Friday, February 29, 2008
What can’t you watch? (content wise.)
I think I’m fairly OK with most movies, but I try to avoid excessive gore and sadistic violence (like in Hostel and Saw). Self-harm and mutilation and all that give me nightmares too. Rape and bullying/exploitation of people with mental disorders (like in Dead Man’s Shoes) or general ganging up on a person (like in Dogville) really makes me uncomfortable too, so I try to stay clear of that too. And, whilst I like a good romantic love scene as much as the next teenage girl, sex for sex’s sake – forceful, unromantic and overly revealing sex scenes don’t do it for me either. I’m alright on anything sweary, really; there’s nothing I hear in 18-rated films that I don’t hear in Sixth form, and as for drugs, I can stomach most drug-taking scenes, but particularly degrading scenes – like in Requiem for a Dream – make me shudder.
How about you?
How about you?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Oscars, 2008.
Yeah, I know it’s a half a week after the event, but I don’t have Sky, OK? Blame them, not me!
The results:
What I liked: -
- Marion Cotillard’s speech. It was heartfelt, teary, emotional, and the joy shone all over. The big bear hug she shone with Forest Whitaker after was utterly adorable too. I already own two pictures of that bear hug, because it’s just so… aww!
- Jon Stewart presenting. Some of his jokes (Jolie’s babysitter, for example) felt like they’d been said a couple of times before that night in some form or another, but he was still a darn good host with charisma and comic timing to boot. "Thank god for pregnancy" and his joke about Cate Blanchett were amongst the night's finest moments.
- Furthermore, letting Marketa Irglova come back on stage after Glen Hansard had hogged the limelight and Bill Conti's orchestra had cut her off was a really classy thing to do (did anyone notice that whilst he babbled away, she stood behind him, looking like there was gonna be trouble when they got home late?). Her speech was also lovely, really genuine and heartfelt, in such a short space of time.
- Daniel Day-Lewis getting “knighted” by Dame Helen. That was really amusing. His
speech was pretty good too, thanking his grandfather, his dad, and the actor who played his adopted son in TWBB, but he loses marks for that bit about “springing like a golden sapling out of the mad, beautiful head of Paul Thomas Anderson." Bung?
- Tilda Swinton likening the Oscar to her agent.
- Javier Bardem speaking to his mother directly in Spanish during his speech. Men who still care for their mummies are total ♥.
- Audience reactions. Cate Blanchett’s look at hearing Marion Cotillard’s name called out was hilarious, and it was great watching Frances McDormand in the audience getting all excited and emotional about the Coen Brothers' win.
- Cate Blanchett truly cheering everyone throughout, like a real movie fan. I’d been ragging on her at the beginning of Oscar season because I was bitter about her taking Saoirse’s Oscar (which didn’t even happen… lol) but I guess having already won one, she didn’t mind that others got it, and her reactions throughout the night were all spirited and great.
- Diablo Cody's speech, especially her calling Ellen Page "superhuman", and Jack Nicholson's blatant perving on her. Priceless.
- James McAvoy. He could have done with a shave, but... I still would. The glimpses of Saoirse Ronan rocked too, she looked young and naive, yet mature and classy. ♥ And she stayed so close to James McAvoy and Ann-Marie Duff at the Governer's Ball! Aww!
- The kissing! Whether it be kissing a trophy, kissing George Clooney or kissing arse, there was a noticable lot more of it this year than previously. I reckon it's all down to 4 Europeans winning the 4 acting prizes. A kiss on the mouth was quite continental.
- Just the all round good taste of the stars and everyone there. Sure, there were
duddy jokes, but on the whole, everyone had made a real effort and their star power shone throught. Ellen Page and Saoirse Ronan are destined to be stars.
What I didn’t like: -
- Atonement winning just one?!?!?!?! The score was integral to the film and I’m really glad Dario Marianelli got rewarded, but come on people!!! Its set! Its green dress! Saoirse Ronan!!!
- The performance of Happy Working Song, without Disney animals in the background.
It just… doesn’t work without them, it’s an interactive song! Whichever idiot decided that Amy Adams should stand up onstage on her own deserves to get punished thoroughly.
- The performance of That's How You Know, by Kristin Chenoweth. She just didn't exude any of Amy Adam's loveliness.
- The bee montage when Jerry Seinfeld's "Bee" of the non-entity Bee Movie gives out an award. How dare they cut Marketa’s speech, and allow a crappy plug of a crappy movie?
- The Coens looking so utterly… unexcited about winning. I heard on Classical fm that one of them takes Oscars seriously and the other one couldn’t care less, but to be honest, they both looked rather blasé about it all. When contrasted with Scorsese’s delight, they seemed even more bored. (Still glad they won though.)
- DDL's earrings. He's a class act, but, no.
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly coming away with nothing. nada. rien. Poop.
