No, I'm not talking about the show itself, or even the host: I'm sure Mr. Mandel is going to do a fabulous job, as always. I'm griping the age old comedian's gripe that they never nominate comedies for Oscars, except I'm griping with renewed vigor now that there are TEN Best Picture nominees, and only three even have jokes in them (only one of which--Up--could be called an unabashed comedy, and that aimed at children).
I know, I know, Precious was very funny. But I think that was only because I was in a cough medicine stupor when I saw it. I've heard it's less "funny" the second time around, and more "soul-wrenching." And personally, I found A Serious Man to be an absolute knee-slapper at times, but I still can't bring myself to call any movie whose underlying themes are the loneliness of existence, arbitrary nature of tragedy, and penetrating existential angst a full-on laffer.
Up and Away was a comedy. Mostly. Zach Galifianakis was in it! For a few seconds. Although I would have thought his other effort this year, The Hangover, did enough numbers and was put together well enough to warrant SOME kind of Oscar nod. I guess in this grown-up world of Nazis, the Iraq War, Invading Aliens, Invading Humans, Cartoon Cat-people and Tender English Romance, there's just no room for guys taking roofies and getting blown by old Asian women in elevators. I weep for the medium.
Movies exist to entertain and, often, impart meaning or advance some kind of message. I don't see why the message being imparted by a gruesome death in the desert is any more deserving of recognition that a message deftly wrapped in a poo joke. It all comes out the same in the end, right?
Although maybe it's the comedies' fault. It certainly wasn't the strongest year for comedy, and next year's shaping up similarly, with one massive exception. THE BEAVER, a new movie directed by Jodie Foster and starring Mel Gibson, who I utterly loathe, which is like instantly funny. The synopsis is as follows: "Gibson walks around with a puppet of a beaver on his hand and treats it like a living creature." That is also, we can only hope, the script in its entirety. Here's the only picture I could find from the movie.
NOW YOU TELL ME WHY THIS ISN'T OSCAR-WORTHY. YOU TELL ME THAT.
I know, I know, Precious was very funny. But I think that was only because I was in a cough medicine stupor when I saw it. I've heard it's less "funny" the second time around, and more "soul-wrenching." And personally, I found A Serious Man to be an absolute knee-slapper at times, but I still can't bring myself to call any movie whose underlying themes are the loneliness of existence, arbitrary nature of tragedy, and penetrating existential angst a full-on laffer.
Up and Away was a comedy. Mostly. Zach Galifianakis was in it! For a few seconds. Although I would have thought his other effort this year, The Hangover, did enough numbers and was put together well enough to warrant SOME kind of Oscar nod. I guess in this grown-up world of Nazis, the Iraq War, Invading Aliens, Invading Humans, Cartoon Cat-people and Tender English Romance, there's just no room for guys taking roofies and getting blown by old Asian women in elevators. I weep for the medium.
Movies exist to entertain and, often, impart meaning or advance some kind of message. I don't see why the message being imparted by a gruesome death in the desert is any more deserving of recognition that a message deftly wrapped in a poo joke. It all comes out the same in the end, right?
Although maybe it's the comedies' fault. It certainly wasn't the strongest year for comedy, and next year's shaping up similarly, with one massive exception. THE BEAVER, a new movie directed by Jodie Foster and starring Mel Gibson, who I utterly loathe, which is like instantly funny. The synopsis is as follows: "Gibson walks around with a puppet of a beaver on his hand and treats it like a living creature." That is also, we can only hope, the script in its entirety. Here's the only picture I could find from the movie.
NOW YOU TELL ME WHY THIS ISN'T OSCAR-WORTHY. YOU TELL ME THAT.
Personally I found Inglourious Basterds hilarious. But thats just me. Up in the Air is my favorite of the nominees that I've seen but I doubt it will win.
I'm kinda with you on the Inglorious Basterds thing.
Yeah, Inglorious and Up in the Air were funny, but decidedly not comedies.
The Hangover should have been nominated. Maybe not last year when there were only five nominees, but in a year with 10 movies where The Blind Side is nominated, it should have snuck in. Also the British political satire In the Loop should have been nominated.
So it's like Lars and the Real Girl, but with a beaver. Comedy gold!
hmm... kind of reminds me of Harvey, with Jimmy Stewart and the pooka.
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