Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard

Julie Andrews in The Sound Of Music

An Education review

After seeing An Education yesterday,I can say that the film was very good. Incomplete (for reasons that I can't say due to spoiler alert),but a strong movie none the less. Of course,the main reason I saw it was for Carey Mulligan's performance,which has been getting a lot of awards attention lately. But after seeing it,I can't honestly say that she's worthy of all the buzz she's been getting. Her performance was a strong one and probably nomination worthy,but win caliber? I don't think so. That said,everyone has gone gaga over her and she'll probably be nominated,but I think she'll need to be a sure thing to win. Anyone have any thoughts on this film or the Best Actress race this year?

Best Supporting Actress Analysis

I've decided to have an Analysis of sorts of each of the Oscar winners in the top 8 categories. Lets start with Best Supporting Actress. 2000: Marcia Gay Harden as Lee Krasner in Pollock: A fierce, masterful performance. Have no problem with her winning, although I think that Frances Mcdormand should have won for Almost Famous. 2001: Jennifer Connelly as Alicia Nash in A Beautiful Mind: Awful. Just awful. 2002: Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly in Chicago: This is my opinion, but I just love this performance. I felt that she clearly deserved her Oscar. 2003: Renee Zellweger as Ruby Thewes in Cold Mountain: Ugh. What a bad performance. Zellweger delivered great, Oscar-worthy performances in Bridget Jones's Diary and Chicago, but the Academy decided to give her an Oscar for an over the top, mediocre effort in a flawed movie. 2004: Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator: Entertaining and wonderful characterization of Katharine Hepburn. But Virginia Madsen (Sideways) is my pick. 2005: Rachel Weisz as Tessa Quayle in The Constant Gardener: Beautifully layered, brilliant performance. A deserved win, although Amy Adams was great too. 2006: Jennifer Hudson as Effie White in Dreamgirls: Is there anything else that hasn't been said before? Just terrible. 2007: Tilda Swinton as Karen Crowder in Michael Clayton: Terrific, superb performance. 2008: Penelope Cruz as Maria Elena in Vicky Cristina Barcelona: Cruz brings plenty of fire and life to her film and delivers a strong performance, but Tomei (The Wrestler), Adams (Doubt),and Davis (also from Doubt) were all superior to her performance. I will post my Best Picture Analysis soon. Comment!

Films I've seen recently

Rewatched films: Driving Miss Daisy: I love this movie and I loved it again when I saw it recently. And although I loved Michelle Pfeiffer inn TFBB, I have to stick with Jessica Tandy as my Best Actress selection. The Piano:Really liked this movie on 2nd viewing. The plot structure could be a little stronger, but it's superbly made and has amazing performances by Hunter and Paquin. The Graduate: A brilliant, classic film. Everything was pitch perfect. Films I saw for the first time: Sense And Sensibility: The story drags at times, but I thought it was really entertaining, with strong performances by Thompson and Winslet. Leaving Las Vegas: Wow. Just wow. What a great film. Brilliant acting by Cage and Shue with top notch writing and directing. Tell me your thoughts on these films!

Anne Bancroft in The Graduate

Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys

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