And the Oscar Goes To

The Super Bowl airs this weekend and I think I may be in one of a very small precentage of families that just does not give much of a flip for it. Oh, we will take advantage of the opportunity to gorge out on "football" food, but that is where it lies with us. I do not even know WHO is IN the super bowl and did not know until this past week that it is even here in Texas....the ONLY reason I found out it was in Texas is because of the drama with the weather!!! We turn it on each year for the commercials, but even that gets boring (now that I think about it, the last time I crafted was last Super Bowl...I dragged all my stuff downstairs and sat at the table and cricut'd it up something fierce).

Now, the Oscars....this was an event in this house for years. Matt and I are avid movie watchers and what woman does not like to see the glamour and fashion the night has to offer. In recent years, though, the Oscars have gone down the toilet. More often than not, movies are chosen based on how "artsy fartsy" they are or controversial. Many times, I have not even heard of the movie (though in one such case, "Slumdog Millionare" won and I was like...huh?...what is this movie....based on the recommendation of a friend, I watched said movie and was amazed).

This year's nominations have me stumped as to what in the WORLD to cheer for? For instance, Best Picture category:

'Black Swan' -- Psycho Ballerina story...rated R...doubt I will be seeing that one.
'The Fighter' -- Looks intriguing, but set in Boston...rated R...doubt I will be seeing this one either (though I would bet the language use adds to the realism of the movie...seeing how it is set in Boston)
'Inception' -- Saw this one -- yeah, a movie that made no sense...hmmmmm
'The Kids Are All Right' -- Lesbian mothers...really??
'The King’s Speech' -- Ok, I want to see this one...Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush?? R for British language -- OK, if I will not see Boston language, does this mean I can't see British language -- Well, they are supposed to release a PG13 version, rumor says
'127 Hours' -- Based on a true story about a man who cuts his own arm off -- could...be...good?
'The Social Network' -- Facebook drama. Ok, I am an obvious fan of facebook, but a movie about it's creation?? Yeah, yeah, it's on my netflix queue.
'Toy Story 3' -- I, along with MILLIONS of others saw this one. The story was endearing, made many a MAN and woman cry...worthy of first animated best picture award, probably not.
'True Grit' -- Western...need I say more??
'Winter's Bone' -- Yeah, never even heard of that one.

Ok, SO maybe I heard of most of these. AND, maybe 2010 wasn't the best year for movies. I can think of a couple that might deserve a spot on this list.

'Book of Eli' -- controversial AND artsy fartsy?? Hello!! And it was actually a really good movie, albeit graphic in it's violence.

Ok, so I just went through a list of ALL of the movies released in 2010 and WOW, was it a SORRY year for movies!!! I SO WISH I could say that the newest Narnia installment was short-changed, but it was an utter disappointment for me (though Matt loved it). So, I guess if I had to pick from this list of movies (which, btw, is SO INCREDIBLY LONG), I would have to pick....well, I don't know. I think it would either be 'The King's Speech' or 'Social Network', based on my own general leanings, but I do think a good candidate would have been 'The Book of Eli'. Let's just hope that 2011 has more to offer than such greats as 'Marmaduke', 'Furry Vengeance', or, even, 'The A-Team' (sorry Matt).

The category for Best Animated Feature is a big disappointment. This year, for once, was a great year in animation and they offer up 3 for this award...one of which I had never heard of before, and after seeing clips, do not think I want to hear of again.


Best Animated Feature Film

'How to Train Your Dragon' -- Actually saw this one in the theater 3 times!! It was a great movie (though I know many did not like the adaptation, feeling the books were better...duh, when is the book not better). I fell in love with Toothless and found the story and animation really spectacular. In the shadow of the animation of 'Avatar', I agreed with many critics who felt this animation was more spectacular.
'Illusionist' -- Yeah, never heard of it.
'Toy Story 3' -- As stated above, it is a beautiful movie with an endearing story that brought a tear to many an eye. Who couldn't help but have their heart strings pulled at the end when Andy gave up his toys to a new owner who would appreciate them as much as he did as a child. BUT, was it Oscar worthy? We all know, Pixar wins out 99.9% of the time and this will likely win again.

I have to stomp my feet and cup my hands and shout "BOO" at the Academy or whoever comes up with the nominations, though. It is a severe tragedy to find that the best animated feature of the year failed to make this list, "Despicable Me". This movie, above any other movie this year (animated or not), was my own, personal, most anticipated movie of the year. I was almost as giddy as the kids were as the time drew near for the movie to be released and after we FINALLY saw it, I was utterly and completely satisfied with it's delivery. I laughed out loud (which rarely happens), my heart strings were pulled, and it was, in my opinion, a GENIUS of a movie with perfectly timed moments of silliness and seriousness....and do I even have to mention the MINIONS!??!!!! This was, by far, the BEST movie I saw in 2010. How dare they not even include this in the animated slot, much less the best movie slot!!!

Another movie that was SORELY missed from this list was 'Tangled'. What a GREAT movie...easily top 3 princess movies for me of all times. This movie had EVERYTHING from top notch animation to beautiful story line to complete hilarity. It is a shame that it has not gotten it's due (though they are laughing their way all the way to the bank).

BUT, I digress and throw my support to "How To Train Your Dragon". I have the UTMOST respect for Pixar and what they have done over the years. I am a HUGE fan. BUT, I have to go against the grain on this one. Night Fury must be heard!!!

I cannot even go there on the list of actresses and actors nominated in the Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories. Most I do not even know. Those I do know I don't care for except for Colin Firth, which I think is great, so there you go. I have no thoughts on who shoulda been nominated for any of these categories....as stated, this was a BAD year for movies. No performances stood out to me....maybe Denzel Washington in 'Book of Eli'.

There are many problems with movies today. One problem lies in the lack of originality. No one seems to be able to come up with new ideas, but, instead, rehash old ones: 'The A-Team', 'Marmaduke', etc. There are many movies released just in hopes of making a quick buck for the studios...uh, 'Furry Vengeance' anyone. Than there are the movies that are made solely to cater to the "artsy fartsy" academy sect...nevermind if the rest of us has any interest in them.

But, that is just my ramblings...what do I know?? I am a lowly ticket-buyer who has been left with little choices in the realm of movies (went and saw 'Tangled' again today for lack of any other worthwhile movie to see). And with organizations like the Academy rewarding the mediocre...well, that just leaves us in the dark....

and on a personal note....QUIT with the 3D NONSENSE....

That is all.....