83rd Annual Academy Awards, February 27th, 2011
Best Picture: Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids Are All Right, The King's Speech, 127 Hours, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, True Grit, Winter's Bone
Actor in a Leading Role: Javier Bardem, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Colin Firth, James Franco
Actress in a Leading Role: Annette Bening, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams
Directing: Black Swan, The Fighter, The King's Speech, The Social Network, True Grit
I haven’t seen 127 Hours, The King’s Speech, Toy Story 3, Inception or The Kids Are Alright. I will talk a bit about why and if I think they’ll win anything. I’m certainly not a critic or a professional; and I’ll likely not watch the Oscars show. Awards shows are a waste of good DVR time.
Movie’s I’ve seen:
“Black Swan” This was a movie I wanted to see because I had a secret fantasy of being a ballerina when I was a young girl. The reality of not having any rhythm and being too tall quashed my dreams but I love the fluidity of ballet and have been known to watch them when I can.
I should have clearly done more research before watching the movie; although my instincts on trailers are usually pretty good so I didn’t (I usually don’t). This movie was disgusting and fascinating in ways that I’m not sure I completely understand. The demise of the star’s mental state was frightening and understandable but some of the ways the insanity was portrayed was to be frank, repulsive to me. A graphic masturbation scene, several parts of the movie had more blood and wounds than a horror movie and the most repellent to me was the overtly explicit lesbian oral sex scene. I turned my head away more than once in this film and repeatedly was glad I had seen it alone and on a free pass. Why did I stay? Because I wanted some redeeming part of this film to explain all the madness, and in that, the film did justice to the story. The finale was psychologically filled with visions and madness and beauty and dancing that explained yet mystified at the same time. And as expected it had a tragic, yet understandable ending.
My vote: I believe it could win Best Picture and possibly Directing but I think the Best Actress will go elsewhere.
“The Fighter” I love Mark Wahlberg and detest Christian Bale but wanted to see this movie. I like boxing movies and because it was based on a true story I thought it would be interesting. Briefly, this was really more a movie about overcoming the odds of a dysfunctional family that it was really about boxing. The main family in the film has so many problems and the story would like to have you believe it’s mostly because of economy and social class, but in my mind the family brought most of the problems on themselves. Micky Ward is the younger brother of a boxer that almost made it but instead turned his life to cocaine and eventually a prison sentence. Micky’s mother has been married several times and has two boys and several daughters in the family; she manages her boys’ fighting careers like she manages the family and the children are all adult enough to do it themselves. The daughters always seem to be around the house and it’s not clear if any of them have a job but spend a lot of time trash-talking Micky’s new girlfriend (Amy Adams) who works at the bar in town. Micky gets a shot to make it big and after his brother is sent to prison, he takes on a new manager (after dumping mom and pissing off the entire family except his step-father). He eventually wins the World Light Welter-weight title after reconciling with his brother (who appears to make some lifestyle changes) and family.
Strong acting by all the players; Christian Bale really shone as an entitled, selfish, coke-head and prison trash. Amy Adams was soft yet strong and Mark Wahlberg had the chance again to show of his incredible body and acting talents. However, all of this was overshadowed for me by the fact that there was just too much swearing and too many Jerry Springer moments for me.
My vote: I don’t think it will win anything big; although Melissa Leo may win a supporting actress award.
“True Grit” I had seen the original years ago and although I’ve never been much of a John Wayne fan, I liked the movie. I also really don’t like Jeff Bridges. I mostly went because Russ wanted to go and the kids were seeing a movie we “adults” had no desire to watch.
The movie was fantastic and true to the original with some updated material (I just recently re-watched the original on TV last week). Bridges was terrific as Cogburn and Matt Damon was perfectly cast as the Texas Ranger; Hailee Steinfeld absolutely perfect for the role of Mattee. Completely enjoyed the movie and even the part towards the end with the snakes (even though I turned my head) didn’t ruin it for me.
My vote: I think Hailee Steinfeld may take the supporting actress award for this movie. I’m not sure the movie will win anything else.
