Monday, February 25, 2008

no country for old men?

This year's Oscar ceremony is being reported to be the lowest rated one...ever. That makes me sad. And, I have some opinions about it.

Saturday night, my gf and I decided to go watch one of the Oscar nominated films before the big show. (It's no longer a movie once it gets nominated. It becomes a film.) So, we were at the movie theater (Or, "film complex", since they had more than the usual number of nominated films.) trying to decide what to watch.

Wow. The choices were dismal. Atonement. No Country for Old Men. Juno. Now, we already saw Juno. I confess, I liked it. But, the other choices just looked so depressing! How do you choose between deep depression (Atonement) or sordid disturbing violence (No Country For Old Men)? Reluctantly, we decided to watch No Country For Old Men. Little did we know we were about to see the "Best Picture". Keep in mind, this movie won many of the top honors like Best Director(s), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Picture. So, you would expect this to be an incredible movie that simply blows you away....right? Um...not exactly.

First, the movie ambles along, taking you in one odd direction after another. Certain events happen that have no discernible meaning and no resolution. Sure, there are some tense and/or exciting moments. Yes, the acting is above-par. Yes, it is artfully made. There were a few points when I actually got bored. that NEVER happens to me! I can sit through almost anything. I've seen lots and lots of obscure movies. And this one BORED me at times!

And then...the ending. I won't ruin it for you. But, let me say...what an incredible let-down. I left the theatre thinking "there's NO way this movie is going to win anything." And, it won all the big ones!!! No wonder this year's Oscars didn't connect. No one cares.

I appreciate the movie. I understand that it's based on a good novel. But, this movie isn't even a satisfying one. A nomination? Sure. Best Picture? HA! No way.

But I'm not even done yet. The Coen brothers accepted Best Director(s), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture. WORST and LEAST GRACIOUS Oscar acceptances I've ever seen! (except Michael Moore). I mean, they seemed drunk, or something.

As for the rest of the show, it felt as if everyone was simply going through the motions. Maybe Hollywood is still trying to recover from the strike, and recovering from the untimely death of Heath Ledger. Maybe Hollywood just wasn't in the mood this year. And, it shows.


Oscars official site