I have seen two movies this year: one movie in the theatre, one movie on DVD, which gives you the grand, impressive total of two movies.
This from a person who used to dedicate entire weekends to movie watching, a person who would’ve seen every Best Picture nominee at least once. Probably twice.
But now? Eh, not so much.
Anyway, one of the movies was Syriana, which David and I saw in the theatre and both liked very much.
The other movie was Crash, which Janie and I watched late one night when I was in Memphis.
We didn’t get it. We were puzzled. Perplexed. Confused. DID. NOT. GET. IT. We thought it was weird.
Crash just won the Oscar for Best Picture.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt more stupid.
Well I don’t feel nearly as stupid now as I did last night. I only saw three pictures nominated….for any award! CRASH, MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN…in that order. I thought CRASH was good and glad that BROKEBACK didn’t win, and yes I can hear that gasp from here. Of the three, MARCH was my favorite.
Wasn’t Memphis so WELL represented for best song? Oh MY!
What did you think of Jon Stewart? I was a little disappointed.
I thought Jon Stewart was good. I thought he held back a little, but in terms of keeping the show moving and knowing when to shut up, he did a great job. He seemed comfortable, which is more than I can say for Chris Rock last year.
It occurred to D and me that George Clooney is the new Jack Nicholson. He was the go-to guy in the audience for sarcastic reactions…very much the role JN has played for the last 15 years or so. And good golly he’s handsome. Clooney, not Nicholson.
Color me crazy (and I’m sure it’s our – meaning you and me – age difference), but I’ll take Jack Nicholson over George Clooney any day of the week. :)
Jack gives me the willies.
But I like me some Clooney.
I’m all over George…and have been for a long time. I’m not sure about the comparison, though. I like Jack N. as an actor – his work is great. However, he possesses the quality I most despise in a person: he seems WAY too full of himself. I like humble, and that’s why I like George.
I was a little disappointed with the overall show last night. Jon Stewart was OK, but I felt nervous for him while watching. I thought there were way too many montages and “supposed to be” funny skit-type things involved (i.e. Tom Hanks acceptance speech) I was happy with the outcomes of almost all awards, though. I haven’t seen Crash but plan on renting it soon. So glad I saw Walk the Line Sat. night – FABULOUS.
Question for Bubba – why were you glad Brokeback Mountain didn’t win b/c I really liked it. Just curious. Like I said, though, the only 2 nominated pictures I had seen were Walk the Line and Brokeback. I am a HUGE Oscar person and I just like to get other’s feedback.
Don’t get me wrong Merritt. I thought it was a beautiful film, in fact I thought the cinematography was outstanding. I just thought it was a little “over-hyped” for subject matter/social issues and not for its merits as a film.
BROKEBACK (which I think was just your basic unrequited love story) dealt with social issues and was a good film. I just think CRASH dealt with social issues and presented them in a more intriguing fashion, making it a better film. Not that you have to deal with social issues to make a great picture.
I’ve also heard that WALK THE LINE was better than BROKEBACK. What do you think?
Next up on “Merritt & Bubba: At The Movies” – does Will Ferrell have staying power? Is the Brangelina baby destined for stardom? And will Reese and Ryan make it, after all?
Stay tuned!
By the way, I LOVE this conversation y’all are having, and I’m intrigued that Bubba liked “Crash” so much, because as I mentioned, I just didn’t get it. I felt like it wanted a reaction out of me, and that took me out of the story. For what it’s worth.
Boomama, It’s not that I loved “Crash”, just thought it was better than “Brokeback Mountain”. I really feel that once ALL the pictures are out on DVD I will change my vote/opinion of the winner. I’m still STUNNED you didn’t see more films this year. It makes me feel very….I don’t know….Cosmopolitan?
Don’t worry Merritt, Boomama is just jealous….like Ryan! I’ve designed the set and found us a soundstage in Grenada….thought half-way was fair for travel and all. You’ll have to get a hybrid to drive though, all the “right” stars are going “Green”.
Watch out Ebert and Roper!
Perhaps I need to address my lack of movie watching in a post, as it is just TOO MUCH to explain in the comments. But the movies and I, well, we’ve fallen out of favor, it seems.
And I can promise you that if you and Merritt do start a movie review show out of Grenada, I will go to the ends of the earth to make sure I can Tivo it. And I will never, ever erase them.
Stop it, stop it, stop it, it’s too much. I can’t keep up…I’m laughing out loud and can’t catch my breath. Oh my gosh. Where do I start? The fact that I just had 2 glasses of wine over dinner (which is QUITE unusual for me) is not helping at all.
Ok, let’s start at the top: Yes, I agree that Brokeback is too hyped up, but that’s the media’s fault (surprise, surprise). I thought it was a beautiful story and I walked away with so much sypathy for everyone involved in the whole 20 year? scenario. Plus I thought the acting was GREAT. I really wish Michelle Williams could have won last night b/c I thought her performance was so believable. But I did like Walk the Line better, probably because it was more entertaining, made you feel uplifted (the opposite of Brokeback) and I LOVE a story about real people. Spence will tell you, I love any television show or movie with writing at the end!
