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Well it was a long and somewhat surprising night.  Two movies really came out that I knew were good, but didn’t think they were going to do as well as they did.  I admit I had Avatar picked to do well throughout, and it seemed as though some of the thunder was stolen by The Hurt Locker, and even Up snuck in there to take a few awards away such as Best Original Score.

There were a few awards I was glad to see went the way I had hopped.  Jeff Bridges winning for Best Actor, and Cinematography going to Avatar.  That one especially since I called it the best cinematographic movie ever in a previous post.  Also I threw a little mini party inside myself every time Precious didn’t win.  Eat it Oprah!!  (Sorry I know, it’s a little much but just cannot stand that movie or that worman…oops woman.)

Well now that the awards are over there are a few movies I must go see.  The first being the winner for best film, The Hurt Locker.  Which I was not able to see just yet, but is on my list.  I guess at this point it will serve me just as well to Netflix it.  The others are The Young Victoria, and The Education.  Also Netflix will be a great source, but just a few films I let slip through the cracks in 2009.  Both of which look like they will be very good so look for those post later on.

Quick note on the night.  Both Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were funny…. but highly scripted and not nearly as funny as Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes.  But again I admit… if anyone knows me well they know I am highly partial to British Comedy.  But can you argue with me on this one?

It was a good night and fun to watch an Academy Award presentation from start to finish.  So until next year I will go back to watching movies and hating celebrities for all of their nonsense.

Re-watched Unbreakable.  It has been a while since I have seen it, which probably made it better on the revisit.  One of my favorite screenplays of all time.  And one of the most unique character development sequences that I know of.  The movie starts off with what you think are just ordinary people.  But slowly and progressively over the course of the movie the characters start to develop into something more.  An unusual friendships begins and the protagonist begins to become more active in his role.  More of a “hero.”  And then by the end it is a Clark Kent, Lex Luther arch nemesis type of twist.  If you haven’t seen this movie, watch it.  And if you are going to watch it…make sure you see it from start to finish.  You need to catch all the subtleties.

The Olympics are over, my group project in Human Communications is finished, though Group 3 lives on, and it is spring break so no homework at least for a few days.  And with all that being so this week was a double feature.  I started the week with Lawrence of Arabia.  Found it to be a little long for what the movie was trying to accomplish.  We see how Lawrence had a love for the country, and how his love for it just about drove him mad, but it just took too long to get there.  Especially when the writing was on the wall with what was going to happen in the end.

Second movie of the double feature was Amadeus.  To sum it up in one word…Odd.  But I cannot say that I didn’t like it.  But I must admit I might have been drawn more to the fantastic soundtrack than the movie itself.  It was very interestingly told story, and I would be very interested to know what parts of the film were pulled from historical account and what was fabricated to make the movie.  And as a side note.  I would love to be able to write music like that.  WOW.  Just to have a Opera always in your head, I could see how it could drive someone to a maddening death.

I have been watching the Olympics non-stop since they started.  Mainly curling.  And no I am not a band-wagoner.  I discovered curling at he Nagano games in 1998, and have not missed it since.  I have continued to look for local curling leagues, but as of now the closest is about 4-ish hours away in Tenn.  So come on Atlanta.  We need a curling league/club.

Movie watching will resume on Monday.  I have Lawrence of Arabia waiting the in wings to be watched. Also a few fun ones from the instant stream list on Netflix.   Not to mention that the Academy Awards are coming up, and I need to see The Hurt Locker before it wins Best Picture.   I’m just sayin…

Azur et Asmar is easily the most visually grabbing movie I can think of.  It was almost like watching a 3D movie.  The layers of colors and depth really brought this animated film to life.  The more you watch the more you feel like a child being read a bedtime story, and something you wish could still be true even as an adult.  Adventure, danger, and in the end you win a beautiful woman… what more does a guy need to ask for.

If you can, watch this movie.

