Dear Blog Visitors:
I find that I am still a little dismayed at some of the nominations for this year's Academy Awards. Some extremely good performances got overlooked, especially those by Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Emma Thompson, Forest Whitaker, Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford.
In terms of films that are nominated for best picture, I personally did not like THE WOLF OF WALL STREET or AMERICAN HUSTLE. One was ...over-the-top, in terms of 600 uses of the 'f' word, obsessive drug use, and sexual orgies; the other story had a muddled plot that did not capture my interest.
Over the years, I have favored films with a good narrative and top-notch acting, and we have seen some good ones. I personally was drawn to THE BUTLER, which traced several decades of a butler's experiences in the White House, inclusive of the history of the civil rights movement. I also felt that 42: THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY was spectacular, with terrific acting by Chadwick Boseman, who played Robinson, and Harrison Ford, who played Branch Rickey (owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers. This was one of the best performances of Harrison Ford's career, and he was more than worthy of a nomination for best supporting actor, which he did not receive.
Of the movies that are nominated for best picture, my personal choice is 12 YEARS A SLAVE. I am hoping that neither THE WOLF OF WALL STREET nor AMERICAN HUSTLE get the top award.
My message to the Motion Picture Academy? Don't simply focus on films that come out the last two months of the year. Explore a wider range, beginning with films that appear in January and throughout the entire year.
In terms of films that are nominated for best picture, I personally did not like THE WOLF OF WALL STREET or AMERICAN HUSTLE. One was ...over-the-top, in terms of 600 uses of the 'f' word, obsessive drug use, and sexual orgies; the other story had a muddled plot that did not capture my interest.
Over the years, I have favored films with a good narrative and top-notch acting, and we have seen some good ones. I personally was drawn to THE BUTLER, which traced several decades of a butler's experiences in the White House, inclusive of the history of the civil rights movement. I also felt that 42: THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY was spectacular, with terrific acting by Chadwick Boseman, who played Robinson, and Harrison Ford, who played Branch Rickey (owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers. This was one of the best performances of Harrison Ford's career, and he was more than worthy of a nomination for best supporting actor, which he did not receive.
Of the movies that are nominated for best picture, my personal choice is 12 YEARS A SLAVE. I am hoping that neither THE WOLF OF WALL STREET nor AMERICAN HUSTLE get the top award.
My message to the Motion Picture Academy? Don't simply focus on films that come out the last two months of the year. Explore a wider range, beginning with films that appear in January and throughout the entire year.
Peace to all,
Ray
