A new beginning, or an excuse for a new end?
Well here is my latest idea for revitalizing this dead old thing- we'll see how long it lasts. This is actually something I've been toying around with for awhile, but am just now getting around to. For the foreseeable future, this blog will be dedicated to posting lists. These lists may pertain to pop culture, to "serious art", to philosophy, religion, whatever the hell I want. Generally I will provide a little commentary, but feedback is strongly encouraged.
The opening act is a short list regarding movies.
Five Films Which Shouldn't Have Won Best Picture Oscars:
5. Kramer Vs. Kramer (1979)- I'll be honest, I haven't seen this film. It's actually probably pretty good- it has Dustin Hoffman in it, back in the days when he actually acted. But, it happened to be released in the same year as "Being There", one of the greatest films of all time (sadly not even nominated by the hacks at the academy). Also, "Breaking Away" is a great film nominated that year.
4. A Beautiful Mind (2001) Blech, blech, get this movie away from me. The second Russell Crowe film in two years (more on that later) to bring home the gold, this movie made me want to take a cold shower. I hated- HATED- this movie. "Gosford Park" was a much better film- couldn't you show Robert Altman some love?
3. Gladiator (2000) Alright, so this movie is not nearly as bad as "A Beautiful Mind", but it gets my vote for one of the most overrated movies of all time (at least among the teenage male demographic). Let's face it, this was essentially a poor man's Braveheart, albeit with the brilliant Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi (the greatest actor of all time), and a deliciously evil Joaquin Phoenix. Still, it was released in the same year as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", a vastly superior movie. Once again the Academy failed to even nominate a brilliant film this year, the Coen Bros' "O Brother, Where Art Thou?".
2. Godfather Part II (1974) This gets the distinction of being the one film on the list I actually have a deep liking for. Yes, this is a wonderful movie, and a worthy successor to the original (though inferior to that film, whatever anyone may say). So why do I deem it unworthy? Most any other year it would have steamrolled the competition, but two films released in 1974 were better than Coppola's sequel: the searing "Chinatown", and Coppola's own forgotten masterpiece "The Conversation", a brilliant thriller starring Gene Hackman. I'd call it a toss up.
1. How Green Was My Valley (1941). Ah, poor HGWMV, another movie I haven't had the pleasure of viewing. Again, I bet it is actually pretty good. Sadly, another movie of minor importance came out that year which should have won the Oscar. Little movie by the name of Citizen Kane. Now everyone only remembers HGWMV as "that movie which shouldn't have beaten Citizen Kane for Best Picture". Let's not forget about "The Maltese Falcon", another strong contender which would beat most movies in its path (though not Kane).
The opening act is a short list regarding movies.
Five Films Which Shouldn't Have Won Best Picture Oscars:
5. Kramer Vs. Kramer (1979)- I'll be honest, I haven't seen this film. It's actually probably pretty good- it has Dustin Hoffman in it, back in the days when he actually acted. But, it happened to be released in the same year as "Being There", one of the greatest films of all time (sadly not even nominated by the hacks at the academy). Also, "Breaking Away" is a great film nominated that year.
4. A Beautiful Mind (2001) Blech, blech, get this movie away from me. The second Russell Crowe film in two years (more on that later) to bring home the gold, this movie made me want to take a cold shower. I hated- HATED- this movie. "Gosford Park" was a much better film- couldn't you show Robert Altman some love?
3. Gladiator (2000) Alright, so this movie is not nearly as bad as "A Beautiful Mind", but it gets my vote for one of the most overrated movies of all time (at least among the teenage male demographic). Let's face it, this was essentially a poor man's Braveheart, albeit with the brilliant Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi (the greatest actor of all time), and a deliciously evil Joaquin Phoenix. Still, it was released in the same year as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", a vastly superior movie. Once again the Academy failed to even nominate a brilliant film this year, the Coen Bros' "O Brother, Where Art Thou?".
2. Godfather Part II (1974) This gets the distinction of being the one film on the list I actually have a deep liking for. Yes, this is a wonderful movie, and a worthy successor to the original (though inferior to that film, whatever anyone may say). So why do I deem it unworthy? Most any other year it would have steamrolled the competition, but two films released in 1974 were better than Coppola's sequel: the searing "Chinatown", and Coppola's own forgotten masterpiece "The Conversation", a brilliant thriller starring Gene Hackman. I'd call it a toss up.
1. How Green Was My Valley (1941). Ah, poor HGWMV, another movie I haven't had the pleasure of viewing. Again, I bet it is actually pretty good. Sadly, another movie of minor importance came out that year which should have won the Oscar. Little movie by the name of Citizen Kane. Now everyone only remembers HGWMV as "that movie which shouldn't have beaten Citizen Kane for Best Picture". Let's not forget about "The Maltese Falcon", another strong contender which would beat most movies in its path (though not Kane).