Cassandra's Dream

I wasn't very enthused about Woody Allen’s latest dreary drama: a tale of two brothers who choose to become killers as a way to save themselves from financial ruin. The characters didn’t seem real or their actions plausible. I think the point was supposed to be that the lead characters were stupid and wouldn't it be funny to see them try to kill someone. But it isn’t funny. It’s just kind of painful to watch. I like seeing Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor, the brothers, in everything they do, but this flick what was a dud for me. It certainly was no, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Woody Allen’s prior movie. That movie was so fun and alive. Cassandra’s Dream is more blah and dead.

Oscar Reflections

I didn't see any presentable movies to write about this weekend. Well, scratch that, I did watch on cable Roman Holiday for the umpteenth time. Such a grand movie if you have never seen it, do so, soon! Gregory Peck is regal and handsome and Audrey Hepburn is lovely and graceful. In fact, it’s hard to take your eyes of either of them. Well worth seeing. (see my list of favorite romantic comedies)

But I have wanted to spout my opinions about the Oscar nominations, mainly to say I am underwhelmed by the lack of greatness in the best picture nominees. The best picture nominations are The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader, Frost/Nixon, and Milk. Maybe I am unenthused and a hypocrite because of the five, I have only seen Slumdog Millionaire, which is very entertaining but has a high cheese factor. Besides Milk, which I want to see, the rest don't interest me too much.

I am also disappointed that Sally Hawkins was not nominated for Happy-Go-Lucky. That seems like a huge oversight. And another favorite movie of mine this year is Vicky Christina Barcelona which only got one nomination and that was in the best supporting actress category for Penelope Cruz who was great, but I also thought at the very least the movie should have gotten a best original screenplay nomination. In Bruges did get a very well deserved nomination for original screen play, but both Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson were not nominated for best supporting actor and they were AWESOME!

So, in summary, three of my favorite movies of the year did not get the kind of recognitions they deserve:
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Vicky Christina Barcelona
No Fair! :(

Vicky Christina Barcelona

This Woody Allen movie is set in Spain and involves Jaun Antonio, a painter played by Javier Bardem, who pursues two beautiful American tourists, Vicky and Christina played by Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall (who is great in this, by the way). It's a love triangle of sorts, well actually a love quadrangle because later, Jaun's wife joins the mix. She is played by the ravishing and fiery Penelope Cruz --Oh yeah, also in the mix is Vicky's American staid boyfriend. The movie is full of romantic and funny moments amid beautiful Spanish scenery while contrasting the free-spirited artist type with the practical get ahead American sesibility. One conversation exemplifies the this latter type when they talk about the wonders of Internet access and wiring your home with the latest technology. (I've had that conversation and the movie highlights the banality of it) Vicky Cristina Barcelona made me want to go to Spain and sit in coffee shops and discuss the meaning of life leaving the mundane details of getting Internet access behind.