Do they have monkeys in Scotland?
I was going to do the whole "print-out, highlight in various colours" thing that I usually do, but of course my printer decides this morning to get a paper jam.
But Oscars! I am a lot more up-to-date than I was last year at the time of the noms, so I'm actually going to do some same-day commentary.
I am stealing buffyx's list, since I am far too lazy to C&P the pertinent points.
Best Picture: "Babel," "The Departed," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Little Miss Sunshine," "The Queen."
I am so fucking surprised that LMS is nominated for Best Picture! I mean, holy shit! I've actually seen all of these except 'Iwo Jima', and though I want to, I still doubt I'll love it as much as the others. I expect it'll be either 'The Departed' or 'Babel', and while I'm leaning towards the latter [Iñárritu!], I did absolutely love the former and if Scorsese doesn't get Director he'll definitely winf for this. I loved 'The Queen' to pieces and think it was wonderfully crafted, but I think it's more deserving for its performances.
Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"; Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"; Peter O'Toole, "Venus"; Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"; Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland."
Actually...surprisingly I only have seen LKoS. I heard BD is crap, I [sadly] missed HN, DESPERATELY want to see 'Venus' because OMFG O'TOOLE, and only really want to see PoH so I can see if the HORRIBLE shot of the Marin Headlands from the trailer is really that ugly in the film. [Does anyone know what I'm talking about? There's a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the headlands --which are never not astoundingly magnificently beautiful, even in the summer-- look GREY. Hi Mr DP there, why weren't you fired?] But I expect Whitaker's a lock because he's won absolutely everything, and HE FUCKING DESERVES IT.
Actress: Penelope Cruz, "Volver"; Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"; Helen Mirren, "The Queen"; Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"; Kate Winslet, "Little Children."
This is so hard. This is so fucking hard. I mean, obviously Helen Mirren's going to win because she's won everything else and she's MAGNIFICENT in 'The Queen', but holy crap Judi Dench? Her performance in NoaS was one of the more terrifyingly mesmerising I've ever seen. Meryl Streep was great in TDWP, but y'know, she's great in everything. Still desperate to see LC and Volver, will probably see at least one of them this week.
Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jackie Earle Haley, "Little Children"; Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"; Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"; Mark Wahlberg, "The Departed."
I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I AM. MARK WAHLBERG. THE DEPARTED. I was rewatching I ♥ Huckabees over the holiday and I mentioned to Sismac: "You know, I FUCKING LOVE HIM in this, but it's so weird: this is really the only performance he's ever stood out in." And then I thought a bit, and realised, "Wait, there was another one too..." And Sismac goes, "Wasn't he in The Departed?" And I just about lept off the couch with squee. I can't believe I had forgoten! He was absolutely my favourite part of 'The Departed', and I LOVED that movie. Mark Wahlberg was just so damn specific and caustic and fucking hilarious. In any case. I wouldn't be surprised if Eddie Murphy gets it because blahblahblahDreamgirls, but I wouldn't be upset if Alan Arkin did because HEEE.
Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, "Babel"; Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"; Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"; Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel."
It makes me happy that Abigail Breslin was nominated, but really, I mean, let's not kid ourselves. And honestly, I don't think Rinko Kikuchi was as fantastic as everyone says. I mean, she was lovely and broken and it was a solid performance, but Adriana Barraza blew her out of the fucking water. Even though I loved Cate Blanchett's performance, I am going with Barraza here. She just broke my heart.
Directing: Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, "Babel"; Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"; Clint Eastwood, "Letters From Iwo Jima"; Stephen Frears, "The Queen"; Paul Greengrass, "United 93."
I would be willing to bet my firstborn that Scorsese's going to get this, BUT I've got to go with Iñárritu. The scene in the club, the scenes in the Mexican desert, I mean, this was a directorial masterpiece. I also ♥ Stephen Frears, but like I said before, I think this is going to get recognised more as an acting piece. I will not mention the lack of Cuarón. I will not mention the lack of Cuarón. I will not mention the lack of Cuarón.
