2009 Academy Awards: Predictions, Anyone?
by John NolteHow did the film industry get so screwed up and turned upside down that the only feeling the annual watching of the Academy Awards elicits from me is dread? Every year, three things hover on my calendar like a big black rain cloud: prostate exam, tax season, Academy Awards — and the metaphorical similarity between all three is somewhat striking.
Obviously my career choice makes viewing the ultimate Hollywood award orgy necessary, otherwise I would return to what is my default emotion for most things: utter indifference. But how sad that it’s come to this. Going back to Johnny Carson’s hosting straight through to Billy Crystal’s, the Oscars were once one of the top three high points of the television viewing season, right after “Battle of the Network Stars” and “Dick Clark’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes.”
Maybe I’m the one who’s changed. Maybe the ceremony was always filled with a striking lack of class – with sanctimonious preening and political abuse hurled at me and mine. Regardless, over time those nine hours have simply gotten more and more torturous to sit through. You’re either on edge waiting to be insulted or on edge hoping one of the few movie stars you still hold some affection for doesn’t disappoint in some way.
There are better ways to spend a Sunday evening. One of them will most certainly be the Big Hollywood Oscar Live-Blog. No more yelling at your television. Join us! Commiserate! Put your complaints on record! What are friends for?
Now that the nominees have been announced, predictions will flood these here Inter-web-tubes. I’m too modest to predict, so think of the following as deep, insightful, wise and gentle thoughts:
Best Picture: There’s absolutely no doubt that “Up” is far and away the best picture of the year. There isn’t even a close second place. The Pixar masterpiece is almost certain to win for best animated film so the real race looks to be between James Cameron’s “Avatar” and Kathryn Bigelow’s “Hurt Locker.”
Should “Avatar” win, it won’t be long before all that groovy technology becomes the cinematic standard and the Cameron blockbuster is remembered as the “Around the World In 80 Days” of Best Picture Winners. “The Hurt Locker,” on the other hand, is the movie no one’s seen. The cloistered and hopelessly inbred film community loves it but no amount of (excessive) cheerleading on their part could bring it to even the $13 million mark.
“Crazy Heart,” “500 Days of Summer,” and “The Road” are all superior films but weren’t even nominated.
Best Director: This is going to surprise some. Obviously, I was no fan of the film for a number of reasons, including its trashing of our military and a rudderless story that eventually devolved into a series of fairly repetitive set-pieces, but no one can argue that Kathryn Bigelow’s direction of “The Hurt Locker” was anything less than masterful. Because “Up” director Pete Docter was robbed of this nomination, this one’s all Bigelow. Even if Docter hadn’t been robbed, seeing Bigelow get the long overdue recognition she deserves as one of the best in her profession would still sit just fine with me.
Best Actor: Viggo Mortensen (“The Road”) and Sam Rockwell (“Moon”) should both be on this list but either way Jeff Bridges won’t be denied.
“Crazy Heart” just went wide. Go see it!
Best Actress: This looks to be a death-match between Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock.
Not having seen Streep in “Julia and Julia” makes it difficult to comment. Okay, that’s a lie. Unless she had her acting meter re-calibrated recently, my guess is that like everything else she’s done for the last 15 years, Streep’s performance is self-consciously showy in that late-Al Pacino kind of way. I never fail to catch her acting and look forward to the day the dingo steals her phony accent.
Bullock was pure movie star in “Blind Side.” Without her carrying what was essentially a television-level script on her able shoulders, you’ve got no movie. She burst off that screen, lifted every scene she was in and did what’s becoming more and more impossible for actors these days: pulled off a believable accent.
And who doesn’t love Sandra Bullock? She’s the rare actress these days — a goddess who’s managed to earn and maintain an enormous reservoir of audience goodwill. Bullock not only deserves to win on the merits of her performance, but all of America will be rooting for her. That should count for something.
