December 14, 2005
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WEDNESDAY MOVIESThe Golden Globes
The nominees for Best Film for 2005 are:
Brokeback Mountain – I’m pretty fascinated by the media hype for this film. I’ve seen the trailer in the previews out at the plex a few times and quite a bit on TV by now, and the buzz is that it’s going to do well. Who would have thunk? Gay cowboys played by two of Hollywood’s niftiest young hunks. I have to wonder if the envelope would have been pushed even further if the characters had been played by two gay actors. Is it that America is not quite there yet? At any rate, whatever can carve some inroads into someone’s homophobia is good by me. I’m also glad to see that Heath Ledger is turning out to be a Real Actor, instead of just a pretty face. Maybe he will be the surprise Adrian Brody/Jamie Foxx of this year’s awards.
Good Night and Good Luck – A black and white flick makes good??! George Clooney is really showing me some pizzazz here lately. I didn’t realize he had such interest in political stuff. He’s turning into quite the versatile guy – producer, director, actor, activist. I’m looking forward to seeing this movie, especially since my own parents had such a personal connection to the McCarthy era.
Match Point – Woody Allen irritates me as a person and a filmmaker and I probably should calm down and force myself to watch his latest effort. I do love tennis. Maybe it will change my mind.
A History of Violence – Saw this and reviewed it awhile back. It didn’t quite measure up for me to the adoration I heard at the time. Definitely an interesting idea – how to take the violence out of a violent man. Love Viggo Mortenson and the fact that he’s kind of an eccentric loner type guy. Expect more interesting films from him in future.
The Constant Gardener – Saw this too and reviewed it. Ralph Fiennes is another odd fascinating actor who can play a huge range of roles (see him as grisly in the latest Harry Potter). Again, I wasn’t quite as thrilled as most with this film.
I’d be interested to hear what anybody else thought of any of the above. I love awards time.
Deep Thought: “If you’re being chased by an angry bull, and then you notice you’re also being chased by a swarm of bees, it doesn’t really change things. Just keep on running.”
Today I am grateful for: Boxes
Guess the Movie: “Well, as I said, I’m still… collating, actually, but uh, I have confirmed that he’s got an outer layer of protein polysaccharides. Has a funny habit of shedding his cells and replacing them with polarized silicon, which gives him a prolonged resistance to adverse environmental conditions. Is that enough?” Answer: Alien, 1979.
Winner: tearsign.
At the Gates of San Quentin
by Norman Solomon
No buzzards were gliding overhead, but several helicopters circled, under black sky tinged blue. On the shore of a stunning bay at a placid moment, the state prepared to kill. (Rest of article here.)
Comments (13)
I used to be a Woody Allen fan but I can’t get past the fact that he married his stepdaughter. I recently heard an interview where’s he describes his relationship with Soon-Li as very paternal.
Really interested in what George Clooney is doing these days.
i’m the flakiest of movie watchers. i’ll only watch movies that i think will be high in entertainment value and not so much the artistic, important ones. i do want to see Brokeback and A History of Violence. i do occasionally break out of my usual.
Hmmm… I’d be really interested to see Brokeback Mountain, except for the fact it was directed by Ang “I don’t like to edit my movies so they’re way too long” Lee (which is ironic since Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is one of my all-time faves). Thought History of Violence was pretty cool, but kinda’ expected more – I’m a huge David Cronenberg fan (and I didn’t know it was based on a comic book!).
And the movie quote…(drumroll)… Alien (when I was a kid I loved that movie to death, not only because it was good, but b/c it was the only movie I knew where I knew someone had the same first name with me… too bad he was the first to die.)
Alien (drum roll) wins!
Haven’t seen a single one of those films…but that’s no surprise…I really far behind on my movie watching…years in fact! LOL!
I’m gonna see Brokeback Mountain, but I’ve got my own ideas on what a “real” western is. Unforgiven comes to mind. So does Shane. Maybe this one will measure up, and maybe it won’t.
Did you know that the template for “Western” stories was forged by Owen Wister when he wrote “The Virginian”. That’s must reading for anyone who lives west of the Mississippi.
I haven’t seen Brokeback Mountain, but it’s on my must-see list, especially since the reviews have convinced me the love scenes aren’t too squishy for my taste. I love westerns. And as for the homophobia issue, my reasoning is very similar to yours.
I HAVE seen Good Night, and Good Luck. as well as The Constant Gardener, and loved them both. Haven’t seen the other two, but want to. As for Woody Allen, he creeps me out as far as his personal history is concerned, but I’m usually tickled pleasantly by his films.
i read brokeback mountain when it appeared eight years ago as a short story in the new yorker and kept the issue around, leafing back through to the story and again putting the magazine back somewhere and not pitching it - over and over and over and over and kept it. in the story, the setting, to me, seemed much less important than other parts of the story, wasn’t a character itself as place can so often be, and i didn’t read it as a western. but never had i read such a compelling and brokeback story of connection and love. the image oates uses to end the story left me immeasurably saddned. i’ve no idea how this translates on the screen and the two actors are a bit too young and pretty to fit the characters as i imagined them from repeated readings of the story. ang lee’s sensibilitly might actually have gotten it down. let’s see…
I have seen 3 of those listed and they are sensational movies. Very interesting field this year…
I feel the same way about Woody Allen! OK, I’ll watch it, too.
Drop it like it’s hot!
I haven’t seen any of these yet but am anxious to see Brokeback Mountian…..Annie Proulx is one of my favorite authors & have read the short story…it was really good….but I think all of her stuff is really good! ha
Interesting with Woody Allen….I’ve never liked his stuff either!
So why were you thankful for boxes???????
I am really praying that Brokeback Mountain walks away with at least 1 or 2 Golden Globes! Not only for recognizing a great film, but also just to piss off all the conservatives out there! hehehe