Oscar Weekend

Two days til the big announcements, and we had seen The Aviator, and Being Julia (with its one lone nomination). Clearly, our Oscar education for this year's awards, was @ about a 3rd grade level. So, we trekked to our local fave location, and purchased tickets for Sideways and Million Dollar Baby. We decided to rent Ray the next day, and Finding Neverland would have to wait til after the ceremony. Well, Sunday, we were unable to find a rentable copy of Ray, so that was crossed off the list. Saturday, we viewed Sideways first, and then Million Dollar Baby. Sideways was definitely an actor's movie, and I enjoyed it tremendously. Paul Giamatti should have received a nomination, and Thomas Haden Church was worthy of his nod. But the film belonged to Virginia Madsen. I have enjoyed her work for years. True, she has been in some miserable pictures, but she was always good in them. She is one of those underdog actors that I always root for. They are good, and finally they are getting the recognition they deserve. Her "wine monologue" lived up to the hype, and the entire scene which housed the monologue, was a showstopper. Giamatti and Madsen's chemistry was strong and very romantic. In the end, I did not expect it to win much, other than the screenplay award. As the time approached, I knew that Cate Blanchett would surpass Madsen, but I was really hoping Madsen would walk away w/ the gold. The film held one strange surprise for me. As Giamatti dropped Church off @ his fiance's home, I was brought back to the "brat pack" movies of John Hughes. I guess it reminded me of the interesting journey taken by the likes of the Weird Science boys, or The Breakfast Club group, and that moment of finality, when you realize that this was a once in a lifetime experience, and no matter what you do, it could never be replayed. There is a sadness for the characters, and it seems that they will really treasure these memories for the rest of their lives, regardless of the good or bad things still to come in their road ahead. Creepy comparison, but give me a break, I am a child of the 80's. Finally, Giamatti's best moment was his face to face meeting w/ his ex-wife and her new hubby. The expression on his face when she announces her pregnancy is so powerful. It certainly makes it easier for him to finally find closure. Clearly, there is no further hope for their relationship. This has to be one of the final catalysts that pushes him back to Mya (Madsen). Great script, fun characters, and a long awaited comeuppance for Madsen. Million Dollar Baby was next on the agenda. I was very impressed with this film, aside from the third act. It was this wonderful, masculine, tough boxing film, and then it transformed into a Terms of Endearment-y finale. I can see that w/ the events leading up to the end, that there was no other choice. And I can see why it had to be drawn out, so that we can better understand Eastwood's final decision. I get it, but I did not like it. The performances all around were great, and I really had a tough time figuring out who I wanted to win; Annette Bening or Hilary Swank. I figured that when I saw Swank, that would make up my mind, but I still was rooting for Bening, even after Swank's incredible work. Baby triumphed more so in its action sequences, and less in its dramatic moments. Standout moments included the scenes involving "Danger", and the scenes showing Swank's onscreen family. Never have I seen characters so vile and nasty. I literally cursed @ the screen, they made me so angry. Finally, I recall hearing Swank talk about the film, and mentioning that this was Clint's best onscreen work. I would disagree, as I felt his work in Bridges of Madison County was much more moving. Overall, it was a very moving film, and worthy of its many nominations...Oscar coverage to be continued...