TM
Friday, February 20th, 7:13 AM
There is STILL not enough coffee in this world. And, because I'm so desperate for it it seems to be taking longer to brew. I am completely wiped out but my last visitor has left town (well, until March)... There's just 9 days until the big night. "It's happening so fast" "It's happening again" [insert other appropriate taglines here]Sooooo anyway, lots of updates coming as I finalize my predictions. And of course review the actual festivities. 2004's april fool's predictions will be announced onMarch 1st or 2nd (a month early so that we can close down for remodelling / renovations shortly thereafter) But this diary will kick back in starting now. (But P.S.: I seem to have missed all sorts of Oscar specials on television that I keep seeing ads for after the fact. A lot of good that does. whine, whine, whine... )
It's Friday and I feel feverish since I haven't been to the movies since February 8th (WITHDRAWAL ALERT!) The closest I got to a film fix was seeing Party Monster on video since my friend who was visiting had actually met Michael Alig back in the club kid days and was curious. But, god, that movie stunk. Kudos to Seth Green who did all he could to save it from its own shoddiness. I didn't even get my Buffy the Vampire Slayer fix because the system was down at The Urge. Again: whine, whine, whine...
Is that coffee ready yet? Ah, yes.
Tuesday, February 17th, 7:28 AM
I am trying to wake up. There's not enough coffee in this world.I completely missed the BAFTAs this weekend. Forgot all about them.And the SAG awards are this coming weekend but Sex & The City says "au revoir" that same night so SAG will have to wait until it's replay moment later in the evening. So you'll all know who won two hours before moi. Very few things prevent me from watching awards show but I've been invested in this comedy series for 6 years --so what are you going to do?
How sick is it that Sarah Jessica Parker hasn't won the Emmy? At least the Golden Globes have been hers.
Monday, February 16th, 7:59 AM
My apartment is beginning to look like Del Toro and Depp's hotel room in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I am frightened. As soon as my visitors leave I will not rest until it looks like something from Gattaca.Friday, February 13th, 8:50 PM
For the next few days with friends in town who have only vacation hijinx on the brain--unless unforeseen free time arises --this diary will be strictly on a sentence by sentence basis. That's all you get! One. measly. sentence. my minions. And most of it you can fill in for yourself. Give us this day our daily crumb...
Tonight's sentence: Renée Zellweger will _________________ when Chris Cooper opens the envelope and reads "_____________________"Wednesday, February 11th, 10:19 PM
Just flipping through and adoring this year's Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue and it occurred to me: VF is a pretty good predictor of Oscar glory. The actresses featured are Evan Rachel Wood (pictured) "The Prodigy", Keisha Castle Hughes "The Discovery", Diane Keaton "The Cool One", and Charlize Theron "The Bombshell" --so obviously they threw in both of the young breakthroughs of the year (Scarlett Johansson made the cover --but the cover is another story worth discussing later on). But VF's team sensed nominations in the air obviously... You can see each year that the possible nominations are in their head as they prepare the various photoshoots each year. Besides Evan Rachel the other obvious Oscar snub featured is Albert Finney.The write-up for Evan Rachel Wood is very nice. And damn, it's good to see that after the sad Oscar snub. She really is a prodigy.
Wednesday, February 11th, 8:29 PM
Check this out --considering that Patricia Clarkson and Shohreh Aghdashloo are both vying to be the semi-annual supporting actress upset winner, perhaps it was unwise of Renée Zellweger not to show for the annual photo op and luncheon. We shall see. Bill Murray was also not there but no one expects him to do the schmoozing.
Sean Penn was there. But considering how suddenly campaign-friendly he is, I have this weird feeling. It just feels so Martin Scorsese last year. While it's true that the Academy does like to give out makeup Oscars --they sometimes get persnickety if they feel obligated. And that could be a problem for either Sean Penn or Renée Zellweger. You never know. I'm not saying Penn is not deserving...or that Mystic River would be a "make-up" prize. But it feels kind of like that's how the situation is being perceived. Penn gave two fine dramatic performances last year and his star turn in Mystic River is definitely nomination worthy and one of his best performances overall. But for my money, the Academy already missed their chance at giving him the award when he actually gave THE best performance of the year (Dead Man Walking) as opposed to the third best.
But if it means anything Jude Law is pulling for Sean Penn to win. Usually when you hear actor preferences for other performances it does indicate something in the air. So despite my feelings and the case for "not all the frontrunners can win!" Sean may be safer than we think. My fingers are still crossed for the only-he-could-have-done-it star turn of the year though. That would be Johnny Depp's bonkers showmanship in Pirates of the Caribbean. But Bill Murray was so superb that in any normal year I would consider the deserving Oscar to be his and his alone.
