Oscar Buzz

With the Oscars less than a month away, I took a few minutes today to have another glance at the nominations. It was then that I realized that I had unknowingly seen seven of the ten movies that have been nominated for best picture (yes, you read that correctly, ten movies). Usually, when the time comes for that sought-after golden statue to be given to the brains behind the year's best picture, I am lucky if I have even heard of any of the nominated movies. Since I am so 'with it' this year, I thought it would be fitting to comment, critique, and naturally criticize the nominated films.

Avatar
This was my first 3D movie experience, which I feel was absolutely necessary for the minimal enjoyment I gleaned from this film. There is no doubt that the scenery, graphics, and 3D effects were undeniably magnificent, and if award criteria was based purely on aesthetics, this film would have my vote; alas, that's not the case. The storyline is thin to say the least, and reminiscent of a modern day Pocahontas. The script was weak and, despite never-before-seen effects, dare I say cliche. I may have been more forgiving for the lack of clever writing had I not been so focused on my shifting weight and holding my breath for the credits to roll (movie goers beware: the film runs almost three hours)! Aesthetically pleasing; intellectually insulting.

The Blind Side
Being an athlete and loving all things sports, I will try to momentarily set aside my bias for this one. Biases aside, a truly inspiring, entertaining, and moving film. I must admit that despite my fondness and high praise for The Blind Side, I was surprised to learn that it had been nominated for best picture- it just didn't have that zsa zsa zsu that most best picture noms do. Don't misunderstand- the film is an unquestionable DVD purchase for me (and for those of you who know me, I am extremely finicky when it comes to investing in DVDs). The film brings laughs and tears, and a deeper appreciation and understanding for the often overused term having your back. The only flaw in the film was something I came across post-viewing: the film suggests that Michael Oher had never held a Pigskin prior to meeting the illustrious Tuohy family. Oher himself revealed that in fact, he had studied the game since he could remember, and was admittedly disappointed with the underlying assumptions regarding his unawareness of the game (that's Hollywood kid). Whether you're a sports fan or not, I highly recommend this film. Sandra Bullock for the win for Best Lead Actress.

District 9
This is the reason I am doing what I'm doing. Due to the several recommendations that came along with this movie, I cautiously shelved my skepticism and decided to give it a shot. Let's just say it's a good thing my skepticism prevailed and forced me to wait for the DVD to be released. I have taken the movie at face value, I have tried to find a deeper meaning, I have even pretended that I am curious to learn more about supposed alien culture. And yet, my sentiments remain unchanged. I am assuming that the recommendations came from individuals who never read books when they were younger, but rather oogled over the pictures. The plot was entirely unbelievable, essentially void of purpose, and radically non-nonsensical. The aliens and their language were mildly comedic, which is something I don't believe the director intended. I understand that movies of this genre must be taken with a grain of salt, but one can only go so far. I absolutely do not understand why this film received a nomination for Best Picture. Skip it.

The Hurt Locker
It is always difficult preparing to watch a film that has generated high praise, as my expectations are far greater than they would have been had I gone in blind (or, in this case, deaf). Nonetheless, there is no doubt in my mind that this film deserves to win Best Picture. The subject of Iraq has proven to be a very tough nut for the Hollywood world to crack. Director Kathryn Bigelow (ex-wife of Avator Director James Cameron) turned a measly $11 Million dollar project, into a success story. The movie follows a bomb squad completing their tour in Iraq, illustrating the struggles both in and out of uniform. I knew the moment I grimaced and looked away from the screen thinking "How do people do this?" I was hooked. This is no war movie, nor is it an excuse to validate or explain the US Invasion into Iraq. The relatively unknown cast portrays the lives of various soldiers in simple terms, making it effortless to understand and sympathize with the various feelings they undergo. This film is undoubtedly a must-see and my pick for Best Picture.

Inglorious Basterds
I will be the first to admit that I [apparently] do not understand or appreciate the on-screen complexities provided by Tarantino. This film, which falsely boasted Brad Pitt as a main character, fell short of my expectations which I had generated off of misleading trailers. I was expecting to watch a film with a focus on the trials and tribulations of war-torn Germany, attempts at assassinating Hitler, with a few twists and turns thrown into the mix. While those themes were found throughout the film, the simplicity of them were not. In true Tarantino form, the film quickly became confusing, loose-ended, and to be honest, irritating. The script became diluted with acid-tripping moments that had me questioning my sobriety. While I am not surprised by the nomination, I am surprised with the number of people who disagree with my viewpoint towards the film. Ah well, the numerous people who walked out of the theater midway probably don't. Unless you are a true Tarantino fan, and have 2.5 hours to spare, I say skip it.

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
This may come as a surprise to you (it sure did to me), but I have to admit that if The Hurt Locker doesn't take home the Oscar, I will be rooting for Precious. Precious tells the compelling true story of a young black teenaged girl who grew up not being able to experience her youth. Impregnated twice by her mother's boyfriend, seventeen year old Precious is forced to find a way to survive with no family, no education, and no money. The gripping part of the movie comes when we witness the horrific relationship between Precious and her mother (if you have a tumultuous mother-daughter relationship, I guarantee it changes once you see this film). The film puts so many facets of life into perspective, and although I walked out of the theatre unemployed and searching for my path in life, I felt so fortunate and so privileged after learning what true difficulty looks like. The film brings minimal laughs, so while I highly recommend it, I advise you to be wise when selecting a time to view it.

Up in the Air
There's nothing George Clooney can't do, right? Wrong. I was so eager to see this film, only to have my high hopes quickly dwindle. For the entirety of the film, I kept waiting for something to happen. Eventually I stopped holding my breath and anxiously began waiting for the credits to roll so that I could voice my displeasure to my movie going friend (sorry a.k.m). The 'plot' revolves around real time economic woes, and depicts the unfortunate task of being the guy who companies hire to fire the hard-working and dedicated employees. Predictably, the lonely protagonist finds love, is somewhat upstaged by his younger female colleague, and winds up being the bad guy turned good. I cannot understand why critics were crazy for Clooney. I spent my hard-earned money to watch a film centered around hard economic times, while I myself am enduring those same economic woes experienced by the characters in the movie. Oh, the irony. Skip it.