Final note:
The Oscars apparently hit an all-time low with viewing figures this year. I would so have watched live if it was actually broadcast on terrestrial TV, people! Overall, with the exceptions of a few moments, I didn’t find it a massively exciting ceremony, but it was still a “nice” one. I don't agree with a lot of the choices (heck, I feel quite strongly that Transformers got snubbed), but those that did win were so gracious and lovely that it would be churlish to complain.
Lovely images:
The results:
Best Motion Picture: "No Country for Old Men."
Lead Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood."
Lead Actress: Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose."
Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men."
Supporting Actress: Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton."
Director: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men."
Foreign Language Film: "The Counterfeiters," Austria.
Adapted Screenplay: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men."
Original Screenplay: Diablo Cody, "Juno."Animated Feature Film: "Ratatouille."
Art Direction: "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street."
Cinematography: "There Will Be Blood."
Sound Mixing: "The Bourne Ultimatum."
Sound Editing: "The Bourne Ultimatum."
Original Score: "Atonement," Dario Marianelli.
Original Song: "Falling Slowly" from "Once," Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
Costume: "Elizabeth: The Golden Age."
Documentary Feature: "Taxi to the Dark Side."
Documentary Short Subject: "Freeheld."
Film Editing: "The Bourne Ultimatum."
Makeup: "La Vie en Rose."
Animated Short Film: "Peter & the Wolf."
Live Action Short Film: "Le Mozart des Pickpockets (`The Mozart of Pickpockets')."
Visual Effects: "The Golden Compass."
What I liked: -
- Marion Cotillard’s speech. It was heartfelt, teary, emotional, and the joy shone all over. The big bear hug she shone with Forest Whitaker after was utterly adorable too. I already own two pictures of that bear hug, because it’s just so… aww!
- Jon Stewart presenting. Some of his jokes (Jolie’s babysitter, for example) felt like they’d been said a couple of times before that night in some form or another, but he was still a darn good host with charisma and comic timing to boot. "Thank god for pregnancy" and his joke about Cate Blanchett were amongst the night's finest moments.
- Furthermore, letting Marketa Irglova come back on stage after Glen Hansard had hogged the limelight and Bill Conti's orchestra had cut her off was a really classy thing to do (did anyone notice that whilst he babbled away, she stood behind him, looking like there was gonna be trouble when they got home late?). Her speech was also lovely, really genuine and heartfelt, in such a short space of time.
- Daniel Day-Lewis getting “knighted” by Dame Helen. That was really amusing. His
speech was pretty good too, thanking his grandfather, his dad, and the actor who played his adopted son in TWBB, but he loses marks for that bit about “springing like a golden sapling out of the mad, beautiful head of Paul Thomas Anderson." Bung?
- Tilda Swinton likening the Oscar to her agent.
- Javier Bardem speaking to his mother directly in Spanish during his speech. Men who still care for their mummies are total ♥.
- Audience reactions. Cate Blanchett’s look at hearing Marion Cotillard’s name called out was hilarious, and it was great watching Frances McDormand in the audience getting all excited and emotional about the Coen Brothers' win.
- Cate Blanchett truly cheering everyone throughout, like a real movie fan. I’d been ragging on her at the beginning of Oscar season because I was bitter about her taking Saoirse’s Oscar (which didn’t even happen… lol) but I guess having already won one, she didn’t mind that others got it, and her reactions throughout the night were all spirited and great.
- Diablo Cody's speech, especially her calling Ellen Page "superhuman", and Jack Nicholson's blatant perving on her. Priceless.
- James McAvoy. He could have done with a shave, but... I still would. The glimpses of Saoirse Ronan rocked too, she looked young and naive, yet mature and classy. ♥ And she stayed so close to James McAvoy and Ann-Marie Duff at the Governer's Ball! Aww!
- The kissing! Whether it be kissing a trophy, kissing George Clooney or kissing arse, there was a noticable lot more of it this year than previously. I reckon it's all down to 4 Europeans winning the 4 acting prizes. A kiss on the mouth was quite continental.
- Just the all round good taste of the stars and everyone there. Sure, there were
duddy jokes, but on the whole, everyone had made a real effort and their star power shone throught. Ellen Page and Saoirse Ronan are destined to be stars.What I didn’t like: -
- Atonement winning just one?!?!?!?! The score was integral to the film and I’m really glad Dario Marianelli got rewarded, but come on people!!! Its set! Its green dress! Saoirse Ronan!!!
- The performance of Happy Working Song, without Disney animals in the background.
It just… doesn’t work without them, it’s an interactive song! Whichever idiot decided that Amy Adams should stand up onstage on her own deserves to get punished thoroughly.- The performance of That's How You Know, by Kristin Chenoweth. She just didn't exude any of Amy Adam's loveliness.
- The bee montage when Jerry Seinfeld's "Bee" of the non-entity Bee Movie gives out an award. How dare they cut Marketa’s speech, and allow a crappy plug of a crappy movie?
- The Coens looking so utterly… unexcited about winning. I heard on Classical fm that one of them takes Oscars seriously and the other one couldn’t care less, but to be honest, they both looked rather blasé about it all. When contrasted with Scorsese’s delight, they seemed even more bored. (Still glad they won though.)
