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Thank you, Gulliver...
This post will look
even better, say, 7-8 hours from now.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 5, 2006 at 2:17 PM
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MPO: I knew you were going to say that.
Thoroughly enjoyable post this week. :-) I truely hope you enjoy Sunday night!
posted by
Captain_Gulliver
on March 5, 2006 at 6:46 AM
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Editor's note:
As everyone can plainly see, I have combined all the acting categories into one (monstrous) post.
I figured this makes them even easier for everyone to ignore. Still can't understand why the Academy Awards aren't more popular here, though.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 4, 2006 at 7:15 PM
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Quoth Gulliver:
"So are you admitting this year it's more about politics than art?"
I admit nothing.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 4, 2006 at 7:11 PM
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Well, I just posted one of the two, Gulliver...
though, I actually forgot to write the prediction initially.
Alcohol kills brain cells, kids.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 9:27 PM
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There's no question (in my mind), Ben...
that the best movie will not win on Sunday night.
Also, my boyfriend pointed out that I'm only expecting to agree with one Academy decision (not counting "Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit") ... so, I guess I'm an eternal pessimist.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 9:26 PM
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I appreciate you saying that, Layla ...
I know this isn't exactly a "sexy" Oscar year.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 9:22 PM
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Still...I do enjoy your clearity...
and I look forward to seeing the rest of your predictions. Sorry...I didn't mean to get ahead of you. *smile*
posted by
Captain_Gulliver
on March 3, 2006 at 6:44 PM
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2 That will never happen...
I don't know which two you are refereing to, though I have an idea. Cloony may get the nod for best supporting actor, clearing Ang Lee for another Best Director. Perhaps that is what you referred to as your guarantee. Cinematography and Best Picture will be Brokeback, and I refuse to take back those picks. I'm just uncomfortable thinking Brokeback will sweep all of the major categories. As far as your other "guarantee" perhaps you mean my Best Actor pick.
*shrugs.
posted by
Captain_Gulliver
on March 3, 2006 at 5:34 PM
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Good analysis! I half think that it is going to defy us all and the worst deserving will be selected again.
(B)
posted by
A-and-B
on March 3, 2006 at 1:06 PM
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Good job of breaking it down for us, like that, MPO...
They ought to let YOU write for the entertainment mags--your list was the ONLY one worth reading!!!
I think SOMEONE ought to just give Paul Giamatti an Oscar already!!!
Good post!
~L~ xoxo
posted by
Anony_Miss
on March 3, 2006 at 1:05 PM
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No, you shall see ...
I already know.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 12:46 PM
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*smiles
We shall see MPO. We shall see.
posted by
Captain_Gulliver
on March 3, 2006 at 12:06 PM
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In the categories I have yet to write about...
there are only two possible contenders (and three also-rans) in each of them.
Which, makes betting, at worst, a 50/50 proposition.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 10:50 AM
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Gulliver, I guarantee (at least) two of your picks will never happen ...
and, that one will.
But, I'm not going to get ahead of myself (and reveal who).
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 10:48 AM
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For school, Decshak...
when we compiled our ten best lists for the half-decade, I named "Adaptation" #1 just ahead of "Spirited Away", "The Royal Tenenbaums", "Ghost World" and "Shadow of the Vampire".
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 10:44 AM
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Subjective
Perhaps some of the difficulty is in the fact that art is so subjective. I found Oh Brother Where Art Thou hilarious. One of my good friends thought it was one of the worst films ever made. I loved Moulin Rouge. Others found it over the top. You and I agree on some of our movies, and disagree on others. I guess what I mean is that I'm sure its difficult to create a system that awards truly artistic movies that everyone can agree deserves it.
I admit...I've grown cynical of the whole system. Still, I find more depth and thought to your analysis which is refreshing. Unfortunatly, come Monday morning I don't think the deep analysis will hold enough weight to counter other agendas. I sincerly hope I'm wrong.
My picks: (This is who I predict WILL win, not who I think SHOULD win)
Best Actor: Between David Strathairn and Heath Ledger. I think Strathairn will pull it off. Too many people view Ledger as just a kid.
Best Supporting Actor: No clue. These always come out of nowhere. I would pick Paul Giamatti, but that could be because his peformance is still fresh in my mind. I doubt he'll win.
