I never would have dreamed, in all my years of blogging, that my choice for film of the year would match the Academy's. Perhaps I should rethink what I had said about how the Oscars rarely reward the truly deserving. Warren Beatty's announcement faux pas aside, Moonlight winning Best Picture rights the wrong of Brokeback Mountain losing to Crash, anoints Barry Jenkins as a new directing talent (even if he did lose Best Director) and just plain makes sense. Bravo. Now Star Trek Beyond losing Best Makeup, on the other hand...
Bill Paxton was never flashy, but he was a reliable, down-to-earth presence in many high-powered action movies... and yes, he was in that Big Boat Movie, too. I think his best film might have been A Simple Plan, a suspenseful character study about greed and the ways it messes with your head. Also check out One False Move, another good thriller. He was a fine actor who had an excellent career.
I'm gonna try something different for the next two months: blogging about a new TV show as it airs. You may have heard by now about the forthcoming FX mini-series Feud: Bette and Joan, starring Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange as, respectively, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Obviously, this is of interest to film buffs, so I thought I'd try writing about it, week by week. It airs on Sunday nights, so my reviews will be the following Mondays. I doubt it'll be difficult; I hope it'll be fun.
The Jack Lemmon Blogathon is coming at the end of the month. Le and I thank everyone who's participating. Looks like we got a fair amount of contributors. That's great. I'll also return to the Queens World Film Festival, so look out for that. Busy times ahead.
No links last month means you get more this month:
Kristina interviews a filmmaker who looks for the connections between film and fine art.
FlixChatter Ruth provides an update on her debut film in progress.
Phyllis loves Carole Lombard's jewels.
Silver Screenings Ruth proves Erich von Stroheim was no dummy, even if he talked to one.
Fritzi goes deep in her analysis of a Paul Robeson melodrama.
Le reads Buster Keaton's autobiography.
Paddy, meanwhile, reads three books inspired by Keaton.
Dick van Dyke on Mary Tyler Moore.
Glenn Close is reviving Sunset Boulevard for the stage.
Finally, this isn't directly movie related, but the next time you watch a video at home, try cooking up this recipe for caramel marshmallow popcorn.
What a radical you are! Not speaking when you don't have anything to say. I don't think that will catch on.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't watch the Oscar telecast, but Janet was checking her phone and gave a nice little living room rant about Star Trek Beyond not winning the make-up award. I was rather proud.
Thanks for the shout out, and for all the links. Don't know how I missed some of those. What would I do without you?
You'd be surprised how easy not speaking is when you've got a sore throat. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch the Oscars either. I just sort of peeped intermittently. Taraji P. Henson's dress was dynamite. I saw Emma Stone winning Actress and MOONLIGHT winning Adapted Screenplay. Wish I saw Beatty's gaffe. Must have been horrible for the LA LA LAND people.
Tell Janet wait till next year. In a Charlie Brown voice.
Poor you.
DeleteThey handled it well, it seems.
Will do.