OMG's Oscar Edition
It's all about Oscar - and it might get some people grouchy. Let's open up a little can of ...
The Curious Case of Zodiac
While Benjamin Button is visual stun
ning and the special effects in digitalization, aging and transformations are leading the way, and it has that trademark golden light of a Fincher film, is it really better than Zodiac? Is the Academy correcting a mistake but not recognizing what I think, was a better movie, from performances to the storyline in Zodiac, by overnominating Benjamin Button with 13 nominations? Did Pitt have a better performance than RDJ did in Zodiac? Shouldn't he lose points for what he uses as a Louisana accent? Did Jake lose out again because he played it with a quietness that some overlook, as not as inspiring, but really looking at it with a critical eye, constraint as an actor is even harder. (The less is more theory) Was it the lack of closure in the ending? Was it that Zodiac is designed not to be watched once but several times to get the whole thing? And isn't really Button really Forest Gump meets Cher in a "If I Could Turn Back Time" montage?
Hollywood has a history of right wrongs have they know they've blown it. Are they recognizing Fincher now because they know they screwed him before?
And then there's Heath.
While the Joker is an incredible performance on its own no doubt, this nomination and very possible win for Heath, seems to be recognizing the entire body of his work.
Now not everything Heath did hit the high mark, (Four Feathers?) but he how found himself in roles that transformed him. While most here would say BBM, you have to remember his role in Monster's Ball. That was the first role that really showed something different from what Hollywood wanted him to become and caught a different kind of attention. This was a serious contender in Hollywood not just for the way he looked on screen. Then his performance in Brokeback too both him and his acting to another level, and held Hollywood in his hand. Why didn't he win? 
Why didn't Jake? Why didn't BBM take it all? And in between Ennis and the Joker - Heath traveled from Casanova to a drug addict, from the frivalous to the deadly serious. Think ahead 10, 15, 20 years? What will people remember Heath for - wil it be Ennis Del Mar or The Joker? Now think about what this award is for - now ask yourself - is Hollywood honoring him for just one role? And if so, which one really?
More to think about:
Has the Oscar gold dulled? There is the Oscar curse. But does a nomination or a win really bring the level of work that you think it does? An interesting article in Variety.
Is the expectation of the public and the media outrun the reality of what Hollywood is churning out? Or it the way Hollywood runs itself that creates its own problems?
Now for something fun:
You can say yes to the dress and there is nothing better than playing fashion police, but then there's ... actual broadcast.
Yes Wolverine doing the Oscars is something special, but just in case there is a lull or two, how about some Oscar Bingo to pass the time.
Oscar Bingo
Who ever wins or loses, take a moment and remember what you love about movies. Remember that first movie you saw, the first movie that captured your imagination or the first that brought your tears. That's what it's really about.
Sorry for delay - I was watching Moonlight Mile - and Ebert was right - Jake should have gotten a nomination for it. I forget how amazing he is in it.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Oscar Wild
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I was underwhelmed by Benjamin Button and Pitt's performance. It looked great, and I enjoyed some of the visual effects, like the grainy film for some of the early time periods and the lightning flashbacks. But it was too conventional, despite the unusual story. And people always complain about how long Zodiac was, but BB was almost just as long, with a lot less to show for it.
I think in a few years no one will remember BB, but Zodiac is always going to be a film that people remember and talk about, at least in film circles. For example, long after it was released, here in NY Zodiac got some screenings at Lincoln Center as an overlooked film.
I read a fascinating article recently in the New Yorker, a profile of a marketer with Lions Gate. One thing he said that I kind of knew anyway is that films rarely get made anymore that can't be explained in a 30 second commercial, that everything is about that first big weekend, the tv advertising, etc., and that in that environment it doesn't matter whether a film is good or bad. It's about reaching one of the four "quadrants": men under 25, women under 25, men over 25 and women over 25. It also said that critics rarely have an effect on what movies people see, with one exception, women over 35. But because women over 35 have "discriminating" tastes, HW doesn't make movies for them.
So bottom line, imo Zodiac couldn't be marketed in 30 seconds, so the studio basically dumped it. BB is very marketable in 30 seconds, but it is the far lesser film.
