Oscar Wrap-up February 24, 2009

Well the biggest Oscar surprise I think was the relative lack of unbearably awkward moments that typically plague most awards shows. It was a welcome change. Hugh Jackman proved himself to be a classic entertainer and showcased talents I didn’t even know he had. The writing was very good and the show moved along less sluggishly than normal (the first half anyway). I must add that I hope the 900 commercials that JC Penney aired during the show doesn’t put them out of business…Mainly because I have a gift card for $17 from Christmas ’06 I received in exchange for a plaid sweater vest I returned.

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As far as my predictions are concerned, I suppose I did reasonably well. 8 out of 11. I feel as if I’m deserving of some sort of award…Perhaps a plaid sweater vest? I was thrilled that Slumdog Millionaire did so well but the Best Leading Actor fiasco really messed me up. I was back and forth between Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn. I went with Rourke but ultimately the Academy just couldn’t resist a very very gay Sean Penn; they don’t do well resisting a straight Sean Penn either. Penn is a classy guy and well deserving of his 2^nd Oscar.

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It’s just as well though, as my previous statement about the lack of awkwardness would not have been possible had Rourke taken the stage. Anyone who saw his speech at the Independent Spirit Awards knows what I’m talking about. So in light of this here is my advice to any male actor who wants to win an Oscar: Star in a biopic (biographical film) about some guy who was once alive and is now dead. Just go back over the last 5 years and ask:

Sean Penn

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Forest Whitaker

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Philip Seymour Hoffman and

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Jamie Foxx. They’ll all concur.

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I’m growing bored so in closing let me congratulate my all time favorite actress Kate Winslet for her first Best Leading Actress Oscar last night for The Reader. I was thrilled but I will go on record saying that it’s absurd that she wasn’t also nominated for Revolutionary Road. But whatever…Peace everyone.

The Piano and things to come… January 21, 2009

So today is Jan. 21st which means tomorrow is Jan. 22nd – the day that Oscar Nominations are being announced, which means I’m excited. I’m in the process of viewing all of the films that will be up for significant awards. I’ve seen several, and I will begin posting reflections on them as well as opinions/predictions of the Oscars and the Independent Spirit Awards that will be held Feb 22nd and 21st respectively. First up will be a film that fared reasonable well at the Golden Globes and also has what seems like a 2 to 1 “F”-bomb to normal word ratio. Quite an impressive feat!

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Until then…Here is a very short animation video I’d like to share that is absolutely beautiful. The video by Aidan Gibbons is built around the main theme of Jean-Pierre Juenet’s wonderful 2001 French film Amélie that was composed by Yann Tierson. It very delicately shows a man in the twilight of his life looking back on the passage of time. Very touching. I hope you all enjoy.
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Vodpod videos no longer available.