Tuesday, February 10th, 7:51 PM
I wish I had it in me to do some deep thinking about Oscar today for your edification but alas. I have searched and it is not in me. Or if it is it's hiding very well. I was thinking for a millisecond about whether or not Oscar is changing with the times. If the turmoil of last year's on-again/off-again "dressed down" ceremony followed by a rather shocking ceremony in which there were major surprises followed by this year's shorter season and shocking nominations in the midst of a very divisive time in America indicates a changing membership. Or indicates that all the old statistics patterns are gone and the future will yield more shocking Oscar lineups . Or will the dust settle soon? Will we go back to embarrassing Picture lineups that don't really listen to critical acclaim?But really they're all only fleeting unformed thoughts. I am bereft of inspiration. Even watching the Entertainment Tonight report on the Oscar luncheon gave me nothing to talk about. Keisha does look a lot older now than she did in Whale Rider.
Sorry to throw it out there only to say "adieu" while I kill my braincells watching American Idol.
I am ashamed.
Monday, February 9th, 10:33 PM
ZZZZZzzzzzz. I really want Oscar night to get here. Throwing a party as usual but up until then, things are crazy with family and friends visiting, Valentines, and more. There are a few very minor random updates up including Foreign box office, actress, picture, animated film.I also wanted to mention that I had a momentary desire to see all five nominated movies again before the big show. So I started with Return of the King. I cried and cried. Seriously. It was a strange experience. I went by myself this time (last time was opening weekend with a group of friends) and this time it hit me emotionally like a ton of bricks. I think last time I was so caught up in the visuals and the "what's going to happen?" mood (I haven't read the books since I was a kid and had forgotten most details) that I didn't feel it to the extent that it begs to be felt.
This movie is freaking great. If this doesn't win Best Picture, I'll be crying and crying again...just like I was in the movie theater.
Sunday, February 8th, 7:57 AM & 9:20 AM
Yes, that's right. I went to bed eight hours ago and here I am again typing. This is my contrition for missing two days of the month already. It's also because I'm not the sort who sleeps in. And I have no life. Or at least I have no life until the rest of the world wakes up. So you get me while doing I'm doing laundry. Time to answer questions from letters:Re: Dangerous Game and Madonna's "remarkable and natural performance" Michael asks: "Have you seen it and do you have any comments? " Indeed I have seen it. I see, listen to, and read everything remotely connected to Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone Penn Ritchie. And yes, it is a remarkably natural performance that she gives in Dangerous Game. It's just more proof that actors who lack the gift -require very specific roles/directors/situations to guide them. Either that or dumb luck. She's not a very talented actress. She's a great and immortal artist in other ways though so that should be enough for her. Nobody can do everything. And before you say "Meryl Streep" --yes, she can sing (and quite well) but can you imagine her as a global pop star --singing, and dancing and posing for erotic photographs?
Michael and a few others also wants to know if I think Japanese Story would've snagged Toni a nomination with a better release date and more publicity. My answer is "No". I think the performance is very good (and again, Bruce Beresford is a prick for dissing her as a ham --this is a very controlled, lovely and often quiet performance) but it was never going to be up for an Oscar. It is too small, the movie itself would never have attracted enough attention and Toni is not a big enough star in America (I'm not making judgements --I love her after all. But it's just how it works) to get nominated for having her own itty bitty vehicle to showcase her skills. Especially not in a crowded year like this one. There are small films that don't rock the collective boat that get their lead recognized but they're usually for bigger stars ; Pfeiffer in Love Field comes to mind -it barely had a release at all. But then she also had Batman Returns that year to boost her visibility. So there's that route. Or there's the out-of-the-blue critical or audience hits that keep people talking (like, I don't know Sally Kirkland in Anna and Keisha Castle Hughes in Whale Rider --bet you never thought you'd see those two names lumped together now, didja? It's just one of the unexpected joys of daily visits to the Film Experience. Toni is disqualified on both counts. Plus there was so much competition this year that it was quite frankly out of control. I'm still surprised by the Morton and Castle Hughes nominations. So, while I thought Japanese Story was interesting, with a unique sexual viewpoint and its own rhythym, I recognize that it is still, when all is said and done, a minor thing. Plus, for me it's a 2004 release. I go by NYC release dates and if studios can't even be bothered to release their films in the same year on both coasts, they get to deal with the lack of resultant buzz.