As for the Oscars, they rarely recognize what I think is the best picture of the year, and they are notorious for having missed out on some of the pictures that become classics. And so much politics goes into who actually wins the best acting awards, same with directors. Look how long it took Scorcese to win. I've always known that, but despite that I was still crushed by BBM's loss, and I've never felt the same about them since. But I'm still watching, and still going to an Oscar party. Although part of me is sorry I can't just stay home and watch Michael K. live blog. :-D
I think Slumdog will win best picture, and I guess I'm in the minority again, but this was another film that just didn't do it for me. I thought the way it was structured and the story idea was great and unusual, but again I just sort of walked out of the theater asking myself what all the fuss was about. I haven't seen as many of the nominated films as I usually do, so I can't comment on all of them.
But of the ones I've seen, the only ones I really loved are Milk and The Wrestler. I also enjoyed TDK, and I do think Heath might have been nominated for the Joker even if he was still here, it really is a stunning performance.
I'd be happy if either Penn or Rourke won, and I'd love to see Marisa Tomei win, but I know she doesn't have a chance. I've always loved her, My Cousin Vinny is probably in my top 3 for comedies, and she's so good in both that and The Wrestler.
This is the first year I have any interest in the Oscars at all. I am certain Heath is going to win. He was sensational in TDK. It is also great to hear that Heaths family will be the there tomorrow night. Hopefully the Osacar will be keot safe for Matilda to take possession of it on her 18th birthday.
I am also pulling for Milk to pull off a couple wins tomorrow. I think it has a good chance at a screenplay win. Got a feeling Sean may have been marketed out of his second by Mickey Rourke. Rourke has campagined very hard and I got a feeling he is gonna take it.
I doubt Jake will be allowed there to root his buddy on. But of course it is probably better since you know he would be there at the generals side.
Sure has been some things that have changed.
At this point in my career I have to choose the ladies.
I cannnot be persuaded.
Rome
Reeke
Heaths death/silence.
Bringing out Momma.
Something has to change for me real soon or I am gone.
Have fun in Eygpt Jake.
Need to explain something I just wrote. What I meant by saying Im was gone was that I always thought since Rome that Jake could steal my heart back with a few words or one picture. Been tough hanging in there when I believe that Jake is now living a lie. At some point you reach the point of no return. I am certain that there is no romantic connection between Jake and reese. That few weeks when Jake came back from Rome was digusting. If I see those two in Eygpt I may have reached the point of no return.
Movies were a huge part of my life. I went to boarding school 1st to 6th grade, which was very lonely. Every Thursday night they showed a movie to the students. Good movies too, as the students ranged in age all the way through college level. Always the highlight of my week for the escape it provided and a glimpse into other worlds.
I was not that fond of Zodiac. I agree that technically it was excellent, in terms of movie making craft, but the story did not capture my heart. So it's just another movie to me, nothing special. Now Moonlight Mile, that I really liked. One of the few Jake movies that I still feel like watching, other than BBM of course.
I distinctly recall seeing Monsters Ball, which was an OK movie, but when Heath came on the screen it was like time stopped. And I said to myself, who the hell is that. I must say that though I was more fond of Jake than Heath, Jake's screen presence never stopped time for me the way Heath's could. Same thing happened with the Joker. Mesmerizing screen presence.
Of course with Austin having time off from OTH Jake will not be going anywhere until Austin heads back to NC. Then we will see how the reeke show will proceed.
I actually think we got the Eygpt story because Jake is with Austin now and they needed some reeke filler. Been great having some time off from the charade. Can't take much more for sure.
I have never had any interest in the Oscars. Too long, don't care. I also really didn't Zodiac for the same reason!
Jake and the general sighted VD weekend
The Oscar Movie
Jake and Reese are both in it.
The Oscar Movie
That was from last year on The Soup. I forgotten all about that. Joel's great but oh how I miss Skunk Boy - John Henson.
Going to movies was not allowed growing up in my house, so seeing a movie was a dangerous adventure. And I fell in love with movies as I would sneak to go seem them. I spent a lot of time catching up and falling more in love with movies.
