Cramming for the Oscars

[samurainoir]

What seems a lifetime ago, I was doing movie reviews and pretty much saw everything that came out.

I used to always win or place in the yearly Oscar pool. Past dozen or so years I was kind of phoning it in at the annual Oscar party (the only thing I won was worst dressed), since it seemed like so much "work" to watch movie after movie about what inevitably was filled with heavy handed subject matter.

This year I figured I'd try and actually start watching the "Broccoli" films again rather than just pick from titles and loose set of rules (Rule #1: The Best Foreign Film usually has a kid in it. Rule #2: Best actor likely playing someone with an affliction or is differently abled).

So this weekend I watched How to Train Your Dragon and The King's Speech. Tonight I'll probably do The Fighter or The Social Network (I honestly didn't realize David Fincher directed this one).

What have you seen and what you have you really enjoyed?

Black Swan was near the top of my list. Although to be honest, that's mostly because it's kind of a snooty arty knockoff of Showgirls.

[Wee67]

Black Swan was near the top of my list. Although to be honest, that's mostly because it's kind of a snooty arty knockoff of Showgirls.

Best movie review I've seen in a while

Most of this year was absolutely horrible for movies. It ended pretty strong, but I think I saw almost every one of my favorite films in the last month.

Black Swan was surprisngly good. I also really enjoyed the characters and dialogue of True Grit. Also, stay for the end credits of The Fighter. You will have already been wow-ed by Christain Bale's performance but when you see the actual person he played you will realize exactly how well he nailed the role. Ultimately, however, I think my favorite movie this year was Inception. Then again, I've always been a sucker for reality themes.

[4NDR01D]

I just rented Inception and The Social Network. Only nominated movie I've seen yet was Toy Story 3.

[SeattleEd]

Just watched "The Kids Are All Right" last night and have to say, best movie I've seen in a long time. Much better than the other nominated movies, IMO. Great acting and story. Annette Bening stole the movie.

As for animation my vote for The Illusionist. The Triplets of Belleville should have won in 2004 so hopefully Sylvian Chomet gets it for The Illusionist. Brilliant!

[saildog]

I got roped into seeing "Black Swan" and was surprised that I liked it.

"True Grit" was a no miss for me, given my love for The Coen Bros., Jeff Bridges, Westerns, and that story in particular. I thought the girl that played Mattie was great and the expansion of that character to be closer to the Portis Novel than the original film was what distinguishes it most from the John Wayne version in my estimation.

That's all that I have seen from this year's list, but I do plan on seeing "The King's Speech" at some point.

[EmergencyIan]

The King's Speech" is my favorite this year and one of the best movies that I've seen...ever.

- Ian

[The Toyroom]

The only nominated movie I saw this year was Toy Story 3.....

[Brazoo]

My favorite movie so far this year was "Exit Through the Gift Shop" which got a nomination for best documentary.

[SeattleEd]

My favorite movie so far this year was "Exit Through the Gift Shop" which got a nomination for best documentary.

Yup, Brilliant movie.
I recommend Style Wars if you can find it. Great docu of the original scene from the late70's.

Love Banksy but Mr Brainwash is just another Warhol.

[Sideshow Spock]

Has anyone seen Winter's Bone? We watched it a couple month back. Great performance by the girl (sorry, blanking on her name), and a helluva tough movie. Saw the Kids are Allright a couple weeks ago and was very amused.

[Goblin19]

For once, I've seen all the nominees. There are some great movies this year.
My favorites: Not just the nominees: The top 5 are all great.
1. Toy Story 3
2. The Social Network
3. The Kids Are All Right
4. Exit Through the Gify Shop
5. The King's Speech
6. The Fighter
7. Winter's Bone
8. Tangled
9. Get Him To the Greek
10. Black Swan

[Brazoo]

Most of this year was absolutely horrible for movies.

Yeah - I had lots of movies that I was excited about last year. This year's crop didn't grab me for some reason.

I haven't seen most of the December movies yet though - I'll catch up later - though, while I'm sure I'll like a lot of the big oscar movies just fine, I'm not excited about seeing them the way I usually am.

TV killed this year though. Last season of "Mad Men" was incredible - and any given episode of last year's "Bored to Death", "Eastbound & Down" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" beat any comedy movie I saw.

[Goblin19]

I think most of the big movies were bad, but there was a lot of quality once you dug a little.

[Hector]

I want the girl from True Grit to win...she was really good as Mattie.

[Hector]

Has anyone seen Winter's Bone? We watched it a couple month back. Great performance by the girl (sorry, blanking on her name), and a helluva tough movie. Saw the Kids are Allright a couple weeks ago and was very amused.

Agreed on both counts.