Comments on: Those stupid Oscars

By: RandomThoughts

RandomThoughts — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:27:21 +0000

For the most part I’m utterly bored by the entire Oscar thing. Considering who actually votes for the winning films, it’s no wonder that for the most part they’re films I don’t bother to see: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/academy/la-et-unmasking-oscar-academy-project-html,0,7473284.htmlstory

However, “Life is Beautiful” is one of my top five most favorite films. Defining it as a “Holocaust comedy” is no more accurate than defining Cabaret as a “Holocaust musical.”

Then again, maybe I just have weird tastes in movies…

By: Kevin Copple

Kevin Copple — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:44:00 +0000

“Forrest Gump” was thoroughly enjoyable. Ya gotta watch it through so that you will know when its memorable lines are referenced by Ace of Spades and others. GWTW was a great movie, but there are plenty of corny attempts at humor and cartoonish acting even there.

By: betsybounds

betsybounds — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:09:38 +0000

I didn’t mind “Forrest Gump,” although I didn’t think it was really worth an Oscar. “Life Is Beautiful,” however, was quite simply an abomination.

By: Sergey

Sergey — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:48:36 +0000

I did not find “Forrest Gump” boring at all. But for me the film was a window into another country, strange as it is. And in many episodes it was funny, with good humor and belivable personages.

By: J.J. formerly Jimmy J.

J.J. formerly Jimmy J. — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:34:06 +0000

Your list of 1939 movies was like a tip toe through the tulips. I saw almost all of them by the time I was ten. My two favorites were THE WIZARD OF OZ and DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK.

I remember that I had to get my mother’s permission to see GONE WITH THE WIND because of Clark Gable’s cuss word. (“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!”) Seems so tame today.

They knew how to tell stories that got you involved. I was a big fan of movies and went regularly until the late sixties when things started tilting left in Hollywood.

By: vanderleun

vanderleun — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 01:02:35 +0000

Here’s next years hit: The [Con] Artist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dOpwCQsMbCE#!

By: DirtyJobsGuy

DirtyJobsGuy — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:53:07 +0000

Look at the credits on any movie in 1939 and you will see incredible talent. Many were Jews who fled Hitler. Writers, Directors and Composers who the studios knew how to use. Plus there was something about knowing you were on the cliff must have helped focus everyone. The late 30’s were also a time of increased independence of Americans after the initial mucking about of the New Deal. Wendell Willkie ran a credible campaign and people had an increased feeling of their own worth. Movies that appealed to this did well.

By: Steve Ducharme

Steve Ducharme — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:44:38 +0000

Oh and what about Kim Bassinger for best supporting in LA Confidential? It was admittedly a weak year but I think Minni Driver for “Good Will Hunting” must have been a little stunned.

By: Steve Ducharme

Steve Ducharme — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:38:56 +0000

@Gringo, I feel the same way about independent publishing. I’ve lost count of all the $2.99 or less books I’ve thoroughly enjoyed on Amazon. especially in Sci-fi. It’s to the point that I scoff at anything much over $7.99 unless it’s just a must read or in a series I’m hooked on.

By: Steve Ducharme

Steve Ducharme — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:35:28 +0000

How they can leave “Shakespeare In Love” off the list is a mystery to me. A cute little story but Oscar worthy? Puuulease!