Foreign Language Film: "After the Wedding," Denmark; "Days of Glory (Indigenes)," Algeria; "The Lives of Others," Germany; "Pan's Labyrinth," Mexico; "Water," Canada.
Waitaminute. How was Volver not nominated? In any case, I fucking loved Water [it's funny seeing 'Canada', which I guess is technically true], but oh my god if PL doesn't win this I am going to throw things at my television screen.
Adapted Screenplay: Sacha Baron Cohen and Anthony Hines and Peter Baynham and Dan Mazer and Todd Phillips, "Borat Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"; Alfonso Cuarón and Timothy J. Sexton and David Arata and Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, "Children of Men"; William Monahan, "The Departed"; Todd Field and Tom Perrotta, "Little Children"; Patrick Marber, "Notes on a Scandal."
Can I just go ahead and say OH MY GOD CHILDREN OF MEN PLEASE? I'm reading the book right now and oh god is it incredibly different. Maybe I'm biased but I am really bitter that this wasn't nominated for more.
Original Screenplay: Guillermo Arriaga, "Babel"; Iris Yamashita and Paul Haggis, "Letters From Iwo Jima"; Michael Arndt, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Guillermo del Toro, "Pan's Labyrinth"; Peter Morgan, "The Queen."
UF. This is a kicker. LMS was a brilliant screenplay, and Babel was brilliantly woven together and PL was an amazing story, but I almost want to go with The Queen here. Maybe it's just for that line that I still have fucking burnt into my brain. "And it will, Mr. Blair. Quite suddenly and without warning." Oh, and: Paul Haggis should not be anywhere near this list.
Animated Feature Film: "Cars," "Happy Feet," "Monster House."
PIXAR FOR THE GODDAMN WIN. I don't care that I didn't love Cars as much as wanted too -- I mean, considering how obsessed I am with 'The Incredibles', ANYTHING would have been a let down, but seriously, PIXAR PIXAR PIXAR.
Art Direction: "Dreamgirls," "The Good Shepherd," "Pan's Labyrinth," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "The Prestige."
Pan's Labyrinth. I don't care what anyone says, I will bitchslap you.
Cinematography: "The Black Dahlia," "Children of Men," "The Illusionist," "Pan's Labyrinth," "The Prestige."
I actually saw 'The Illusionist' a while ago [and fell asleep 30 minutes in] but I have to admit, the DP was really onto something there with the sepia. The Prestige was also pretty as all hell. And PL had cinematography that would make Victor Hammer weep, but I'm going to have to give it to CoM here. Mostly because Cuarón is not nominated for Director -- SPEAKING OF THAT, WHAT IS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM, ACADEMY OF DUNCES? THAT FUCKING NINE MINUTE TAKE? I HATE YOU ALL!
Sound Mixing: "Apocalypto," "Blood Diamond," "Dreamgirls," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
I honestly know nothing about sound mixing, but all I can say is I am glad NoaS is not nominated because Philip Glass' music was a bit too bombastically overpowering at times. Or like, all the time.
Sound Editing: "Apocalypto," "Blood Diamond," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
Ditto.
Original Score: "Babel," Gustavo Santaolalla; "The Good German," Thomas Newman; "Notes on a Scandal," Philip Glass; "Pan's Labyrinth," Javier Navarrete; "The Queen," Alexandre Desplat.
Dear Gustavo, I love you. And I'm also just plain obsessed with Thomas Newman, but I haven't seen TGG yet so I can't say. However, I'm for Javier Navarrete because I'm actually listening to the PL score right now.
Original Song: "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth," Melissa Etheridge; "Listen" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler and Anne Preven; "Love You I Do" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger and Siedah Garrett; "Our Town" from "Cars," Randy Newman; "Patience" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger and Willie Reale.
Dear Academy: I really couldn't care less. Perhaps Randy Newman because I'm STILL laughing at that TDS bit from three years ago when they spoofed his singing technique in a song about cutlery?
Costume: "Curse of the Golden Flower," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Dreamgirls," "Marie Antoinette," "The Queen."
Marie Antoinette, hands DOWN.