Best Actress: Felicitry Huffman. No more comment.
Supporting Actress: Even harder to predict than Supporting Actor. I won't even try.
Cinematography: Easily Brokeback Mountain.
Director: Between Ang Lee and George Cloony. I think George will get the nod this year. Lee got it a few years ago for Crouching Tiger.
Best Picture: Brokeback or Good Night. I pick Brokeback.
Again, put all the analysis you want to in it, but in the end I think I'll score more hits with my picks than you. But we shall see. It will be a fun experiment. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.
posted by
Captain_Gulliver
on March 3, 2006 at 10:39 AM
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I agree with MPO about "Adaptation" just cause....
posted by
WindTapper
on March 3, 2006 at 10:18 AM
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To clarify:
2001
Best Picture: A Beautiful Mind
My choice: The Royal Tenenbaums
2002
Best Picture: Chicago
My choice: Adaptation
2003
Best Picture: The Return of the King
My choice: Kill Bill (Vol. 1)
2004
Best Picture: Million Dollar Baby
My choice: The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 9:59 AM
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I disagree, Gulliver...
I think if anything the nomination process has improved lately (the documentary category notwithstanding).
Of the Best Picture candidates last year, for instance, three ("Million Dollar Baby", "Sideways" & "The Aviator") were exceptional and a fourth ("Finding Neverland") was close to excellent.
This year, all five are (at a minimum) very good; three are outstanding.
In fact, I believe the last four winners of the award (though, perhaps not my Best Picture) were all worthy of the honor, at least.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 9:52 AM
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...Was it ever about art...
I don't know
posted by
Captain_Gulliver
on March 3, 2006 at 9:38 AM
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MPO: I refuse to see Chicken Little or Fan. 4...
but...
"Had you actually seen more of them, you might feel (slightly) differently about the telecast."
I will grant you that this year I have not been to the movie theatres as much as I have in previous years, (One of the sacrifices of having a toddler who goes to bed by 8:30 PM) which is why I will not argue with you about your choices. I've seen a few of them, but not enough to argue intelligently. But the Academy has become increasingly elitist, which I detest. I feel like it stopped being about art a long time ago, and I have cared little since.
posted by
Captain_Gulliver
on March 3, 2006 at 9:37 AM
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Btw, you can actually place real bets on the Oscars...
and (not to brag) but I was 5 out of 6 last year and 6 for 6 the year before.
So, read these posts carefully (and by Saturday night) you be able to wager your life savings without the slightest concern for your family's future.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 9:28 AM
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So we shouldn't get up in arms about the comment?
posted by
FreeManWalking
on March 3, 2006 at 9:25 AM
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Well, wherever I left it, Billy...
it was entirely and completely, 100% "pointed sarcasm" and
not a statement of my
actual opinion on the matter.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 9:23 AM
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Thank you, scriber...
I was actually going to display my credentials at the end of the post ... but, (even though the format "reads quickly") I was too wary of adding to the overall length.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 9:21 AM
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You know, Gulliver...
I find it sad that far more people here have seen the bird-brained "Chicken Little" or the downright insulting (to the intelligence) "Fantastic Four" than any of the nominated films.
Had you actually seen more of them, you might feel (slightly) differently about the telecast. (Although, to be honest, I view Sunday night as more of a light-hearted "betting opportunity", than an actual barometer of cinematic achievement.)
However, having said that, I do believe this was a year in which the Academy could have legitimately mixed in a few more "mainstream" movies (among the nominees). As you will soon see, when I get around to posting my "Best Picture" predictions/"Ten Best of 2005" list.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 9:17 AM
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Actually you left that comment in one of my pit bull posts as well, I think
posted by
FreeManWalking
on March 3, 2006 at 8:12 AM
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M.P.O--you know your movies. It is a queer year.
posted by
scriber
on March 3, 2006 at 6:22 AM
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MPO: With all due respect...
