Oscars

The Oscars are on Sunday (march 7th) and I am super excited! As far as the Best Motion Picture category goes, I have seen all of them so I can have a say in what I believe should win. The nominees for this specific category are:
Avatar
The Blindside
District 9
An Education
The hurt Locker
Inglorious Bastards
Precious
A Serious Man
Up
Up In the Air

This is the first time they have had this many noms (10) in a category for The Academy Awards and I think it's fantastic. The pressure of winning is higher than ever so the accomplishment of receiving this award is going to be more rewarding. Now, obviously, all these movies are special in one way or another otherwise they would not have locked down a spot. I have a little something to say about all of them (mostly opinion and not much about the plot of the film) and who I believe should win.

Avatar: Unless you're living under a rock, you know the impact that this movie has had in not just the film world, but in the world in general. Although the story might be a little obvious, it is still fun to follow and you grow a relationship with the characters which is very important. The thing that has everyone talking, are the mind blowing effects! James Cameron knows how to rock the big screen and create entertainment that changes the way people look at film. Cameron has set the bar for special effects! Thanks to the help of Weta (New Zealand based company specializing in visual effects, makeup effects, props, costumes, etc), new lengths in CG (computer generation) were reached. This film was overall beautiful.

The Blindside: I'd be lying if I said I loved this movie. I didn't. Yes, it was inspirational and the story was great but I sort of feel like these inspirational sports movies are said and done. They're all based on a true story/true events and they're all supposed to move us in one way or another...get it...got it. What made me enjoy this movie would have to be Sandra Bullock. She was great and I always wanted to see her on screen. Quinton Aaron, who plays Micheal Oher, was borrrinnngggg. I know he was supposed to play a shy, sweet guy but it was almost like he was bad doing nothing. Even when he stood there, he looked so unnatural. Acting to me is KEY and when someone is bleh, it can void out the greatness that the film may have. It was a good movie, but I wouldn't like to see it win.

District 9: My Winner. I thought this film was brilliant and I'll be sad and dismayed if they walk away with nothing. The acting, the plot, the effects...all phenomenal! Once again Weta makes an appearance and shows us that technology is exceeding our expectations. What is highly unfortunate is the lack of acknowledgment this film has received. I hardly know anyone who has seen it but for those that have, they've had nothing but great things to say about it as well.

An Education: I went into this movie without an ounce of background. Didn't see a single preview and didn't read one review. But I did hear from a good source that the movie was great...so I checked it out. This British made film was fantastic. The acting was memorable and it makes me wonder why we even bother having "actors" like Channing Tatum and Megan Fox (ick). I thought it was beautifully shot and it definitely gives us an idea into the life of girls and women living in the 1960's. Although special and visual effects are amazing to me (since I work in the field) and could possibly take the cake in this category, I'd really enjoy seeing this movie win.

The hurt Locker: Definitely entertaining. Most movies that deal with warfare are automatically something that catches most people's eye...mine included. It takes us to a place where people of non military status can sneak a peak into an idea of what goes on outside the comforts of our cozy homes. This movie had me on edge for most of it and I love when movies are capable of doing that. Side Note Opinion: I love the foley of military equipment on soldiers (don't know what I mean? ask me personally) . I enjoyed it and I support those that serve our country but I would much rather see another picture take this award.

Precious: The hype for this movie was incredible. Someone, somewhere was constantly talking about it. It was definitely inspirational and obviously moving but I guess I could say that I'm somewhat over movies that are "moving". I understand the life of this young girl was rough and tough and she put up with an assortment of bullshit that could make any old Joe crack, but I would never watch it again...and that is something I want in a movie. I understand it was supposed to bring uncomfortable moments to the audience but that uncomfortably stuck with me through most of the film. I NEEDED to take a shower after it which isn't something I want after I watch a movie. I want to say "That was great, let's watch it again!" but I couldn't with this.

Up: This movie was adorable! I left smiling and bubbly and impressed with the animation. If you thought Toy Story looked real, check out the detail in Up! Not only was the animation superb, but the plot was precious, up-lifting, inspiring. If this wins, my reaction will be "Awww :D" because who doesn't get giddy when you think of that little boy, his pet bird Kevin, and that grumpy old man who was so in love with his wife? I'd be satisfied if this won.

Up In the Air: "George Clooney does it again!" ...Yea...he plays the same character in every movie. Even if he plays a dad, a spy, a business man, I see zero difference. Ok, I have nothing against Clooney but to me, he's nothing that special. This flick was cool for what it was: A man who travels a lot for his job but I was partially bored throughout it and hardly wow'd by any aspect of it at all. I don't get what people saw that I didn't. To me, it was a movie, and nothing more.

Inglorious Bastards: This was the last movie I saw out of the entire bunch. I'm surprised because I was excited to see Quentin Tarantino's new film when it was out in theaters....never made it there. But anyways, I dug it. I thought it was funny, and clever and it definitely has a chance at winning. The fans this movie gathered is huge, as all Tarantino's films do. If you've seen his other flicks, you'll feel right at home the second the opening credits roll and music ques. Despite some lagged scenes and a touch too long, I was entertained, amused, and could see myself watching this again.

A Serious Man: I can understand and see why a lot of people may follow and love this movie but to me, it wasn't great. I may be one of the very few but I definitely felt like the film was lacking. I will never watch this again and that is absolutely something I look for in a movie: watch-on-repeat worthy. It just didn't grab me like I want movies to. I did really enjoy the score and most of the music through it: mysterious and depressing is what I got out of most of it. I laughed, I felt sad, I didn't hate it, I didn't love it. I don't think it should win for Best Picture, and I don't believe it will.

My opinions..please check out all of them if you're interested and go in with an open mind so you can decide for yourself how you feel about them!