Right now I'm watching John Ford's How Green was My Valley, with Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara and a very very young Roddy McDowell. (corrected) I forgotten how good it was.
From the - ahem - Yummy Mummy blog linked above:
"Let me back up a bit. I’ve met the celebu-mommy in question here – the adorable and perfect even at 7am sweaty, no make up Reese Witherspoon before at this very same exercise studio. It’s a six degrees of separation thing here – she’s a friend of a friend and also the best friend of my husband’s partner’s wife. But just because we exchanged pleasantries before (and yes, sat next to each other at a kiddie fundraiser or two) I still feel awkward and unsure of how to conduct myself."
Yeah, alright. *cough*prinoverdrive*cough* Oh, and btw, Reese has a "HOT" boyfriend and "beyond precious" son. Stop it,. Reese, you're too perfect!
(Feb 18) But last week – in my “brush with fame” part II, an innocent visit to a café with my daughters brought us side by side with Reese again, this time accompanied by her HOT bf Jake Gyllenhal and her beyond precious son. And just to round out the setting at the communal table where we all sipped our hot cocoa, there was the governator himself, Ahhhnold Shwarzenegger, chatting it up with a local about an upcoming vote on the budget.
I don't know where the Babblers are getting the idea that Reeke were spotted together on Valentines Day. Must be another UV fantasy. The blog sighting was written on a Weds, so how does "last week" translate to Valentines Day? wouldn't the writer have SAID Valentines Day or last weekend? Made it a point to emphasize that the happy couple (gag) were out on a romantic Valentines Day having cocoa with the kid?
Since Jake was papped in LAX leaving on Sat/Sun 7/8th and returned on Fri 13th night I'm guessing the writer is fudging on her weeks. Easier to say "last week" than "week before last/2 weeks ago or thereabouts"
Oh and the Governator. Lives in Brentwood. Don't Reeke ever sip cocoa/coffee at home? Thats right, they don't live together, they do the business meetings at coffee houses.
"Right now I'm watching John Ford's How Green was My Valley, with Walter Pidgeon, "
You got a lot of nerve watching another bird. *cries*
How much rejection can Jake take?
Reese says no no no to marriage
I don't get rejected by the guys I position opps I mean proposition!
What a great post! I'm very excited to watch the Oscars this year, one of the few years I don't have a favorite - I loved most of them. I have to say that I hope Kate Winslet wins Best Actress for The Reader, it's an amazing film and she's just wonderful in it. Talk about making you cry. Of course I'm crazy about Slumdog, a very fresh idea for a story I thought, and the music is outstanding. Sean Penn was so great as Harvey Milk, giving him so much warmth, loved Benjamin Button, Zodiac was gritty and real, BB was softer, a magic fantasy through a gauze-covered lens, but very believable as well, Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei were wonderful in The Wrestler, I agree, Destiny. I also loved Marisa in My Counsin Vinnie and that's one of my fave comedies also. And of course, watching Heath win his Oscar, I hope. I believe that Heath's most memorable role is Ennis, but only Heath could have made the Joker as good as he did, to me. Lots of good movies this year; it should be interesting this year! :)
The first movie I ever saw? I think it was Hawaii. So many, because I used to go every Saturday afternoon as a kid, with my friends or family. But that one stands out. The first one that ever made me cry? I don't know - but I do remember one that affected me for days, and I just bawled every time I thought of it for about a week - Oliver Stone's Platoon, especially with that wonderful score with Adaggio for Strings by Samuel Barber. Not many have affected me to that degree. The scariest film I had ever seen was Silence of the Lambs - had to keep the lights on when I got home. One of the most romantic (and funny) was Shakespeare in Love, and of course Brokeback is one of my all time favorites. So movies are a big part of my life too. :)
Hey everyone!! Happy Saturday to you. Coming to you from the windy city of Wichita, KS, courtesy of somebody's connection, don't know whose. My brother was chiding me for bumming off of someone's wireless and then proceeded to borrow my laptop so he could show my mom some website that had a great flour tortilla recipe. What the heck??! There went my laptop! And then while I'm trying to scroll through yesterday's posts on OMG, my brother looks over my shoulder. Then my mom. Then my dad. For cryin' out loud!!! They all ask the same thing: What're you looking at? What're you doing? Er - I'm just looking at stuff, I said.