Ask me how much I care about the Oscars? Where will I be Sunday night? Umm...painting? Maybe a Jazz cafe. Anywhere but in my living room watching over 1,000 small people convinced of their own importance.
posted by
Captain_Gulliver
on March 3, 2006 at 6:15 AM
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I never imagined you as a conformist, Jack...
and
yet, your list mirrors Blog It as a whole: seeing as I'm the second highest-ranked person on both.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 3, 2006 at 4:39 AM
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mpo,
I was going to comment on your post, but I am currently boycotting movies. I used to watch them pretty regularly, but now I'm just pissed off most of the time.
posted by
Jack_Flash
on March 3, 2006 at 4:00 AM
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mpo,
I was here. You are now #2. I have been a remarkable recluse lately. I could hardly believe the allocations. I'm surprised I even exist. I should see about hiring a team of cheerleaders. Will most of them work out of uniform?
posted by
Jack_Flash
on March 3, 2006 at 3:54 AM
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Oh yeah, sure...
like that would be a real
contest.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 2, 2006 at 10:40 PM
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MPO-Most likely he blocked you cause you pissed him off!
Do I smell a Blog War here?
posted by
Passionflower
on March 2, 2006 at 10:36 PM
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Okay, let's try this again:
I've been blocked by a "whole mess" of people...
Because, one time, while answering a post (concerning a pit bull attack on an elderly person), I
jokingly said something like, "What does a 90-year old woman need arms for,
anyway?"
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 2, 2006 at 10:23 PM
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It was not!
P.S. Someone ask MedicineFlower why he blocked me.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 2, 2006 at 10:16 PM
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Maybe he really likes Wood. In all my offensiveness I have never
been blocked
posted by
FreeManWalking
on March 2, 2006 at 10:15 PM
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I thought Jay and Silent BobStrike Back was good, excellent even
posted by
FreeManWalking
on March 2, 2006 at 10:12 PM
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Oh and, what's up with "MedicineFlower"?!
he's reviewed the same fucking movie (which sucked, btw) like 5 posts in a row.
And, why am I blocked from commenting on his blog?
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 2, 2006 at 10:11 PM
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Billy, I hated "Chasing Amy"...
and HATE Ben Affleck even more.
Love "Clerks", though.
Kevin Smith should have just retired after that one.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 2, 2006 at 10:08 PM
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I loved the message of "Crash", Smartdog, ...
which was a brave and complicated one. And not the obvious "PC" cop-out.
The movie itself, however, at times felt a little too contrived to me.
Overall, I would still rate it fairly highly.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 2, 2006 at 10:06 PM
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MPO
I didn't get to see all of these but I thought Crash was excellent. Cindarella Man i was dissapointed in - but that's like the result of me reading the book before hand.
-smartdog
posted by
smartdog_670
on March 2, 2006 at 9:59 PM
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my bad, Love Liza is the other one. Somewhere Chasing Amy got in my way
posted by
FreeManWalking
on March 2, 2006 at 9:52 PM
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I've seen "Owning Mahowny" ...
(it's one of the 5 snubs I count) ... haven't gotten around to the other one, yet.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 2, 2006 at 9:49 PM
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MPO - if you haven't seen them I recommend Missing Amy and Owning Mahoney..
if you have seen them then you know...Hoffman is incredible
posted by
FreeManWalking
on March 2, 2006 at 9:46 PM
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Not only should Giamatti have been nominated for "American Splendor"...
he deserved to win, as well.
Speaking (as you were) of Philip Seymour Hoffman, he was jobbed out of, like, 5 nominations previously ... at least. And, he is my favorite actor (based on skill). (I prefer Johnny Depp for other purposes.)
Every movie Hoffman is in, is automatically made a better film, solely for him having been in it. You can't say that about too many actors.
And two of his movies, "Magnolia" and "Happiness" were among the very best of the entire previous decade.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 2, 2006 at 9:34 PM
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The only 2 I saw were Cinderella Man and Crash. Though Capote
stars my favorite actor (next to Leonardo DiCaprio). I agree, the agent in CM deserves a belated nod).
posted by
FreeManWalking
on March 2, 2006 at 9:19 PM
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I don't know that I necessarily need the clicks, fourcats...
(there's not a whole lot of room above me) ... however, during the two years I was doing this "professionally", I was right roughly 90% of the time.
posted by
Mademoiselle
on March 2, 2006 at 8:40 PM
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wanna place some clicks as bets?
tell you what, for every one you get right, whether it's guess or choice, i'll give you two clicks. you've still got a couple days, get the idea out to the rest of the bloggers and see what you can earn!
i'll be looking for your follow-up blog after the show.
posted by
fourcats
on March 2, 2006 at 8:36 PM
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