Comments on: Un/deserving Oscars http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/ Los Angeles Based Award Winning Movie Review Podcast Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:55:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: daveed http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-4368 daveed Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:17:42 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-4368 These are the films I will watch/have watched several times, many of which I own:<br><br><b>2000</b><br><em>Gladiator</em>, it's historical inaccuracies aside, is gorgeous to look at and good escapist fun on a rainy weekend afternoon.<br><em>Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon</em> is one of the most beautiful, poetic films of the decade, and I wish LOTR was made more in this style -- at turns romantic and sad.<br><br><b>2001</b><br><em>The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring</em>, again good escapist fun.<br><br><b>2002</b><br><em>The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers</em>, see above.<br><br><b>2003</b><br>A qualified "none of the above". Even though I own ROTK, it find it such a slog. Though it's fun to watch w/ my wife who's not a Tolkien geek like me.<br><br><b>2004</b><br><em>The Aviator</em>, one of the most exuberant celebrations of individual achievement I have ever seen, and an honest excoriation of the evils of corporate-government collaboration.<br><br><b>2005</b><br><em>Munich</em>, more for its spy thriller antics than its pale attempt at moral relativism. Also, very solidly directed, acted, shot.<br><br><b>2006</b><br><em>The Departed</em>, which I liken to a modern American tragic opera. If you watched it as a silent film, you will still feel the power of this masterpiece.<br><em>Little Miss Sunshine</em>, to help me keep things in perspective from time to time.<br><br><b>2007</b><br><em>No Country for Old Men</em>, only because having seen it twice and read novel as well, I'm able to look beyond the devastating emotional punch it serves up and study the incredible craftsmanship that went into making this. Among its other well-deserved praises, it is a masterpiece of cinematography and editing.<br><em>Michael Clayton</em>, a very good study in screenwriting economy: what's not seen is more important to the story.<br><br><b>2008</b><br>Nada. Haven't seen any of them, and don't plan on it.<br><br>And since we're on the subject...<br><br><b>2009</b><br><em>District 9</em>, on of the most exciting sci-fi films I've seen in many a year. What an awesome ride. I saw in the theater, and I hadn't felt that amped up about sci-fi since I saw <em>Aliens</em> back in 1986.<br><em>Up</em>, I can watch the first 20 minutes over and over for the rest of my life. These are the films I will watch/have watched several times, many of which I own:

2000
Gladiator, it's historical inaccuracies aside, is gorgeous to look at and good escapist fun on a rainy weekend afternoon.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is one of the most beautiful, poetic films of the decade, and I wish LOTR was made more in this style — at turns romantic and sad.

2001
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, again good escapist fun.

2002
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, see above.

2003
A qualified “none of the above”. Even though I own ROTK, it find it such a slog. Though it's fun to watch w/ my wife who's not a Tolkien geek like me.

2004
The Aviator, one of the most exuberant celebrations of individual achievement I have ever seen, and an honest excoriation of the evils of corporate-government collaboration.

2005
Munich, more for its spy thriller antics than its pale attempt at moral relativism. Also, very solidly directed, acted, shot.

2006
The Departed, which I liken to a modern American tragic opera. If you watched it as a silent film, you will still feel the power of this masterpiece.
Little Miss Sunshine, to help me keep things in perspective from time to time.

2007
No Country for Old Men, only because having seen it twice and read novel as well, I'm able to look beyond the devastating emotional punch it serves up and study the incredible craftsmanship that went into making this. Among its other well-deserved praises, it is a masterpiece of cinematography and editing.
Michael Clayton, a very good study in screenwriting economy: what's not seen is more important to the story.

2008
Nada. Haven't seen any of them, and don't plan on it.

And since we're on the subject…

2009
District 9, on of the most exciting sci-fi films I've seen in many a year. What an awesome ride. I saw in the theater, and I hadn't felt that amped up about sci-fi since I saw Aliens back in 1986.
Up, I can watch the first 20 minutes over and over for the rest of my life.

]]> By: Ian M. http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-3604 Ian M. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 01:39:16 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-3604 I generally do not watch pictures again, but of these I've watched Gangs of New York, the two LOTR films and CTHD again. I might watch Traffic again, but would rather see Traffik for the first time.<br>2002 burns me up, The Pianist, LOTR and Gangs of New York are all better films. The Pianist and Gangs are very, abundantly, clearly better films. I don't even watch the Oscars anymore. I generally do not watch pictures again, but of these I've watched Gangs of New York, the two LOTR films and CTHD again. I might watch Traffic again, but would rather see Traffik for the first time.
2002 burns me up, The Pianist, LOTR and Gangs of New York are all better films. The Pianist and Gangs are very, abundantly, clearly better films. I don't even watch the Oscars anymore.