- DDL's earrings. He's a class act, but, no.
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly coming away with nothing. nada. rien. Poop.
Final note:
The Oscars apparently hit an all-time low with viewing figures this year. I would so have watched live if it was actually broadcast on terrestrial TV, people! Overall, with the exceptions of a few moments, I didn’t find it a massively exciting ceremony, but it was still a “nice” one. I don't agree with a lot of the choices (heck, I feel quite strongly that Transformers got snubbed), but those that did win were so gracious and lovely that it would be churlish to complain.
Lovely images:
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Class of 2008: European Love.
They might not be my personal selection, but I have to admit, they look pretty damn cool standing together.
I bet that you look good on the red carpet.
Full Oscar report to come tomorrow, but first, let's talk fashion!
Penelope in Chanel Couture: 9/10. Hips don't lie; she's got a gorgeous figure and this lovely dress accentuates it.
Heidi Klum in John Galliano: 7/10. I'm not sure about the top of the dress and it's all a bit too red, but it certainly attracts attention
Ruby Dee: 4/10. A bit too frumpy, really.
Saoirse Ronan: 8/10. The dress itself is actually really pretty, but I'm not keen on the colour. Apparently, Keira is Saoirse's idol, so I think she was trying to emulate her on the red carpet a little... kinda like how Briony looked up to Cecilia, which is quite cute. [OK, having seen better pictures of Miss Ronan, I have upped the grade.]
Tom Wilkinson: dunno really. Thumbs up for the glasses though!
Diablo Cody: 2/10. Sorry, but the leapord print just screams "Wag".
Jason Bateman: 7/10. Plain tux and bow tie.
Javier Bardem: 9/10. He and his gal Penelope were the best dressed couple of the night (even if they refused to be photod together). He really is just too cool.
Laura Linney: 6/10. Nice dress, not sure about the hair.
Cate Blanchett in Dries Van Noten: 9/10. A really gorgeous dress, and Blanchett exudes maternal warmth. The Lorraine Schwartz jewelry does her look serious favours too.
Katherine Heigl in Escada: 7/10. I don't respond well to Marylin wannabes, but the red dress is pretty.
Jessica Alba in Marchesa: 8/10. Cool dress, it suits her pregnant figure.
Marion Cotillard in John Paul Gautier: I really can't decide on this. On one hand, I think the dress really compliments her figure and it's so shiny! On the other, it's all a bit Little Mermaidy.
Amy Adams: 8/10. Not as wonderful as her chocolate coloured dress from 2006, but she still looked sublime.
And to finish with, my favourite image of the night, of my Irish and Scottish Atonement babes:
Aww!
Penelope in Chanel Couture: 9/10. Hips don't lie; she's got a gorgeous figure and this lovely dress accentuates it.
Heidi Klum in John Galliano: 7/10. I'm not sure about the top of the dress and it's all a bit too red, but it certainly attracts attention
Ruby Dee: 4/10. A bit too frumpy, really.
Saoirse Ronan: 8/10. The dress itself is actually really pretty, but I'm not keen on the colour. Apparently, Keira is Saoirse's idol, so I think she was trying to emulate her on the red carpet a little... kinda like how Briony looked up to Cecilia, which is quite cute. [OK, having seen better pictures of Miss Ronan, I have upped the grade.]
Tom Wilkinson: dunno really. Thumbs up for the glasses though!
Diablo Cody: 2/10. Sorry, but the leapord print just screams "Wag".
Jason Bateman: 7/10. Plain tux and bow tie.
Javier Bardem: 9/10. He and his gal Penelope were the best dressed couple of the night (even if they refused to be photod together). He really is just too cool.
Laura Linney: 6/10. Nice dress, not sure about the hair.
Cate Blanchett in Dries Van Noten: 9/10. A really gorgeous dress, and Blanchett exudes maternal warmth. The Lorraine Schwartz jewelry does her look serious favours too.
Katherine Heigl in Escada: 7/10. I don't respond well to Marylin wannabes, but the red dress is pretty.
Jessica Alba in Marchesa: 8/10. Cool dress, it suits her pregnant figure.
Marion Cotillard in John Paul Gautier: I really can't decide on this. On one hand, I think the dress really compliments her figure and it's so shiny! On the other, it's all a bit Little Mermaidy.
Amy Adams: 8/10. Not as wonderful as her chocolate coloured dress from 2006, but she still looked sublime.
And to finish with, my favourite image of the night, of my Irish and Scottish Atonement babes:
Aww!
Monday, February 25, 2008
About the Oscars...
Wow. I got a lot wrong!
Full reaction to follow. (You know, when I've seen the whole thing.)
Full reaction to follow. (You know, when I've seen the whole thing.)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
7 Things I did This Half Term.
As soon as I’ve posted this I’m gonna log off the computer, because with the Internet as a distraction I’m never gonna finish my Maths homework on vectors.