The kids are at Fun Night at one of their schools with their mom. Our brother said we didn't have to go, probably wouldn't want to go as it's a bunch of kids running around, making alot of noise. lol. I dunno, I wouldn't have minded. We've been before.
Well, enough about all that. Interesting little bare/thin patch at Jake's temple. Since it's not like that on the other side, makes one wonder if something went wrong with the removal of the hair extensions or something? I don't know anything about hair extensions, but it definitely looks like something happened. Oh well. Hair grows back, not to worry. Worse things can happen.
We went to the movies quite a bit as a family. Always Disney movies, it seems; every new one that came out: Freaky Friday, Apple Dumpling Gang, North Avenue Irregulars, etc. We'd go to the drive in after Mom popped a bunch of popcorn on the stove and piled it all into a big paper grocery bag with the oil stains coming through all over the bottom of the bag. Then it was into the station wagon and off to the drive in. Those big clunky speakers that you rested on the inside of the car door? And the sound of cars' tires traveling over the gravel as they arrived or left? And the great commercials on the big screen, advertising all the great eats inside the snack bar? The hot dogs rolling over & over on their cooker? I always wished we got to go into the snack bar and get something in there. But the only time we went down there was to use the bathroom. Sometimes we sat in a couple of lawn chairs beside the car.
I remember one time Mom & Dad took us to see Patton. I don't know what they were thinking. None of us kids liked it. I remember lying down on the car seat, bored to death, and all this cussing going on. Have no idea about that.
Oh, oh, dinner! My brother's made Meatball soup with homemade tortillas. I'll be back.
Prairie Girl,
Just don't let anyone near any slash!
We did a very special one-of-a-kind necklace for Mr G's baby father. Long gold chain where his wedding ring hangs next to a stone pendant. Mr G chose Cummingtonite which is very rare and hard to get on a consistent high-quality basis but he insisted on it, saying it was the perfect symbol. So we did, and they do.
lol, laptop!
My family knows about people here and especially my sister as I bend her ear sometimes about a topic that came up or something somebody said or the latest ridiculous thing Reeke did.
But they sure don't know about the slash! My mom would have a cow.
snicker
Well, I think they're waiting on me. My brother, sister & I are going to go to Borders with our 40%off any book coupons before the kids & my brother's wife get back all noisy & wound up from Fun Night. So once again, I'll have to say be back!
Nope, we're not going after all. We're going to wait til our sister in law gets back & we'll take her. She's the teacher now, after all. She loves books. So instead, we're going to watch the videotape of our niece's talent show at school. Don't you just love my play-by-play of my interesting evening, lolll?
Well, no one's behind my back right now so while my niece is probably singing away, I'll get on LJ and see if there is a new chapter of In Plain Sight. I can only hope.
Scary movies, Northeast? How about Psycho? Oh man, that one and The Birds. I've never watched The Birds again after that first time. I can't watch scary movies too much. My favorite is probably BBM. That and The Harvey Girls. Scrooge, the musical. I love Errol Flynn. Pal Joey. You know, Glory was a beautiful, made-me-cry movie but I can't watch it again because it was soooo sad at the end.
Where exactly did you find that little tidbit about Mr. G's (Jake's) purchase while in NY?
Freddie Freddie Freddie
Love it! LOL
Of course we did Mr G's regular bulk order of 500 silver bracelets all engraved with "thanks for the hand job" but I can't talk about that.
Thanks for the bingo card link I'm going to play tomorrow.
I don't watch award shows but I'm really rooting for Heath and Penn. I haven't seen any of the others unfortunately.
I think the first movie I ever saw that had a major impact on me was The Exorcist. Man that movie was scary. I didn't sleep right for weeks after that one. The other would be Saturday Night Fever.
