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02/15/2005: "Oscar Picks 2005"
Oscar Picks (or at least Hopes)
I love movies. Next to motorcycle riding and sex, watching a movie is one of my favorite pastimes. I am sure I watch well over 100 movies a year, and still, there are so many more out there. As a movie fan, the Academy Awards do hold a fascination. This is a Like-Hate relationship. At best I like them, most of the time I dislike them, and often I hate them. In spite of this, I can’t help handicapping the nominated movies every February it part of my obsession.
Movies, like books, theater, painting, sculpture, and crop art meets us on many levels. I love a good escapist adventure story, or funny stupid comedy. But again, like other art forms, those films that make me wonder about something in my life, that make me examine my feelings and thoughts about other people, about myself, about the world, or about my friends, those are the films I consider great. Those are the films I want to see again and again, and those are the films I wish would get Oscars. Far too often I am disappointed to see the voters choose pabulum over gourmet offerings. I remind you of 1994, when two of the best pictures of the decade – The Shawshank Redemption, and Pulp Fiction, were both defeated by .. could you believe it, Forest Gump!
This year, the Forest Gump of the field is definitely “The Aviator”. This special effects wowser, tells the early life of Howard Hughes. Now I don’t know how accurate the film is, so I just take it at face value. The film tries to make a hero out of a kid born wealthy, who squanders his money on ego trips, wasting it on very expensive movies, huge airplanes that only fly once, and public affairs with movie stars. Some of the acting was excellent, Cate Blanchett was a stunning Katherine Hepburn, and Alan Alda as Senator Bruster had to give anyone the creeps. Either one of them would be a fine winner in their supporting categories, but I hope (but have very little confidence) that the voters will pass over the picture and Leonardo.
“Sidways” was self indulgent, but a lot of fun. A couple of self obsessed American middle aged boys on an ego-trip of food wine and sex before one of them gets married. I have to admit, I identified with them more than once, and thought this an excellent film. I don’t like it for an Oscar, but it was certainly an excellent piece of work.
Finding Neverland was really not that good a story. If it had not had the tie in to Peter Pan (a much better story) this exploration of grief, loss and fantasy would probably not even have gotten our attention. It is a good watch, but not really a “date” movie”.
Both Ray was wonderful. Jamie Fox certainly deserves the best Actor for his spotless portrayal of Ray Charles, but I still don’t really like it for best picture. The story was a little too pat. The insights into Charles’ childhood trauma, his overcoming of blindness, his drug addiction, womanizing, and eventual resolution was way too superficial for me. This felt like a good made for television movie, just not the kind of real depth that I look for in a best movie of the year.
It’s hard not to be drawn to Hotel Rawanda. It is such an engaging story, and so very well told and acted. I think that it would be a deserving winner. This story of the genocide in Rawanda, and the simple everyday choices that make a man a hero or a monster, was chilling and powerful. Ever since I saw Don Cheedle in a Mixed Blood show many years back, I have watched his career with interest and enjoyment. I would be happy to see him or this movie win, but with all honesty, this doesn’t get my vote.
My vote goes to – “Million Dollar Baby”. Whoda thunk it? Enough of a love story for men to run away from, and a boxing movie to keep the women away. Or perhaps a Boxing movie to draw the men, and a love story for the women? Clint Eastwood called this a “father-daughter” love story. I didn’t think of it that way, I think the love was real, just not sexual. The movie recalled the days I sat at a close friend’s side as he was recovering from a coma caused by a car accident. I remembered sitting in a waiting room as my niece fought for her life, talking with my brother’s and sister’s about her life, potential, and suffering. This movie recalled to me all of the close employee, mentoring, teacher-student, relationships I have had over the years that blossomed into mutual respect, lifelong friendship and sometimes, love. I have never recalled even one boxing sequence. This movie stuck with me and made me think about friendship, love, responsibility and respect. It is definitely my pick for Best picture, with Swank as my pick for Best female Actor.
That’s my look at the best pictures. There were also some terrific documentaries this year, and a bunch of good indie films that are worth seeing, but that is a discussion for another day.