Chicago: The Eponymous Thread

YES

http://www.cdzone.co.uk/scans/S/p/Sparks/351847f.jpg

Yes.

so lowest common denomenator wins here?

I'm not sure that's the best way to describe it, since in the context of film, that term is too redolent of big gross-out comedies or whatever. I mean, yes, it's a consensus, but it's a consensus of what's considered quality.

I find actors talking about acting to be boring.

Hmmm, yeah, I actually find it pretty interesting. But I don't think you find any actors talking about acting on the Oscars. In fact, about the only place you'll actually find actors talking about acting -- I mean, really going into depth about the craft -- is on Charlie Rose or Inside the Actors Studio.

1. LotR winning!
2. Terrible movies always nominated.
3. People acting like they are actually a measure of quality.
4. Too much fuss.
5. General concept of art being a competition--only sort of, since this is usually the way of the world except maybe in the case theraputic or healing art.

How can you hate most movies? Really?

fixed.

HOWEVER I think that "Half Nelson" was pretty good, as it actually succeeds at being naturalistic, and was subtle, which is a quality you rarely see in movies.

Very true. Perhaps I should change my opinon to "I don't care about most movies".

Half Nelson
The Animation Show
Brick
Marie Antoinette
Many others WHICH WERE IN MY QUEUE AND I'VE SINCE FORGOTTEN!

I guess the thing to remember is that the Oscars is what it is. I've never really liked when music critics say things like "In a perfect world, this song would be #1." If all your favorite songs were on top of the charts, and all your favorite movies won Oscars, would that really be a "perfect world"? It seems like it would be kind of weird, actually. I like having stuff that I like, and sometimes it's fun when it syncs up with what other people like, but even when it doesn't, it's still interesting to me to see who likes what and why.

??? Weird. I'm sure very few 14-year-old girls actually saw "Brick."

I'm going to get my car's oil changed now. Bye.

Do you mean the Hemingway or the Anais Nin?

the dialog was rediculous, reminded me of heathers. i'm sure 14 year old girls across the country thought it was the best movie ever.

Uh, you're kidding, right?

The dialogue was ridiculous in the sense that you get the impression that Rian Johnson just wanted to have fun with all that hard-boiled noir patter (totally unrealistic), but I think that that actually makes it kind of abstruse and somewhat of an impediment toward 14-year-old girls loving it. They might love Joseph Gordon-Levitt, though, and I don't entirely blame them. Emilie de Ravin and Nora Zehetner are pretty easy on the eyes, too.

Uh... 14 year old girls thought it was weird and had no idea what was going on or why. and the dialogue was pulp detective story patter from the 30's. Only ridiculous if you've never seen a Bogart movie.

long time favorite of mine. love it.

??? Weird. I'm sure very few 14-year-old girls actually saw "Brick."

i formed this opinion based partially on news from an acquaintence who works at a local video retailer. the more i thought about it the more it made sense.

I thought Brick was wonderful, but I might be biased because of the cuet boyz.

[in my best gene siskle voice]

two thumbs down, WAY DOWN, for brick.

I don't mind awards shows. I think they can be pretty fun if you have a posse together to watch them. Mostly I like the Oscars because they introduce me to movies I might need to check out. Also, I like seeing what everyone wears. There, I said it.

But your second sentence contradicts your first. You thought that movie was about teenagers? It wasn't.

this is the second time (at least) that you've written this today and have been incorrect both times.

I am going to rassle you to the ground when I get out there.

Winning an Oscar may now be even worse than winning a Grammy.

A. MEN. Cf. Sharon Stone talking about taking long baths and sobbing for days after filming Basic Instinct. And it is the self-awed way actors say these things! Like they're talking about having just come out of Auschwitz or something. Have a really strong emotional reaction, transform yourself into a character for months, be traumatized, but be aware that I want to see a moving performance IN the movie, not when you talk ABOUT it, when it is just gross.

*Pretty much the only year-end list/awards/whatever I can stomach, if only for roffles.

Many of the big-studio movies that come out every December are made with that as a major consideration. Why else would The Horse Whisperer have been made? Also the 3 Anthony Minghella films before this last one.