Once upon a time, I loved movies. While not a film snob exactly, I used to consider myself quite well-versed. I read the New York Times Arts & Leisure section, went to the movies all the time, rented little-known artsy films, classic b& w numbers and schlocky horror films. Ah, to be young and pretentious. I would watch the entire nine hour Oscar broadcast, clutching a beer and my predictions, alternately cringing and laughing at the awkward presenter jokes, musical numbers and outfits.
Then came marriage, house kids and budgets, and suddenly it seemed like there were a lot more important and interesting things to spend money on than the movies. At ten dollars a ticket, I don’t want to be disappointed. There’s no room for experimenting, for taking a chance. If I make plans to spend thirty bucks and two hours of my life on something, I want some return. That’s like…four or five paperbacks, after all. Bad movie=rage. And so my dwindling petty cash led to dwindling interest in movies. When I see a commercial or read a review, it’s pretty much “Maybe I’d go see it,” “I’d definitely rent it” or “Waiting for cable for sure.” My interest in the Oscars is down to People Magazine’s fashion round-up. This year, I was actually surprised when Bev mentioned that it was Oscar time. So, time to do some research.
To my even greater surprise, I’d actually seen two of the Best Picture nominees. That hasn’t happened in a long time. As for the others…well let’s take a look.
Juno: Saw it, loved it. Quirky comedies are my thing. I was expecting it to be funny, but I wasn’t expecting to cry. Jennifer Garner broke my heart as a woman desperate to be a mother. Also loved Michael Cera as the hapless father to be. Actually, all the acting was great.
Atonement: This was slow in bits, gripping in others. I saw it because of attractive British actors in beautiful costume, and I heard there was a hot sex scene. It was a well-told story, but made me sad. I like getting my HEA.
Michael Clayton: I knew George Clooney was in it, and I knew it had to do with lawyers. Give me credit for that.
No Country for Old Men: My local paper was touting this as shoo-in for Best Picture (it won), and I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never heard of it before yesterday. It’s a Coen Bros. film, and I’ve loved some of their past movies. Still, not particularly interested in finding out what it’s about.
There Will Be Blood: My husband pointed it out to me a couple of weeks ago. Cool title, Daniel Day-Lewis, looks like a Western. That’s all I know for sure.
There you have it. That’s three out of five I can’t even be arsed to read a synopsis of. Oh well. What other movies DID get my box office? Shrek the Third (love me some Shrek), Bee Movie (meh), Enchanted (really cute), and Halloween. Yep, I’ll spend the money for my kids. Besides Juno and Enchanted, my other favorites of 2007 have to be Knocked Up and Superbad.
That Jonah Hill makes me laugh so hard that I cry. As for the Oscars, didn’t watch. I’ll find out today what everybody wore. Oh, and who won.
What about you? Did you have an Oscar party? Are you indifferent? Do you hit the theatres or wait for DVD? What movies did you love in 2007, Oscar-worthy (so subjective) or not?
[ed (Bev): hee-hee, Syb STILL hasn’t noticed that the Contest Duckie, who SOOO loves surprises, has been hovering around the Oscar Party… just sayin’.]
Forgot the Oscar stuff was last night, until I got online around 2AM. Haven’t watched any of the nominated films… I’ll wait ’till the DVDs come out and get cheaper–a year? *shrug* I rather read.
I have all of these on my Blockbuster queue except for Atonement. I am so not interested in that movie at all. I’ve taken to calling it The English Patient Syndrome. I only saw a few movies this year that garnered nominations. Personally I thought it was a largely lackluster movie year – but that’s me. What I saw:
Sweeney Todd – Yeah, Johnny is good in it, but Helena Bonham Carter was ROBBED! I thought she was fantastic.
Bourne Ultimatum – Probably my favorite movie from last year. It won in the boring-ass sound categories.
Gone Baby Gone – Good acting, good direction, but I could have used a bit more meat on the plot. Amy Ryan (nominated in Best Supporting Actress category) was really good in it though.
Eastern Promises – The acting is really good in this one (Viggo was nominated) but again, I thought the plot was a little thin.
I haven’t seen any of the Oscar nominated films that you mentioned. I usually wait for the movies to release on DVD.
