Oh, Franco.
Yeah, I'm watching the Oscars tonight. I love this crap, and at least this year I've actually seen all the nominees. I don't have any particular favorites this time around. If anything, I wasn't as fond of most of the nominees as everyone else seems to be. The Social Network was better than I'd expected, but I wouldn't rate it the best of the year. Everyone seems to either love or hate Black Swan, whereas I found it good but not exceptional. The King's Speech was very good, and I wouldn't be upset if it wins, even if it's blatant Oscar bait. I suppose my favorite of all the nominees is Winter's Bone, and it's an-honor-just-to-be-nominated, especially for such a *tiny* movie.
Mostly, though, I'm watching so I can snicker at/with James Franco. Something about him amuses the hell out of me, and I often find myself chuckling and shaking my head indulgently at him. Sure, he does a ton of ridiculous things, but I guess the teacher in me likes that he's all about getting those PhDs and learning, even if the whole thing is bunk. ;) And y'know, I'm sure all the critics will be flaming him and Anne Hathaway tomorrow, but so far I find them rather charming. So there!
Oh, and one thing I do really appreciate about the Best Actress nominees is something that I saw on a blog -- that unlike most nominees in years past, none of the five women this year played either a stand-by-your-man or glorified supporting role.
Some random thoughts as I watch:
-- I do have one weird quirk: I always have to close my eyes or look away when they show the nominees waiting to hear the winner. I can't quite bear seeing those who lose, even though most of them already know or suspect they've lost. I'm weird that way!
-- It's fun to think that a Parks & Recreation cast member in a potential Academy Award-winning movie. And although I wasn't that thrilled with Melissa Leo's performance in The Fighter, I'm choosing to think this is her award for Treme, which was sorely neglected at the Emmys.
-- Mike Leigh's Life Is Sweet was one my first "wow, that's a real movie" moments when I saw it all those years ago. I find it funny when he gets nominated for Best Screenplay, since so much of his style relies upon improv.
-- Hailie Steinfeld and Jennifer Lawrence look gorgeous, and not at all Katniss-like. (They're my co-first choices for the role!) I didn't watch the whole red carpet, but my favorite dress has to be Jennifer Hudson. Damn, she looked amazing.
-- What's up with all the Hugh Jackman shout-outs tonight?
Mostly, though, I'm watching so I can snicker at/with James Franco. Something about him amuses the hell out of me, and I often find myself chuckling and shaking my head indulgently at him. Sure, he does a ton of ridiculous things, but I guess the teacher in me likes that he's all about getting those PhDs and learning, even if the whole thing is bunk. ;) And y'know, I'm sure all the critics will be flaming him and Anne Hathaway tomorrow, but so far I find them rather charming. So there!
Oh, and one thing I do really appreciate about the Best Actress nominees is something that I saw on a blog -- that unlike most nominees in years past, none of the five women this year played either a stand-by-your-man or glorified supporting role.
Some random thoughts as I watch:
-- I do have one weird quirk: I always have to close my eyes or look away when they show the nominees waiting to hear the winner. I can't quite bear seeing those who lose, even though most of them already know or suspect they've lost. I'm weird that way!
-- It's fun to think that a Parks & Recreation cast member in a potential Academy Award-winning movie. And although I wasn't that thrilled with Melissa Leo's performance in The Fighter, I'm choosing to think this is her award for Treme, which was sorely neglected at the Emmys.
-- Mike Leigh's Life Is Sweet was one my first "wow, that's a real movie" moments when I saw it all those years ago. I find it funny when he gets nominated for Best Screenplay, since so much of his style relies upon improv.
-- Hailie Steinfeld and Jennifer Lawrence look gorgeous, and not at all Katniss-like. (They're my co-first choices for the role!) I didn't watch the whole red carpet, but my favorite dress has to be Jennifer Hudson. Damn, she looked amazing.
-- What's up with all the Hugh Jackman shout-outs tonight?