Seen Them All

We finished up all of the Academy Award nominees for 2010 Best Picture. This year they went to a 10 film format. I'm not a fan of this format. It broadens what should be an elite group of films for the year. For me, it says that you only have to hit certain categorical marks to make the top 10. I sincerely hope they go back to five nominees next year.

My rankings:
Who should have won? Inglorious Bastards. This movie had it all. The cinematography, dialogue, story, acting, and directing was all superb. I love this movie. And I'm not just saying that because I am a Tarantino fan.

Who actually won? Hurt Locker. Okay...I will put this one in second place. It did win the Academy Award for Best Picture. I can see why. The acting is tremendous. There are some seriously tense moments, and it portrays reality in the world of war. But for me I felt as though I was watching yet another war film.

Up next is Up In the Air. Clooney is magic. The gal from Twighlight (that's what I call her) did pretty good. I just wasn't sold on the characters. It needed a little more heart.

What's the opposite of down? Up. Simply put this animated, instant classic set the premises with an antogonist in an home on air. The storyline does a fantastic job of making you have an emotional attachment to the lead character. After that it is another animated film with lots of funny moments.

Avatars are pretty cool. Ah, Avatar. I watched this in regular 2D. (I'm sick of 3D crap) This was a really fun ride. But it is almost like the ride got stuck at the top. In other words, it was too long. Speed it up and get to the climax. This was way too hyped up by James Cameron. He just thinks his ideas are the best and thinks everyone else should feel the same way.

Precious. Oh my God! I'm depressed. Thank you for making me watch this, but crap! Great for a one-time watch.

Blind Side. Well, I'm not sure about this one. It was extremely cheesy at times. The touching moments "may" have put this one into the nomination round. I don't know. I don't get why it made it. Don't try and sell it to me. You shouldn't have to do that.

Disctict 9. Wow! Shocked! I started out thinking why is this here amongst the best picture nominees? A sci-fi movie (not Avatar). Come on! Then the movie got really serious, and I was impressed. Thank you, Peter Jackson.

An Education. Just so you know I just sighed really heavily and my wife asked me if I was alright. I sighed because I have to write a review for this. What the heck? This movie just pissed me off. You spend the entire movie yelling at a teenager saying, DON'T SCREW UP YOUR LIFE! Then she doesn't. If that ruined it for you, then good. Don't waste your time. I suppose you could watch it for the acting and if you are in the mood for a period piece set in England. Oh, there's a shocker! A period piece set in England. Enough said.

Serious Man. Seriously? What is wrong with this guy? He is a jew in the midwest. That's your first clue. It doesn't exactly roll of the tongue. The Cohen brothers create another movie where somebody gets crapped on the entire time. Be more creative, bros! I really found nothing positive about this movie other than my life rules compared to this chump.

In summation, go with your gut and watch what looks good to you. Don't let critics ruin it for you.