Oscar Nom Nom Noms: Best Picture

First off, it's by no means a surprise that Avatar is nominated (and even "by no means" is an understatement) (and even "understatement" doesn't do it justice) but I am pleasantly surprised that District 9 is nominated. Now, while Avatar is the greater crowning achievement in the advancement of cinematic technology blah blah blah, District 9 is actually the better film. I'm sure this won't be the only time that the subject matter is compared - Avatar with its obvious parallels to the colonization of America/the Iraq war and District 9 with its parallel to apartheid BOTH via the use of aliens - District 9 actually manages to make you feel strongly about something tangible instead of "oh man, isn't it sad what we did to the Native Americans? If only they had bad ass guns and the ability to harness futuristic pterodactyls." In other words, District 9 shows the same kind of hatred and bigotry through aliens and amazing special effects as Avatar, but it makes you think a little more. Sure, the aliens in Avatar are really flipping awesome and likable right from the getgo, but there's a moment in District 9 where you realize you like the totally disgusting, unattractive, and unintelligible aliens. Maybe this speaks more of American-style storytelling vs. British or South African as it were - we like our characters likable as quickly as possible, so we have to do as little work as possible, as opposed to earning that likability - truly understanding why we should like a giving character.

Needless to say, Avatar will win the Oscar.

Initially I was skeptical about the 10 film nominations for Best Picture, but have since come to appreciate that some unexpected movies get a nomination because of it. Namely, An Education. Seriously - An Education? Nominated for Best Picture? Now don't get me wrong, I love me some snide British comedies and definitely have a soft spot for Paris in the '60s and Peter Skaarsgaaard, but I thought I was the only one! It actually was one of my favorite movies of the year. I mean, when I saw it with my mom we kept beaming at each other and saying over and over again how much we love this movie - but you don't expect the Academy to feel that way with their moms as well!


Rawr?

I would have much rathered Humpday in this alternate spot. That was definitely my favorite movie of the year, and if they were looking for some unsung gem to give a chance in the spotlight, that would be it. Subject matter aside (or more realistically, subject matter in the forefront) this was one of the most intelligent, well-acted, and interesting films I had seen in a long time. Speaking of gay, I'm excited Colin Firth for A Single Man is nominated, though I would much rather see this movie nominated for Best Picture than likenamed A Serious Man.For the beer bottle, right? As for the "Up" movies (haha get it?), Up in the Air was kind of underwhelming (more excited again for the fantastic women nominated in tha film) and would probably lose to the Coen brothers and definitely to the special effects movies. Up I still need to see, but it's always exciting when an animated film gets nominated. Like maybe we're a culture that celebrates the inner child over the SFX loving adult? Like maybe....

I still need to finish Inglorious Basterds. I think I'm in a minority of people who had trouble getting through the film. I think I did myself a disservice by watching the original early '80s cult version of it that Tarantino's was based on because I was expecting something totally different. The style and theme of the movie were interesting... but I just had trouble with the opening scene getting the audience to not sympathize with the Nazis. Isn't that one of the few inherent things in our culture? Nazis are pictured, and you hate them? Maybe I'm just having difficulty watching un-rationalized violence lately. I suppose I am not Tarantino's target audience.

Can we talk about Mo'Nique's rise to awesomeness, though? I still need to see Precious as well, but I love that Mo' is doing so well. I can't wait to see her in a bad comedy with Steve Martin. Then she'll know she's made it.

I haven't seen The Hurt Locker or The Blind Side, so both prepositional movies aren't getting considered here. They're probably two of the bigger contenders but... oh well, should make for an interesting 10-way race.

Mama wants an Oscar.