Random Iterations: The Oscars and More Social Media
The Big Fella
Today’s the big day. I just love the Oscars. This, because I love the movies and am drawn to thought-provoking film; over-represented in the Oscars. Let me preface by saying that I haven’t seen either of the two films which are going to sweep the whole shabang. These being: Precious and The Hurt Locker. The first deals with the subject of incest which is a topic that I just don’t want to visit. I’m sure it is a splendid film that I would benefit from seeing. But it’s just not my cup of tea. Not a place where I’d enjoy spending any time. The second deals with men who deal with explosives, and I’ve spent a fair amount of my life as a professional dealing with explosives, and this is a place that, for personal emotional reasons, I don’t want to revisit.
So, having said all that, here’s my take on this evening’s proceedings:
- Best Picture: District 9,
- Best Actor: Colin Firth,
- Best Supporting Actor: Matt Damon,
- Best Actress: Meryl Streep,
- Best Supporting Actress: Maggie Gyllenhaal,
- Best Animated Feature: Up,
- Best Art Direction: Avatar,
- Cinematography: Avatar,
- Best Directing: Avatar,
- Best Documentary Feature: The Cove,
- Best Writing: District 9,
- Best Original Screenplay: A Serious Man.
All of that goes out the window, of course, because some combination of Precious and The Hurt Locker is likely to steal the show.
There are a few gross oversights, I think, in the omission of the films Sunshine Cleaning (entirely) and Julia & Juliet (from most categories). I would have tossed nominations to Sunshine Cleaning for best picture, writing, supporting actress and supporting actor, and Julia & Juliet should have gotten nods for best picture, writing, directing and supporting actor. I would have gone with Sunshine for taking best writing and Stanley Tucci for best supporting actor (in J&J). He is brilliant in this picture and out-shows even Meryl streep, who is a tad overdone (pun intended). There are also a whole passel of documentaries that I think should have received greater consideration, as a lover of that particular genre.
I give District 9 more credit than it is due because I think it a courageous film, in unusual ways and on many levels. I’m curious with the inclusion of Blind Side and Inglorious Basterds in some of the categories.
When viewed through the prism of the Oscars, this past year in film was perhaps a bit of let-down. There are many good films but nothing outstanding. Avatar complicates this because it is absolutely brilliant when considered technically and fairly mediocre when considered otherwise. This is another year and, with tomorrow, we can all look forward again.