The Oscars

[toonarmy]

Seriously, 6 for 'The Hurt Locker'? Possibly the most over-rated film of the year.

For those who haven't seen it, imagine 'Generation Kill' with all of the humanity, characterisation, plot development, storyline and acting removed, but with the added benefit of the oh-so-subtle US sub-plot of 'look how incompetent the British soldiers are'.

Six Oscars for a film made by a woman (they can make films you know!) who just happens to be the ex of Cameron (which appears to have gone some way here) that basically says 'oh man, look, it's like war man, i mean wow, war, not cool man, not cool'.

Mind you, most of what was on offer was equally poor, but nonetheless...

 

[Imurg]

Were the Oscars on then?
Must have missed it - Hollywood slapping itself on the back, I can do without it. My taste is very rarely the same as the beautiful people who get to vote on such matters

 

[AuburnWarrior]

It's all voted for by the powers that be in Hollywood, isn't it???? So, they're just going to vote for the films that they're involved in - surely.

No interest in this - another over the top awards ceremony that's not required.

 

[birdieman]

I watched Hurt Locker last week on Sky without realisng it was an Oscar nominee at the time.

Can't agree with Toon's slating of it, I thought it was a decent film.

Gritty film and quite tense throughout, did seem anti-war in its stance (the futility of it all) but it didn't jump out as an Oscar best picture effort to me.

Quite like it when films have unfamiliar actors in them - makes them more realistic. This film has very small roles for Guy Pearce and Ralph Fienes but I hadn't seen any of the main actors before.
The lead character is hooked on the 'buzz' of dangerous work and that makes his colleagues pretty nervous of him, almost to the point of wanting to kill him.

I didn't pick up on Toon's incompetent British soldiers thing at all. Looked like a small unit of SAS for which things were going wrong, nothing more, I'm sure it happens.

The storyline is supposed to be based on experiences of a real life journo placed with one of these bomb squad units in Iraq a few years ago.

Worth a look I'd say.

 

[drawboy]

Anything is better than Avatar, yes the SFX were very good but what a poor story, you would think that when spending the money they had they could have come up with something original, not the re hashed tripe that they borrowed from numerous films that went before. Think Dances with Wolves, Pocahontas and many more.Man goes to invade somewhere, man falls in love with princess of indigenous population, man changes sides to fight for said population, man marries princess. Seen it all before.Yawn!

 

[CannyFifer]

I thought Avatar was the best film I'd seen in years, granted it has an easy plot but in 3D was amazing.

 

[SS2]

I watched John Belushi et al in Animal House last night and still cannot believe that it didn't sweep the board at the Oscars in 1978

 

[AuburnWarrior]

I remember hearing some years ago that Jean-Claude van Damme insisted that his latest brain dead chop socky movie be sent to Academy voters, for their consideration for a nomination.

I believe Madonna does the same with her quality movies........

 

[Ethan]

I remember hearing some years ago that Jean-Claude van Damme insisted that his latest brain dead chop socky movie be sent to Academy voters, for their consideration for a nomination.

 

[Timh27]

I never bother with the oscars normally nothing wins that i think should and it i think it is overdone.

 

[toonarmy]

I didn't pick up on Toon's incompetent British soldiers thing at all. Looked like a small unit of SAS for which things were going wrong, nothing more, I'm sure it happens.

Really? They get 'caught' by the Yanks, then they get shot by the Iraqis (unlike the Yanks) and when it all goes wrong, they sit on the floor babbling while our heroic Yanks take everyone out. Oh aye, that's just what an SAS squad would react like and clearly would be less able than a trio of bomb disposers...

The storyline is supposed to be based on experiences of a real life journo placed with one of these bomb squad units in Iraq a few years ago.

You've not seen 'Generation Kill' then I take it? That's based on a journalist's notes without prejudice and the results speak for themselves. Do yourself a favour, watch 'GK' then tell me what you think of 'THL'. I appreciate you might like the film, but I can't agree that it's any cop. Certainly the reaction of those who have served out there is that it ain't up to much.

 

[haplesshacker]

I watched John Belushi et al in Animal House last night and still cannot believe that it didn't sweep the board at the Oscars in 1978

What a great film.

 

[Imurg]

I watched John Belushi et al in Animal House last night and still cannot believe that it didn't sweep the board at the Oscars in 1978

What a great film.

Now we're talking!!

 

[Macster]

Toon: I've seen both GK & THL, and whilst I liked GK, it had a smidge too much 'bad-mouth' babble going on for me, but was enjoyable.
The Hurt Locker for me was very gritty, and I didnt pick up an overly 'British are incompetent' sentiment, but I see where you're coming from a bit.

To me, it did manage to portray the camraderie that so obviously troops feel, whilst depending on each other to stay alive etc, and also the inevitable 'buzz' of war that comes with life over there, leading to a feeling of mundane emptyness whenever they return, and the inevitable problems that can ensue.

I havent seen any of the other films that it was pitched against for the Oscar, but from what I have seen of 'Avatar', it looked pathetic apart from special effects etc. Not my thing AT ALL.

Another film definitely worth seeing, as it hasnt been released at all, (made for HBO), is 'Taking Chance', with Kevin Bacon in the lead role.

Absolutely stunningly moving film, about an Office Based Marine who, feeling guilty that he isnt 'over there', volunteers for Escort Duty to take the body of a KIA soldier back home across the US, as each gets.
Its non-political, non action, just 100% emotion, and if I tell you its possibly the only film that I can recall that ever brought a tear to my eye, you'll get the picture. Even my 19 & 16yr olds watched it without uttering a word all the way through......
Now that should have got an Oscar. Get it, Watch it.

 

[drawboy]

Awards ceremonies drive me mad. Why do these people deem it necessary to give shiny awards to themselves? How many of us will receive an award today for doing our job, and get to pay tribute to all the people that helped us along the way to our office/factory whatever jobs that we do. The Oscars,Bafta's,Brits and all the others can take a very long running jump for me.

 

[viscount17]

I remember John Belushi in 1941 more than Animal House.

and especially in Blues Brothers

 

[forefortheday]

Awards ceremonies drive me mad. Why do these people deem it necessary to give shiny awards to themselves? How many of us will receive an award today for doing our job, and get to pay tribute to all the people that helped us along the way to our office/factory whatever jobs that we do. The Oscars,Bafta's,Brits and all the others can take a very long running jump for me.

Did you not get the 5th star on your name badge then?

 

[SS2]

I remember John Belushi in 1941 more than Animal House.

and especially in Blues Brothers

He was great in the Blues Brothers. Totally and utterly nuts and self-destructive therefore very entertaining if short-lived...