Oscar Week: The Technical Awards
In anticipation of the Oscars forthcoming next Sunday evening we will be breaking down the competition all week long. We will give a category, outlines some of the Favorites and then give you who we think will win, and who I think should win. You see, because that way I sort of get to choose 2 out of every category, so at then end of the day I have a better percentage of being correct. I am not as dumb as my belly would indicate I am. Today we will be looking at the technical awards (not all of them, just some I find important and interesting). Tuesday: Supporting Actors & Documentary, Wednesday Lead Actress, Thursday Lead Actor (easily the most prolific list and hardest to predict) and Friday Director & Best Picture.
ART DIRECTION
King Kong, Harry Potter, Pride & Prejudice, Good night & Good luck, Memoirs of a Geisha
Sometimes the favorites for this award are movies which take place in a highly fictional world, something not really of any time period or specific real place that we know. As is the case with this years nominees, Harry Potter and King Kong seem to be the odds on favorite. However, both Pride & Prejudice and Good Night & Good Luck were far superior in all aspects. Pride & Prejudice was stunning visually with the countryside of England, the Castles and Homes, and the costumes and scenary. MY PICK: Pride & Prejudice PREDICTION: Harry Potter and the something of something, whatever this months title happens to be.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Batman Begins, Brokeback Mountain, Good night & Good Luck, Memoirs of a Geisha, The New WorldI am not usually one to wallow in the lack of nomination for someone, however the most well shot movie this year was War of the Worlds. That being said this category is highly competative. The recent buzz has been for Batman Begins, whom everyone says is better than it gets credit for, but to me it was typical action flick with a bad story. Obviously Brokeback Mountain and director Ang Lee are always in the mix and should be. The movie was beautifully shot and edited. But again Good Night & Good Luck just had something about it, the cinematography really brought you into those newsrooms and into the heart of what Edward R. Murrow was trying to do. For a movie with a few basics sets, it was very entertaining visually. MY PICK: Good night and Good Luck PREDICTION: Batman Begins
SCREENPLAY-ADAPTED
Capote, Brokeback Mountain, The Constant Gardener, A History of Violence, Munich
Again a tough categorey to choose. All the movies well done and all terrifically formatted for the sceen. But movies like Brokeback Mountain and CApote left a lot of interpritation up to the director of the movie. Munich on the other hand was layed out perfectly on the screen. The pacing and suspense of the movie really translated onto the screen and through it into the audience. MY PICK: Munich PREDICTION: Borkeback Mountain
SCREENPLAY-ORIGINAL
Crash, Good Night & Good Luck, Match Point, The Squid & the Whale, Syriana
This may be the most underrated category of the evening. Each of these stories were original and fascinating on the big screen. Unfortunately for The Squid & the Whale and Match Point there is too much other star power in this category. Although Match Point reminded me of why I love Woody Allen and his offbeat take on things. I think in this category Syriana and Crash are the big favorites. The story behind Crash was riveting and controversial, but so was Syriana. I just think the racial aspect of Crash makes it so much more appealing. MY PICK: Crash PREDICTION:Crash
Obituaries
As we know, not every Tom, Dick and Mordechai gets an obituary on my page. However, this weekend there were two actors who passed away whom deserve a mention. First is Don Knotts, who down here in the Carolina's is like a Demi-God because of the still popular Andy Griffith show. He is best remebered as Barney Fife on the aformentioned Griffith Show. His bumbling Deputy Fife is one of the all time great sidekick actors. He is also known for being the eccentric landlord, Mr. Furely, on the 80's classic Three's Company. Don Knotts will always be remembered for his wiry body and plastic face that made so many laugh. The other death is that of the versatile and talented Darren McGavin. McGavin is best known to older generations for his work in "The Night Stalker" television serial in the 70's. He played the reporter Carl Kolchak searching for the night stalker and was brilliant. To others he is bets known for his 3 fatherly roles. First as the second greatest grumpy dad (nobody is better than Dan Lauria in The Wonder Years) in "A Christmas Story", secondly as owner of Madison Hotels in the comedy "Billy Madison", and third in his emmy nominated performance as Murphy Browns father in the hit television series of the early 90's. McGavin was also a veteran of more than 150 movies and TV guest apperances on shows ranging from Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dr. Kildare, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, Six Million Dollar Man, and more recent shows like Touched by an Angel, The Commish, The X-Files, and Grace Under Fire. McGavin versatility is simply noted in the longevity of his career and breadth of his work. Both McGavin and Knotts will be remembered forever in their legendary performances.
