Hey 3.5 readers.
BQB here.
As you know, I have long been an advocate for ugly rights and this year, I have no doubt that ugly actors will be snubbed yet again.
But moving on, my thoughts on Best Picture:
THE NOMINEES:
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Green Book
Roma
A Star is Born
Vice
WHAT I DID NOT SEE:
I didn’t see The Favourite, Green Book, Roma, Vice.
Vice, to me, seems like just one big long early 2000’s era SNL sketch about a presidential administration that is long forgotten. Doesn’t seem like it should be but time moves fast. So, I’m not sure it is Oscar worthy but again, I didn’t see it.
SNUBBED:
Crazy Rich Asians was a rare enjoyable romantic comedy. Asians get so few lead roles in American cinema and on top of that, there was a message about how every young adult has to choose between making his/her family happy and making him/herself happy that is universal around the world.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? I actually just saw this tonight and I didn’t expect it to, but it really moved me. There is just something about Melissa McCarthy as a lonely old woman balling her eyes out over the death of her cat, quite literally her only friend in the world, that provides a look into the depths of loneliness and sadness that grips many people. It’s something that a million hottie actress could never convey, no matter how much you ugly them up.
A Quiet Place – I might be alone here but I feel like this could have gotten some love. It achieved a lot with very little. It told a whole story with only a handful of words ever spoken.
Chappaquiddick – A powerful case study on how there is one set of laws for the rich and powerful and another set for the rest of us schlubs. But, you know, Kennedy was loved by Hollywood so, on and on the vicious cycle goes.
WHO WILL WIN? (And What Did I See?)
Black Panther was a good superhero movie. It’s watchable again and again and when I went, there were so many black people in attendance in traditional African garb that I figured there was no way the Oscars could ignore it. They’ll never give an Oscar to a super hero movie (though if the Avengers series ever finally ends, they should consider giving that last movie an Oscar as they did with Lord of the Rings, another comic booky type of movie series, just to celebrate the achievement of finishing a series that lasted so long.)
Bohemian Rhapsody was touching and a good story about a) doing what you love b) being loyal to those who help you do it c) choosing one love over lots of meaningless sex will, surprise, surprise, make you happier. D) Confidence will get you places.
But it won’t win because alas, the original director has some perv allegations. I actually agree with that. We can’t reward alleged pervs.
A STAR IS BORN – It’s long, too long. And sad. Yet, at the same time, it was hard for me to feel sorry for Lady Gaga or Bradley Cooper. They are both just too beautiful. It did have some important messages about keeping your jealousy in check in a relationship and also, as you age, you’ll have to learn to accept that you’ll never be as fabulous as you were in your prime.
PREDICTION: BlacKkKlansman will win. It was a good movie. It tackled a serious subject with, surprisingly, a lot of humor. It’s one of Spike Lee’s best. I think the Academy will pick it not necessarily because of the movie itself but because it is critical of Bad Orange Man and in case you haven’t noticed, Awards shows like to dump on him.
Bookshelf Battle 