Orange is the New Oscar
Movie stars and politics. You hate it, because who cares what they think? I agree. And I'll spare you the First Amendment argument -- since I know you're aware based on your footsteps on my throat (online-speaking). But, more importantly, think of the people you DO listen to --
Wolf Blitzer?
This is your dad's friend who pretends he's an intellectual, but you know he hasn't read a book longer than 80 pages since college and you're secretly wondering if he's actually the disgraced Frugal Gourmet in hiding.
Dr. Laura?
We wouldn't even know who this woman IS if she didn't hate gays so openly. In fact, she's not usually as unattractive as this particular picture, but I'm sure that phallic-looking microphone has her wrenching, thinking about two men who are doing things paving their way to hell -- along with all of the other "vulgar" "beastial" gays.
Al Sharpton?
Why do we listen to this guy again? Because he's a "reverend"? Hmm...there are a lot of priests who we should've ignored over the years. I love that our country gives people second (and third and fourth) chances, but Tawana Brawley should've been enough to send this guy away from the public light forever.
Sean Hannity?
No. You aren't listening to this guy, are you? Don't admit it to me. This is a country that can do better than State TV.
Alex Jones?!?
Nah. Not even putting a picture of this f@#$ here. If you listen to him at all, get off this blog. You're a sick pup and need help.
So they're planning on wearing orange to highlight gun violence? I admire their social conscience, but I don't think they have any realization at all that the people most committed to guns for all for all time guns...or whatever...will go out and buy more simply because. Simply because.
Best Picture
Where is I, Tonya?!? It captures our times more than any other movie. Particularly when Martin Maddox (played brilliantly by Bobby Cannavale) says:"I mean, we had no idea that something like this could be done by two of the biggest boobs, in a story populated solely by boobs!"
Kinda captures the times we're living in, no?
Call Me By Your Name
Beautiful movie, well acted and -- need to go to Italy for vacation. No statue here, but Timothee Chalamet...ooof (see below).
Three Billboards Outside Ebbings, Missouri
I thought this was the best, most creative movie I've seen in 20 years and then I read the reviews. Haters. Who hate. Still think it was brilliant. My choice is Get Out (blog spoiler), but I'd be perfectly happy if TBOEM wins.
Dunkirk
Two movies about the same historic event. Just like 1998, when we relived our asteroid destruction twice in Armageddon and Deep Impact. Love true stories.
This is the better of the Dunkirk movies. Even if you know the entire history (and I was just a bit deficient), the perspective is from that of the waiting soldiers, fully expecting to die and the civilians willing to stare down the Nazis. In another year, this gets more respect and wins the big, nude gold. Not this year.
Darkest Hour
A framework for Gary Oldman's performance...and I'm perfectly ok with that. We all know Churchill, he of cigar-fame, and Oldman brought him to life in a way that made you wish you could've seen the man in action (bathtub aside). I enjoyed John Lithgow's performance in The Crown, but Oldman brought Winston's humor to play. He'll win, controversial as it may be (see below). But not the movie -- the second-best WW II movie this year.
Get Out
Boy would I love for this to win -- not for some political reason, but because it's a horror movie, people! I had the pleasure of seeing this in a theater in Baltimore with some people who...shall we say...have a reputation for talking to the screen. Totally enhanced the experience! But it also made me realize Marcus Henderson got a major snub ("Major Snub"{salute}) by not getting a Supporting Actor nod. This guy (playing Walter) spoke on behalf of the audience (see above) and had most of the laughs -- and they were serious, LOL moments and necessary bursts of relief in a very intense film.
I'm rooting for GO to get something -- Screenplay at least, Director, perhaps?
The Shape of Water
Prior to seeing it (and twice during), I kept thinking "Huh?" But it was a beautiful story. I have to admit I was expecting to see Adrienne Barbeau pop out somewhere (hey...I didn't mean those. Post-Weinstein World, bitch.) Richard Jenkins was amazing. You know this dude when you see him, but you don't know where from (don't bother looking it up -- you don't remember those movies).
Lady Bird
Very entertaining movie. Does this rise to the level of Best Picture? I guess...but in a year when they only had 9 (instead of the recent 10 custom) and left off Big Sick and I, Tonya? Hmm....
The Post
Critics called this formulaic, but as a Watergate obsessed Boomer, I was riveted. Donna enjoyed, too. I suspect this is because of the juxtaposition of this "more traditional" move against the rule-breakers (Call Me By Your Name; Get Out; outdoor advertising in the midwest). I completely geeked out and blurted out the names of the characters before anyone said their name. Not nearly as entertaining as what happened to me during Get Out (see above).
The Underdogs
Do watch:Big Sick -- besides being laugh-out-loud funny, it's quite touching (and my wife's favorite: a true story).
Icarus (yes, you're going to watch a documentary that's not made by Ken Burns!) -- it's riveting AND timely, since we just went through the Olympics and we're back in the Cold War again in earnest.
The Snubs
I, TonyaA guy head-butts his way through a glass door?
The "incident" scene music is lifted straight from The Shining
Allison Janney is talking straight to the camera right out of Howard Stern's Private Parts.
Alright, it's derivative. But it's disturbing, even though you know exactly what happens (and that they're all boobs) and laugh-out-loud funny.
I'm into the creative stuff that happened this year, but this is my kind of movie.
The Big Sick
This fit the format of "different", had a Hollywood-loving minority family (hell, a Muslim minority family -- "Hello? Snowflakes?!?"), unpredictable, laugh-out-loud jokes and a helluva performance from Holly Hunter, topped by the layered, sympathetic performance by Ray Romano. Ray Romano! Who knew he could do that...which is why he, at least, should've gotten a nomination.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
I think this series has become something other than a series of movies and, therefore, ineligible for serious consideration beyond Special Effects (recently called "Visual Effects", because "Special Effects" sounds like they're on sale...or up for a copyright violation suit from the Special Olympics). Deidre, the 17-year-old MAJOR Star Wars fan ("Major Star Wars Fan..." {salute}) had MAJOR issues with this one ("Major Issu...." alright, you get it) -- particularly Leia's rapidly developed mega-Jedi powers. Hey, Carrie Fisher was my first crush and she's gone now. She's doing a f-ton more than flying in my dreams, so give it a rest, Deidre.
Speaking of superhero movies that make a lot of money:
Wonder Woman
Uh...no words.
The Florida Project
While I'm supportive of Willem Dafoe getting a nom, I'm certain it's because he plays a character that we've never seen from him before. If this was a "new guy" performance, no mention by the Academy. HOWEVER, Brooklynn Prince and Bria Vinaite should have gotten mentions. But the movie is unique, touching and completely unexpected.
Summary
Life got in the way of our art -- ~75% coverage. But we were entertained this year. Nice spread of artsy/interesting and standard-fare that is well done.
