Oscar-fun
February 25th 2008 22:13
A small relief, though... I had feared that the middling English period movie, "Atonement", would make a clean sweep, prompting studios to throw more money at movies featuring Keira Knightley in a green dress.
My review of "Atonement" and more on why I don't like it.
Peter Bradshaw in the Guardian Film Blog, stands up for it though:
"Some people could reasonably complain that the film can't give us Ian McEwan's prose, and that the Dunkirk sequence doesn't reproduce the savagery and chaos of what happens in the book. But this was an adaptation which was faithful and supremely intelligent. And the resulting film was ambitious, complex and challenging, with its realities which turn out to be fictions. It subverted the genre of romance, both in art and life. It's an excellent film."
Not to me, it isn't, Pete.
"No Country for Old Men" came away with big honours, nabbing the Best Picture and Best Direction for les freres Coen. It's not surprising, though... in this age of disdain for Texas and George W. Bush, it seems fitting that the Coens would remind us that it's a hard, savage land, capable of horror and amoral violence.
Marion Cotilliard won Best Actress for "La Vie En Rose", a film that I reviewed so long ago that it seems like it shouldn't be eligible. But no, it was just last July. Though I enjoyed the film, it tread familiar waters, the only real joy being the incredible depiction of Edith Piaf by Cotilliard and the unforgettable music. Here's a clip of Cotilliard winning the little man:
I haven't seen "There Will Be Blood" yet, but reviews have been wildly enthusiastic, and Daniel-Day Lewis came away with Best Actor, though people suggest that director Paul Thomas Anderson could have easily won Best Direction.
Likewise, I haven't seen "Juno", "Michael Clayton", or "Once", films that all came away with prizes.
In all, the Oscars all went to movies that reflected good filmmaking, giving reviewers like JohnDoe a little hope for the Academy.
I will agree with Ronald Bergan, though... even though he's a crabby film critic, he listed several movies from overseas that should have easily been on the bill. I've only read reviews of these movies, but critics gush wildly for "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" from Romania, and "Silent Light" from Mexico.
It was a good year, 2007 was... let's hope that we see more quality work from directors with passion and energy!
*this image is from Peter Bradshaw's blog post in the Guardian Film blog
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Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
I didn't watch the Tosscars either...bores me, besides, for (someone like) me it's all about the dresses!
Saw this (got sent an email)...thought you might appreciate it too!
(sorry it's small, had to adjust the width to fit)
Aah Busey...or should that be Boozy!...wonder what else he got up to?
I haven't watched any of the nominated films but I do want to...except 'Atonement'. Unless I'm having trouble sleeping...
I'm a bit concerned that after all the hype that Day-Lewis is getting for his performance, I will be disappointed but maybe not.
Didn't the bowl haircut guy win Best Supporting Actor for 'No Country For Old Men'?
Pity Blanchett missed out but as I haven't seen her nominated performances, can't say is she was robbed.
Anyway...hope you're well...
Dusk
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
For me the highlights of the evening were Jon Stewart's hosting, seeing a woman wearing no makeup whatsoever (thank you, Tilda Swinton), and catching glimpses of Viggo Mortensen, one of my favourite actors.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
It was a fun ceremony, as you know first time in a decade that I watched them...No country was certainly worthy as was There Will be Blood.
My favourite parts of the evening.....Jon Stewart's jokes about a lack of Iraq war movies....Javier bardem being cooler that jack in the front row...Robert F Boyle giving a shout out to Don Siegel....Tilda Swinton winning
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
There Will Be Blood, Juno, Michael Clayton, and Once are all well worth the watch. I am glad they all won awards. Loved Javier Bardem's acceptance speech...very touching!
Mis