Best Supporting Actor: There is no way Christopher Waltz doesn’t win. His performance as Nazi Colonel Hans Landa in “Inglourious Basterds” has already rightfully taken its place in cinema lore.
Best Supporting Actress: The smart money says Mo’Nique is as much of a shoo-in as Waltz and it’s hard to disagree. The other four performances were fine but there’s no arguing that Mo’Nique not only landed the kind of role that sticks in your mind, she knocked it out of the park.
Screenplay: Both “The Hangover and “500 Days of Summer” wuz robbed. Give the Academy points, though, for not nominating “Avatar.” Not that it wouldn’t have been memorable to watch Michael Blake rightfully attempt to accept the statue in the event of a win.
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114 Comments
If Avatard wins best picture then the 2 guys that made the youtube video of themselves sobbing and bawling over a stump in the forest deserve an apology. They were the original Avatards minus the blue body paint and Enya playing in the background. They should get some sort of honorable mention; maybe acknowledge themas the inspiration to Avatard.
And speaking of tree bark chewing leftwing hermaphrodites………
Behold the death of a nation:
"DENVER — The Air Force Academy has set aside an outdoor worship area for Pagans, Wiccans, Druids and other Earth-centered believers, school officials said Monday." …………..http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/arti...
This is not parody, this is America.
it'll be 'Up In The Air', not 'Avatar'…
Cameron's opus will clean up on all the techie stuff- as it rightfully should. Jason Reitman's more well realized 'Up In the Air' is a cinch for best picture. Bridges will win a deserved Best Actor, Streep as Julia Child (in an otherwise poor film) should win but Bullock is a dark horse. And Chritophe Waltz should be unanimous in an otherwise weak field.
Ho hum…
I really hope UP wins Best Picture. I have 2 reasons why:
1. It would establish that animation is a valid form of movie making.
2. An upbeat movie that all audiences could enjoy that ends up taking the Best Picture may give us a great crop of pictures for the next couple of years.
Avatar becomes the worst picture to ever win the academy award.
Next to Titanic.
Why so serious?
Ah, Battle of the Network Stars .. I'll never forget Gabe Kaplan out-legging an arrogant Robert Conrad in the relay race.
You won't believe this, but I actually remember that.
The Oscars seem to bring out the beast in Hollywood. Smear campaigns,remember the nasty nasty smears against Beautiful Mind? How about the political jabs at Bush, tacky and offensive in the extreme. The 2005 Oscar show played like a political rally for the Democrats. In fact that year Hollywood announced that it was selecting films with political or social issue merit so as positively influence the American movie going public. So we got stuff like Good Night and Good Luck, and Munich. Lovely.As for this year,the duel is between Hurt Locker,which has flaws aplenty and Avatar ,fantasy,blue creatures and politics. That Cameron sure is a showman! Actually Inglorious Basterds is a very good movie, especially the opening twenty minutes or so of the film. Tarentino did well with this material and the film is neither a mutant movie blockbuster or a self-conscious indie ,which few people saw. THL is not the best combat film I've ever seen. An Oscar nomination for Matt Damon…really?
John,
I hope you're right about Sandra Bullock having a true shot. I will admit to having sat through (most of) Julie and Julia and, while Meryl and her accent weren't the most annoying thing about the film (that prize unfortunately goes to Amy Adam's character – how awful does a character have to be that even Amy Adams can't make you like her?), all the usual overacting and accent abuse was on full display, even overlooking the obnoxious anti-Republican insults.
Bullock did a fine job in a fine movie, IMO.
Thanks also for watching the Oscars so I don't have to.
Oh my! I didn't see that, but I can imagine that it was a real scream. It makes me laugh just to think about it.
Precious and Quentin will have a good night.
viggo mortesen?? wtf!!
I hope there's something good on TCM, that's were I'm spending my night.
we sem to remember Robert Duvall kicking some butt in that as well…
Oscars? Who cares? Not me. Just another show where a bunch of spoiled Hollyweird aholes gives multiple hickies to each others ass. Bullock? Can't get over she married that scumbag Jesse James after he dumped his wife and kid after his head swelled up when he became known for his choppers.
