Oscar Time
Well the Oscar list just got published and I have to say that it’s surprisingly more competent than I have been lead to expect after the last couple of years. Look at it this way, at least this years equivalent of Gladiator (the less than stellar Kingdom of Heaven) or for that matter "Braveheart" (would that go to either "Troy" or "Alexander" as this years most overated violent period piece?) so as far as I can tell, maybe there is some hope for the academy after all.
http://film.guardian.co.uk/oscars2006/story/0,,1698972,00.html?gusrc=rss
The one big dissapointment was that "The Constant Gardener" which was absolutely excellent was by and large robbed of nomination.
So. anyways...
My feelings having seen almost all of the films nominated:
Of the nominees, best picture should go to "Good Night and Good Luck" but knowing the mindset of the academy it will probably go to "Brokeback Mountain" because lets face it, the academy cannot miss the bait of gay cowboys.
David Strathairn should pick up the best actor or there is absolutely no justice in the world. His portrayal of Ed Murrow was so well played and touching I could have sworn he was the real Murrow. The only one to even be in the same league as Strathairn was Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote. My guess is that Hoffman will probably get the Oscar as he's had one coming for years now.
Best actress should go to Reese Witherspoon who did a wonderful job of playing June Carter Cash in the Johnny Cash biopic.
For best supporting actor, I say give it to Clooney for Syriana... he was great and he certainly put a lot into the roll (including gaining 20 pounds.) His performance was reminiscent of the sort of crazed method acting that Robert DeNiro was known for when he was still young and mean (think 'Raging Bull",) and before he started playing a cartoon caricature of himself in every damn film.
Best supporting actress should go to Rachel Weisz for her wonderful work in "The Constant Gardener".
Best director should go to Ang Lee. While my personal preforance would have been for Fernado Meirelles... who is absolutely brilliant (if you don't belive me, go back and see his other film of note "City of God".) and probably the most innovative director working today with the possible exception of Almadovar. Still Ang Lee did a fine job with Brokeback Mountain (which wasn’t nearly as good as everyone else seems to think it was, but was still a well made and thoughtful film.)
Best foreign film should go to “Paradise Now” which was an incredibly interesting look at Palestine… but then again my view on this one may be clouded by my personal interest in Palestine.
Best screenplay has to go to “Match Point” which was easily one of Woody Allen’s sharpest films in years… which in the end is saying something. The amazing thing about Woody Allen is that he’ll have his slumps but whenever you try to write him off he comes back with a series of brilliant, charming and challenging films. Just like he followed up the lackluster “Celebrity” with the brilliant ‘Deconstructing Harry” and ‘Sweet and Lowdown” he managed to follow his wretched “Anything Else” and “Hollywood Ending” with both the fun “Melinda and Melinda” and then the brilliant “Match Point”. People need to learn to stop writing the guy off so easily.
I can’t really say anything about documentaries this year, as I haven’t seen any of the nominees except for the Enron one, which I felt plodded a little bit. However, best animated film better go to “Wallace and Grommit” because damn it, its earned the golden statue of the naked bald man.
http://film.guardian.co.uk/oscars2006/story/0,,1698972,00.html?gusrc=rss
The one big dissapointment was that "The Constant Gardener" which was absolutely excellent was by and large robbed of nomination.
So. anyways...
My feelings having seen almost all of the films nominated:
Of the nominees, best picture should go to "Good Night and Good Luck" but knowing the mindset of the academy it will probably go to "Brokeback Mountain" because lets face it, the academy cannot miss the bait of gay cowboys.
David Strathairn should pick up the best actor or there is absolutely no justice in the world. His portrayal of Ed Murrow was so well played and touching I could have sworn he was the real Murrow. The only one to even be in the same league as Strathairn was Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote. My guess is that Hoffman will probably get the Oscar as he's had one coming for years now.
Best actress should go to Reese Witherspoon who did a wonderful job of playing June Carter Cash in the Johnny Cash biopic.
For best supporting actor, I say give it to Clooney for Syriana... he was great and he certainly put a lot into the roll (including gaining 20 pounds.) His performance was reminiscent of the sort of crazed method acting that Robert DeNiro was known for when he was still young and mean (think 'Raging Bull",) and before he started playing a cartoon caricature of himself in every damn film.
Best supporting actress should go to Rachel Weisz for her wonderful work in "The Constant Gardener".
Best director should go to Ang Lee. While my personal preforance would have been for Fernado Meirelles... who is absolutely brilliant (if you don't belive me, go back and see his other film of note "City of God".) and probably the most innovative director working today with the possible exception of Almadovar. Still Ang Lee did a fine job with Brokeback Mountain (which wasn’t nearly as good as everyone else seems to think it was, but was still a well made and thoughtful film.)
Best foreign film should go to “Paradise Now” which was an incredibly interesting look at Palestine… but then again my view on this one may be clouded by my personal interest in Palestine.
Best screenplay has to go to “Match Point” which was easily one of Woody Allen’s sharpest films in years… which in the end is saying something. The amazing thing about Woody Allen is that he’ll have his slumps but whenever you try to write him off he comes back with a series of brilliant, charming and challenging films. Just like he followed up the lackluster “Celebrity” with the brilliant ‘Deconstructing Harry” and ‘Sweet and Lowdown” he managed to follow his wretched “Anything Else” and “Hollywood Ending” with both the fun “Melinda and Melinda” and then the brilliant “Match Point”. People need to learn to stop writing the guy off so easily.
I can’t really say anything about documentaries this year, as I haven’t seen any of the nominees except for the Enron one, which I felt plodded a little bit. However, best animated film better go to “Wallace and Grommit” because damn it, its earned the golden statue of the naked bald man.