Los Oscar

Now that I have seen all nine pictures nominated for the Academy Award, I anoint myself dutifully qualified to select my winner, and the winner. I have attempted to review movies before in the past and failed quite successfully. From the biggest asshole you’ll ever meet to the dirtiest bum you’ll ever smell, I am not sure I have met a person that has told me, “I don’t like movies”. Pick any other subject on Earth, and you’ll bind to find someone that doesn’t like something. Movies seems to be one of those rare subjects-that and Mexican food (I mean who doesn’t like Mexican food?). Yet, if we can all agree we like Mexican food (we did right?), then the true debate rages over what we like best: the taco, the enchilada, the chile relleno, etc. And so, it is the same with movies. We all like them. However, rarely do we agree on what the best movie is. What many pundits and layman alike forget,come Academy time, is that the Academy Awards go to the favorite items on the menu-and sometimes these happen to be the best-always, in this order. Now, that we have established that we love movies, let us move on…
The 2011 Best Picture nominees are: 127 Hours, Winter’s Bones, Toy Story 3, True Grit, Social Network, The Fighter, Black Swan, The Kids are All Right, The King’s Speech, and Inception.
Why I think I have failed to successfully be satisfied with my movie reviews in the past is because I sucked at it. And on top of that, I am not a huge fan of movie reviews, in particular. Especially, written ones. I want to know if the writer found the movie well done. I want to know if there is a consensus of critics that have found the work well done. And after that, stand out of the way and let me see it (because there is so much shit to wade through out there). The movie must speak for itself. With that being said, the true joy of discussing movies, is that there isn’t a set criteria in which to successfully determine what makes one movie better than another. Yes, the Academy Awards are a popularity contest, but it is a popularity contest amongst the people who work in the business and have some merit to their name. And another joy for me is being at home and yelling at the TV screen when they don’t get it right. In my home, I am the Academy and I have the final vote. It is truly, wonderful. Let’s get down to brass tack, shall we…
I do want to say that I have not seen all the pictures released this year, but one of my favorites that was not nominated was Hereafter. In fact, it would be in my top 5 of the year. I am not sure it would be my favorite, because, to be honest with you, I am not even sure what my favorite was. One of my objectives in writing this, is if I can determine what my favorite picture was. The first of these films I watched was Inception in July (maybe?) and the last was tonight, The Fighter. Why is this important? If you can say that all of these films are good in their own right, the momentum of the film you saw last, I believe, will be the one you thought was the best-all other areas being equal. It is not my memory of Inception that is important, for me, but its emotional impact. This is true of any film. And with that being said, let’s start crossing names of the list….
Black Swan, The Kids are All Right, Toy Story 3 and Winter’s Bones. You are off my island.
Let’s start with Black Swan. I like Aronfosky’s works, most of the time: Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler and now, Black Swan. The dude has a dark side, I mean come on. Black Swan-was DISTURBING. Should this eliminate it from being a nomination, no. For me, ehh, kind of? That’s great I get it. Cleverly done. Do I know what’s all going on? Probably not. Do I care? Not really.
The Kids are All Right. How did you end up on this list? Lesbians. Adoption. Shaking the accepted view of things. Great. I get it. It wasn’t cutting edge. It was Hallmarky well done.
Toy Story 3-Yes, it was sad. But I am not too sure what else to say about it. First of all, it’s Toy Story. Second of all, it’s the third segment. It has Woody, Buzz and all you’re other toys you played with it as a kid. It’s supposed to rope you in. And take your money-which it did, but Best Picture of the year- God, I hope not.
Winter’s Bones- Out of the four, this was my favorite. There was something relevant about this film: the poverty, the dark side of America, meth use up the yin yang. You kind of leave the movie going, what the shit just happened. I was not expecting what the hell this movie was going to be about, and it had me on the edge the entire time. The movie left an imprint.
Now, on the better batch: 127 Hours, The Fighter, Inception, Social Network, True Grit and King’s Speech.
Wow! All really good films. All deserving. All different. How do you pick a winner out this bunch. Let’s try.