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We saw Streep play Julia Child because we wrongly thought it was about how an ordinary woman with a special talent could succeed during a period when women in general didn't. We learned to our chagrin that it was little more than an anti-McCarthy screed and a glorification of homosexuality in the state department.
That said, Streep is an amazing actress — she was more like Julia Child than Julia Child. Watching Streep I remembered why, although I loved Child's cookbook, I couldn't watch her TV show. That voice and those mannerisms were that grating.
By the way, am I the only person reading this post who has seen none of the nominated pictures.
We stopped watching the Oscars many many years ago and there's little chance we'll watch this year.
Battle of the Network Stars had the most horrifying thing I've ever seen on television: Ed Asner in one of the swimming relays – IN A SPEEDO! It scarred me for life.
Speaking of Mr. Kotter, does anyone know why Gabe Kaplan dropped off the face of the entertainment world? Haven't heard a word about him since he left the sweathogs.
I won't watch the Oscars – haven't done so since Cameron won for his crap-fest TITANIC – but I do agree with Mr. Nolte about America pulling for Sandra Bullock. Hers is the only one I really care about. IMO, she's one of the few likable actresses around today.
Best Supporting Actor: There is no way Christopher Waltz doesn’t win. His performance as Nazi Colonel Hans Landa in “Inglourious Basterds” has already rightfully taken its place in cinema lore.
Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! The ONLY interest I have in the disgusting Academy Awards is to hope and pray that Waltz wins. Of course, this doesn't mean I will watch the damned show (I promised the dust bunnies under my bed that I would give them my full attention that night) but I will be checking this site religiously to see that he won. Oh, he HAS to win! If he doesn't, then the PC stake Hollywood first drove through the chest of its artistry integrity (the night it denied Crowe his 'Beautiful Mind' Oscar) will now poke through the spine.
Child was a remarkable woman, and Streep channeled her well. But the screenplay couldn't show the conservative former OSS field operative as THAT.
So the historical revisionism started…
Best Picture:
Who I want to win: The Hurt Locker
Who will win: Dances with Smurfs
Best Director:
Who I want to win: Kathryn Bigelow
Who will win: Her ex-husband (because women should stick to writing, editing and cinematography)
Performance By An Actor In a Lead Role:
Who I want to win: Jeff Bridges (long overdue Oscar)
Who might win: George Clooney (who the press will inevitably compare to Cary Grant ad nauseam)
Performance By An Actor In a Supporting Role:
Who I want to win: Christoph Waltz (because there has to be at least one award that somehow relates to the Holocaust)
Who might win: Matt Damon (because there has to be at least one award for going full-retard)
Performance By An Actress In a Lead Role:
Who I want to win: Sandra Bullock (because she's the real deal)
Who might win: Gabourey Sidibe (because there's nothing so "precious" as Academy members patting themselves on the back)
Performance By An Actress In a Supporting Role:
Who will win: Mo’Nique (because she's Mo'Nique dammit)
Who might win: Vera Farmiga (because she starred with that guy who looks like Cary Grant)
Here's the link to that Kaplan-Conrad 'Battle of the Network Stars' relay race re-run.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=m...
Check out link at 4:34 into it when Bob Conrad blows up about losing the race. "I'm the captain of this team. We ran a DAMNED good race!". At 5:47, Conrad challenges Kaplan and Kaplan accepts. At 7:54 the race starts and Kaplan humiliates Conrad at the finish by nearly 10 yards.
Damn, Christian – I totally forgot about that until you mentioned it. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Dang. I have GOT to figure out how to turn OFF that 'bold' stuff. Sorry.
(Don't apologize for loving Waltz, though.)
