Every year I think I won't get caught up in these award shows; Globes, Grammys, SAGS and finally Oscars. I stayed away from Globes and SAGS, but couldn't resist peaking into the Grammys and now I'm in full blown Oscar mode. Not that red carpet BS -- I will never care what people are wearing, who had a face lift, or if I ever see Joan Rivers again. But, here I am at 1:30 in the morning watching Tavis Smiley (who I never watch, barely have an awareness of) with clips of Actors and Directors from the nominated movies. Seeing Sean Penn just now really confirms that he should win over Mickey Rourke. Mickey is not acting so much as living out his dream revival on screen. Penn is acting. Wow! The clip I just saw could not be more different from his actual persona. Also, I'm so glad I saw Slumdog Millionaire. Clips do not do that experience justice. I'm astounded that people can simply refer to it as a wonderful movie. The flash back scenes and "real time" torture were so horrific I could not watch a lot of it -- necessary, compelling, but extremely difficult to watch. You should have that warning. I feel it should win Best Picture (even tho I haven't seen the other four.) I'll see all of them on DVD, but I really didn't need to see a re-enactment of Tricky Dick on the big screen. That, along with the intimate scenes (and Nazi angle) of "the Reader" can be seen in the privacy of my own home. Ditto for Milk and Button.
So, I hope to see Kate Winslet, Sean Penn and Danny Boyle celebrating Sunday night. (Boyle, along with 18 yr old Dev Patel and the beautiful Freida, on behalf of the many Oscars Slumdog deserves and I hope wins at the 2009 Oscars.) Get game -- click on the title link and make your predictions now!!