Documentary Feature: "Deliver Us From Evil," "An Inconvenient Truth," " Iraq in Fragments," "Jesus Camp," "My Country, My Country."
Hello there, An Inconvenient Truth! Honestly, if this doesn't win I'm just going to get confused.
Documentary (short subject): "The Blood of Yingzhou District," "Recycled Life," "Rehearsing a Dream," "Two Hands."
No comment?
Film Editing: "Babel," "Blood Diamond," "Children of Men," "The Departed," "United 93."
Going to go with CoM. NINE MINUTE TAKE, PEOPLE.
Makeup: "Apocalypto," "Click," "Pan's Labyrinth."
Pan's Labyrinth, much? THE PALE MAN? AKA THAT DUDE'S GOING TO GIVE ME NIGHTMARES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE...WERE I TO EVER HAVE A NIGHTMARE? Not to mention Pan himself. And it was all prosthetic and makeup! If this doesn't win, I will punch the director of 'Click' in the face.
Animated Short Film: "The Danish Poet," "Lifted," "The Little Matchgirl," "Maestro," "No Time for Nuts."
The Little Matchgirl is the most depressing short story in history. Other than that I have no comment.
Live Action Short Film: "Binta and the Great Idea (Binta Y La Gran Idea)," "Eramos Pocos (One Too Many)," "Helmer & Son," "The Saviour," " West Bank Story."
No idea.
Visual Effects: "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "Poseidon," "Superman Returns."
How about I go with PotC:DMC and the octopus on Bill Nighy's face?
Final three comments:
- I'm sure Dreamgirls is a great film, but 8 nominations? Oh for fuck's sake.
- No Cuarón for Director? This is like no Meirelles for Cinematography from last year. And no Luhrmann for Director for Moulin Rouge! Why is the Academy blind?
- Team México!
There's this great quote about Cuarón and Iñárritu and del Toro sharing the same salad. I think it's from Cuarón. I will find it and ETA this post because seriously, VIVA EL MÉXICO!
Also I watched Rome 1x11 The Spoils last night, and I cried my face off. THIRTEEN! THIRTEEN!
But Oscars! I am a lot more up-to-date than I was last year at the time of the noms, so I'm actually going to do some same-day commentary.
I am stealing buffyx's list, since I am far too lazy to C&P the pertinent points.
Best Picture: "Babel," "The Departed," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Little Miss Sunshine," "The Queen."
I am so fucking surprised that LMS is nominated for Best Picture! I mean, holy shit! I've actually seen all of these except 'Iwo Jima', and though I want to, I still doubt I'll love it as much as the others. I expect it'll be either 'The Departed' or 'Babel', and while I'm leaning towards the latter [Iñárritu!], I did absolutely love the former and if Scorsese doesn't get Director he'll definitely winf for this. I loved 'The Queen' to pieces and think it was wonderfully crafted, but I think it's more deserving for its performances.
Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"; Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"; Peter O'Toole, "Venus"; Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"; Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland."
Actually...surprisingly I only have seen LKoS. I heard BD is crap, I [sadly] missed HN, DESPERATELY want to see 'Venus' because OMFG O'TOOLE, and only really want to see PoH so I can see if the HORRIBLE shot of the Marin Headlands from the trailer is really that ugly in the film. [Does anyone know what I'm talking about? There's a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the headlands --which are never not astoundingly magnificently beautiful, even in the summer-- look GREY. Hi Mr DP there, why weren't you fired?] But I expect Whitaker's a lock because he's won absolutely everything, and HE FUCKING DESERVES IT.
Actress: Penelope Cruz, "Volver"; Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"; Helen Mirren, "The Queen"; Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"; Kate Winslet, "Little Children."
This is so hard. This is so fucking hard. I mean, obviously Helen Mirren's going to win because she's won everything else and she's MAGNIFICENT in 'The Queen', but holy crap Judi Dench? Her performance in NoaS was one of the more terrifyingly mesmerising I've ever seen. Meryl Streep was great in TDWP, but y'know, she's great in everything. Still desperate to see LC and Volver, will probably see at least one of them this week.
Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jackie Earle Haley, "Little Children"; Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"; Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"; Mark Wahlberg, "The Departed."