True Grit-a remake by the Coen brothers that sort of recently won for No Country for Old Men. There are two reasons it won’t win. Another great, crafted, well-done film by these guys. And a phenomenal job by Jeff Bridges. I talked like Rooster for about 4 hours after seeing this film. It was beyond my control.
127 Hours- A movie based on a true life event. Minimally done, with great success, by Danny Boyle, winner of Slumdog Millionaire. Yes, he won, there is a reason I mention this. James Franco does a very good job in this film and it is believable from beginning to end. It’s weight is low when compared to the others, though.
The Fighter-I just got done watching this one tonight. I was sort of expecting the same ol, the same ol from a boxing movie. In a way, it was formulaic, but it was also well done. Christian Bale, steals almost every scene in his movie with his performance, and while Mark Walberg wins the title, the true victory is Christian Bale’s character overcoming his crack addiction, with much humor along with way. Seen from this light, the film is diluted.
And now on to the Heavy Weights-Inception, Social Network and King’s Speech
Wow! Wow! I have to pick one. Let’s start with Inception, since that was the film I first saw of the bunch. First of all, you might a film of this originality comes every decade, in my opinion. From top to bottom, this film was so tight. It had people talking. The concept by itself was so hard to pull off, and I can’t think of a film in Hollywood history that has attempted the subject matter. That says a lot when you start to think how many New York cop movies, or Nazi Germany movies we have seen in the last God know how many years. Was the action necessary for the storyline? Did it sell out for that summer movie time box office ticket? You can argue it had everything, but that’s not always best. While there were segments of this film that will go down in the lore of Hollywood, and that in itself is one of the highest honor of a film-award or not-I don’t see it taking the prize. But is it my favorite movie of the bunch?
The Social Network-the first time I knew of this movie was the trailer before Inception. It’s delivery was subtle. It was one of the films that you first thought, oh, that would be nice to see-on video. Yet, the scene that stands out for me was when Jesse Eisenberg is in his flip flops on front of a group of adults being accused of something and brashly telling them that he thinks he deserves their recognition? Defiance, so artfully done. Not to mention the scene in the robe going up the stairs of some building on Market St. Mind you, this was all in trailer. I remember thinking that if they could pull off what they showed in that trailer, that would be a good film. And it was. My partner in crime, Coleen, after watching it didn’t see what all the hype was about. And I can see it from her angle. There is really nothing extraordinary that goes on in the film. Like 127 hours, it is based on a true life character. The film spoke to me on a lot of levels. Yes, it was nice daydreaming for however long the movie lasted that I could have been a computer nerd that made lots of movie, but the final scene of this guy hitting refresh, refresh, refresh, to see if a girl that dumped him at the start of the film will be his friend is genius. Was it my favorite?
The King’s Speech-I was not expecting to like this film as much as I did. I think is probably the best acting out of the group of nominees. Colin Firth, Helen Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush knock this shit out of the ballpark. And this isn’t mentioning the supporting cast. Another film based on true life-I was not familiar with this subject matter at all. Similar to the Social Network, where Mark Zuckerberg is like American royalty and we are vicariously taken away in his fortunes, the royal family of England serves that same role. Don’t we all wish to be prince and princess, king and queen? Here we are, in the movie-a family of exactly that. Yet, all is not what is told in the fairy tales. Like all of the films nominated, it is about overcoming. This was a film I could watch over and over again. But does it make it my favorite of the year?
After writing this, I think I have concluded that my best film of the year is, The Social Network. It speaks more to what is going on in this age than any other film nominated. On more levels than one. Inception was just so well crafted. I truly do believe that 25 years from now, Inception will have made more of a mark in the timeline of Hollywood than any film nominated on this list. And finally, The King’s Speech. Two years from now, my bet is that I will have watched this movie more than any movie on this list (unless my kids fall in love with Toy Story 3 and I have to watch it because they are watching it). If you watch a film over and over, doesn’t this make it your favorite?
In other words, I love tacos, enchiladas are my favorite, but I feel like fajitas-I think chicken, tonight.

