Overall it was a pretty boring event (even for an awards show), with predictable results. What I've always liked about The Golden Globe Awards compared to other shows is that in the past the odds of someone going up to the stage to accept an award while completely plastered were pretty high, but they seem to be toning things down a bit in recent years. The results were extremely predictable in the film categories, without a single upset or surprise winner. As for the TV categories, I was somewhat disappointed that Entourage and Jeremy Piven didn't come home winners, as this is clearly one of the best shows on right now (if you subscribe to HBO, that is).

So, does the victory by Brokeback Mountain make it a lock to win in early March at The Academy Awards? Not exactly, but it sure does help its cause. If the film also wins at the various Guild awards, then you can consider it a lock as those tend to be the most consistent with the Oscars. On the other hand, does anyone outside of Hollywood really give a shit? I know I don't.

Posted January 28, 2006 | link | 0 comments

I've been slacking again and not updating this site as regularly as I had promised, so as a half-assed attempt to catch up here's a recap of some recent movies and my thoughts...

Munich - Steven Spielberg frustrates me to no end. He's a gifted filmmaker and a master story-teller, but lately he just doesn't know how to end his movies. This film is quite excellent for about two hours, and then it just keeps going and going and going. And don't get me started on that sex scene intercut with the Munich massacre... I was so dumbfounded by the combination it almost ruined a movie that I was this close to loving. If only Spielberg could go back to the editing room, do some trimming towards the end, remove this scene and place the massacre at the very beginning, and I think it might have won best picture or at least given Brokeback Mountain a fight.

Match Point - Hands down the best Woody Allen film to come out in over a decade, and I was never much of a fan of his work to begin with. After his last few duds (although Melinda & Melinda was an interesting exercise in story-telling) who would have guessed that Allen would suddenly give us such an emotionally honest and stirring thriller? Scarlett Johansson is excellent as the other woman and the performances all around are top-notch.

Syriana - Easily the most misunderstood and disrepected movie of 2005, I believe once this film hits DVD people who were a bit overwhelmed the first time around will come to love it (if they give it a second chance). The confusion of the plot is obviously intended and the lack of a partisan agenda in a movie about the oil industry is remarkable. One of the smartest and politically astute movies you will ever see in your life-time, Syriana is an important film that deserves more acclaim. Let's hope that writer/director Stephen Gaghan will at least be recognized for his screenplay.

The Family Stone - While the ending didn't work for me or could have been a lot better (it seemed to wrap things up too quickly), I loved about 80 percent of this movie and found myself laughing throughout.

Brokeback Mountain - Everyone has already said enough about this one. You know a movie is great when it's this controversial yet still breaks through to the mainstream.

Posted January 17, 2006 | link | 0 comments