Totally forgot about the Oscar, but today I saw that the Oscar for the best foreign language film went to Austria, YEHAAA, and a fabulous film it is, too. Atonement was singularly depressing. Some of my favorite films have sad endings (anyone here who loves As It Is In Heaven as much as I do?), but all of them give a measure of hope and peace. Atonement made me angry that I spent 4.40 pounds on the ticket. Otherwise, I’ve only seen Juno, and while I was positively surprised (don’t really like romantic comedies) I won’t watch the film again.
You’re better than me because I haven’t seen ANY of these movies!! I wouldn’t mind seeing Juno sometime. My sister who is younger and more into arthouse movies and dramatic films than I am absolutely loved “There will be Blood”. She said it was very violent though. So I said “Pass”!
While I did know the Oscars were on… I didn’t watch them. Only 1 of our tv’s gets network TV, and I was recording the last segment of Pride and Prejudice on Masterpiece Theater, and screening a Peanuts DVD where Charlie Brown and the gang experience the making of the Constitution. I’m so glamorous. Also, I hadn’t seen any of the movie. Really. I’m 99% certain the only movie I saw was the Golden Compass. I actually thought 300 came out in 2007. Oops. (And yes, 300 would be the second to last movie I saw in theaters. Pathetic.)
Seriously, azteclady, there are very few movies that make me want to go to the theatre. I always feel like I can wait.
I am definitely looking forward to Sweeney Todd on DVD. I love Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
Eastern Promises–Viggo plus many tattoos = definitely interested. But still, it’s a “I’ll see it when I see it.”
I enjoyed Atonement and thought it was well-done,but yeah, I was more angry-sad than teary-sad.
I doubt I’ll be seeing There will be Blood, though I love DDL.
The only times that I did an Oscar party was when the LOTR movies where nominated.
Usually I wait for the DVD, so that I can watch the movies in the English original.
For me it was Transformers
I haven’t been to a movie for quite some time. Kids and such sucked away a lot of time. You mention several films that I thought would be neat to see. Will likely wait until it is on DVD, rent the movie and have it as a relaxed evening with the hubby, a big bowl of popcorn, and a soda.
I wish I had an Oscar viewing party. None of my friends really care about the Oscars. I haven’t seen any of the nominated movies this year. It cost over $11.00 for a movie ticket, it’s just more economical to wait till it’s released on dvd.
I can’t wait for Enchanted to come out on dvd. That movie looks so cute and I love the songs.
Atonement depressed the ever loving hell out of me.
And Viggo can take a steam bath with me anytime 😉
I just can’t sit through movies anymore. I actually need a book to read while watching one.
I think I’ve finally figured out that it’s because, with a book, my whole mind is engaged visualizing the story as it unfolds. But with a movie, my imagination isn’t involved much at all– it’s all being fed to me, so there is no reason to engage much of my brain.
And you VIGGO fans?
Did you SEE HIM LAST NIGHT at the OSCARS?
NONONONONONONO, what was he THINKING?
I’m still trying to find a scoopable pic of him, and when I do I’ll post it in the Let’s Dish comments.
Yeah, I was wondering what’s up with Viggo?! Ugh! He looked like they dragged him out of skid row.
I have to admit I did see the Oscars but turned it off after DDL won Best Actor. I am partial to Johnny Depp and think they cheat him every time. I’ll admit I didn’t see There Will Be Blood, and I’m sure DDL was great, but Sweeny Todd was fabulous and Johnny Depp did his own singing.
I get movies from the library – generally this works out pretty well, but I got a copy of Eastern Promises, and it wouldn’t even play. I can’t wait until Sweeny Todd comes out on dvd! Can you imagine Johnny Depp in all his HD glory? 😀 (Well I guess now it’d be BluRay glory…)
What I found funny after the Oscars were all handed out was the backlash that no Americans won the best actors/actresses categories. Isn’t the point to applaud the BEST work? I thought it was funny to see some of the disappointed faces in the audience. Can’t say I closely watched this one- was even reading an ebook on the computer during the awards but there were some good moments. My big night will be tonight, watching the Project Runway finale. I will rent though, or see on the Dish, the movies that were nominated.
LauraK is a girl after my own heart. Can’t Wait until the PR finale. I’m dying to see the runoff between Rami and Chris. Then I’ll just be sad that it’s over.