The Oscars are on tonight at 8 eastern and will be hosted by Hugh Jackman (what?!), but you can watch the douchebaggery of the E! channel "news" team ALL DAY. Who I hope wins in categories that I care about this year
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Sean Penn- Milk
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Heath Ledger- The Dark Knight
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Anne Hathaway- Rachel Getting Married
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Taraji P. Henson- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Slumdog Millionaire
COSTUME DESIGN
Milk
DIRECTING
Frost/Nixon
FILM EDITING
Milk
WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
Milk
BEST PICTURE
The Reader
Here is my spiel about the "Best Picture" award
I always care way too much about who and what wins at the Oscars, especially when it comes to the Best Picture award. So I give you my First Annual Best Picture Preference List:
#1- The Reader
This film was astounding. It picked apart and displayed this whole side of the Holocaust that I'd never even considered (namely, life after WWII for ex-Nazi prison guards), and it dealt with illiteracy in a new, completely non-PSA-ish way. I don't think it will win because of all the sex and because no one saw it, but still...I love this movie.
#2- Milk
This is an extremely close second...like, it's really #1.1. It was creatively filmed and really gave a clear and realistic look into the culture surrounding Castro Street in the 60s and 70s, as well as an exciting look at the world's most recent civil rights movement. Also, Emile Hirsch's presence certainly didn't hurt things.
#3- Frost/Nixon
When I was watching this film, one thing stood out- good film doesn't have to just be thought provoking, moving and well written. It can be entertaining, too. This is the first film I have seen for a long time where I can say that it was both extremely well crafted and fun to watch. However, I think that has far more to do with Ron Howard than anyone else, hence why I want it to win for directing and not Best Picture.
#4- Slumdog Millionaire
I know I'm the only person on Earth who didn't think that this was the best movie ever made. It's my own fault...I usually get more excited about movies when they're crushing, not heart-warming. If I want my heart to be warmed, I will either watch something with Hugh Grant in it or stand near a microwave. But when I go to see a movie about some kid who grew up in the slums of Mumbai, I want a catharsis, damn it. This movie was almost that...the first hour and a half was that. But then, all the sudden there's 20 minutes left to go and it's SO HAPPY. It's like watching two movies in one sitting, and it's annoying.
#5- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
It was really good but not moving in anyway. It was just a movie, you know? Not deserving of such accolades.
Side note time!
My internet isn't really working at the moment, but when it's back up I'm going to make an effort to blog at least 3 times a week. So, look forward to that.