Re: Fashion. Micah wants to know if I have any predictions for the upcoming event. I am no fashion expert (just love the costumes in the movies) but, like any other armchair fashion critic... I love watching the stars arrive. The only problem is that so few of them take any real chances anymore. For instance the Golden Globes. Right before the arrivals they had somebody on E! saying that color was back and everyone was going to be really colorful and stay away from black and white... but correct me if I'm wrong --I saw A LOT of basic black dresses. Yawn. My prediction is that of the nominees, the best dressed will be Renée Zellweger (since she thinks she's going to win and probably will) and --I don't know Shohreh Aghdashloo (because either way it'll be a totally surprise since she's new and totally beautiful. I would saw Patricia Clarkson and Charlize Theron who both looked amazing with a capital A at the Globes... except I have this totally irrational and untested theory (I've never gone back to see if it's all in my imagination) that if you're best dressed at the Globes you tend not to be able to repeat at the Oscars.
Re: This website. Kirsten wants to know how I find the time to manage it. I don't know. I sort of wing it. And partially it's because social lives are much different in NYC than they have been in other places I've lived. They're scheduled here. So you know when you have free time by yourself in which to do useless things like running a website. Also it helps that I wake up early and no one else does... However next week I have partying visitors (and a lot of them) so the Oscar Diary will be very short each day. Kirsten also wants to know if I think voters will be turned off by the "Just-Give-Me-My-Oscar" aspects of Renée's Cold Mountain performance enough that someone else might win... But Kirsten!!! Don't tempt me. I promised last week that I would stop dissing on Renée for awhile so it's something you all will have to ruminate on without me. (Although you can always peruse the Supporting Actress page if you're desperate for more thoughts. But as for your other Renée comment. Yes, I thought she was fab in White Oleander.
And probably speaking for many out there, Kirsten also asks about my feelings in regards to "gay hobbits" and whether or not that cost Elijah and Sean Oscar nominations? I don't really think it was the gay subtext that spoiled their chances with Oscar. Though in general I do believe that more, shall we say, "sensitive" male performances have more trouble attracting awards attention --I am actually not a conspiracy theorist in regards to this specific case: the very little acting notice that the Rings films have received. I would be happy with a SAG award for Best Ensemble. It truly was an ensemble from start to finish which is why it was always so hard to single someone out. Obviously the performance of The Two Towers was Andy Serkis's but that had it's own issues to overcome in regards to Oscar attention. Plus the triptych nature of the films made acting nominations difficult. Take the FiLM BiTCH Awards for example. If you ask me what I think of Elijah Wood's performance as Frodo I will be one of his most vocal supporters but I've never nominated him. Why? The cumulative effect of his performance is just that. So nominating him in any given year? More than any other character his performance required the 10 hours to be complete.
David wants to know why the Academy overlooked Scarlett Johansson? Your theory is as good as mine. I'm still sad about that one. For those of you who haven't, please go see Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Runaway wants to know what I'm expecting from Van Helsing. After the trailer, all I can say is "not much" It looks hideous and I love crap like this (which is why I found Underwold so disappointing) Plus having seen what Hugh Jackman can do onstage I have lost total interest in seeing him do generic beneath-him work in loud movies (with the exception of X-Men of course!) And, I really want to know: Who thought it was a good idea to have Kate Beckinsale do two vampire films back to back? And whoever it was, has she fired them yet?And finally, Alexander has an interesting question regarding my decision making skills in the FB Awards:
"I'm interested to know how you judge which films have the best cinematography, editing, sound, and sound effects? What are the criteria? Sweeping vistas? Lots of MTV-style cutting? Loud noises? Your Film Bitch Awards are very unique compared to say the Oscar nominees in those categories, and I just was interested in understanding how you chose your nods."
Obviously I am not an expert on each field of expertise but I do see a lot of films. I'd wager a year's salary with no hesitation that I see more than a lot of Academy voters...with the obvious exception of those on the specialized committees (like foreign film/ documentary/animation) since they are required to see many films in a controlled setting in two months times to cast their ballots --with foreign some see all 50+ entries) so I have a critical understanding of what makes for good cinema. For cinematography I'm not as concerned with sweeping vistas and landscape shots as Oscars DP branch is. I'm more concerned with how the cinematography tells the story. How beautiful it is is also a factor (how can it not be --it's a visual medium) but also... is the style employed a good match for the story? This was my principal technical problem with Road to Perdition last year. Now, it's impossible to argue that that gangster drama was not visually masterful (It's Conrad Hall -please!) but I didn't select it for a nomination because despite how absolutely gorgeous it was I didn't feel it contributed to the film in a positive way. I had the same issue with The Last Samurai this year. Gorgeous... but why gorgeous? On the same side of the spectrum, Girl with a Pearl Earring is absolutely breathtaking to look at but in that case, it's a perfect match for the film for obvious surface level reasons. Vermeer is the film's raison d'etre so the film takes its cues from Vermeer's work. Therefore the stunning beauty is only a positive contribution, not an out of place distraction.
