So far I have seen several of the films that are nominated for this year’s academy awards, (2 of which are nominated for best picture.) Here is a quick review of the movies that I have seen so far.
Atonement - this movie has been nominated for 7 academy awards including best picture and honestly I just don’t get it. I think the acting was good, Saoirse Ronan did a great job in her role and I can understand her nomination for best supporting actress (which really should be best actress) but the story was about as boring as they come (my two cents). I don’t even remember the music, so that is how good the score was to me. Over all I give the move 3 stilettos.
Juno – I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I found the movie to be quite entertaining. It tackled a serious subject, teen pregnancy, in a sensitive manner while still having moments of humor. It is nominated for 4 academy awards (Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role ,Achievement in Directing, Best Motion Picture of the Year, and Original Screenplay) Ellen Page did a great job in her leading role, I give this movie 5 stilettos.
American Gangster – was nominated for two academy awards (Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role and Achievement in Art Direction). Where I love any movie that stars Denzel Washington, I still hate to see him play a “bad guy.” I enjoyed this movie as much as I can enjoy seeing a life of crime and violence. And I am glad to see actress Ruby Dee get her much overdue acknowledgment, for her role in this movie. I love you Ms. Ruby, and I give this movie 5 stilettos.
The Bourne Ultimatum – If you know me you know that this is my kind of movie! Action, More Action, and Even More Action!!! The movie is nominated for three academy awards (Achievement in Film Editing, Achievement in Sound Editing, and Achievement in Sound Mixing.) I really have no idea what the criteria for judging is in any of these categories, I can just say I enjoyed the film, and I hope they win something!
3:10 to Yuma – Talking about surprises, I really was surprised when I liked this movie! I normally “don’t do” westerns, but in a effort of world peace (watching a movie with my husband) ... I said "uncle." However, I really enjoyed this move (my husband on the other hand went to sleep.) It was nominated for two academy awards (Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) and Achievement in Sound Mixing.) Again, I don’t remember the score (it ain’t no Shaft), but I did enjoy the movie.
Ratatouille – I hate mice, rats and most rodents. But this movie managed to make them tolerable (but not adorable like Alvin and the Chipmunks.) It is a cute movie for kids with some sprinklings of adult humor. It was nominated for 5 academy awards (Best Animated Feature Film of the Year, Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score), Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Original Screenplay.)
Transformers – I know you are thinking to yourself, she will watch any damn thing (my husband mumbles that to himself all the time.) Well, my son was a big Transformers fan in the mid 80’s (he even dressed up like one for Halloween one year.) So once it came to video, I said “what the hell.” It kept me entertained , although the premise t it was kind of silly. It was nominated for three academy awards (Achievement in Sound Editing, Achievement in Sound Mixing, Achievement in Visual Effects)
I plan to try to knock-out a few more nominated films before the show which airs soon. I don’t want to be totally out-of-the-loop like I was last night watching the Grammy awards - I just didn’t have a clue about most of those songs. Hey now …. that’s another blog.
