Comments on: Surviving 19 Hours, 58 Minutes, Of Year-End Movies

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By: Federalist Paupers » Blog Archive » Loathing the Oscars

Federalist Paupers » Blog Archive » Loathing the Oscars — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:14:32 +0000

[...] the Oscars Burt Prelutsky rips into this year’s batch of Oscar bait, and he makes Apollo look like Little Bo Peep. I [...]

By: Burt Prelutsky

Burt Prelutsky — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:41:26 +0000

Nick Clement–You may think I’m out of touch, but your response didn’t prove it. If I think movies tend to be too long, I explained that I believe it’s a result of various egos at play, not because the subject matter requires it. I have seen some long movies that I enjoyed, but when a movie is both mediocre and long, as I thought most of those movies were, it makes for a terrible combination. Rather like a bore who never shuts his mouth. You and I may not like the same movies, but you’re just being an oaf when you contend that it’s because I’m too old to know better. Having watched movies for over 60 years and having been a reviewer for a dozen of those years, I suspect that I know more about American and foreign cinema through the years than you do. But you don’t see me demeaning your taste simply because you’re a callow youth.

Regards, Burt Prelutsky

By: JIM WHITTAKER, Hemet, CA

JIM WHITTAKER, Hemet, CA — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:11:29 +0000

I wasn’t alive in 1939, but I do own MOST of the great movies that were
released during that year. This was truly the “Golden Age” of Hollywood,
and its like will never come again.

Most of the movies in this article I wouldn’t watch if they were free.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, just Google movies/1939 and you’ll
be planning a trip to the DVD store…

By: actionman

actionman — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:11:59 +0000

“Actionman: If by my age, you’re referring to my maturity, wisdom and good taste, I can’t argue with you. However, if your point is that because I’m older than you, my opinion is suspect, you’re nothing more than an ignoramus and a bigot, to boot.

Sincerely,
Burt Prelutsky”

No, Burt. I’m hardly an ignoraums and I don’t consider myself a bigot. Actually, your article, for better or worse (in my head worse), read like something from Sarris or Reed, in that, you don’t have a grip on modern cinema. You are stuck in the “golden-age” of movies, and that’s fine, but let’s not pretend for a MOMENT that the movies you tear apart are actually bad or underserving of praise.

First, you instantly lost any credibility with me when you made the claim that movies are too long. Who cares how long any given film is? This is one of the laziest pieces of criticism that anyone can lodge against a film. A film is as long as it needs to be. In the case of Benjamin Button, the length was suitable to the story being told. I am sick of hearing people say that movies are too long, that they grow restless sitting in theaters for more than two hours, yadda-yadda-yadda.

The Reader was a powerul, sobering reminder of our past and how the ramifications of the Holocaust are still relevant.

Revolutionary Road was a blistering indictment of 50’s Americana and a reminder that one should never settle for anything less than what they truly believe in.

Milk, while not perfect (its screenplay is a bit paint-by-numbers), is a socially relevant and extremely well acted film that also serves as a calling-card for gay people across our country. It’s as timely now as it would have been had it been released a decade ago.

Frost/Nixon was an entertaining look at an important moment in American history — when a President actually admitted to being an imbecile.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an epic Hollywood roamnce with thematic passion, amazing production values, terrific performances, and a sense of time and place that only a filmmaker of Fincher’s pedigree could have crafted.

Changeling serves as a potent reminder how how poorly women were treated in the early part of the 1900’s and yet again demonstrates Clint Eastwood’s firm grasp of storytelling and filmmaking.

Slumdog Millionaire is pure filmmaking, from start to finish, a visceral ride that combines old-Hollywood storytelling with new-school technique. It’s the film that Danny Boyle has been leading up to his entrie career.

I haven’t seen The Wrestler or Defiance but plan too this weekend.

This site, and your post, just reinforces the fact that everyone’s a critic in their own way. I don’t agree with you in the slightest with your assessment that 2008 was a bad year for cinema.

And you didn’t even mention the BEST films of the year — The Fall, Let the Right One In, Synecdoche NY, In Bruges, Snow Angels, Rachel Getting Married, The Dark Knight. But let me guess — those all sucked too? Right?

The comment I made about your age meant simply that I think you’re out of touch.

-Nick Clement

By: Jules

Jules — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:32:26 +0000

I have no desire to watch Benjamin Buttons. I’ve never understood the appeal of Brad Pitt. I think he’s painful to watch. The Oscars have become such a joke, who really cares? Most people don’t see these movies until after they’ve been nominated. No more awards, I say.

By: John B.

John B. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:30:53 +0000

During the Oscars I will be watching “War Wagon” with John Wayne and Kirk Douglass followed by “The Maltese Falcon” with Humphrey Bogart. I guarantee I will be way more entertained than those watching a bunch of overpaid buffoons congratulating themselves for doing their jobs and doing them rather badly to boot.

By: Burt Prelutsky

Burt Prelutsky — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:26:00 +0000

Actionman: If by my age, you’re referring to my maturity, wisdom and good taste, I can’t argue with you. However, if your point is that because I’m older than you, my opinion is suspect, you’re nothing more than an ignoramus and a bigot, to boot.

Sincerely,
Burt Prelutsky

By: McGone

McGone — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:54:27 +0000

Movie Awards? All political bull. I gave up with “Shakespeare in Love” in 98. Gwyneth Paltrow? Paleeeze.

My personal pick for top drama of the year (as if it matters) – Frozen River, with Melissa Leo as best actress.

…and it’s only 97 minutes.