This is also why I think the cinematography of Lost in Translation is so special. Some vocal opponents claim it's hideous to look at... too fuzzy, grainy, etc... And yes, it is less sharp and less traditionally gorgeous than all the Oscar nominees. But I think Lance Acord's work is absolutely crucial to what the movie is so successful at doing, setting a mood...and putting you in the headspace of its two characters. Same thing for Elephant. It's not "beautiful" in the sunset/landscapey way that Oscar loves...but the camerawork is completely what the movie is. The camera in Elephant is the one and only storyteller. If the DP work hadn't been inspired, the movie would have failed completely.
The fields I admittedly know least about are the sound awards. For those, I think of which films have the most interesting usage of sound. Or the most nuance. For me Kill Bill was an easy entry here. There are so many little nuances from the feet running across tables, to the music, to the dialogue levels... it's so obviously masterful that I couldn't help but nominate it there. When in doubt, close your eyes [Provided of course that you've seen the movie before] If it's still interesting with only sound, chances are its sound design is accomplished and a valid artistic contribution rather than a necessary but uninspired element.
Saturday, February 7th, 11:58 PM
Such a slacker am I. We're not even in the final home stretch until the High Holy Night and I keep missing days. Tomorrow I promise I'll wake up refreshed with a real diary entry. There are lots of little questions from e-mails to mull over.Today I saw Japanese Story (Collette was great -screw Bruce Beresford for dissing her!) and The Dreamers which was mighty fine. And the film turned out to be exactly what I've been going through of late (minus the great sex) --here's me trying to shut out the depressing real world with my film obsession. I'm not what you would call a big fan of Bertolucci but I thoroughly enjoyed it (B+). After the Dreamers I had dinner with friends and I was going to end the night with City of God but I got really really depressed talking about the state of the union and the horrors soon to be perpetrated on the nation when the Democratics stupidly choose the unelectable (one look at his record and Americans will run screaming) John Kerry to run against the George W Bush -meaning we'll get four MORE years of this Orwellian nightmare.
Maybe I should move to Canada? I mean we are still talking about Janet Jackson's breast like it's an important news story. Meanwhile there's this other "little" story that we're kind of talking about involving a Constitutional Amendment --A CONSTITUTIONAL Amendment to LIMIT rights by defining what heterosexuals can have that homos cannot. I'm hoping the average American blinks twice before thinking this is a good idea. Last time we tried the LIMITING RIGHTS thing with the constitution was Prohibition and we all know what a good idea that turned out to be. The prejudiced logic of it is so weird as well --How exactly do the rights of Adam & Steve infringe upon the rights of Adam & Eve? Why does it have to be either/or? I can't think of any situation where if one person has a right --that somehow makes the same rights of the other person less valuable. Unless we like the idea of --or worse yet, actually want a tiered citizenship in this country. I guess it would be something like white heterosexuals -at the top and entitled to all rights. And then a descending order beyond that with all the ethnic minorities filling up the middle. Bringing up the rear would be homos and illegal immigrants.What a shining beacon the USA is to the rest of the world. We are so righteous and free (excuse me while I vomit copiously)
Oh... but anyway my point was I lost all will to live and decided City of God would just be liking handing me a razor and I opted out. Instead, I came home, whipped up Oscar Party invitations for friends. Tried to get my mind off politics (there are a lot of reasons why this is hard to do lately. It's the boyfriends fault actually) Played on iTunes and spent way too much money. Every time on iTunes I'm rationalizing away to myself --"it's only 99 cents!!!" Pretending to myself that 20 doses of .99 does not somehow cost me $20. I'm just doing my part for the economy. The act of a true patriot.
Thursday, February 5th, 10:00 PM
You know. This quicker, shorter season is really chugging along. I'm not half done with all of the page updating I meant to do with each category in terms of predictions and all of that and I realize we're only 3 weeks from the main event. [ Here's me standing coughing in Oscar's cloud of dust. ] Anyway, I missed a day yesterday. sigh. Hard to keep up with this. I've been working on the Costume Design pages. I love doing those. I'm just an eyecandy kinda guy. The only trouble is now I want to see all the movies again to see the threads in action. One thing that's a little odd about this year costume wise is that it's really all about the men. Usually you get a good dose of glamourous gowns for the ladies. The only woman that the costume nominees are concerned with this year is Scarlett Johansson and she's not exactly sporting high fashion. Unless you think peasant chic is in. But still, I love those clothes. Dien van Straalen is my new hero. But after researching the pages on her I'm totally in the mood for some Peter Greenaway films. Time to log on to Netflix and hope they're on DVD.
This weekend I'm hoping to spend at the movies. 2004 has sort of begun and I don't want to get behind. Japanese Story and The Dreamers are both waiting for me. And then there's City of God and those documentary nominees to see; A boy's work is never done.