La graine et le mulet was one of those movies that pulled at you the whole time, and not in a good way.  I found myself asking where is this going, and what is the point.  The point turned out to be an experience like no other.  A large portion of the movie was dinner patrons waiting to be served their meal, and through some very unfortunate events the meal was… delayed… so they tried to keep everyone entertained while they tried to work some magic with the food.  So as dinners are getting frustrated with having to wait you start to feel the same.  I started to get frustrated that the movie was dragging on and hadn’t ended yet.  And even with 10 minutes to go you still saw no end in sight.  Then when a very unlikely hero comes though to help out a resolution is reached and the movie stops.  Left with an assumed, but clear, conclusion (which I like).  It was a well written screenplay to get you to feel as the movie felt.  Though as good as the screenplay was.  Once is enough for me.

Is Anybody there is best described as a pleasurable movie to watch.  Admitting there is nothing profoundly different in this movie from the dozen others just like it.  An old man and a young boy start out being bitter to one another because neither wants to live in the old folks home run by the young boys family.  But in the end they become very good friends over a unique set of circumstances.  Those circumstances become the inevitable plot twist that all movies of this genre have in common.  And I think that is where this movie became quite pleasant to watch.  The whole movie had a saddened tone throughout, but I believe it was necessary given the setting of the movie.  Don’t think I am sending mixed signals on whether it was good or bad.  I guess you can say it’s in the middle.  Not a top 10, but it wont hurt to see.

After watching The Last King of Scotland, which did not do it for me due to some under developed characters and story, I have decided that I would like to make a small film this spring and summer.  I have always wanted to write and I think a screenplay will be exactly what I can do.  All I need now is a cast and crew.  So if anyone wants to join in let me know.  I doubt I will turn anyone down given my current standing with the big companies.  I will need all the help I can get.

As for The Last King of Scotland.  If you have not seen it.  I wouldn’t go out of my way.

Well quick back story about trying to watch this movie.  I didn’t have time as soon as it came in the mail to sit and watch it; so I had to wait a few days.  Being back in school has really made some things difficult.  So in my communications class my professor wants to show us a clip of a movie about standing your ground and being persuasive.  Well she shows us a good scene from 12 Angry Men.  Luckily it didn’t spoil the movie but she came close.  After the discussion had finished a classmate asked how the movie ended.  I quickly rose to my feet and proclaimed that I had only just received the movie through netflix and haven’t watched it yet.  Everyone had a quick laugh and she did not divulge the end.  Which I thank her very much.

I thank her very much indeed because it was just a solid good movie.  The main character, who was juror number 8 I believe, used logo’s (just for you Mrs. Abernathy) to point out that the evidence submitted and the testimonies given didn’t tell the whole story.  And through logic they were finally able to debate the verdict correctly without prejudice, or quick resolution due to awaiting arrangements, and families.

Which then brings up a personal concern.  Though in the end justice was served correctly I have become even more terrified of ever having to go to court.  Most of that is due to a crazy sociology teacher who tried to convince us that little children go around accusing adults of rape just for fun, and that if that happens to us we ought to take the plea bargain to serve a lesser sentence even if we are innocent because a passionate jury will believe the kid over the adult.  Granted this is probably a very rare incident, but I would rather not be the one in a million this time.

So I make it a point to stay away from crazy little children, and watch good movies at home locked inside my house.

Julie & Julia actually has an odd correlation to my personal blog.  I started this site with a list of movies and a blog for each.  Julie essentially did the same but with recipes.  It was fun to watch knowing that I had accomplished a similar goal.  Watched a movie, cooked a meal, and then blogged about the success or failure of each.  Only in the end I think she will beat me on the fan base.  I still have yet to have a comment.  So to whomever reads my blog…please comment, even if it just says “Hi, I read your blog.”  I just need some recognition people!!

But the movie was good.  Probably not as good as some of the dishes that were prepared, but worth the watch.  Meryl Streep’s Golden Globe, and probable Oscar is well deserved.

Bon Appetit!