I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I AM. MARK WAHLBERG. THE DEPARTED. I was rewatching I ♥ Huckabees over the holiday and I mentioned to Sismac: "You know, I FUCKING LOVE HIM in this, but it's so weird: this is really the only performance he's ever stood out in." And then I thought a bit, and realised, "Wait, there was another one too..." And Sismac goes, "Wasn't he in The Departed?" And I just about lept off the couch with squee. I can't believe I had forgoten! He was absolutely my favourite part of 'The Departed', and I LOVED that movie. Mark Wahlberg was just so damn specific and caustic and fucking hilarious. In any case. I wouldn't be surprised if Eddie Murphy gets it because blahblahblahDreamgirls, but I wouldn't be upset if Alan Arkin did because HEEE.
Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, "Babel"; Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"; Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"; Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel."
It makes me happy that Abigail Breslin was nominated, but really, I mean, let's not kid ourselves. And honestly, I don't think Rinko Kikuchi was as fantastic as everyone says. I mean, she was lovely and broken and it was a solid performance, but Adriana Barraza blew her out of the fucking water. Even though I loved Cate Blanchett's performance, I am going with Barraza here. She just broke my heart.
Directing: Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, "Babel"; Martin Scorsese, "The Departed"; Clint Eastwood, "Letters From Iwo Jima"; Stephen Frears, "The Queen"; Paul Greengrass, "United 93."
I would be willing to bet my firstborn that Scorsese's going to get this, BUT I've got to go with Iñárritu. The scene in the club, the scenes in the Mexican desert, I mean, this was a directorial masterpiece. I also ♥ Stephen Frears, but like I said before, I think this is going to get recognised more as an acting piece. I will not mention the lack of Cuarón. I will not mention the lack of Cuarón. I will not mention the lack of Cuarón.
Foreign Language Film: "After the Wedding," Denmark; "Days of Glory (Indigenes)," Algeria; "The Lives of Others," Germany; "Pan's Labyrinth," Mexico; "Water," Canada.
Waitaminute. How was Volver not nominated? In any case, I fucking loved Water [it's funny seeing 'Canada', which I guess is technically true], but oh my god if PL doesn't win this I am going to throw things at my television screen.
Adapted Screenplay: Sacha Baron Cohen and Anthony Hines and Peter Baynham and Dan Mazer and Todd Phillips, "Borat Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"; Alfonso Cuarón and Timothy J. Sexton and David Arata and Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, "Children of Men"; William Monahan, "The Departed"; Todd Field and Tom Perrotta, "Little Children"; Patrick Marber, "Notes on a Scandal."
Can I just go ahead and say OH MY GOD CHILDREN OF MEN PLEASE? I'm reading the book right now and oh god is it incredibly different. Maybe I'm biased but I am really bitter that this wasn't nominated for more.
Original Screenplay: Guillermo Arriaga, "Babel"; Iris Yamashita and Paul Haggis, "Letters From Iwo Jima"; Michael Arndt, "Little Miss Sunshine"; Guillermo del Toro, "Pan's Labyrinth"; Peter Morgan, "The Queen."
UF. This is a kicker. LMS was a brilliant screenplay, and Babel was brilliantly woven together and PL was an amazing story, but I almost want to go with The Queen here. Maybe it's just for that line that I still have fucking burnt into my brain. "And it will, Mr. Blair. Quite suddenly and without warning." Oh, and: Paul Haggis should not be anywhere near this list.
Animated Feature Film: "Cars," "Happy Feet," "Monster House."
PIXAR FOR THE GODDAMN WIN. I don't care that I didn't love Cars as much as wanted too -- I mean, considering how obsessed I am with 'The Incredibles', ANYTHING would have been a let down, but seriously, PIXAR PIXAR PIXAR.
Art Direction: "Dreamgirls," "The Good Shepherd," "Pan's Labyrinth," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "The Prestige."
Pan's Labyrinth. I don't care what anyone says, I will bitchslap you.
Cinematography: "The Black Dahlia," "Children of Men," "The Illusionist," "Pan's Labyrinth," "The Prestige."