But – before I go, I thought I’d mention any notable things that I did this half term:
But – before I go, I thought I’d mention any notable things that I did this half term:
Revise
I had one thing that needed doing more than anything in my week off school, and it was to revise for the mock examinations I have starting on the 3rd of March. I’m pleased to say that I 67% fulfilled my aim – whilst I made lots and lots of notes and read through a few revision guides, I can’t say that everything I read has gone into my mind. But I tried, I really did, and considering how Physics really doesn’t come naturally to me, I’m really proud of my resolve. /self-applause
Music
Funny week for music, what with the Brit awards having some good moments
(the Paul McCartney medley at the end was terrific and Mika performed very well) but overall being rather shambolic (what does Mark Ronson actually… do?) and my iPod breaking and wiping itself clear of every single song that was on it (torrent of four lettered words came out of my mouth when I found out, but I'm OK now). However, I really got into Tomoyasu Hotei, Shakira, PJ Harvey the soundtrack of Rent, and the scores to There Will Be Blood, The Painted Veil and Birth. Two songs that I’ve got stuck in my head constantly are “Underneath your clothes” by Shakira and “You Know I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse.
Violin & Getting lost in London
Yesterday, I went to NW London for a mock-grade 8 type exam. It was a very bizarre day - I was instructed to "walk up Regent's Street" to find the place, but only after walking from Oxford Circus to Picadilly Circus had I realised that I'd walked down it, which was a bit annoying. And the test itself was strange - I walked into a room of trainee examiners, and then played a piece, did scales and the aural test. (The aural test consisted of sight singing, my ultimate nightmare.) Luckily it was nothing more than just a mock and I was told that each of the examiners felt just as embarrassed as me, but it was very weird, I’d been practicing the violin all week so as not to sound stupid, yet when I did screw it up, I just ended up not caring. (Not an approach I should adopt for the real thing come April) Still, I got a £10 WHSmith book token for my time! *saves up for the latest Sophie Kinsella*
Shoe-shopping
I realise, that with my countless hoodies and scuffed Reebok cla
ssics, I can sometimes give off the impression (to shop owners in particular) that I am somewhat of a chav (I’m honestly not, chavvy clothing just happens to be cheap to come by and comfortable to wear, hence I own lots of it). I decided to change my image a little by starting at the bottom – with shoes. And I actually found some quite nice ones! The three shown are the only ones I brought in the end, because a lot of the others were just too expensive, but at least they should set about making me seem slightly more presentable. I particularly like the pair on the left, they're just very cute and schoolgirly, which I like.
Books
I love starting books and then leaving them for about a month, then coming back to them. I was quite good this week, though – I read three of the Just William books, The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie and have started on Water for Elephants, which is excellent so far.
TV
I watched Damages, which is going from strength to strength (Patty tries to turn Ellen and Tom against each other and Zeljko Ivanek is on terrific form as the haunted Ray Fiske) and Skins, which was heartbreaking yet hilarious. I also watched Freezing, which is about a writer who can’t write and an actress who can’t act, which was actually quite naff despite all the talent involved (Hugh Bonneville was excellent as usual), and I found, unusually for Tom Hollander, (of Pride and Prejudice and Pirates of the Caribbean), an actor I usually love, really really annoying. I also saw a tribute to Ricky Gervais (read: a total backpat, but he’s a comedy legend so I suppose it was deserved). Oh, and Mitchell and Webb did a clever twist on their Number gameshow with a parody of The Da Vinci Code. And in Hollyoaks, John-Paul and the priest kissed.
Oscars
For a ceremony that I’m not even going to watch live, I sure do spend a ridiculous amount of time thinking about it. I think I’ve said everything I can say about it, but to end with, before I come back whining tomorrow, 3 Oscar category wishes:
- Casey Affleck to win Supporting Actor.
- Saoirse Ronan to win Supporting Actress.
- The Diving Bell & the Butterfly to win at least 3 Oscars.
And 3 wishes about the ceremony:
- Terrific Jon Stewart jokes as usual.
- At least one person says something stupid (and by stupid I don’t mean say “Co-till-uhd”, I want them to forget their lines or something)
- Something bizarre and innovative in the performances (last year there were those acrobatic people who made themselves into a shape relating to an Oscar nominated movie, the year before Itzhak Perlman played a medley of the nominated songs and it was heavenly).
I’m sure that, even though I won’t have seen the ceremony by this time tomorrow, I’ll be online, ready to grumble and whine. That’s the Oscars for you!