]]> By: Ian M. http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-1365 Ian M. Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:39:16 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-1365 I generally do not watch pictures again, but of these I've watched Gangs of New York, the two LOTR films and CTHD again. I might watch Traffic again, but would rather see Traffik for the first time.<br>2002 burns me up, The Pianist, LOTR and Gangs of New York are all better films. The Pianist and Gangs are very, abundantly, clearly better films. I don't even watch the Oscars anymore. I generally do not watch pictures again, but of these I've watched Gangs of New York, the two LOTR films and CTHD again. I might watch Traffic again, but would rather see Traffik for the first time.
2002 burns me up, The Pianist, LOTR and Gangs of New York are all better films. The Pianist and Gangs are very, abundantly, clearly better films. I don't even watch the Oscars anymore.

]]> By: Phil http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-1317 Phil Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:58:52 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-1317 Really hard to go back, because it's hard to remember everything that came out and when.<br><br>Went back and looked at some of the films of 2000, since it seemed to be such a "down" year for really good films - I think if I had to pick one that I really enjoyed because of the story, the way it was shot, soundtrack, etc. etc., it might be "Billy Elliot".<br><br>There are tons of films I'm sure I didn't see, and part of the problem w/ Hollywood is that you probably miss a great deal of good films because they aren't run anywhere except for some small art house that isn't close by. Really hard to go back, because it's hard to remember everything that came out and when.

Went back and looked at some of the films of 2000, since it seemed to be such a “down” year for really good films – I think if I had to pick one that I really enjoyed because of the story, the way it was shot, soundtrack, etc. etc., it might be “Billy Elliot”.

There are tons of films I'm sure I didn't see, and part of the problem w/ Hollywood is that you probably miss a great deal of good films because they aren't run anywhere except for some small art house that isn't close by.

]]> By: jettloe http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-1315 jettloe Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:02:40 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-1315 Ikiru and Harold and Maude are wonderful, (wouldn't a version of 'My Dinner with Andre' starring Kurosawa and Ashby been great??)<br><br>+ the IMDB 250 = Leon? 35th greatest movie of all time? Really? Ikiru and Harold and Maude are wonderful, (wouldn't a version of 'My Dinner with Andre' starring Kurosawa and Ashby been great??)

+ the IMDB 250 = Leon? 35th greatest movie of all time? Really?

]]> By: jettloe http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-1314 jettloe Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:59:36 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-1314 guess we'll have to agree to disagree on the ring pictures ;)<br><br>and actually i have a soft spot for Chicago - really enjoyed it when i saw it, though i still feel bad when i heard that a dear friend of mine had one of the worst film experiences of her life when she went to see it - didn't know it was a musical - and was thinking, why are all these people singing? really wasn't in the mood for a musical and ended up having to grit her teeth for 2 hours. guess we'll have to agree to disagree on the ring pictures ;)

and actually i have a soft spot for Chicago – really enjoyed it when i saw it, though i still feel bad when i heard that a dear friend of mine had one of the worst film experiences of her life when she went to see it – didn't know it was a musical – and was thinking, why are all these people singing? really wasn't in the mood for a musical and ended up having to grit her teeth for 2 hours.

]]> By: TimHeaney http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-1313 TimHeaney Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:02:45 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-1313 Whilst I agree with everything you say about the IMDB250 I have to admit to having a soft spot for it. Abou five years ago (after a decade of rather sporadic film watching while the kids were growing up) I rekindled my love of movies and began to realise what huge gaps I had in my viewing. At about the same time I was introduced to the IMDB by a friend and so I decided the 250 list was a good tool for expanding my film experience and started watching all the ones I hadn't seen. While often amazed at some films being on the list at all (Ratatouille) it has plugged a lot of my viewing gaps, made me watch some films which are now amongst my personal favourites (Ikiru) and discover some little gems (Harold and Maude). Whilst I agree with everything you say about the IMDB250 I have to admit to having a soft spot for it. Abou five years ago (after a decade of rather sporadic film watching while the kids were growing up) I rekindled my love of movies and began to realise what huge gaps I had in my viewing. At about the same time I was introduced to the IMDB by a friend and so I decided the 250 list was a good tool for expanding my film experience and started watching all the ones I hadn't seen. While often amazed at some films being on the list at all (Ratatouille) it has plugged a lot of my viewing gaps, made me watch some films which are now amongst my personal favourites (Ikiru) and discover some little gems (Harold and Maude).