ART DIRECTION
King Kong, Harry Potter, Pride & Prejudice, Good night & Good luck, Memoirs of a Geisha
Sometimes the favorites for this award are movies which take place in a highly fictional world, something not really of any time period or specific real place that we know. As is the case with this years nominees, Harry Potter and King Kong seem to be the odds on favorite. However, both Pride & Prejudice and Good Night & Good Luck were far superior in all aspects. Pride & Prejudice was stunning visually with the countryside of England, the Castles and Homes, and the costumes and scenary. MY PICK: Pride & Prejudice PREDICTION: Harry Potter and the something of something, whatever this months title happens to be.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Batman Begins, Brokeback Mountain, Good night & Good Luck, Memoirs of a Geisha, The New WorldI am not usually one to wallow in the lack of nomination for someone, however the most well shot movie this year was War of the Worlds. That being said this category is highly competative. The recent buzz has been for Batman Begins, whom everyone says is better than it gets credit for, but to me it was typical action flick with a bad story. Obviously Brokeback Mountain and director Ang Lee are always in the mix and should be. The movie was beautifully shot and edited. But again Good Night & Good Luck just had something about it, the cinematography really brought you into those newsrooms and into the heart of what Edward R. Murrow was trying to do. For a movie with a few basics sets, it was very entertaining visually. MY PICK: Good night and Good Luck PREDICTION: Batman Begins
SCREENPLAY-ADAPTED
Capote, Brokeback Mountain, The Constant Gardener, A History of Violence, Munich
Again a tough categorey to choose. All the movies well done and all terrifically formatted for the sceen. But movies like Brokeback Mountain and CApote left a lot of interpritation up to the director of the movie. Munich on the other hand was layed out perfectly on the screen. The pacing and suspense of the movie really translated onto the screen and through it into the audience. MY PICK: Munich PREDICTION: Borkeback Mountain
SCREENPLAY-ORIGINAL
Crash, Good Night & Good Luck, Match Point, The Squid & the Whale, Syriana
This may be the most underrated category of the evening. Each of these stories were original and fascinating on the big screen. Unfortunately for The Squid & the Whale and Match Point there is too much other star power in this category. Although Match Point reminded me of why I love Woody Allen and his offbeat take on things. I think in this category Syriana and Crash are the big favorites. The story behind Crash was riveting and controversial, but so was Syriana. I just think the racial aspect of Crash makes it so much more appealing. MY PICK: Crash PREDICTION:Crash
Obituaries
As we know, not every Tom, Dick and Mordechai gets an obituary on my page. However, this weekend there were two actors who passed away whom deserve a mention. First is Don Knotts, who down here in the Carolina's is like a Demi-God because of the still popular Andy Griffith show. He is best remebered as Barney Fife on the aformentioned Griffith Show. His bumbling Deputy Fife is one of the all time great sidekick actors. He is also known for being the eccentric landlord, Mr. Furely, on the 80's classic Three's Company. Don Knotts will always be remembered for his wiry body and plastic face that made so many laugh. The other death is that of the versatile and talented Darren McGavin. McGavin is best known to older generations for his work in "The Night Stalker" television serial in the 70's. He played the reporter Carl Kolchak searching for the night stalker and was brilliant. To others he is bets known for his 3 fatherly roles. First as the second greatest grumpy dad (nobody is better than Dan Lauria in The Wonder Years) in "A Christmas Story", secondly as owner of Madison Hotels in the comedy "Billy Madison", and third in his emmy nominated performance as Murphy Browns father in the hit television series of the early 90's. McGavin was also a veteran of more than 150 movies and TV guest apperances on shows ranging from Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dr. Kildare, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, Six Million Dollar Man, and more recent shows like Touched by an Angel, The Commish, The X-Files, and Grace Under Fire. McGavin versatility is simply noted in the longevity of his career and breadth of his work. Both McGavin and Knotts will be remembered forever in their legendary performances.
1 Comments:
So, your computer is who your "hot date" was with last night. You missed one hell of an "Etiquette Dinner" last night. I think you should have to be there when your thugged out team has to do it.
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