The Oscar race is being overshadowed by the Republican primary contest this year and rightly so (no pun intended - no, really!). The GOP race is getting messier almost daily: today Bob Dole released the first anti-endorsement (against Gingrich) that I can remember ever seeing. Furthermore, it's been a lackluster year at the box office. Since so many people haven't seen the movies ("They stayed away in droves!") they probably won't be interested in watching the awards ceremony either. So look for Oscar night to be a stealth event on the nation's radar. The main reason to watch may be Billy Crystal, hosting again this year.
So what about the Best Picture nominees? I have to be honest here and admit that, like most Americans, I haven't seen many of the films either. The Descendants was excellent but I'd probably have to go with The Tree of Life. It's an enormously ambitious film with two very strong performances: Brad Pitt and Hunter McCracken. Both deserve Best Actor nominations for the film and it is disappointing they didn't get them.
Of the nominated Best Actors, I'd choose George Clooney.
The Best Actress field is competitive. Rooney Mara was very strong in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's a formulaic thriller but she made the movie worth watching. She also had a short but memorable role in The Social Network as Zuckerberg's girlfriend (remember the opening scene of the movie?) - I hope I'll be seeing her in many more films. She's probably a long shot to win the award this year.
Streep would appear to be the front runner. I know she's a great actress but I'm tired of watching her do impersonations and caricatures. I liked her much better in Adaptation - just playing a part straight without a lot of distracting technique. Ditto for Michelle Williams in My Week with Marilyn and Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs.
Mostly my feelings about the Oscars this year are disappointing. Where is Melancholia and Kirsten Dunst? - Really? Zero nominations? Where is Albert Brooks for Drive? Where is The Skin I Live In? Why isn't Pitt nominated for Tree? What about Charlize Theron and Young Adult? Where is Werner Herzog and Cave of Forgotten Dreams?
Maybe we'll get lucky and the Republicans will be debating that night.
- Griping by Bob Abernathy
With the addition of more nominees last year (5 to 10, this year 9?) one would think the bigger net would catch the deeper fish. But this year's norms shows it's skimming the surface. Embarrassing with the rich diversity under the sea. Melancholia.
Posted by: calvinraygun | January 26, 2012 at 10:14 PM