Most years I see a great deal of the movies up for nomination. Some years Eric and I have even seen every movie nominated for Best Picture. [Buzzer!!!! Brownies need taking out of the oven. ... And now the sausage balls are in.] But this year I saw Crash on DVD and a few of the movies with actor nominations.
Let's just get this out of the way. I have not seen Brokeback Mountain. I feel a lot of hope has been pinned to this movie. Basically, I am so tired of all the low brow humor/gay cowboy jokes. However, I have to tell you this. I am not totally above the low brown humor and this is a perfect example. Last night I was watching Mad TV and in one sketch that character played by Keegan-Michael Key who wears the shower cap took the microphone from a reporter doing a piece on Oscar movies. He said he saw “Humpback Valley” and then talked about how it was a beautiful love story. Then he says, “Buttcrack River...go see it.” I laughed through the entire commercial break that followed. I am a 7th grade boy.
Crash
This movie haunted me and made me face my own perceptions and even secret feelings about race and my own prejudices. As someone who was a girl in the eighties I’m impressed by Matt Dillion’s nomination for Best Supporting Actor (you know...the guy who played Dallas in The Outsiders) and I proudly declare that I resisted the urge to blurt out, “Let’s do it for Johnny!” while my friends and I were watching the movie.
Walk the Line
a) I’m a Johnny Cash fan (and brag about my relation to June Carter Cash because, like my own mother, Mama Maybelle was an Addington).
b) Some of the movie was filmed in these parts.
c) I think that each Reece, who is from these parts, and Leaf…er…Joaquin did fine jobs and I’m pulling for Reece to win Best Actress. June had an unusual voice and Reece surprised me in how well she was able to pull that off. No one could be Johnny Cash but the man in black himself. But Leafquin’s performance was a fine tribute…and worthy of the Best Actor nomination it garnered...even though Phillip Seymour Hoffman is going to win.
North Country
This movie made me mad. I think that the rights I freely enjoy I tend to take for granted. When I think that women have been voting in the United States for less than a century I want to exercise my voting right in honor of the women who stood at the gates of the White House telling President Woodrow Wilson that they would not be ignored. As a child I had no real appreciation of my education while, today, girls around the world meet in underground schools. Meanwhile, American girls and boys are required by law to be schooled. I was nearly born on the pew of a United Methodist church and we have ordained women since the 1950’s. As a child of God I suppose I feel that all are created equally and there is no reason to question that. This is why I need reminders like the movie
North Country. The movie is about a sexual harassment case in the late 80’s. In 1989 I was a freshman in high school. The movie is based on the real life events of a group of women who were mistreated, dishonored, shamed, and disrespected while trying to earn a living and provide for their families just like the men who made their work days full of agony and humiliation at a Minnesota mining company. Let’s forgo the conversation about the Pro’s and Con’s of Union Membership. This movie goes further than Norma Rae (I love that movie) to represents the need for us to treat each other with dignity because we’re children of God and not because Union By-Laws or the law of the land say we should.The Constant Gardner
This movie was much too heavy for an end of the work week Friday night viewing. I think I need to watch it again. But the basic theme of this movie is our tendency to put ourselves and the chance to earn a buck above the basic sacredness of human life.
Despite some of our political divergences I hope that George Clooney wins because
1) He’s from Kentucky
2) He was on one of my all time favorite televisions shows. The Facts of Life
3) He is leaking spinal fluid.
Monday Morning
http://www.oscars.com/oscarnight/index.html
And now for the who really cares? portion of this post:
I thought most people’s dresses were boring.
Michelle Williams, most people cannot carry off yellow. Not everyone can do handle the orange/red lipstick the way you did. Now, do you think you can use your powers to rescue Joey before the spawn of L. Ron Hubbard is born?
Meryl Streep, I am very very very proud of you (and/or your stylist) because this year you wore a flattering dress instead of raiding your great aunt's cedar chest an hour before you left for the Kodak like you have for EVERY award show in the last five years.
Sandra & Maggie, I love pockets in formal dresses. But, Sandy, your skirt was flouncy. And Maggie, I love you and that’s why it pains me to say this. Sometimes you’re just wrong.
Reese, your dress was disappointing. I had high hopes for you. You let me down. It was fine. It fit you well. It was better then the biscuit maker you wore to the Golden Globes. But in the end I'm sure your Harpeth Hall classmates were jealous.
Charlize, what's with that bow? Seriously.
Keira, fabulous color! But I am opposed to this whole one side is sleeveless thing.
Hillary Swank, you know how to work the simple elegant classic gown. You and Chad can work it out. You’re a fighter.
J.Lo, green is my favorite color and you made me hate it.
Amy Adams, well let’s see...um...well....uh....hmmm....I like your earrings?
Ludacris, velvet. Really? You went with Velvet?
Catherine Keener...you and Dermott just broke-up. You’re back on the market and that’s what you decided to wear? Do you need a do-over?
And finally....
Dolly Parton, thank you for being you. We’d expect nothing less.
Pictures from the Annual Jennifer
& Eric Oscar Party (which came our really dark)
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