I think Up will get Best Picture but will lose Best Animated Feature to Coraline. Katherine Bigelow won the DGA so odds are she will get the Directing Oscar as well. Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock will win Best Actor and Actress. Bullock beat our Meryl Streep for the SAG so she is favored to win now. Christoph Waltz will win and so will Monique. And Tarantino will have to settle with best original screenplay and Precious will get adapted screenplay, though I would rather see District 9 take adapted.
No, that would be Chariots of Fire
Annie Hall
BLASPHEMY!!!
At least Titanic could lay claim to being a good bad picture. Avatar doesn't even have that going for it.
Gabe Kaplan should host the Oscars! That, I'd watch.
He's doing "color commentary" for televised Texas hold 'em.
And barely semi-related, the slide guitar on Rob Zombie's "Werewolf, Baby!" from his new album kicks A-S-S!!!
So who was the OSS field operative, Mr. or Mrs. Child and why after all these years, couldn't the truth be told of their patriotism?
Award Prediction Runner Up/Comment
Best Picture Avatar The Hurt Locker or Up should win
Best Director Katheryn Bigelow Best Dir. goes to (s)he who we just couldn't give best pic. to
Best Actor Jeff Bridges Lifetime Achievement Award (unofficially)
Best Actress Sandra Bullock Lifetime Achievement Award (unofficially)
Supporting Actor Christoph Waltz Haven't seen it, but 'he is odds on fav.
Supporting Actress Mo'Nique When in doubt, go social signifigence (see Crash)
Best Original Screenplay Up Then again who knows?
Best Adapted Screenplay Precious See comment below
Mark my words, every year one of the Best Screenplay goes to "the little indie that could?" This year that would be either 500 Days of Summer or Precious and since…..
By the way, yes, I am a cynic.
As usual, I saw very few of the movies listed here. But I want to state right here that Sam Rockwell is probably the best actor who will never get an Oscar until he's dead and everyone realizes what a talent the man is. He became Chuck Barris, Zaphod Beelbebrox, Guy Fleegman and Charlie Ford. He morphs into his role better than anyone except perhaps Gary Oldman.
And she went to college at East Carolina
Maaatttt Daaammmooonnnn
they BOTH were…
and she was quite effective in her STILL classified role. You see, you don't necessarily have to be Jame Bond to be a secret agent; many are unprepossessing types like Julia and her husband who helped channel sensitive intel on enemy movements back to 'Wild Bill' Donovan back in the states…
""DENVER — The Air Force Academy has set aside an outdoor worship area for Pagans, Wiccans, Druids and other Earth-centered believers, school officials said Monday." …………..http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/arti... "
And?
Openly or not, there've been Pagans etc. in our armed forces for a LONG time. In 2007, the VA officially recognized the Wiccan Pentacle as one of the 38 "symbols of belief" permitted to be placed on military headstones and memorials after a lawsuit from the wife of one Sgt. Patrick Stewart, a Wiccan member of the National Guard who gave his life in Afghanistan: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18274639/
If a citizen wants to nut up and go into battle for the U.S., what should it matter what – if anything – he prays to? Nevermind the fact that one imagines a worshipper of, say, Thor or some other warrior-deity might logically make a pretty fine soldier in his own right (certainly worked for the Vikings…)
To quote Woody Allen, "don't you wish real life was like that"? What a rout.
Me too and I haven't watched in at least 15+ years.
I of course am rooting for Avatar! Go blueskins!
It had to be over 60 years ago and that's why I find it very difficult to believe. Certainly everyone knows the Free French were all communists. That's no secret anymore although it had a long run. Everyone involved must either be dead or in their dotage, so why the secrecy.
Did somebody say Oscar Voting?? That would explain the truckloads of SEIU clogging the freeways into Hollywood.
There has always been a small, dedicated band of Pagans in the military! Who embodies the warrior ethos more, a mead-swilling Viking or a church supper Lutheran?
And yes, this is America, with its silly concept of "Freedom of Religion" and such, at least when I swore my oath of fealty…uh, to uphold the consititution.
Who embodies the warrior ethos more, a mead-swilling Viking or a church supper Lutheran?