I'm glad you did a follow-up to your post Fred because the first one totally went over my head. "Cummingtonite"....hahahahahaha...hilarious…I luv it!. Thanks for making me laugh : D
We used to go to drive-ins when I was a kid to see Disney movies and Westerns. The first movie that really stuck in my head that wasn't a kiddie movie was Cat Ballou.
I don't believe that blog sighting, reads too much like a pr plug and/or something to get people to read her blog.
Austins Toolbox
Freddie the Jeweler had me going there. Always did wonder why Austin was wearing that band around his neck.
Project gonna take all week. ;)
I think he will win and everybody (especially in HW) will feel good about it. Unfortunately, thy did not give the oscar to him the one time he really deserved it: for BBM. Sorry but Dark Knight was meh for me. And Heath in Monster Balls and Candy essentially played Ennis again and again. Sorry fr being minority but I am not too easily impressed.
As for other nominations: Mickey Rourke should win in his category. Best movie to Slumdog? what a joke. It is good, but not exceptional. But then again, Titanic won Best Movie, so ...
By the way all those who were so pissed the Academy did not give Heath an oscar for BBM and thought they were a bunch of loser, and now cheer for Heath to win, think twic they just want to pat themselves on their back for recognizing him, bs, where was everyone when Heath was drowning in his despair? Sorry for the rant but I really don't buy this shit.
WFT 2 is down - too close to the bone regarding Jake's sexuality?
LOL not everything is a conspiracy.
I don't know why WFT2 is down, but the latest post can still be seen using the direct link
WFT2 - 20 February 2009
just the main page is blank. you can still click on any date in the link post section and get it with the comments.
Last night we watched Pineapple Express. It was hilarious. I now have very high hopes for Seth Rogen as Green Lantern.
Here is the presenting lineup (from Cinemascope):
5:38: Hugh’s opening performance
5:45:AWARD #1
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
5:51: AWARD #2:
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
5:55: AWARD #3
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
6:03: AWARD #4
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
6:05: AWARD #5
ANIMATED SHORT FILM
6:14: AWARD #6
ART DIRECTION
6:18: AWARD #7
COSTUME DESIGN
6:20: AWARD #8
MAKEUP
6:30: AWARD #9
CINEMATOGRAPHY
6:36: SCI-TECH AWARDS RECAP
6:41: AWARD #10
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
7:03: AWARD #11
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
7:08: AWARD #12
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
7:10: AWARD #13
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
7:20: AWARD #14
VISUAL EFFECTS
7:22: AWARD #15
SOUND EDITING
7:26: AWARD #16
SOUND MIXING
7:29: AWARD #17
FILM EDITING
7:37: JEAN HERSHOLT AWARD
TO JERRY LEWIS
7:48: AWARD #18
ORIGINAL SCORE
7:55: AWARD #19
ORIGINAL SONG
8:01: AWARD #20
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
8:10 In Memoriam
8:14: AWARD #21
DIRECTING
8:23: AWARD #22
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
8:31: AWARD #23
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
8:38: AWARD #24
BEST MOTION PICTURE
Heath Should be receiving his award around 10:00 EST.
Yeah then I am off to bed.
Good morning! It's just me and Fish up right now. Brother's @ work and everyone else is still asleep, I think. Fish is the big goldfish on the living room sidetable. I think he's like # 3 or 4 now. They went through the usual tragedies over original Fish(s) dying and all. This fish is big. I didn't even think fish did anything but swim around. But this one gets excited when he sees you lift up his food or shrimp treat bottles, starts bumping at the glass with his nose. Heck, I didn't even think they could see outside of the glass.
The birthday boy just came up. He is just all kinds of puffed up turning "double digits" at 10 years old.
When we were at Borders last night, I had to do my usual perusing through the rags. I thumbed through OK! and saw the pic they had of Jake in the jewelry store. It kind of startled me at first, but then as soon as I moved on through the store, I thought 1) how opportunistic was that, that a pap happened to be out at night and what, trailing him through the city without Jake seeing and/or Jake letting him follow him to a jewelry store? Talk about letting the cat out of the bag! and 2) Have you ever seen yet another "alleged Reese, will you marry me" story being staged so perfectly? I'm glad the whole world is so privy to him asking; I mean, it's almost like we're all going to get to be there! It's going to happen in Egypt. We've seen him in the store picking out the ring. I'm sure the next story will tell us where exactly it's going to happen and if it'll be night or day. Maybe we'll get a photo op on Just Jared of Reese going shopping to pick out just the right outfit.