I actually saw 'The Illusionist' a while ago [and fell asleep 30 minutes in] but I have to admit, the DP was really onto something there with the sepia. The Prestige was also pretty as all hell. And PL had cinematography that would make Victor Hammer weep, but I'm going to have to give it to CoM here. Mostly because Cuarón is not nominated for Director -- SPEAKING OF THAT, WHAT IS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM, ACADEMY OF DUNCES? THAT FUCKING NINE MINUTE TAKE? I HATE YOU ALL!
Sound Mixing: "Apocalypto," "Blood Diamond," "Dreamgirls," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
I honestly know nothing about sound mixing, but all I can say is I am glad NoaS is not nominated because Philip Glass' music was a bit too bombastically overpowering at times. Or like, all the time.
Sound Editing: "Apocalypto," "Blood Diamond," "Flags of Our Fathers," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."
Ditto.
Original Score: "Babel," Gustavo Santaolalla; "The Good German," Thomas Newman; "Notes on a Scandal," Philip Glass; "Pan's Labyrinth," Javier Navarrete; "The Queen," Alexandre Desplat.
Dear Gustavo, I love you. And I'm also just plain obsessed with Thomas Newman, but I haven't seen TGG yet so I can't say. However, I'm for Javier Navarrete because I'm actually listening to the PL score right now.
Original Song: "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth," Melissa Etheridge; "Listen" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler and Anne Preven; "Love You I Do" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger and Siedah Garrett; "Our Town" from "Cars," Randy Newman; "Patience" from "Dreamgirls," Henry Krieger and Willie Reale.
Dear Academy: I really couldn't care less. Perhaps Randy Newman because I'm STILL laughing at that TDS bit from three years ago when they spoofed his singing technique in a song about cutlery?
Costume: "Curse of the Golden Flower," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Dreamgirls," "Marie Antoinette," "The Queen."
Marie Antoinette, hands DOWN.
Documentary Feature: "Deliver Us From Evil," "An Inconvenient Truth," " Iraq in Fragments," "Jesus Camp," "My Country, My Country."
Hello there, An Inconvenient Truth! Honestly, if this doesn't win I'm just going to get confused.
Documentary (short subject): "The Blood of Yingzhou District," "Recycled Life," "Rehearsing a Dream," "Two Hands."
No comment?
Film Editing: "Babel," "Blood Diamond," "Children of Men," "The Departed," "United 93."
Going to go with CoM. NINE MINUTE TAKE, PEOPLE.
Makeup: "Apocalypto," "Click," "Pan's Labyrinth."
Pan's Labyrinth, much? THE PALE MAN? AKA THAT DUDE'S GOING TO GIVE ME NIGHTMARES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE...WERE I TO EVER HAVE A NIGHTMARE? Not to mention Pan himself. And it was all prosthetic and makeup! If this doesn't win, I will punch the director of 'Click' in the face.
Animated Short Film: "The Danish Poet," "Lifted," "The Little Matchgirl," "Maestro," "No Time for Nuts."
The Little Matchgirl is the most depressing short story in history. Other than that I have no comment.
Live Action Short Film: "Binta and the Great Idea (Binta Y La Gran Idea)," "Eramos Pocos (One Too Many)," "Helmer & Son," "The Saviour," " West Bank Story."
No idea.
Visual Effects: "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "Poseidon," "Superman Returns."
How about I go with PotC:DMC and the octopus on Bill Nighy's face?
Final three comments:
- I'm sure Dreamgirls is a great film, but 8 nominations? Oh for fuck's sake.
- No Cuarón for Director? This is like no Meirelles for Cinematography from last year. And no Luhrmann for Director for Moulin Rouge! Why is the Academy blind?
- Team México!
There's this great quote about Cuarón and Iñárritu and del Toro sharing the same salad. I think it's from Cuarón. I will find it and ETA this post because seriously, VIVA EL MÉXICO!
Also I watched Rome 1x11 The Spoils last night, and I cried my face off. THIRTEEN! THIRTEEN!