Touche.
And yes, this is America, with its silly concept of "Freedom of Religion"
I hear ya, but smoking pot and petting rocks does not make a religion, it makes a cult.
Annie Hall is crap and does not hold a candle to Star Wars or Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Both of those films are far superior then Annie Hall.
just the nature of the beast…
When you are a secret agency you tend to keep secrets until someone forces your hand. Not sure if anyone filed FOIA briefs on Child, but that would be a start…
The real fun battle here is going to be watching the two directors that used to be married; Kathryn Bigelow and James Cameron. The cameramen will earn their pay in trying to catch the reactions on two directors faces as their babies ( The Hurt Locker and Avitar) battle it out. I think they are competing in 9 of the top categories. And the best director award goes to…….. Kathryn Bigelow.
I'd bet that when the landing craft neared the shores of Utah and Omaha Beaches and the soldiers from little towns in the mid-west , and big cities of the coasts looked up at the Werhmacht defenses – there were VERY FEW pagans – and a whole lotta very brave Christians and very Jews.
In fact I've been to Normandy – the U.S. cemetary has like 9000+ graves.
Not a Pagan head marker in the lot.
I always pet the rocks before I put them in my trebuchet. Nothing says Lazy Sunday like a good pot brownie and a frontal assault.
Which is a good reason to relocate ALL chirches, synogouges, mosques (?!!) and piles of rocks OFF the property.
That's not my idea, that's the idea of my 80 y.o.Dad – Vietnam vet – combat pilot – officer. – Air Force vet.
My understanding is that they have a very supportive and mutually respectful relationship. After a Hurt Locker screening I saw them talking afterwards and they seemed very friendly. No tension at all, and he was obviously there to support her. There was no other reason. This was also months before AVATAR came out.
I'm sure they both want to win, but I'm guessing they are rooting for the other to get it if they don't.
we can only hope…
And ever so related, Rob Zombie is making Werewolf Women of the S.S. into a feature.
So you try to make your point about disparaging people of a certain religion as somehow having less courage or being less of a warrior because of their religion, by disparaging Lutherans? Christians have proven over and over to be brave and honorable, in defense of their religion and their countries. I certainly won't disparage anyone who chooses to join the military for their religious choices, or suggest that it makes them somehow less brave or honorable, and neither should you.
I remember that too because I had a little a crush on James West, and was disillusioned when Conrad was in reality kind of a jerk. It was the first time I remember being disappointed by a "star" turning out to be a jerk. Unfortunately, I've had that experience many many times since.
It was a treat for me, as a youngster, to stay up late, on a school night, and see Bob Hope host The Academy Awards. Then it was amazing to see stars/celebrities behave decently, look great, and jump off the covers of Photoplay and Modern Screen into my living room. With a few exceptions….the Awards have been coasting down hill for some time when it comes to style and substance.
Same here, probably.
Why is Avatar being nominated for Best Picture? Even most of the liberals admit the story itself sucked. Unless we're just going straight off the visuals for this category, in which case I understand, but in that case, what about some of the other nominees?
He didn't say (or rather, the original poster wasn't discussing) the "worst picture evah," he was talking about the worst movie to win best picture. (I think) that means he considers Annie Hall to be mediocre at best, and thus undeserving of its win in light of the other horses in the race. Doesn't mean Annie Hall is Ed Wood material.
While i'm not a big fan of her movies, I do agree that Sandra Bullock is a very sweet, down to earth person who is always charming and funny whenever she appears on the late night shows.
I have not seen The Blind Side so i cannot comment on her performance, but is it right to nominate her for an Oscar because she's liked and deserves a pat on a back, or because her performance was better than the other nominees?