Come on. Whether it happens or not, what celebrity "couple" stages step-by-step announcements/pictures of the upcoming proposal. And at that, it'd be the 3rd or 4th one at that.
Sorry for the long comment on that, but the more you think about it, it's all kinds of fishy.
Neena, I agree with you on the Academy trying to right a wrong. Part of it probably is. He should've won for BBM. And BBM should've won Best Picture. Hopefully, Heath will win Best Supporting Actor tonight and it will be great. Can't undo what's already in the past, but at least this would help.
Prairie Girl, I could not agree with you more. I hope very much that Heath wins. It is such a shame that he did not win for BBM
while he was living. He truly was
an exceptional actor. I also agree
about Jake and Reese. They have
really run everything in the ground. I just mean they have overdone it-the publicity and all.
I do hope everything turns out okay.
1) how opportunistic was that, that a pap happened to be out at night and what, trailing him through the city without Jake seeing and/or Jake letting him follow him to a jewelry store? Talk about letting the cat out of the bag!
ITA
Tune into the Reeke Proposal Cam on Thursday February 26 at 8:00 pm EET to see LIVE COVERAGE of Jake proposing to Reese!! This will be live streaming video AS IT'S HAPPENING during the tableside romantic dinner for two. We guarantee you will be amazed at the clear high definition close-up shots of the engagement ring while teary-eyed Jake holds it and offers it to Reese for the 5th time in their relationship, begging and pleading for her love, followed by Reese's surprise acceptance! As a special feature we will also have a pre-proposal live blogging commentary at the scene from a restaurant waiter, one hour prior to the proposal. Be sure not to miss this exciting LIVE STREAMING COVERAGE of the Reeke Proposal, Thursday February 26 at 8:00 pm EET! See you then!
"Maybe we'll get a photo op on Just Jared of Reese going shopping to pick out just the right outfit."
Starting next week, viewers can vote on which romantic Proposal Dinner outfit ensemble (including lingerie, shoes and Avon lipstick shade) Reese should wear!
^^^LOLLLL!!
Heck, maybe another trip back to that Priscilla's in London to purchase that special teddy set.
proposal cam, that's a killer!
Hi PG! Yes, anything of Alfred Hitchcock's is really, really frightening, in a psychological way too. :)
I'm so excited about the Oscars tonight, thanks for the schedule, Tom!
I found Zodiac and Benjamin Button so totally different, they can't compare with each other. Zodiac is a gritty crime drama, and I was surprised to see that David Fincher could also do something so soft and romantic as BB. It really did remind me of the opening up of a book, especially at the beginning. David is fantastic in the way his movies start, both Zodiac and BB. And he's a killer with music in both too - the most romantic music in BB. Did you not like Brad's N'Awlins accent? I thought it was really authentic, one of the most historic and romantic places I've ever been. Love strolling around there - haven't been since Katrina and I hope it can get back to its former glory.
Fingers crossed for Heath, and I'm torn between Sean and Mickey. You mentioned Errol Flynn, PG, I'm getting that feeling from that pic of Heath from Dr. Parnassus. Kate was so good in The Reader, actually made me have sympathy for her character, a former SS guard. I have heard good things about Pineapple Express too, Wicked. Can't wait to see the Slumdog kids tonight either. That film is so full of the color and joyfulness continuity of life, even in adversity. That's what I loved about it.
Enjoy the show, I know I will, looking forward to seeing Hugh's opening number by Baz Luhrman. I'm going to make popcorn, settle in and enjoy, and I found a bottle of champagne in the fridge, and good luck to all the nominees, and to Heath! :)
Anne Hathaway is rumored to be helping out Oscars’ host Hugh Jackman with an opening song/dance number at the 2009 Academy Awards.
According to Life & Style, an insider has reported that “Anne [Hathaway] is rehearsing at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood today!”.
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