Review: Black Swan

[atomicduck]

Well, I saw Aronofsky's Black Swan yesterday, which has been hailed as both the most amazing thing ever and the most disappointing thing ever. Whatever the actual consensus, surely the PR machine has outdone itself this time, as the build-up to this thing was just... ubiquitous. So we finally saw it, and while it was very capably executed, I am

Comments

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Yea, I guess the negative thoughts on "Black Swan" made it seem like you were majorly disappointed with the film. Oh if only a person's tone can be expressed through writing without having to fill up the page with more words! It's scary to think that one day it may be possible. I mean everyone seems to text these days. I left Japan only to come back to a nation whose texting craze is growing exponentially. Anyway, getting back to "Black Swan," I just wanted to express my own thoughts on the film. Even if you loved everything about it, I probably would've wrote something very similar, except I'd have included much more unexplained praise. =D

I stand my thought that "The Social Network" will win best picture. I think it's simply the better made film compared to "The King's Speech," which is regarded as the only film that can beat "The Social Network." The ones that I haven't seen are "The Fighter," "The Kids Are All Right," "127 Hours," and "Winter's Bone." Based on what I've read, "The Fighter" doesn't stand a chance. It's really the superb acting that elevates it. "The Kids Are All Right" is a comedy, and the Academy doesn't look too favorably on comedies. "127 Hours" is a well-made picture with raw emotion, but that's basically all it has. For "Winter's Bone," too few have seen it. Plus, I rarely hear much about it. Unfortunately, I was in Japan when the film came out in the states. I would like to see it though.

The politics behind the Academy Awards have always saddened me. There's so much campaigning that goes on. Well, statistically speaking, the winning director's film will be the one to win the best picture. Also, statistically speaking, the winner from the Director's Guild will win the Academy Award for directing. I'm curious to see how it will unfold. Unfortunately, I'm going to miss the show! I'll be arriving in Japan on the day before the Oscars (Feb. 27) for my visit until March 10th. AHHH!!

[atomicduck]

Oh man, tell me about texting. :( I've always got to have a hawk eye out during lessons to make sure the kids aren't texting under the tables. (And I think they're able to text without looking at the display, which makes it worse.)

You're probably right that The Social Network is really only getting competition from The King's Speech. Frankly, I'm not sure which would should win in my opinion, but I like that The Social Network is not quite a traditional film as the other one. I haven't seen The Fighter (it's not even out here, yet), but I'd like to see it for the acting, and haven't seen The Kids are All Right either. Winter's Bone is so obscure, it's almost like the nomination is already a win. (Actually, saw it in New York!)

And WOW you're going back to Japan already? I'm so envious! I just don't know when it would be feasible for my schedule to go back, but I really want to. :( It's sad that so many people we know are already gone, though. What are your plans for your visit?

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hmmm... Interesting update on the awards tour. Tom Hooper won the Director's Guild, so his odds have shot up tremendously! The Oscar for directing and picture may very well go to "The King's Speech." I find this very interesting indeed. Should I go with the statistics, or should I go with what I think deserves to win? =/ Well, it's a good thing I don't enter any Oscar pool. =D

My sisters can text with just glancing at the screen a couple of times. The kids...! Soon they'll all just stay home and text all day. The only interaction they have will be with their computer or phone as they communicate with friends online. lol Okay, now I'm sounding like an old fart.

Anyway, yea... I'm going back to Japan after only 6 months! It's mainly for the graduation though. I knew I would plan to head back for it, but I couldn't make a promise to anyone in July. As you surely know how it's like, I didn't know where I'd end up even in half a year. I'll be in Toyohashi and Aichi for about half of my time. For the other half, I plan to go to some other nearby places I never got to visit. I plan to visit Matsumoto and the Kiso Valley area in Nagano. Throughout all of the 3 years in Aichi, I never went up that way. =/ I also plan to visit Ise. Of course I'll be meeting up with friends and even former students. Yay! I'll see the JP bekkanko oni too! He seems to be doing very well, and his English is improving. He's as funny as ever... and still unintentionally. =D