I'm a Christian decended from Vikings, plains tribesmen, and Celtic warriors with a POSSIBLE connection to Atila the Hun. I've been a Presbyterian, a Baptist, and now a nondenominational Charismatic. I must sincerely say that I have been told FREQUENTLY by friends that they would hate to see me angry and fighting for something. I tell them they're right. What's your point? Christians don't fight? Wow have you been misinformed. I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the US. I was, and am, totally prepared to do so if necessary. And I KNOW I am not alone in my faith or my oath.
Another great song on the album. I really need to start writing reviews again…
I really, really, really want Up to win in the Animated category because, well, it should. It's a vastly superior film to Coraline (which I thought was ok but nothing special). However, Coraline seems to be the darling of the lefty/secularist/nihilist crowd this year, and for that reason it may well get the crown.
At any rate, Up is not the automatic shoo-in it would be in any sane universe, unfortunately.
I haven't seen Avatar, but it doesn't look good.
That said, there's no way that it's anywhere near as bad as American Beauty.
And I have no idea what the Chariots of Fire haters are thinking…
Carolyn — you hit the nail on the head, and all I can add is DITTO!
you assume correctly…
It was yet another reason why the film performed so poorly. A real, true story of her wouldn't have turned off half the potential audience.
But ideoology trumps business in Hollywood these days…
Since Crowe was denied I have been counting the stakes it inflicts on itself…Its been interesting to see who they have thrown to the side – usually the one they shunned most outrageously is the one they would have given an award to had they retained any ounce of dignity or integrity or sense of talent. Since they are all just a bunch of high school jerks now, I now view the awards shows as a detriment rather than a proof of their legacy.
I used to have a boss whose reputation was such that it became known in Museum Association circles that if you were fired by him, you WERE good at what you did. It was considered an honor to be shoved away by him. Thats how I see awards like the Oscars and Academy now: if you were rejected, you MUST have been a threat!
I'm sure no one here had a single doubt about that, Thomas. I, on the other hand, will be rooting for Up! Go humans (of all colors)!
I can go along with that. Bullock is likeable ehough and could use some extra recognition. Streep is a great actress, but Julia And Julia isn't the best thing she's done.
I made my PC predictions on another thread, but here goes again:
Best Pix – Avatar – for America bashing, global warming pushing, anti-Iraqi-ing. You go, Jim. King of the World.
Best Actor – George C. Looney – nobody does it better for cutsifying, eye batting and propagandizing
Best Actress – Meryl Streep – Who else can slip an anti-Republican comment in a cooking movie
Best Supporting Actor – Matt Damon – because he's PC and talentless and Ho'wood loves him
Best Supporting Actress – Maggie – Same reason as Matt. Maybe they should put the two of them in a movie together and see if anybody at all pays to see it.
And, by the way, "NCIS" just morphed into "Law and Order" — Maybe they hire the same writer(s). As soon as the Defense Contractor appeared on screen, about 5 minutes into the show – I turned to spouse and said, "He did it. White. Male. Defense Contractor. They're always the bad guys."
Yep, I nailed it. This follows on the heels of the Christmas Christian suicide bomber plot – you know, those nasty Christians are always fitting themselves with explosives and blowing up a lot of innocent people.
Prediction: Unless NCIS fires the current writer(s), they'll go the way of lo and odor.
I'm proud to say that I haven't seen – and have no desire to see – any of the films talked about here.
With thousands of good to great films from pre-1965, why would anyone bother with this stuff?
That's about how I call it as well.
Couldn't agree with you more on Up. Pixar broke the mold with that one.
HUCK FOLLYWOOD
No predictions here. I stopped watching awards shows years ago. I did hear a couple DJs comment that the Grammy's were better this year because, apparently, they actually focused on music for a change. I'm looking forward the "Hitler reacts to the Oscars" video that will no doubt pop up on YouTube.
It hasn't won yet. Don't give up hope so easily.
I(n recent years to me the Academy Awards have become irrelevant. It was a slow process but one year I didn't even make the conscious decision to watch it – it simply slipped from the radar.
I think of the beautiful movie scores made in years past – The Big Country, Silverado, even Mrs Henderson Presents – and for something called "It's Hard Being A Pimp to take best music?
