The Oscars came and went. As usual, my husband and I avoided all parties and entertainment dedicated to the event. Until I sell a screenplay or star in a movie, I really shouldn't have to be subjected to the marathon of bad song numbers, insider jokes, and back slapping that occurs once a year for 3 hours.
But, that doesn't stop me from watching videos of the odd speeches. Actually this dubbed acceptance speech makes me want to see "There Will Be Blood." Milkshakes, anyone? [Note on the video: This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—so sensitive, aren't they?]
But can you tell me why the silliest "drama" won any prizes? Seriously, "No Country for Old Men" made me laugh out loud. Maybe it's a guy thing. Or a macho American thing. Or a gun-toting nihilist thing that seems to be getting pretty popular in schools and shopping malls all over the country. I might just be angry that "Atonement," a beautiful story about love, regret, classism, and the horrors of war lost out in the Best Picture category.
A good story is difficult to write. I get it. But an entire film about two people who have no motivations whatsoever for their actions? Even the shark in Jaws had a more believable character arc than the characters in this movie- well apart from the hilarious Woody Harrelson.
Why bring up Jaws yet again? I'm glad you asked. Well, I've been a bad blogger and although all three of my readers aren't too worried about it, I feel like I should have mentioned something earlier about Roy Scheider's death on February 10th. He was a great actor and starred in "Jaws" and "The French Connection" (best car chase ever). Very sad but this has been a year of Hollywood funerals.
Anyhow, as much as I protest and vow to skip the Oscars, they still get to me. What can I say? I do love the movies.
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3 comments:
Did you read Atonement before you saw the film? There've been repeated outbreaks of violence between those who did and didn't read the book before viewing the film when the movie gets discussed. Only thing more frightening than aesthetically enraged bibliophiles in general are aesthetically enraged McEwan fans.
Steve C
I love the thought of aesthetically enraged bibliophiles.
Nope, I didn't read the book. I'm not even a McEwan fan. My book club friends did read it prior to the film viewing and they were disappointed. But then, they also didn't like Keira Knightly because of her shape etc.
People should never compare the book to the movie. They are two completely different animals, don't you think?
I agree--theoretically.
But if you have an intense emotional response to a book and are then presented with a film version that doesn't match up to your expectations, frustration and/or anger may result.
The trick with Atonement (the book)is that most people have very strong reactions to it (I threw it in the trash in disgust after reading the end, only to decide a few hours later it was one of the best novels I've ever read) and the film adaptation is so very, very good but (for many of us) doesn't quite get there in the end. It's difficult to be rational about it.
I'm rather fond of Keira Knightly's shape, though.
SC
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