7 More Days Until The Oscars.

So, the Oscars are coming. Seven more days. Whoo hoo. I like to watch them. It's one of my favorite events. But, I don't know about this year.

I'm thrilled that Steve Martin is one of the hosts. But I'm not too thrilled about Alec Baldwin. Sure he's funny, I guess. If given the right material, he's a blast. I'm hoping Steve Martin will more than even it out.

I'm also unsure about some of the other changes that Alan Shankman is bringing. (He's trying to give the 'old guy' a face lift.) Like: I just heard he's having a D.J. on the show (DJ Joel Madden -- No idea who he is, and I don't even have the desire to 'google' the guy).

Another change is that they are adding a "Thank You" camera backstage. I guess they got tired of having the winners drone on and on about their accomplishment. Why shouldn't they be allowed to? They deserve it. But now the Oscars are going to offer a camera backstage (I'm hoping before they go to the "cattle shoot" that is the press area) where the winner can take as much time as they want to say thank you, and then that speech will be uploaded onto the internet. I guess this is a good idea...but it's just showing how uncaring these award shows are now. I like hearing the speeches live. You never know what's going to come out of their mouth when they are put on the spot. But that's just me.

One other change they've done is with the Best Picture nominations. There are 10 this year. I've seen 6 of the movies (I'm waiting for DVD for the 2 of the other nominees, and there are 2 I have no desire to see):

Seen:

Avatar: I had been looking forward to seeing this movie long before it came out. James Cameron is one of my favorite directors (and people). He has a great work ethic; and if there is something that's not working right he'll go out and make the equipment to make it work right. A lot of people say this story is simple (and ripped off of a bunch of other movies), but so what? There are a lot of movies being made now that are either a rip off of another movie, a remake of an old movie, a sequel to a movie, or a "new vision" of an old TV show. The story is supposed to make you interested in what's happening in the movie (which is what Avatar did for me). Do I think it will win best picture: no. (Mostly because I think the Academy is "done" with James Cameron for now.)

District 9: This was a surprise for me. My friends (Butch and Sundance) saw this and didn't like it. So I waited for DVD. The PF and I watched it on New Year's Eve with Bubba, and we all liked it. The story was engaging (the humans were the bad guys), and the special effects were great (for being on a small budget--this was one of those "produced by" movies, this time by Peter Jackson). Overall it kept our interest (so much that we almost missed the ball dropping at midnight in Times Square). If you haven't watched this movie yet, I definitely recommend it. Will it win: I will be completely shocked if this wins, but it probably won't.

The Hurt Locker: This is about a bomb squad in Iraq. I didn't like this movie. I could say that it's because I don't like war movies, which I really can't say. [Although they are fantasy films, I have loved: Star Wars (a war movie series), The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (arguably a war movie series), among others.] I really can't place why I didn't like this movie (the PF liked it). Probably because I've seen it done before, in other movies (back to that "there is no original idea left in Hollywood" theory that I have). This will be the winner of the Best Picture. It has got so much hype behind it; and, there's a war going on and the Academy will want to honor that somehow.

Inglorious Basterds: This is a fantastic movie. It's a "fantasy revenge" flick. Tarantino did a wonderful job writing and directing this movie. Brad Pitt was great in his role ("I'm Lt. Aldo Raine, and I'm here for one thing and one thing only...killing nazis."). Christopher Waltz does a fantastic job (and I believe he's going to win for best supporting actor). His part was great [he made you really hate him]). I don't think it'll win. It's too "out there" for the Academy.

A Serious Man: The Cohen Brothers. I already wrote about this one on Friday. It's an okay movie; but I don't think it's good enough to win the Oscar though.

Up: I loved this movie. I hope it will win for Best Animated feature (that's for another day). It starts with a pre-story (told through or before the opening credits); and then the adventure begins. It's really a beautiful picture, the animators put their hearts in it. Ed Asner was perfect in his role. Gotta love Doug though (he's my favorite). This is another one that will be a happy surprise if it wins; but I don't think it will.

Not Seen:

The Blind Side: Sandra Bulloch is one of my favorite actresses. I've been told this is a great movie, and that she does a fantastic job. I'll have to wait (when it comes out on DVD). It's based on a true story (which in Hollywood speak means "we have to change it just a bit, but really it's true") about a portion of NFL Raven's football player Michael Oher's life. I just don't have the desire to go out to the movie theatre and watch this movie. Will it win: Well it's "based on a true story", which the Academy likes, so it too has a chance to win Best Picture. But I hope not.

An Education: I didn't know anything about this movie, so, I went and did a search on the internet to check on it. It's set in 1961 England, and its about a girl named Jenny and her relationship with an older man named "David". That really does not sound interesting to me. Reading further the article says "Jenny finds out that David makes money by moving black families into flats near elderly women who are afraid of them, so he can then buy their flats cheaply. She also finds out that David and Danny steal valuable objects from houses that are for sale. On discovering this, Jenny is horrified and threatens to leave the relationship, but in the end she finds her new life so thrilling and enthralling that she chooses to overlook its darker side." This sounds like an "idependent" movie to me. "Independent" movies are hit or miss with me; mostly miss. So I think I'll pass on watching this one (unless I happen to have absolutely nothing else to watch--which I doubt will happen because then I'd rather read a book). I don't think it will win best picture, based on the other movies that are nominated.

Precious: I have no desire to see this movie. It's about a girl pulling herself out of the vicious cycle of abuse that she's living in (with help from others). I've seen this type of movie before and this movie doesn't appeal to me at all. I have a work friend who saw it and said that the acting is phenominal. But I don't find the subject matter all that appealing, so I'll be giving a pass on this one. Will it win best picture? Possibly. It has a chance because of the subject material, directing and acting. Should it win? I don't think so based on the other movies that are nominated.

Up In The Air: George Clooney as a corporate downsizer and his travels. Perfect movie for this day and age. I would like to see it. It'll be out on DVD soon; so I'll catch it then. I heard that Jason Reitman (the director) put an add in the paper for people who recently lost their jobs to come in and be in a documentary about job loss. Those people are a majority of the people being fired by Clooney. (I believe this is an "independent" movie and it'll probably tick me off like they usually do, I'll end up watching it.) Should it win? Possibly.

Who do I think will win: The Hurt Locker. Why: It's about a war that's going on now. I think that the Academy members will want to honor that.

Who do I want to win: Avatar or District 9. Why: they were both good stories.

Why do I think that Avatar of District won't win: They are both science fiction/fantasy films, which are film genres that the Academy member(s) usually don't award trophies to.

Well, that's all for now. Have a great Sunday...more later, Booboo.