I had one thing that needed doing more than anything in my week off school, and it was to revise for the mock examinations I have starting on the 3rd of March. I’m pleased to say that I 67% fulfilled my aim – whilst I made lots and lots of notes and read through a few revision guides, I can’t say that everything I read has gone into my mind. But I tried, I really did, and considering how Physics really doesn’t come naturally to me, I’m really proud of my resolve. /self-applauseMusic
Funny week for music, what with the Brit awards having some good moments
(the Paul McCartney medley at the end was terrific and Mika performed very well) but overall being rather shambolic (what does Mark Ronson actually… do?) and my iPod breaking and wiping itself clear of every single song that was on it (torrent of four lettered words came out of my mouth when I found out, but I'm OK now). However, I really got into Tomoyasu Hotei, Shakira, PJ Harvey the soundtrack of Rent, and the scores to There Will Be Blood, The Painted Veil and Birth. Two songs that I’ve got stuck in my head constantly are “Underneath your clothes” by Shakira and “You Know I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse.Violin & Getting lost in London
Yesterday, I went to NW London for a mock-grade 8 type exam. It was a very bizarre day - I was instructed to "walk up Regent's Street" to find the place, but only after walking from Oxford Circus to Picadilly Circus had I realised that I'd walked down it, which was a bit annoying. And the test itself was strange - I walked into a room of trainee examiners, and then played a piece, did scales and the aural test. (The aural test consisted of sight singing, my ultimate nightmare.) Luckily it was nothing more than just a mock and I was told that each of the examiners felt just as embarrassed as me, but it was very weird, I’d been practicing the violin all week so as not to sound stupid, yet when I did screw it up, I just ended up not caring. (Not an approach I should adopt for the real thing come April) Still, I got a £10 WHSmith book token for my time! *saves up for the latest Sophie Kinsella*Shoe-shopping
I realise, that with my countless hoodies and scuffed Reebok cla
ssics, I can sometimes give off the impression (to shop owners in particular) that I am somewhat of a chav (I’m honestly not, chavvy clothing just happens to be cheap to come by and comfortable to wear, hence I own lots of it). I decided to change my image a little by starting at the bottom – with shoes. And I actually found some quite nice ones! The three shown are the only ones I brought in the end, because a lot of the others were just too expensive, but at least they should set about making me seem slightly more presentable. I particularly like the pair on the left, they're just very cute and schoolgirly, which I like.Books
I love starting books and then leaving them for about a month, then coming back to them. I was quite good this week, though – I read three of the Just William books, The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie and have started on Water for Elephants, which is excellent so far.
TV
I watched Damages, which is going from strength to strength (Patty tries to turn Ellen and Tom against each other and Zeljko Ivanek is on terrific form as the haunted Ray Fiske) and Skins, which was heartbreaking yet hilarious. I also watched Freezing, which is about a writer who can’t write and an actress who can’t act, which was actually quite naff despite all the talent involved (Hugh Bonneville was excellent as usual), and I found, unusually for Tom Hollander, (of Pride and Prejudice and Pirates of the Caribbean), an actor I usually love, really really annoying. I also saw a tribute to Ricky Gervais (read: a total backpat, but he’s a comedy legend so I suppose it was deserved). Oh, and Mitchell and Webb did a clever twist on their Number gameshow with a parody of The Da Vinci Code. And in Hollyoaks, John-Paul and the priest kissed.Oscars
For a ceremony that I’m not even going to watch live, I sure do spend a ridiculous amount of time thinking about it. I think I’ve said everything I can say about it, but to end with, before I come back whining tomorrow, 3 Oscar category wishes:- Casey Affleck to win Supporting Actor.
- Saoirse Ronan to win Supporting Actress.
- The Diving Bell & the Butterfly to win at least 3 Oscars.
And 3 wishes about the ceremony:
- Terrific Jon Stewart jokes as usual.
- At least one person says something stupid (and by stupid I don’t mean say “Co-till-uhd”, I want them to forget their lines or something)
- Something bizarre and innovative in the performances (last year there were those acrobatic people who made themselves into a shape relating to an Oscar nominated movie, the year before Itzhak Perlman played a medley of the nominated songs and it was heavenly).
I’m sure that, even though I won’t have seen the ceremony by this time tomorrow, I’ll be online, ready to grumble and whine. That’s the Oscars for you!
Independent Spirit Winners.
Robert Altman Award - Todd Haynes, Laura Rosenthal and the cast of I’m Not ThereBest Director - Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Best Male Lead - Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Savages
Best Female Lead - Ellen Page, Juno
Best Feature- Juno
Best Supporting Male - Chiwetel Ejiofor, Talk To Me
Bests First Screenplay - Diablo Cody, Juno
Best First Feature - The Lookout
Best Supporting Female - Cate Blanchett
Best Foreign Film - Once
Best Screenplay - Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
Best Documentary - Crazy Love
Best Cinematography - Janusz Kaminski, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Thoughts
- Philip Seymour Hoffman was completely nominated for the wrong film! Whilst he was good in The Savages, that film belonged to Laura Linney. His best performance of the year was in Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.
- I’m really happy that Ellen Page has an award now, even though Tang Wei was my favourite from that category.
- Yay for Schnabel winning Best Director and Kaminski getting cinematography!
Two random photos:
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Finalized Oscar Predictions.
Catherine's doing it. Kayleigh's doing it. I shall do it too.
Best Picture
Will win: No Country for Old Men. It's like, a dead cert. (unless it doesn't win.)
Should win: No Country for Old Men is the best film, Atonement meant a little more to me.
Deserved to get nominated: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. The more I think about this film, the sadder I feel. It was something special. And The Assassination of Jesse James.