Somewhere their values and mine departed at that proverbial fork in the road.
This year though I want to see how they honor Jean Simmons. As John mentioned the fact they they wouldn't even give her a "Lifetime Achievement" Oscar tells of their values.
Shame on them.
Not only are movies not as good as they once were, the academy awards show has become an incredible bore, notwithstanding the political grandstanding. Both of those things drove me away. I know I am biased because it was shot locally, but Hal Holbrook's performance in "That Evening Sun" was as good as anything I have seen recently. I must agree with the Christopher Walz call–simply a fantastic performance, although in a much smaller role, the guy who played the farmer was pretty darn good as well.
I have no idea how many photos are out there that capture the beauty that is Sandra Bullock, and this post goes with the one that makes her look like a crazed gangster wanna-be with too much eye-liner. Good gravy!!
.
I predict all the Hollywood actors will vow to go back to school to get their GED's as part of their acceptance speeches.
.
I'll watch the Pre-Show on ABC, if only to catch myself on the red carpet. Beyond that, it's off to bed as I'll be going to my real job on Monday at 5 am.
My money is on the communist!
Giving Sandra Bullock specific credit for pulling off a Southern accent is a bit of a stretch. She was born in Virginia and lives in Texas…Mississippi isn't that much of a stretch.
I would love to see Sandra Bullock ,Jeff Bridges and Christopher Walz win in their respective categories,as all three actors were so convincing in their roles.Isn't that the prime directive for acting? A real test of an actor's skill, their range is whether they can pull off difficult roles. I for one would love to see Clooney play Ghenghis Khan or Galileo. How about Matt Damon as Sitting Bull or General Lafayette oui oui.
If a good portion of the world hates America, it's because there seems to be another hyped up, self-congratulatory showbiz wankfest going on every time you turn around.
I just got my Roku in and I'll be watching "Full Metal Jacket", "Undercover Brother", and "The Hebrew Hammer"
that's a great clip.
Granted in your opinion but worst picture evah?
C'mon…
I actually enjoyed Streep's performance. It was perhaps a touch over the top, but so was Julia herself!
I didn't enjoy the nonsensical digs at conservatives that have nothing whatsoever to add to the story and can't be supported by facts.
There is even one scene where a current day boss says out of the blue, If I were a Republican I would have fired you…or something similar…for no reason, nothing to do with plot or story or character development. I can only assume it was just to get a dig in at conservatives.
I haven't seen The Blind Side either, but from what I've read she's been nominated for her outstanding performance. I think what John is saying is that, all else being equal between her and Streep, the goodwill she's racked up over the years would put her over the top. Streep just isn't that likable; plus, she's already won an Oscar or two.
Jeff, don't feel bad. I haven't been to a movie theatre in 2 decades, and have yet to see Titanic.
We're missing NOTHING.
I have to agree. I think the previous anti-military movies made it difficult for Hurt Locker to go mainstream. And I disagree with Nolte. It was not an anti-military film. There were some jerks in the film, but she humanized the main characters and destroyed the idea that we are all a bunch of stupid, mindless killing drones that want to go in and destroy nations. And she made it visually clear how evil terrorists are. She gave a wide perspective on many of the kinds of people that end up in a war zone. From the average soldier, specialists, mercenaries, terrorists, children…
I think this was the most honest story of the war, and that's something considering it came from Hollywood. She won't win.
"Who embodies the warrior ethos more, a mead-swilling Viking or a church supper Lutheran?"
Christians have been kicking ass across one continent after the next for a thousand years. Who do you think built civilization? Note I do not say "our" civilization. There is only one.
The film cleared 100 million at the BO didn't it?
the movie made 2 billion dollars, that's your reason. However, only getting 9 nominations (as opposed to Titantic's 14 back in the day) indicates that the support for the film is somewhat soft. Hurt Locker or IB for the win.
correct- it did better than we thought…
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