a while to figure out what the point was, but it does a good job of keeping you in suspense even if you don't know what is going on. George Clooney is good, though I didn't find him Oscar nominee good, however, I think Tilda Swinton deserves best supporting actress.
Atonement
Director: Joe Wright
Grade: B
I recommend seeing this movie even though I was bored with it for spells. It is beautifully shot, and I found the first hour intriguing. The second act meanders as if only to represent the passing of time. The war scenes are reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan mixed with the pining for a barely known love of Cold Mountain. I liked the ending of the story, but I didn't like the devices used to present it. The director too often relied on cliched film conventions to hold the plot together. After an hour and fifty minutes of a beautifully shot period piece, we are thrust into present day so that the ending can be explained to us. I found this jolting, invasive, and a bit insulting.
I will post my predictions for the awards by the end of the week. Miles, and anyone else out there in the blogosphere are welcome to post there guesses as well.
I did catch a few movies over the past two months. So let's catch up on those...
I Am Legend
Director: Francis Lawrence
Grade: C-
I only went to see this because I was bored and it was the only thing playing that sounded promising. And it was promising, but it didn't follow through with the setup. I also have no idea why it was titled I Am Legend.
Shoot 'Em Up
Director: Michael Davis
Grade: C+
With a wink at the camera, this movie goes so far over the top that it is a lot more fun than most mindless action movies. If you ever wanted to see a fight scene done in mid skydive, or a baby delivered during a shoot out, then this is a must see.
Michael Clayton
Director: Tony Gilroy
Grade: B+
I think I liked this movie. It took me a while to figure out what the point was, but it does a good job of keeping you in suspense even if you don't know what is going on. George Clooney is good, though I didn't find him Oscar nominee good, however, I think Tilda Swinton deserves best supporting actress.
Atonement
Director: Joe Wright
Grade: B
I recommend seeing this movie even though I was bored with it for spells. It is beautifully shot, and I found the first hour intriguing. The second act meanders as if only to represent the passing of time. The war scenes are reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan mixed with the pining for a barely known love of Cold Mountain. I liked the ending of the story, but I didn't like the devices used to present it. The director too often relied on cliched film conventions to hold the plot together. After an hour and fifty minutes of a beautifully shot period piece, we are thrust into present day so that the ending can be explained to us. I found this jolting, invasive, and a bit insulting.