Best Director
Will win: Coen brothers
Should win: I’ve been rooting for the Coen brothers for a long while, but my new-found love for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly makes me side with Julian Schnabel. Although I liked Juno, I didn’t see what was so special about the direction, and I found There Will Be Blood’s direction a bit of a mess.
Deserved to get nominated: Christian Mungui for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. Not exactly the easiest film to sit through, but… wow.
Best Actor
Will win: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood. The biggest certainty of the night.
Should win: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood. He really was quite good.
Deserved to get nominated: James McAvoy, Atonement. Robbie = many, many kisses and love.
Best Actress
Will win: Julie Christie, Away from Her
Should win: Laura Linney or Ellen Page. I know I cheekily gave up in the middle of my "a look ahead" series, and part of the reason for it is that I simply couldn't decide which leading female performance I liked more. Linney was absolutely outstanding in The Savages and Page, despite her too-cool-for-school character, was just a vulnerable teenager deep down.
Best Picture
Will win: No Country for Old Men. It's like, a dead cert. (unless it doesn't win.)Should win: No Country for Old Men is the best film, Atonement meant a little more to me.
Deserved to get nominated: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. The more I think about this film, the sadder I feel. It was something special. And The Assassination of Jesse James.
Best Director
Will win: Coen brothers
Should win: I’ve been rooting for the Coen brothers for a long while, but my new-found love for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly makes me side with Julian Schnabel. Although I liked Juno, I didn’t see what was so special about the direction, and I found There Will Be Blood’s direction a bit of a mess.
Deserved to get nominated: Christian Mungui for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. Not exactly the easiest film to sit through, but… wow.
Best Actor
Will win: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood. The biggest certainty of the night.
Should win: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood. He really was quite good.
Deserved to get nominated: James McAvoy, Atonement. Robbie = many, many kisses and love.
Best Actress
Will win: Julie Christie, Away from Her
Should win: Laura Linney or Ellen Page. I know I cheekily gave up in the middle of my "a look ahead" series, and part of the reason for it is that I simply couldn't decide which leading female performance I liked more. Linney was absolutely outstanding in The Savages and Page, despite her too-cool-for-school character, was just a vulnerable teenager deep down.In terms of speech, though, I just KNOW that Marion Cotillard would give one of the most heartfelt, tear speeches in years, and I’d like her to win just for that. But, you know, as long as someone other than Cate Blanchett wins, I’ll be delighted.
Deserved to get nominated: Tang Wei in Lust, Caution is the one that immediately comes to mind. She made Lust, Caution worth the watch for me. The best female performance of 2007. I also really enjoyed Amy Adams in Enchanted, but to be honest, she could appear in an episode of Hollyoaks and I’d start hailing Emmy for her.
Best Supporting Actor
Will win: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Should win: Casey Affleck. It’s just like the Sketch-in-Skins factor: I felt pity, I felt disgust, I felt pathos. A truly masterful performance, I don’t care if this is category fraud. (Hey, it didn’t stop me from rooting for Jake.)
Deserved to get nominated: Paul Dano, There Will Be Blood & Max Von Sydow in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
Best Supporting Actress
Will win: Cate Blanchett, I’m not There
. This category is crazy though. Ruby Dee won the SAG. Tilda Swinton won the BAFTA. Cate won the Golden Globe, and Amy Ryan won all the Critics votes. So... maybe... Saoirse might win something? (I wouldn't bet my house on it though.)
Should win: Saoirse Ronan(!!!!) The rising star. The ray of sunshine. Whatever you want to call her, this Irish actress has given all child actors a model of how to behave if you want to win an Oscar - give a good performance. (Unlike Fanning, who after years of insufferable performances, tried a Hounddog. Shudder.)
Deserved to get nominated: Kelly Macdonald, Jennifer Garner, Romola Garai, Charlotte Gainsbourg. And some others, if there were more than 5 places. A good bunch this year.
Best Original Screenplay
Will win: Juno
Should win: Juno. It did get quite annoying with all the slang and try-hard phrases, but
to paraphrase Empire, the moments where least were said were the most poignant. I actually cried with happiness when Paulie and Juno shared that
cuddle at the end, so, for that, I’m sticking by wisecracking Diablo “stripper” Cody.
Deserved to get nominated: I’m Not There and 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
Best Adapted Screenplay
Will win: No Country for Old Men
Should win: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Deserved to get nominated: Zodiac and The Assassination of Jesse James
Cinematography
Will win: No Country for Old Men
Should win: The Assassination of Jesse James
Deserved to get nominated: ??
Editing
Will win: No Country for Old Men
Should win: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly / The Bourne Ultimatum
Deserved to get nominated: Zodiac and The Assassination of Jesse James (repetition)
Art Direction
Will win: The Golden Compass
Should win: Atonement
Deserved to get nominated: The Assassination of Jesse James and Lust Caution
Costume
Will win: Atonement.
Should win: Atonement. The green dress, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Deserved to get nominated: Lust Caution.
