The Oscars Post 2022

The Oscars are tonight and to tell you the truth, I am not all that excited. For one thing - ten nominations for best picture is too much. Secondly, awarding some of the categories before the show and only announcing them to cut time is disappointing and disrespectful to those categories. Finally, three hosts is three too many. That’s how time can be cut from the show - skip the extra entertainment that takes away from the nitty gritty.

I have not seen Parallel Mothers at the writing of this post; so, there’s that.

I did get to see the last two movies that have been nominated for Best Picture or one of the acting awards:

In Licorice Pizza, a high schooler meets a young woman who works for the yearbook photographer and he is instantly enamored. The film tells the story of what happens next. Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman star. Bradley Cooper, Sean Penn, John C Reilly and Maya Rudolph have fun roles. It’s a cute movie with a Best Picture nomination.

Drive My Car is set in Japan and subtitled. The film has been nominated for Best Picture and Best International Feature Film. An actor/theater director is still grieving the death of his wife when he is invited to direct a multilingual adaptation of a famous play. As part of the festival’s contract, a car with driver will be provided to him. At first he balks, but after seeing that the girl assigned is a skilled driver, he relents as long as they use his car. Over time, the two share their tortured pasts as he navigates the challenges presented by directing the play. It was very good.

Now to my picks:

Best Actress - Jessica Chastain

Best Actor - Benedict Cumberbatch 

Best Supporting Actress - Ariana DuBose

Best Supporting Actor - Kodi Smit-McPhee

Best Picture - The Power of the Dog

MK out.

Movie Monday - 3/21/2022

I have three movies left to see before the Oscars. One may not be available to see until after the show, but here’s hoping.

Interesting tidbit about the 1960s West Side Story - George Chakiris (who played Bernardo) is the nephew of a close family friend. The story is about two rival street gangs in 1950s New York. One member from one group falls in love with a the sister of the other a la Romeo and Juliet. I’m not sure why the musical was adapted again. It was pretty great the first time. I was surprised that the remake maintained the 1950s setting. It begs the question again - why was it remade, especially because it’s almost exactly like the first? Maybe because it’s impossible to improve the original and Steven Spielberg really, really wanted to do it??? Despite all that, it was pretty good.

Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star in The Tragedy of Macbeth as the title character and his wife. We all know the story - A trio of witches predict that Macbeth will be King and Lady Macbeth is going to make sure it happens. I very much appreciated that the set design didn’t make it look like a stage play. It flowed well and kept my interest.  I liked it.

In The French Dispatch, the story of the last issue of a fictional newspaper is told in three vignettes. Wes Anderson is a master of quirky characters and perspectives askew. The large ensemble cast includes Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Benicio Del Toro, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet and Owen Wilson. It was good.

Recently binged:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4 - Prime

All Creatures Great and Small Season 2 - PBS

MK out.

Book Chat - 3/10/2022

I have two books to mention this week.

The Storyteller by Dave Grohl

I enjoyed reading the autobiography (so far) of this talented musician. From punk rock garage bands to Nirvana to the Foo Fighters, Dave has some stories to tell. 

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

Imagine a world where the tiniest lapse in judgement could send a person to parenting school. Imagine an institution that subjectively infers feeling and intent in its exercises to become a good parent. It reminded me a bit of The Handmaid’s Tale. This rather dystopian novel horrified me, but it was good.

MK out.

Book Chat - 3/3/2022

I just finished reading Normal People by Sally Rooney. I still don’t like her writing style, as previously mentioned when discussing Conversations With Friends, but I felt more invested in this story. I wanted to slap the main characters a few times. Communication breakdown and trust issues were themes winding throughout the book. The ending wasn’t very satisfying, but it left what happens next wide open. There’s a series on Hulu based on the book. I can’t decide if I will watch it. Overall, I liked the book.

MK out.