Oscar Competition from Hell, AKA Best Picture Nominees

Let’s talk about one of my guiltiest pleasures: the Oscars.

The Oscars are a big deal in our household. Over the course of the last few years, my husband and I have experienced weeks of intense competition surrounding the yearly awards extravaganza. We print out a ballet that contains all of the awards, and we make our selections, keeping our choices hidden from one another until the winners are announced live on stage. It’s a cut-throat 4 hour fiasco often ending in bloodshed and tears. One would assume that, with my vast expertise concerning the world of media and pop culture, that I would consistently win this competition, but by including all 24 Oscar categories (ones dealing with sound, effects, costumes, shorts, animation, foreign films, documentaries, etc), it’s really anyone's game. I am not (not) ashamed to admit that Parry beat me two years ago, but I am the current reigning champion and intend to stay on top again this year.

In preparation for this challenge, Parry and I attempt to watch as many Oscar related films as we can each year. As of this moment, we have seen all ten best picture nominees, as well as several other popular ones. I’m sure that we’ll continue to squeeze a few more in before the red carpet is rolled out on March 7th.

Knowing how serious I am about my viewing and critiquing of these films, let me now lend you my "expert" advice. Which of the 10 Oscar nominees for Best Picture should you see this year (Yes, there are 10!!)? Let me tell you…

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Avatar
I have to tell you that I am a fan of Avatar - not because the film itself is great, but because I saw it in IMAX 3D and it was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. It's definitely worth seeing in the theater...in IMAX 3D. It will blow your mind and make you enjoy going to the movies again. Plus, everyone in the free world has seen it. Shouldn’t you be in the loop?

The Blind Side
There was surprisingly very little football in this movie. I think I expected a "sports" movie, but instead what I got was a movie about how a kid manages to pull himself out of poverty and abuse with the help of some rich white people. (Sandra Bullock is good, but I think Meryl Streep was better as Julia Child) All in all, I would say that I was surprised how much I liked this one. It's an "easy" movie that anyone could watch.

District 9
Loved it. My favorite movie out of the bunch (although not my choice for winner). If you didn't see this movie in the theater, I feel bad for you. Watch it in HD, if possible. The special effects are incredible, the story is refreshingly unique, and the majority of the dialogue was completely improvised by a crazy guy named Sharlto playing an uptight and unlucky South African guy named Wikus. This one is for any Sci-Fi/Action lover with a brain.

An Education
This movie is classically British. It stars Sally Sparrow of Doctor Who fame. Yeah! There are people with accents; they cry and crack smarmy jokes and talk about feelings. It is a coming-of-age romance with quite a wallop of that good old Brit humor. Good coming-of-age stories - ones that haven't been done already - are rare. One's with a female central character are even more hard to find. If the Brits are your thing, add this one to your queue.

The Hurt Locker
This is, I think, perhaps the biggest contender for Oscar winner of the bunch. As it is about bomb diffusers in Iraq, the movie is tagged as being filled with suspense, and while some definite nail-biting will take place as you watch, the better reason to watch this film is for the characters. It's a "big" war movie on a very small scale. Powerful. I suggest anyone could/should see this film and enjoy it.

Inglourious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino makes films I love. If he makes films you love, odds are you have already seen this movie. It is funny, and the opening scene is fantastic. I would suspect that for most of you who have not already seen it, this movie is not your cup of tea. Still, you should surely rent it, if you think you can stomach some Tarantino fun (although surprisingly not nearly enough scalping for my liking).

Precious
Everyone who hears I have seen this film asks me, "Was it as hard to watch as it looks?" The answer is yes. This is a rough, rough movie. And despite Oprah's raves, I'm not sure that I see any uplifting message in it. One bad thing happens after another, and it will just make your heart ache. Every year there is a movie that should be seen, not because it is a great movie, but because the acting is flat-out superb (last year’s Revolutionary Road). This is that movie.

A Serious Man
The Coen brothers have made some films that I like and some films that I dislike, but after spending some time reading and thinking about this movie, I came to the realization that I enjoyed it. This is the thinking man's movie. If you like to be utterly flabbergasted and confused by a film, or if you are into highly philosophical subjects like duality and morality, or if you really like awkward Jewish people, this is the one you should watch. Otherwise, there is no chance you'll like it, so don't bother. (note: This is one of Parry's favorites)

Up in the Air
Clooney. Oh, Clooney. This was an all around good movie, although I'm not sure that it's anything spectacular. There are some relevant ideas behind the film about economics and the disconnectedness that exists in today's society. There are also interesting, good looking, and sometimes funny characters. I liked the ending. I think this is another movie that anyone would like, but few would love. It's worth putting on your Netflix list.

Up
Holy freakin' Christ did I cry like a baby at this movie. I imagine kids see it and laugh at some of the many silly and fun moments (I know I did), but I defy any so-called adult to watch it and not get all weepy in the first fifteen minutes. Despite the ugly crying that you'll most certainly do, you will really enjoy this film. If you think that you are too old for an animation, you are wrong. If anything, this is a movie for adults - or rather, for everybody.

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By the by, as a final note, just so you know what's at stake at our house over these Oscar picks... We have a replica Oscar sitting in our basement that goes to the winner each year. This year, the name of the winner (me) will be placed along the statue's base via Parry's work's label maker. If you come over in March, I might let you hold it...

                                                              


Posted by Amanda at 2/15/2010 9:23 PM
Categories: My Life
Tags: avatar Meryl Streep up oprah red carpet Sharlto clooney an education Oscars awards best picture nominee quentin tarantino coen brothers cartoon up in the air Wickus Sally Sparrow district 9 Doctor Who competition 2010 IMAX 3D movies parry inglourious basterds a serious man the blind side the hurt locker precious Sandra Bullock
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