“The Social Network” I had absolutely no desire to see this film; I usually detest documentaries or anything that closely resembles a “not true but based on true events” story. But, a friend wanted to see it and I was game (Yeah, I can be bought for Milk Duds and Cherry Coke). I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would and have garnered a lot of respect for the founder (even if parts of the movie aren’t completely factual). Geeks of the world should rejoice that Mark Zuckerberg has flown their flag high and proud and made billions from it. And the rich snobs like the Winkelvii twins (Winkelvoss times two should be Winkelvii) deserved everything they got. They keep their names in the news by complaining that Zuckerberg should still have to pay them more. Side note, I think legal battles over “intellectual property” are dangerous grounds and should have higher standards than just plain theft of a product.
My Vote: I’d love to say “The Social Network” will win best picture, but I think it will get beat out by “The King’s Speech” or “The Kids Are All Right”.
I haven’t seen the other movies for a variety of reasons; I chose not to see “The Kids Are Alright” for the same reason I’ve never seen “Brokeback Mountain” and don’t watch “Modern Family”. Whether I’m a hateful bigot or not in anyone’s eyes; I have chosen not to see movies and shows that glorify the homosexual lifestyle and expect viewers to condone it as normal and right.
I ran out of time to be able to see “The Kings Speech” and “Toy Story 3” as well as “127 Hours”. I will watch them on DVD when they come out. I’m undecided if I want to watch “Inception” but not for any reason I can put a finger on.
I think “The King’s Speech” will likely take best picture, although the visual graphics in “Inception” may win out. I think Colin Firth will take Best Actor and Annette Bening Best Actress.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
I'm still here...
Well, it's been several weeks since I've put anything on the blog and I'm sure those of you that care (sniff) thought maybe you'd heard the last of me. But never fear, I'm still here.
It's not that I haven't had anything to say, it's really more like I've had a lot to say, but nothing really cohesive or of coherent value. And, well, who wants to read ranting and rambling (oh, wait, that's my whole blog).
So, today I have a few minutes to write and thought I'd 'prattle' on about a few things that are on my mind.
Abortion
I, like most people I know, are sickened by what's been called the "Philadelphia Horror". You can type that phrase into your search engine and find any number of articles, opinions or news pieces on the issue. What sickens me the most is that this man actually justified his actions by thinking he was helping people, and that the value of a human life has become so infinitesimal that a heartbeat is no longer proof of life.
I find it hard to accept that a woman's right to her own body means that another living being must have its life taken away. This is an odd way to determine choice and rights vs. consequences and reality. I'm sure that Margaret Sanger, from her window in the afterlife (that's another post completely), is giddily pleased at the progress her eugenics propaganda has made. Freedom for the poor and downtrodden women by erasing the existence of those unwanted mouths was at the heart of her work. It had less to do with easing the plight of the poor minority women and more to do with cleansing the population of filthy, uneducated and valueless lower class peoples.
Much like the attitudes of the Doctor and his staff, these women were being saved from more unwanted children. How they got pregnant or what happened to the babies was not their concern. Their heartfelt service goal was the well-being of the poor mothers. Filthy conditions, no safeguards, and a host of other medical atrocities were committed so that these women could be saved from themselves.
This will be another whipping post of party politics and the real victims will once again be forgotten. The babies who were created for a purpose were murdered for no reason whatsoever other than convenience.
Education
The marriage of education and unions should have been dissolved decades ago. As with any marriage where abuse is prevalent, the children are suffering and would benefit from new surroundings and environments. We as the "in-laws" need to stop putting our fingers in the dike and stuffing it with more and more money that is mis-used and unnecessary.
I still think the answer to education is vouchers. Publicly funded education is not (necessarily) the problem; how the funds are spent is. If parents had choices of where their children went, it would benefit the rich, the poor, the minority, the majority and -- most of all -- the children.
Our children are the future and as teachers and administrators (and union reps) like to hold over our heads; they are being shortchanged. But this isn't because there isn't enough money. I think it has more to do with value than economy. We used to focus on the basics of education; formerly called the "three R's". Now it's all about visits from the author, experience learning, sex education and No Child Left Behind. Instead it's EVERY CHILD left behind.
I'm not against public funding for education. I agree every child has the right to education. What I disagree with is being forced into a "one curricula fits all" mentality. Not every child learns, processes or progresses at the same level as every other child. Smaller class sizes are a better fit for some, while others benefit from more classmates and more activities. I believe that families should be allowed to make choices that fit each child, each "circumstance" in the best way possible.