Makeup
Will win: La Vie En Rose
Should win: to be honest, it’s kind of hard to tell what’s make-up and what’s not, so I don’t really care. I think the La vie en rose crew would give a great speech, though so them.
Deserved to get nominated: Sweeney Todd
Score
Will win: Atonement
Should win: Atonement
Deserved to get nominated: Alexandre Desplat is raped of a nomination again for his masterwork to Lust Caution.
Song
Will win: Once
Should win: That’s How You Know. I can’t wait to see Amy perform!
Deserved to get nominated: Le Festin & The Hill
Sound
Will win: No Country for Old Men
Should win: Transformers, maybe?
Deserved to get nominated: Zodiac? Control? I know, Enchanted!
Sound Editing
Will win: Transformers
Should win: geh
Deserved to get nominated: geh
Visual Effects
Will win: Transformers
Should win: Transformers, but that doesn't mean Megan Fox is allowed to attend the Oscars. It's not fair.
Deserved to get nominated: Hairy Pot-uh
Animated
Will win: Ratatouille
Should win: Persepolis
Deserved to get nominated: The Simpsons Movie It was funny, it was funny!!!! (I remember "Spiderpig" so fondly because I had to play one of my teachers in a school play and he sang "spider-price") But it was funny, yes??!
Documentary
Will win: No End In Sight
Should win: Sicko’s the only one I’ve seen. Twas alright.
Deserved to get nominated: Dunno.
Foreign
Will win: The Counterfeiters
Should win: I dunno, it’s not like I’ve actually… seen any of them.
Deserved to get nominated: Was The Diving Bell and the Butterfly not eligible? 4 Months, 3 Weeks 2 Days it is then.
Deserved to get nominated: Tang Wei in Lust, Caution is the one that immediately comes to mind. She made Lust, Caution worth the watch for me. The best female performance of 2007. I also really enjoyed Amy Adams in Enchanted, but to be honest, she could appear in an episode of Hollyoaks and I’d start hailing Emmy for her.
Best Supporting Actor
Will win: Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Should win: Casey Affleck. It’s just like the Sketch-in-Skins factor: I felt pity, I felt disgust, I felt pathos. A truly masterful performance, I don’t care if this is category fraud. (Hey, it didn’t stop me from rooting for Jake.)
Deserved to get nominated: Paul Dano, There Will Be Blood & Max Von Sydow in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
Best Supporting ActressWill win: Cate Blanchett, I’m not There
. This category is crazy though. Ruby Dee won the SAG. Tilda Swinton won the BAFTA. Cate won the Golden Globe, and Amy Ryan won all the Critics votes. So... maybe... Saoirse might win something? (I wouldn't bet my house on it though.)Should win: Saoirse Ronan(!!!!) The rising star. The ray of sunshine. Whatever you want to call her, this Irish actress has given all child actors a model of how to behave if you want to win an Oscar - give a good performance. (Unlike Fanning, who after years of insufferable performances, tried a Hounddog. Shudder.)
Deserved to get nominated: Kelly Macdonald, Jennifer Garner, Romola Garai, Charlotte Gainsbourg. And some others, if there were more than 5 places. A good bunch this year.
Best Original Screenplay
Will win: Juno
Should win: Juno. It did get quite annoying with all the slang and try-hard phrases, but
to paraphrase Empire, the moments where least were said were the most poignant. I actually cried with happiness when Paulie and Juno shared thatcuddle at the end, so, for that, I’m sticking by wisecracking Diablo “stripper” Cody.
Deserved to get nominated: I’m Not There and 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
Best Adapted Screenplay
Will win: No Country for Old Men
Should win: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Deserved to get nominated: Zodiac and The Assassination of Jesse James
Cinematography
Will win: No Country for Old Men
Should win: The Assassination of Jesse James
Deserved to get nominated: ??
Editing
Will win: No Country for Old Men
Should win: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly / The Bourne Ultimatum
Deserved to get nominated: Zodiac and The Assassination of Jesse James (repetition)
Art Direction
Will win: The Golden Compass
Should win: Atonement
Deserved to get nominated: The Assassination of Jesse James and Lust Caution
CostumeWill win: Atonement.
Should win: Atonement. The green dress, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Deserved to get nominated: Lust Caution.
Makeup
Will win: La Vie En Rose
Should win: to be honest, it’s kind of hard to tell what’s make-up and what’s not, so I don’t really care. I think the La vie en rose crew would give a great speech, though so them.
Deserved to get nominated: Sweeney Todd
Score
Will win: Atonement
Should win: Atonement
Deserved to get nominated: Alexandre Desplat is raped of a nomination again for his masterwork to Lust Caution.
Song
Will win: Once
Should win: That’s How You Know. I can’t wait to see Amy perform!
Deserved to get nominated: Le Festin & The Hill
Sound
Will win: No Country for Old Men
Should win: Transformers, maybe?
Deserved to get nominated: Zodiac? Control? I know, Enchanted!