Six Keys to a Ducks Victory: Fuckin' Ducks

6. Breaking the SEC aura
The last four BCS champions have come from the SEC conference. In the nation's eyes, they are the dominant conference. When the Auburn Tigers step onto the field they will have that momentum going in. I doubt the Ducks have shaky knees because of this. I think with a lot of teams if they were to get behind big early that the shadow of Goliath would be dark enough that many teams would fold and quit. The Ducks have been behind early often this year. It has seem to be their calling card. The way Chip Kelly calls games the Ducks will never be out of this one and he won't have any fear being fearless with his playcalling. David has a shot (;) at taking down Goliath.

5. Rob Beard, Kicker for the Ducks
No one expects this game to come down to field goals, which usually means it might. Every point is important in a game like this and momentum can swing very fast if the Ducks drive the field and come up with nothing. Rob Beard has seen his share of conflict while at Oregon, both on and off the field (http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/University-of-Oregon-kicker-attacked/Tpu8S9oN3EayuEkUN1YXmg.cspx). Rob Beard started the season 8 for 8, but in the last three games has gone 1 for 4. Observing body language after his last missed kick he seemed to be searching the ground and asking himself "Where the fuck did IT go?". IT, being the same leg, motion, that got him 8 for 8. Is it simply a case of mechanics? A bad streak? No matter how many kicks he makes in practice, or pre-game warmups, you know each of those three missed field goals will be swimming in his head when he gets his opportunity. Chip will keep believing in him if he needs the points. If Chip believes, we all believe.

4. Keep the big plays in front of you-Defense
This is the bend, don't break mantra of most defensive coordinators and the Ducks have done a great job of applying it this year (minus the Cliff Harris losing his jockstrap on Rich Brooks' field against Arizona). It will be especially key against the Tigers. Cam Newton like the big play, the SportsCenter highlights. Don't give it to him. The Ducks will score a victory if they shorten the field. Don't give Cam the time to throw the long ball and certainly don't let yourself get beat deep. I think you will see a mix of blitzes and two deep coverages. Nick Alioti has been a master playcaller this year, and the Ducks have made great adjustments at half. Given almost a month to prepare, I think the Ducks defense and Alioti will be ready.

3. Who will step up?-Ducks Offense
We all know about LeMichael James (RUN LMJ), Jeff Maehl, and Darron Thomas. I think the Auburn defense will focus on stopping these three players. DT has seemed to be zeroing in on Maehl the last few games and I think Auburn defensive backs will be jumping on this and seeing if DT can go to other receivers. Nothing is more disruptive to the Ducks offense if you can get penetration up the middle. Nick Fairley, winner of the Lombardi trophy given to college football's best defensive player, will be that threat. If he can push the guards/centers into the backfield and cause disruption at the option handoff between the Ducks QB and the Ducks RB this will throw of the timing of the offense and allow other Auburn players to make plays. The Ducks have plenty of players that can step up: Barner, Huff, Paulson, Tunei and Davis. If the Ducks can all these players targets early, I think it will only help them later in the game. They will need all of them.

2. Please no fumbles-Ducks Special Teams
Yes, we all know the Ducks can be explosive on special teams. This is true more ways than one. Yes, it is exciting to see Cliff Harris take it to the house. It is also nerve racking to see fumbles on special teams. I don't have the numbers on how times we have put it on the carpet during special teams. It seems like one a game, but it might be less. Do us all a favor and hold on to the ball with two hands and high step it in the endzone.

1. DT, Darron Thomas
Yes, that sophomore Darron Thomas. When he who shall not be named was let go in the offseason, SOPHOMORE Darron Thomas was asked to lead the Ducks. Most fans, including myself, thought it was a good opportunity to gain some experience, with a chance to compete for the Pac-10 conference....next year. Now, he is in the spotlight, swimming in the glow and about to play for the Natty. What is there to lose? What is there to be nervous about? Scared? Throw in going against the Heisman Trophy winner. Scared yet? In the last couple of weeks, it seems the coaches have asked DT to run less often when backup QB Costa went down. Ask me today who the backup QB for the Ducks is and I wouldn't be able to answer. Darron Thomas missed most of the Washington State game but other than that has been able to shake the Ducks QB injury bug and stay on the field. If he can do that again this game, the Ducks will always have a chance. I am not sure how you cannot have some nerves in a game like this. My thoughts are that the Ducks will play with swagger and will have fun. Chip will have something up his sleeve and my guess is that it will be a shootout. DT cannot turn the ball over and must be able to use this legs. He will take his share of hits. By the fourth quarter, if the Auburn Tigers have their hands on their hips, huffing and puffing for air, wondering what hit them-spell it: Fuckin' Ducks!

Voila

Almost six months since I last blogged. It is safe to assume that I had no thoughts worth writing about in those six months (haha). Silence can be a wonderful thing. As well as reflection. Now I just need direction. And perhaps a little less self-awareness of what I choose to share. I suppose if you share a diary publicly you are bound to upset someone. You always need a new year's blog for God's sake. Even if the next one comes another six months from now. And in the name of quanity over quality I shall post. voila