jakobnicholas Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Oscar nominations are handed out Thursday. Curious if Via-Chicagoans have seen any of the movies that are vying to be on the list of 5 best films. The favorites seem to be Milk, Slumdog Millioanaire, Frost/Nixon, Benjamin Buttons, Doubt, Rachel Getting Married and The Wrestler. Dark Knight, Iron Man, Wall-E or Gran Torino are probably long-shots, but I think it'd be great if one of those got in (especially Wall-E). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PigSooie Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 The only one I've seen is 'The Dark Knight.' I missed the end of it because I fell asleep. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I've seen all of those, and most liked Benjamin Button and Rachel Getting Married. I guess I'm mildly curious about what will be nominated, but I don't have any strong feelings about it--awards shows are just not a reasonable way to discuss "quality" in cinema. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I've seen all of those, and most liked Benjamin Button and Rachel Getting Married. I guess I'm mildly curious about what will be nominated, but I don't have any strong feelings about it--awards shows are just not a reasonable way to discuss "quality" in cinema. I think they are as long as you keep it in the right perspective, which is to create a rooting interest for movies you enjoyed while recognizing these things are not the final arbiter of anything. Of course, maybe I'm just finding a way to disagree with your post while agreeing with the general sentiment behind it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I've seen Milk, Slumdog Millioanaire, Frost/Nixon, Doubt, The Wrestler, Dark Knight, Iron Man, and Wall-E. I thought they were all great films. Slumdog and Frost/Nixon stand out in my mind as the best ones. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I think they are as long as you keep it in the right perspective, which is to create a rooting interest for movies you enjoyed while recognizing these things are not the final arbiter of anything.We're on the same page. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 The Oscars are fun. I took them way too seriously for a long time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 The Oscars are fun. I took them way too seriously for a long time. Every year I have the same frustrating conversations with a friend of mine who is always up in arms over the fact that the nominations were bad and the people that won shouldn't have. Every single year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moe_Syzlak Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Oscar nominations are handed out Thursday. Curious if Via-Chicagoans have seen any of the movies that are vying to be on the list of 5 best films. The favorites seem to be Milk, Slumdog Millioanaire, Frost/Nixon, Benjamin Buttons, Doubt, Rachel Getting Married and The Wrestler. Dark Knight, Iron Man, Wall-E or Gran Torino are probably long-shots, but I think it'd be great if one of those got in (especially Wall-E).Of these I've only seen Slumdog, Dark Knight and Iron Man (although we have the Wall-E DVD, but haven't watched it yet). I am really hopeful that these three are not among the five best movies of the year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I loved The Dark Knight, Benjamin Button and Slumdog as much as anyone, but if it were up to me, these films would be up for more awards: The Edge of HeavenA Christmas TaleMy Brother Is an Only ChildTranssiberianThe VisitorWendy and LucyHoneydripperShotgun StoriesThe Last MistressParanoid ParkFlight of the Red Balloonand many others... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dondoboy Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Dark Knight, Slumdog were all very good movies. I'd through Gran Torino in there. Haven't seen Doubt, but I'd like to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I didn't know Shotgun Stories was among this year's crop - that was great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouisvilleGreg Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I just saw "Revolutionary Road" by Sam Mendes yesterday. It was about as damning a critique of societal and cultural norms in American life in the 20th Century as I've ever seen. Very well acted by Dicaprio and Winslett, if not a bit heavy handed at times. I've generally been very impressed with Mendes and this is no letdown from earlier works "American Beauty," and "Road to Perdition." I've aslo seen "Milk," "Slumdog Millionaire," and "Benjamin Button" recently. "The Wrestler," has yet to make it to Richmond, though it should be coming soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I just saw "Revolutionary Road" by Sam Mendes yesterday. It was about as damning a critique of societal and cultural norms in American life in the 20th Century as I've ever seen.I've been looking for a used paperback copy of Revolutionary Road for probably two years now. Interested in seeing the film, but I want to read the book first. I guess, since they probably made a "now a major motion picture" version, I should just go to Borders with 14 dollars. Or the library. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I've been looking for a used paperback copy of Revolutionary Road for probably two years now. Interested in seeing the film, but I want to read the book first. I guess, since they probably made a "now a major motion picture" version, I should just go to Borders with 14 dollars. Or the library.Try alibris.com, or maybe half.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I didn't know Shotgun Stories was among this year's crop - that was great.Assumed that was last year but not sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I have seen exactly zero movies this year (new infant son = no time for movies). One of my friends implored me to go see Synecdoche NY if I had one movie to see this year. I remember reading a review of it in the Times that was equally effusive. I take it few others agree? I only ask because if I've got one movie in my future, I gotta make sure I make the right call. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I have seen exactly zero movies this year (new infant son = no time for movies). One of my friends implored me to go see Synecdoche NY if I had one movie to see this year. I remember reading a review of it in the Times that was equally effusive. I take it few others agree? I only ask because if I've got one movie in my future, I gotta make sure I make the right call.No! No no no no no no no - if you only get to see one movie this year, don't make it Synecdoche. Seriously, it is not a good time at the movies. I can understand that some people got/get a lot from it, and it's certainly an interesting idea for a movie, but it is a trial to sit through. If you get to see movies all the time, I'd say sure, go ahead, make it that. Since this is an event, may I suggest something that is at the very least, and among many other aspects, entertaining - something like Slumdog Millionaire or Gran Torino. Oh God I hope I'm not too late. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Oh God I hope I'm not too late. No, you aren't too late. Duly noted. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I enjoyed Slumdog Millionaire quite a bit.Only half-watched The Wrestler but what I saw looked interesting, so I'll have to actually sit down and watch it some time now.I only half-watched Milk. (I think I have something against Penn. He bugs me.)The Dark Knight and Wall-E were enjoyable. Iron Man was fun enough in its way. (I think I'd like to put something against Downey. Mreeeow!)I'd probably take In Bruges or Transsiberian over any of those though.Beltmann, did you watch In Bruges? Thoughts? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I have seen exactly zero movies this year (new infant son = no time for movies). One of my friends implored me to go see Synecdoche NY if I had one movie to see this year. I remember reading a review of it in the Times that was equally effusive. I take it few others agree? I only ask because if I've got one movie in my future, I gotta make sure I make the right call. I know what you mean. I used to average about 40-50 movies a year in the theater alone. That fell to about 2 this year. (Although it was a daughter for me.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I know what you mean. I used to average about 40-50 movies a year in the theater alone. That fell to about 2 this year. (Although it was a daughter for me.) He's worth it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 He's worth it. Exactly. Now I just need to get to work on a media room in the house. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
explodo Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Only half-watched The Wrestler but what I saw looked interesting, so I'll have to actually sit down and watch it some time now.I only half-watched Milk. (I think I have something against Penn. He bugs me.)Are you necking during these movies or what's going on? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmacomber68w Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Going to see Doubt in an hour, but so far my favs would be... No particular order:Vicky Cristina BarcelonaMilkSlumdogThe Dark KnightForgetting Sarah Marshall, not Oscar worthy obviously but it was as good as Knocked Up for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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