Sound Editing
Will win: Transformers
Should win: geh
Deserved to get nominated: geh
Visual Effects
Will win: Transformers
Should win: Transformers, but that doesn't mean Megan Fox is allowed to attend the Oscars. It's not fair.
Deserved to get nominated: Hairy Pot-uh
Animated
Will win: Ratatouille
Should win: Persepolis
Deserved to get nominated: The Simpsons Movie It was funny, it was funny!!!! (I remember "Spiderpig" so fondly because I had to play one of my teachers in a school play and he sang "spider-price") But it was funny, yes??!
Documentary
Will win: No End In Sight
Should win: Sicko’s the only one I’ve seen. Twas alright.
Deserved to get nominated: Dunno.
Foreign
Will win: The Counterfeiters
Should win: I dunno, it’s not like I’ve actually… seen any of them.
Deserved to get nominated: Was The Diving Bell and the Butterfly not eligible? 4 Months, 3 Weeks 2 Days it is then.
She’s Not There.
I came across two Oscar-related snippets in different papers – The London Paper, and The Guardian, last night and today, respectively, that both seem to be under the impression that Laura Linney wasn’t nominated for an Oscar. [Click for enlarged]
I mean, I was quite surprised when she was nominated, but perhaps, for some, the nomination just passed them by?
I mean, I was quite surprised when she was nominated, but perhaps, for some, the nomination just passed them by?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Have you ever been this obsessed?
Yesterday’s episode of Skins was one of the best I’ve seen. It revolved around a stalking teenage girl (Lucy, nickname Sketch), who is absolutely besotted with the show’s hottie, Maxxie (pictured), who happens to be gay. Her obsession with him, and the steps she takes to get close to him are really quite disturbing, even though they are hilarious to watch. For example:- Her bedroom wall is plastered with photos of him.
- She tells her disabled mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, that she is “dating” Maxxie.
- We see her bandage up her boobs, because she believes that makes her more like a boy.
- She watches jealously as Maxxie kisses Michelle when they’re rehearsing for the school play, and in jealously she drops a stage light, so that it almost hits Michelle.
- She picks the lock into Maxxie’s house, goes into his bedroom, lies on his bed and gives herself a little treat, and then spends the night lying under his bed.
- She makes up a lie about being sexually harassed by the school play director, (played by Shane Ritchie) after he won’t give the lead to her.
- She gives Michelle pills to make her vomit so that she can take the lead in the school play.
- After Maxxie has told her where to go, she sleeps with his best friend Anwar, so that she can still get closer to him.
(I mean, honestly. The most obsessive thing I’ve ever done is get on the same bus as the boy I liked.)
Despite all of this, I actually felt a ridiculous amount of sympathy toward Sketch. She has all the symptoms of a textbook stalker – a bed bound mother, poor social skills, and a tendency to tell fibs, but I actually emphasised with her. I think we all know what it feels like to have loved/think we’re in love with someone who doesn’t know we exist, Sketch just went about her crush in a really disturbing way. The fact that she went dressed as Hannibal Lecter in the school’s Oscar-themed party obviously did her no favours, but I find her an interesting character that I hope to see more from.
I was thinking about it, and that episode of Skins is probably one of the best depictions of obsession/mental delusion I’ve ever seen. Come to think of it I actually can’t think of any films about obsession that I particularly enjoyed, aside from Misery, The King of Comedy (Sandra Bernhard trying to seduce Jerry Lewis… shudder) and Fatal Attraction (which I appreciate infinitely more now having watched Damages and been terrified by Glen Close in that), which has got to be the best obsessive-psycho movie ever. Vertigo is also a great depiction of obsession, but, whilstit's a great movie, I don't enjoy it as much as I do practically every other Hitchcock movie. I don't know why.
But Skins >>>>>>>> them all.
(I mean, honestly. The most obsessive thing I’ve ever done is get on the same bus as the boy I liked.)
Despite all of this, I actually felt a ridiculous amount of sympathy toward Sketch. She has all the symptoms of a textbook stalker – a bed bound mother, poor social skills, and a tendency to tell fibs, but I actually emphasised with her. I think we all know what it feels like to have loved/think we’re in love with someone who doesn’t know we exist, Sketch just went about her crush in a really disturbing way. The fact that she went dressed as Hannibal Lecter in the school’s Oscar-themed party obviously did her no favours, but I find her an interesting character that I hope to see more from.
I was thinking about it, and that episode of Skins is probably one of the best depictions of obsession/mental delusion I’ve ever seen. Come to think of it I actually can’t think of any films about obsession that I particularly enjoyed, aside from Misery, The King of Comedy (Sandra Bernhard trying to seduce Jerry Lewis… shudder) and Fatal Attraction (which I appreciate infinitely more now having watched Damages and been terrified by Glen Close in that), which has got to be the best obsessive-psycho movie ever. Vertigo is also a great depiction of obsession, but, whilstit's a great movie, I don't enjoy it as much as I do practically every other Hitchcock movie. I don't know why.
But Skins >>>>>>>> them all.
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