Best Picture

My two favorite Best Pictures were about cutting arms off. How often does that happen?

My thoughts on the Best Picture Nominees -

“Black Swan” - I really enjoyed this movie and thought the story arc was perfect. I was delighted with the actresses in this movie and was disappointed that more of them weren't nominated for their acting. The makeup, costuming and dancing are incredible. Natalie Portman will win best actress.

“The Fighter” - I guess I liked Rocky better. Marky Mark is awesome. I did like the sisters and thought that they did a great job with setting the film in a particular time.

“Inception” - I had no idea what it was about when I went. Blew me away. That scene with Paris folding up? Loved it. Also, this movie freaked me out and has wormed its way into my subconscious. I still have nightmares where Leonardo DiCaprio screams at me to wake up. Too much shooting and action at the end with the snow, etc. Other than that, I loved the movie and thought it was incredibly well done.

“The Kids Are All Right” - I watched this on DVD with Anna. I was disappointed. It was more like a really good TV show, not a movie. The acting was great. I am glad to see a mainstream movie about a lesbian couple and their family that addresses family issues. That doesn't mean it's the Best Picture. Annette Bening is favored to win BA, but I hate those awards which are about careers and not the specific performance. I do like actresses that allow themselves to play unsympathetic characters, but I don't think she'll win.

“The King's Speech” - I saw this with Frank and Anna (my last blog was about that experience). I did not want to see this movie (even less than Toy Story III). That said, I thought it was really moving and beautifully filmed. It has the "Best Picture" feel and I would suggest that this movie will win. Colin Firth will also win Best Actor.

“127 Hours” - I meant to see this movie when it was at The Ross a few months ago (before it was nominated), but I didn't make it to the movie before it left. I actually drove to Omaha in the middle of the day to see this at a google-plex theater because it was the only theater in Nebraska still showing the movie (and it's not out on DVD yet). I loved just about everything about this movie - it is beautiful - huge shots and close ups depending on the feel of the scene. Fast movement contrasted with slow movement contrasted with dream movement. This guy travels a million miles an hour and is forced to slow down - stop - and it is profoundly done. I am glad I saw this on the big screen - they really used the medium and the filming is incredible. The rock should have gotten a nod for best supporting actor. "Thank you."

“The Social Network” - Bill and I watched this on DVD and the kids watched it with me, and then they watched it over, and over, and over. Of all of the nominees, I have seen this movie the most. The kids loved the story and it is well done. I loved the dialogue in this movie. I have read that the script was unusually large and there was concern they would need to cut it, but there are no pauses in this movie. Everyone talks like a policy debater - fast, but also accurate and authentic. I think this movie is masterfully written and should get best adapted screenplay.

“Toy Story 3” - I saw this on DVD with the kids during a blizzard. And they watched it umpteen more times. I loved Toy Story I, I liked Toy Story II and Toy Story III was fine, but not as good as the first one, in my opinion. Rex totally got stiffed on a nomination for best Supporting Actor. He's always been my favorite toy. "We're going to daycare!"

“True Grit” - This is a beautiful movie and it has a great pace. I loved the little girl and hope she wins an Oscar, but she won't. This movie has a "Best Picture" movie feel to it with the costuming and casting and filming. It's a Western though, and I'm just saying, it's gonna be "King's Speech."

“Winter's Bone" - I loved this book and thought they did an incredible job with the film. The main character is a low-income, spunky girl. So of course it was my favorite film. :-) This movie is uncomfortable - the poverty, drugs, guns, and hopelessness are hard to watch. I loved the plethora of animals and the worn out clothes and the chill inside the house. I found this story satisfying in that it is real, but the character does things that most of us would find challenging if not impossible. The story would be very different if she committed her mom, sent the kids to live with relatives and joined the military. Those are the choices I would make, and we haven't even poised me on a boat in a frozen lake with a chainsaw facing a group of women who recently beat the shit out of me.

Saw off your own arm? Or saw off both your father's dead arms? Gah. I am guessing the Academy will be more impressed with a speech.