]]> By: Tom http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-1312 Tom Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:34:03 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-1312 Am re-watching the Rings films at the moment and disagree with you Jett. They are very well crafted, performed and have a timeless quality that will stand the test of time. (But I guess ,as they say, time will tell.) <br><br>Was pleasantly surprised to see that there were quite a lot of good films in the list, but unfortunately some years would be a hard choice and others have very little.<br><br>Think the biggest joke of all was when Chicago won - ridiculous. Am re-watching the Rings films at the moment and disagree with you Jett. They are very well crafted, performed and have a timeless quality that will stand the test of time. (But I guess ,as they say, time will tell.)

Was pleasantly surprised to see that there were quite a lot of good films in the list, but unfortunately some years would be a hard choice and others have very little.

Think the biggest joke of all was when Chicago won – ridiculous.

]]> By: jettloe http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-1309 jettloe Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:29:53 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-1309 There must be some sort of real 'quality' awards show out there - mustn't there? I mean - are we gonna have to start one up at TFT??<br><br>and for the love of God don't even get me started on the IMDB lists - whenever I'm feeling too calm read their top films - just to get my blood pumping - heck, let's have a look right now:<br><br>1. 9.1 The Shawshank Redemption (1994) 406,984<br>2. 9.1 The Godfather (1972) 340,678<br>3. 9.0 The Godfather: Part II (1974) 196,754<br>4. 8.9 Buono, il brutto, il cattivo., Il (1966) 118,779<br>5. 8.9 Pulp Fiction (1994) 335,356<br>6. 8.9 The Dark Knight (2008) 345,430<br>7. 8.8 Schindler's List (1993) 222,221<br>8. 8.8 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) 170,213<br>9. 8.8 12 Angry Men (1957) 85,659<br>10. 8.8 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)<br><br>Shawshank Redemption top film of all time.<br><br>12 Angry Men. ? Yes, it's a great little pic by Lumet - but in the top 10 of all films?? of all time? what?<br><br>The Dark Knight??<br><br>Historically this sites/tech have been used by younger gen. perhaps? as they get older = will we see some slight maturation of taste? There must be some sort of real 'quality' awards show out there – mustn't there? I mean – are we gonna have to start one up at TFT??

and for the love of God don't even get me started on the IMDB lists – whenever I'm feeling too calm read their top films – just to get my blood pumping – heck, let's have a look right now:

1. 9.1 The Shawshank Redemption (1994) 406,984
2. 9.1 The Godfather (1972) 340,678
3. 9.0 The Godfather: Part II (1974) 196,754
4. 8.9 Buono, il brutto, il cattivo., Il (1966) 118,779
5. 8.9 Pulp Fiction (1994) 335,356
6. 8.9 The Dark Knight (2008) 345,430
7. 8.8 Schindler's List (1993) 222,221
8. 8.8 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) 170,213
9. 8.8 12 Angry Men (1957) 85,659
10. 8.8 Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Shawshank Redemption top film of all time.

12 Angry Men. ? Yes, it's a great little pic by Lumet – but in the top 10 of all films?? of all time? what?

The Dark Knight??

Historically this sites/tech have been used by younger gen. perhaps? as they get older = will we see some slight maturation of taste?

]]> By: Peter http://www.thefilmtalk.com/2009/02/16/oscars-worthy-deserved-undeserved-unworthy/comment-page-1/#comment-1308 Peter Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:13:00 +0000 http://www.thefilmtalk.com/?p=459#comment-1308 I do kinda wish there was a true film standard awards show. Like, have a commity that are all required to see all the movies (have them all present at one screening of each one and take attendance to make sure everyone shows up). Because with all the movies out there, especially when you're looking back 20-30 years or more, its good to have some kind of benchmark to refer to for film quality. Unfortunatly, the oscars are not that show, leaving only imdb (which is TOO open, so you get "popular" movies recognized and less known ones overlooked), and maybe rottentomatos (which doesn't have enough reviews for older movies to be useful, although I suppose it'll be a good resource for future generations) I do kinda wish there was a true film standard awards show. Like, have a commity that are all required to see all the movies (have them all present at one screening of each one and take attendance to make sure everyone shows up). Because with all the movies out there, especially when you're looking back 20-30 years or more, its good to have some kind of benchmark to refer to for film quality. Unfortunatly, the oscars are not that show, leaving only imdb (which is TOO open, so you get “popular” movies recognized and less known ones overlooked), and maybe rottentomatos (which doesn't have enough reviews for older movies to be useful, although I suppose it'll be a good resource for future generations)

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