Vouchers would provide the same level of opportunity for every child and present education with the unique idea of competition. Parents could use the school closest to them or the one that provided the best match to the parents' educational desires. Children who lived in lower income environments would have the option of choosing schools that would possibly been financially out of reach. Families that wanted more music or sports or academics could choose a school that met those wants; instead of paying twice for private schools. Parents that didn't have an educational preference would likely choose a school that was convenient to their work or home or childcare facility.
Choice has been the mantra of politicians for many decades; however the choice they want is the choices THEY make; not the choices of the people it affects.
I'll try not to be so silent for such a long time next time. And, as always, if you don't care for my opinions, you don't have to read them. It's the beauty of the freedoms we have in the country. The freedom of choice.
It's not that I haven't had anything to say, it's really more like I've had a lot to say, but nothing really cohesive or of coherent value. And, well, who wants to read ranting and rambling (oh, wait, that's my whole blog).
So, today I have a few minutes to write and thought I'd 'prattle' on about a few things that are on my mind.
Abortion
I, like most people I know, are sickened by what's been called the "Philadelphia Horror". You can type that phrase into your search engine and find any number of articles, opinions or news pieces on the issue. What sickens me the most is that this man actually justified his actions by thinking he was helping people, and that the value of a human life has become so infinitesimal that a heartbeat is no longer proof of life.
I find it hard to accept that a woman's right to her own body means that another living being must have its life taken away. This is an odd way to determine choice and rights vs. consequences and reality. I'm sure that Margaret Sanger, from her window in the afterlife (that's another post completely), is giddily pleased at the progress her eugenics propaganda has made. Freedom for the poor and downtrodden women by erasing the existence of those unwanted mouths was at the heart of her work. It had less to do with easing the plight of the poor minority women and more to do with cleansing the population of filthy, uneducated and valueless lower class peoples.
Much like the attitudes of the Doctor and his staff, these women were being saved from more unwanted children. How they got pregnant or what happened to the babies was not their concern. Their heartfelt service goal was the well-being of the poor mothers. Filthy conditions, no safeguards, and a host of other medical atrocities were committed so that these women could be saved from themselves.
This will be another whipping post of party politics and the real victims will once again be forgotten. The babies who were created for a purpose were murdered for no reason whatsoever other than convenience.
Education
The marriage of education and unions should have been dissolved decades ago. As with any marriage where abuse is prevalent, the children are suffering and would benefit from new surroundings and environments. We as the "in-laws" need to stop putting our fingers in the dike and stuffing it with more and more money that is mis-used and unnecessary.
I still think the answer to education is vouchers. Publicly funded education is not (necessarily) the problem; how the funds are spent is. If parents had choices of where their children went, it would benefit the rich, the poor, the minority, the majority and -- most of all -- the children.
Our children are the future and as teachers and administrators (and union reps) like to hold over our heads; they are being shortchanged. But this isn't because there isn't enough money. I think it has more to do with value than economy. We used to focus on the basics of education; formerly called the "three R's". Now it's all about visits from the author, experience learning, sex education and No Child Left Behind. Instead it's EVERY CHILD left behind.
I'm not against public funding for education. I agree every child has the right to education. What I disagree with is being forced into a "one curricula fits all" mentality. Not every child learns, processes or progresses at the same level as every other child. Smaller class sizes are a better fit for some, while others benefit from more classmates and more activities. I believe that families should be allowed to make choices that fit each child, each "circumstance" in the best way possible.
Vouchers would provide the same level of opportunity for every child and present education with the unique idea of competition. Parents could use the school closest to them or the one that provided the best match to the parents' educational desires. Children who lived in lower income environments would have the option of choosing schools that would possibly been financially out of reach. Families that wanted more music or sports or academics could choose a school that met those wants; instead of paying twice for private schools. Parents that didn't have an educational preference would likely choose a school that was convenient to their work or home or childcare facility.
Choice has been the mantra of politicians for many decades; however the choice they want is the choices THEY make; not the choices of the people it affects.
I'll try not to be so silent for such a long time next time. And, as always, if you don't care for my opinions, you don't have to read them. It's the beauty of the freedoms we have in the country. The freedom of choice.
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