KEVIN WONG

So, like much of the world, I stayed up and watched the Oscars to the bitter end.  In my Oscar pool, I ended up second, with my partner beating me (with my own knowledge, no less!!) by 4 points.  That’s what I get for taking the emotional route and going for someone other than Sandy Bullock, the only category where I didn’t choose the predictable winner.  I have to say I enjoyed this broadcast far less than last year’s.  Something about it felt a bit too stinted, a bit too slow, too muddied, and dull.  Last year’s had its issues, but it still felt like a step forward.  Between the massive musical numbers that did nothing (despite my unaffected love of the NPH) and the awkward scripted banter, I found a lot to be underwhelmed by.   Continue reading

This post here at Nick’s Flick Picks exemplifies exactly what I love about Gabourey Sidibe’s performance in Precious:

http://www.nicksflickpicks.com/osactresframes09.html

I feel more generous than he does toward Carey Mulligan’s performance; some of the issues that I felt during the film (Emma Thompson’s failure to respond with a more fulsome argument) weren’t issues with Carey’s performance, and I was with her character 100 percent of the way.

I disagree more with Nick’s assessment on Mirren’s performance in The Last Station, which is my third favourite of the field.  I simply cannot imagine any other actress (including Streep, the original pick for the role) playing that role and making the character even remotely accessible.

Re: Meryl and Sandra, I agree wholeheartedly.  Of course the award will go to one of them (Sandra more likely, as I cannot imagine Meryl getting an award for what would otherwise by a supporting award for any other actress), but a boy can hope, right?

So with Oscar season approaching, I figured I’d chip in my two cents as well.  Be sure to check out InContention.com, who do great and regular pre-Oscar coverage. 

Near-favourite movies: Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Up, District 9

Movies I shamefully have not seen yet and thus can’t include: Up in the Air, Crazy Heart, A Serious Man, The Informant, Moon

Movies I didn’t (really) like: Continue reading