Oscar Noms Part I: The one’s I’ve actually seen

Here are my smug comments towards some of the oscar nominations this year. Will make part II when I actually see them.

Also note that no matter how much I bitch, all these films are indeed good.  The academy has some integrity and can at least pick good stuff to nominate, compare it to the ‘Teen Choice Awards’ and you’ll know what I mean.

Avatar – dir. James Cameron

The big elephant in the room for any movie fanatic hasn’t seen it. It’s rare that you see the movie fanbase divided so much, average movie goers either loved the experience or thought the plot was too preachy. If I hear another person say “teh specal effekts wer gud but de storie was dum”, I’m gonna shit a chicken. In my opinion, it’s a satisfying, grandiose and fun to watch genre flick. I DID NOT see it in 3D because I was just too damn proud to, plus I got sick last time I saw a 3D thing. I hear it adds to the experience a lot, but I don’t give a shit. I suppose the story was a bit preachy, but the thing was so well paced and superbly photographed that it’s anything but boring. Once you get over the OTESHA subtext thing, you’ll find a well directed although (in my opinion) forgettable movie. 7.5 navi breasts out of 10

District 9 – dir. Neill Blomkamp

Whoa, I didn’t see this picture getting a nomination. It’s not that it’s bad, just I never saw the academy nominating something that desensitized me from all the explosions. It’s an interesting and unique movie to be sure, which sticks in your mind after you’ve seen it. The mockumentary style kinda makes it feel ‘small’ (if that makes any sense) but what I really like about this movie is the main character Sharlto Copley. He deserves an oscar for ad-libbing all those lines, the scenes of him on screen are totally watchable. One complaint nobody else seems to have is the ridiculous amount of action, which I thought was bloooooooody overkill. Nonetheless, I may consider seeing it again. 7.3 horny aliens out of 10

Inglorious Basterds - dir. Quentin Tarantino

Sort of a wish fullfillment movie for people either obsessed with Tarantino or WWII. I saw it in theaters on my birthday and it was the first bluray I ever purchased. While I don’t think it’s as good as Quenty’s first two movies, I’d say it could be an easy third place. Seen it twice now, probably will watch it again and catch even more foreshadowing tricks and script subleties. Not much else to say other than it’s awesome, and I certainly believe it’s time for Tarantino to win a best director award, and Waltz for best supporting schmuck. 9.0 swastika forehead scars out of 10

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire – dir Lee Daniels

First off, why is the title that long? It’s listed like that on every movie site, as if they just read what was on the poster. Also, how can a novel be written by a friggin’ color? Stupid complaints aside, that hindenburg girl definitely deserves the best actress award. I however do have some whining to do; the cinematography was pretty bland and occasionally spastic; during a conversation with Mariah Carey the camera keep zooming in and out, as if it was a music video highlighting her tata’s. Yeah, yeah, the acting was really good, but I feel the photography and editing need some polishing up. And Daniels does not deserve the best director nom, straight up. 6.8 crashing blimps out of 10

A Serious Man – dir. Ethan and Joel Coen

If you like the Coens (I woul kill a disabled twelve year old with down syndrome if they asked me) you’ll like this flick. There’s just as much dark humor, tight photography and slightly-off characters you’d expect from a flick like this. The only place it doesn’t hold up in is the ‘best Coen’s movies ever’ list, but ahhhh who cares. It doesn’t have a good conclusion, but other than that it’s a very watchable piece of dark-quasi-humor-philosophical-ehhhya. I saw it twice, it only gets better. 8.3 neurotic Jews out of 10

Up – dir. a whole bunch of animation supervisors or whatever

What a treat the pixar movies are, although this one feels a little short and small compared to other 3D outings by Disney. Completely fun from start to finish, with vivid landscapes and hidden meanings that you catch on your second viewing. Not much to say, only that it’s a relentlessly pleasant and almost brought me to tears at a few points. 8.5 crotchedy old men out of 10