I don't even really know if there are enough regulars on this board to have a discussion anymore but here goes.

So, are you looking forward to the Oscars? Have you ever looked forward to the Oscars? I personally have always been a fan of watching them for some reason, but I totally understand and sort of agree with those who hate the ceremony citing that it's just an opportunity for Hollywood to pat itself on the back. Your thoughts?

I don't really watch them, but not so much because I dislike them, more just cause I never found them to be very exciting. I like to see who wins though, and I'll usually keep up to date throughout the night on imdb. I haven't even really watched enough of this years movies to say who should win and who shouldn't. I just hope Juno doesn't win anything.

I'm hoping No Country and There Will Be Blood clean house together. I'm having a hard time choosing between the two. I'm a huge Coen Brothers fan but Daniel Day Lewis and TWBB were amazing.

I'm rooting for There Will Be Blood. No Country was great up until the third act, when it sucked.

I hope No Country picks up everything it's nominated for - it's the only film that deserves it. I really thought There Will Be Blood was an incredibly mediocre film. The whole thing screamed "I AM A MASTERPIECE" at the audience, instead of letting the audience come to the conclusion. No Country For Old Men, on te other hand, was actaully quite a modest film - and Javier Bardem simply makes the movie.

I'd also like to see an award or two for Juno - what the film has done (invigorate the public about independent films) should be recognized.

Wow, I couldn't disagree more about There Will Be Blood being mediocre. I thought it was nothing short of amazing. And I came to that conclusion on my own I thought... However, No Country should take Best Picture and Directing. Performance should go to DDL and that's a no-brainer.

How many of you guys saw Atonement? I finally saw it last weekend and was actually very, very impressed with it after being skeptical going into it. It's just a shame it had to come out in the same year two masterpieces from the Coen Brothers and P.T. Anderson did. And I'm a little puzzled as to how Juno is included in all of this, but it's nice to see a small film get so much recognition I suppose.

I actually don't think DDL did the best acting, necessarily, but that he definately did the most acting. I agree, though, that he deserves the Oscar (and must admit that he is one of my favorite actors).

What he REALLY should have gotten an oscar for was his portrayal of Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York - another debatable film with a rather undebatable performance.

Also, as to Juno - I think it should be up there for best picture because it's such a pleaser: critic pleaser, audience pleaser. It's certainly not in the same realm as No Country. Reitman's nomination for directing is ridiculous, but I believe Diablo Cody should (and will) win for best original screenplay.

And I would like to see Ellen Page win, just because I think she is/will be one of the most talented actresses in the industry.

And, of course, all of this discussion is moot if Javier Bardem doesn't win for Best Supporting Actor - I thoroughly believe his performance outclasses all others this year (and many other years). One of the greatest portrayals of a villian ever.

Ive said this before, but I was completely unimpressed with No Country For Old Men. Just seemed kind of stale, especially in an age when 10 CSI and 15 Law and Order episodes are created per week. Its hard for me to believe that the Coen brothers were actually behind it.
I'll probably watch it again to see if my viewpoint changes any, because I really, really wanted to like the movie...but I just couldn't.

I think I'm going to watch Atonement and root for it to win?

"I'm rooting for There Will Be Blood. No Country was great up until the third act, when it sucked."

"Ive said this before, but I was completely unimpressed with No Country For Old Men. Just seemed kind of stale, especially in an age when 10 CSI and 15 Law and Order episodes are created per week. Its hard for me to believe that the Coen brothers were actually behind it."

Maybe you should both stop watching movies, because apparently you hate film. The third act sucked? What are you 5 years old? This film was perfection.

What make the movie perfection? I enjoyed it, but the first two acts were definitely a lot better than the last. I seem to not hate the last act as much as other people though, but I can definitely see why people wouldn't like it.

Also try to keep the personal attacks to a minimum (meaning zero).

Well like I said, maybe I completely missed the whole point of No Country For Old Men, but nothing really stuck out to me. I can't remember at any point being taken aback and thinking about how interesting or clever or impressive something in No Country For Old Men was. It honestly seemed just a little old and predictable.


Also on another note, these forums are much more beneficial and exciting without personal attacks. We are all here because we love film, talking about film, and helping others with film related issues. Everyone is going to disagree with everyone about the merit of any given film, so feel free to strongly advocate a film that you are attached to, but realize that everyone's taste is (thankfully) different

Hah, funny to see the new mods jumping on this right away. Good job guys - nothing really left to say in regards to that.

Anybody else notice how Helen Mirren just oozes class? What an elegant woman. I don't typically watch the Oscars, but I had nothing else doing and although I haven't seen many of these films...I'm impressed with the energy of tonight.

-Kegan

You're not the only one Brain, I was also completely unimpressed with No Country For Old Men. The wins were probably honorary like Scorcese's or Denzel's in the previous years.

I was personally rooting for There Will Be Blood in the directing and picture categories. And, even as good as Daniel Day Lewis's performance was, I was going for Clooney for actor.

Oh well, the Oscar's have probably never gone my favor.

elliott...

Sorry. There's opinion, and then there's wrong. If you don't see the brilliance in No Country for Old Men, you have bad taste, period. And then you also question DDL's performance. Seriously? Do any of you like movies....at all? God forbid something challenges you, makes you think. I say this because it makes me sad, not to personally attack you. And then, you embrace something as mediocre as Michael Clayton? What's wrong with you people? I dread whatever garbage films you guys spew in the future.

Clooney was not acting, he was being Clooney. If I recall correctly, a few of you were UNDERWHELMED with Taxi Driver. Euch. You guys wonder why this place is a ghost town now. You dismiss IMPORTANT films and embrace mediocrity.

Also, grow some balls man. Did I make you cry with my last post? Don't take stuff so personally.

No Country's oscars were anything but honorary - it is quite generally seen as the best film of 2007 and one of the best films of the new millenium. The title of 'masterpiece' is a buzzword for the film.

What I found surprising was Tilda Swinton's win. Did anyone see that coming?

And John Stewart was just excellent.

Whoa, Hatts, learn some manners. Everyone is entitled to an opinion (such as my own - that Taxi Driver is overrated and that No Country deserves all the honors it's recieved).

And you absolutely can question Lewis. There can be a very good argument to the originality of his performance (I still think he was great, but the argument and support exists).

Cinematical, I was so glad you stuck up for No Country. Then you called Taxi Driver overrated.

Change your forum name to "I ****ing hate good films". Now.

Congratulations, you will never make any film that is worthwhile.

I understand that the films we enjoy can become highly personal (I'll battle to the death over LOTR of Pan's Labirynth), but we can't apply absolutism to our beliefs - no matter how much we/I may want to.

Hatts, you seem quite passionate about the films you like, and for that I hope you settle down so as not to get evacuated. We enjoy debate here, especially heated debate, but questioning someone's intelligence because of their movie preferences isn't acceptable.

Roy you're quite out of hand, only having three posts, and knocking some of our best members here.

Please tell me, what is the brilliance in No Country? I asked before, but I guess you didn't much care to back up your claim.

Taxi Driver is semi-overratted. While I enjoy the movie and see why it was pretty revolutionary when it came out, it's one of those movie pretentious people cite just to seem like cinephiles.

And yes I do enjoy movies that make me think.