©Jill Posener, 2009 All Rights Reserved
Oscar pays a lot of attention to the movies, trust me. He feels that as there is an award named for him, he has a social responsibility. And the amount of time he spends on the sofa gazing in the direction of the screen gives him a certain amount of credibility in this regard. He and I shared our picks over coffee this morning and I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, to find how much we agree.
We both hit the button for Slumdog Millionaire for Best Movie (though I have a sneaking suspicion the title played a part for Oscar. He says 'no' it was the fact that not a single animal was seen getting hurt in the film, and I hafta agree that was a nice touch). He is going for Richard Jenkins in The Visitor for Best Actor but he does admit that Jenkins advanced age, at 61, had an impact. Oscar believes in senior redemption. I loved that performance, but I did think that Sean Penn was in another zone in Milk. Oscar and I simultaneously cried out 'Why can't Marisa Tomei and Penelope Cruz jointly win Best Supporting Actress?' "And then make out onstage" Oscar chimes in. I tell him that's such a lesbian thing to say. He gently reminds me of what most 'lesbian' sex in male porn looks like and adds "touché" before returning to his kibble.
And what is with Kristen Scott Thomas not being nominated somewhere, anywhere for the most moving performance by an actress last year in I've Loved You So Long? And where is Sally Hawkins nomination for her part in Mike Leigh's Happy Go Lucky, his most optimistic movie since Life Is Sweet?
I watched The Wrestler the other night (without Oscar - movies with by-pass surgery in them tend to make him anxious) and I didn't think Mickey Rourke's performance cut it honestly. This seems to be one of those sentimental Hollywood moments when reward is given for trainwreck performances by trainwreck stars. Rourke gives Tomei little to work with, yet she gives a performance that is completely true as the single mom/stripper who somehow finds love in her heart for this dumbshit bruiser.
As usual there's a bunch of strange decisions - 'Frost/Nixon' is clever, but thin - like a watery pasta sauce. And Changeling was a better movie than I expected, but worth a nomination for Jolie? And on the subject of Frost/Nixon, will someone please finally give Kevin Bacon the credit he deserves???
Everyone in my household agrees that Wall E is the best love story of the year, and I got into real trouble for bemoaning the fact that one of my favorite films of the year, Barry Levinson's What Just Happened didn't get any nods. Almost in unison they yelped 'It's Ok for you that a dog gets shot? Over and over? Whoa!' I tried gamely to point out that the whole point of the movie is that everyone except the puerile english filmmaker was disgusted by the dog shooting, reflecting the movie going public's squeamishness with animal cruelty in movies while we happily watch humans being dismembered, tortured, and raped. Geez, I love movies. Why did I go into theatre?
"dumbshit bruiser" eh? I suppose it would be hard to give an oscar for someone who is basically playing himself. Just because he's a trainwreck and his character is a trainwreck doesn't mean it wasn't a good performance. Oscar worhty? I dunno. I still liked him enormously in that role. I do agree that Tomei gave a stellar performance.
When I compare the two, Rourke/The Wrestler and Penn/Milk, I lean more towards Penn. He was rather magical in that role.
But hey now, don't be throwing off on trainwrecks. I resemble that remark.
Posted by: Deborah, The Great AND Powerful | January 26, 2009 at 02:20 PM
Deb the Great and Powerful - I'm not harshing on trainwrecks - my most powerful love affairs have resembled them - with my mum, with myself and my most passionate gf's. I wouldn't mind a trainwreck performance if it was a great one, but it wasn't...
Posted by: JP | January 26, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Dude. Harsh. So harsh. Waaaaaay harsh. But if he was a stray dog, would'ya bring 'em home even?
Posted by: Deborah, The Great AND Powerful | January 26, 2009 at 07:53 PM
touche
Posted by: susie | January 27, 2009 at 10:13 AM
That Oscar is one handsome gentleman! The only movie I've seen is Slumdog Millionaire.
Posted by: Deb in Minnesota | January 27, 2009 at 07:24 PM