Now, about the soundstage in Grenada…just tell me when and I’m there!! And BooMama, come on. I love television, too, but you have GOT to get out and go to the movies. It’s a great American experience and you are missing out! Not that I get to go to every one I want to see, but you have to go more than twice a year.
Wish I could see both of ya’ll in person, but I guess this will have to do…for now!
Yeah, I thought she sounded a little “thick tongued” when I read that. :)
Did anyone else laugh at Merritt’s comment that she had “sypathy” for the characters? Because I think it’s pretty telling that she’s been in the wine, what with all the “sypathy” (SIPathy?).
Funny. All I can think of is D’s impersonation of the secretary at his high school who had a tendency to get in the sauce in the middle of the day, and then she’d come around to each classroom with a Xerox copy of the announcements and she’d say, “PSSSSSSSST! PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST! Hey! I got some ‘nouncements!”
Not that Merritt gets in the sauce in the middle of the day, mind you. [digging. hole. can’t. climb. out. help. me.]
Love ya, Merritt Leigh! :-)
OK, I see my mistake.
s-y-M-p-a-t-h-y.
Note the “M”. Hope you all enjoyed a cheap laugh at my expense. And this from the winner of the 5th grade spelling bee! I’m so ashamed of myself.
See Merritt, you didn’t cave into the hype. You thought “Brokeback” was good but liked “Walk” better. Can’t wait to see it, and that’s a stretch for me b/c Reese isn’t my favorite actress.
I also think Boomama has struck gold with “sypathy”. We will definitely have to have one show a month dedicated to it. We’ll drink wine and spread some “sypathy” for troubled characters and story lines, for bad acting, or just for bad hair.
Do you prefer barstools, or lounge chairs? I refuse to do a sectional.
I would pay good money to see Bubba sitting on a sectional sofa…sort of perched uncomfortably on the edge, with his nose turned up ever-so-subtly, just enough so that everyone would know that the fabric, well, it ITCHES, and he really prefers to sit on something where he’s not afraid of the different pieces separating and slinging him to the floor.
Ok, I’m jumping in on this. The only 2 films that were nominated in major categories that I saw this year were Walk The Line and Brokeback Mountain (also very unusual for me to see so few movies–did rent Crash about 1 1/2 months ago, but never had time to watch it). I loved both of these movies very much. I am not a huge Reese fan either, but I thought she was fabulous and deserved the Oscar. Really not a huge Joaquin fan (he always looks constipated). BUT, I was hugely disappointed that Walk The Line was not nominated for Best Picture.
I was very moved by Brokeback Mountain, and Merritt, I am with you 100% on the Michelle Williams front. I think she was tremendous–subtle an very real. I also thought Heath was very good (although he seems arrogant in real life). I’m surprised Brokeback did not win Best Picture, BUT I’ve still got to see Crash. Then, I’ll know for sure if Brokeback was robbed.
Merritt – I missed “percolator” in the 5th grade spelling bee, and the mistakes haven’t stopped since that point. So I think we’ll all forgive your dropped “m” – though you have to admit the unintentional pun was pretty funny.
Daph – I will quote BooDaddy re: Reese’s Oscar win: “Elle Woods just won the Oscar!” She’s forever Legally Blonde to me. I think she’s adorable, though.
Ya’ll quit making fun of Reese! Her acceptance speech was perfection!
Bubba, lounge chairs, definitely, if by that you mean those yellow leather ones like Oprah has.
Her acceptance speech was perfect. Gracious as could be. And did you see her on Oprah yesterday? I love that she still has her Southern accent. And her skin is perfect, too.
Yes, I did see her on Oprah. Ok, though, I do have one problem. She is always saying how unbelievable it is that all this is happening to a “little girl from Tennessee” as if she is an absolute redneck from the sticks. The way I hear it, both her parents were doctors and she attended a very elite all-girls school in Nashville. True or not? Nashville is not exactly a small city without paved roads, stoplights or fine dining, you know what I mean?
Daph – I have never been able to figure out why I was bothered by Joaquin…..you hit that one out of the park! You’re right about Heath too…. way too self confident for my tastes.
Another BooDaddy pearl of wit! I really can’t stop laughing because I can hear him in my head.
Merritt – you can have the exact chair frame as Oprah, just not in yellow. I don’t look good in or on yellow…..any other color is all yours.
Boomama – I’m going to have to load the car up with DVD’s and come to B’ham. This lack of movie madness has to stop.
I think everybody from the South who makes it big feels obligated to do that whole “aw shucks, I’m just a downhome girl / country guy” routine. Nashville is, at least to me, one of the South’s best-kept secrets…hardly akin to growing up in Coldwater, MS (not that there’s anything wrong with Coldwater).
Bubba, if you do go to B’ham for a movie party, can I come, too? PLEASE….
And don’t worry. The chairs do not have to be yellow. You’re the designer – you should definitely design the set.
I think we may have the makings of our next big weekend… :-) You’ve got a lot of catching up to do, Bubba. Merritt holds the record for most visits to this house – I am thinking of having a plaque engraved with her name for one of the upstairs bedroom doors. An honorary suite, if you will.
Please do. I’ve earned it. By the way, I will be passing through town next week on my way to Atlanta…I think I smell a visit!!!
I can’t think of better company to spend the weekend with! Boomama, that’s very “English” of you to name a guest room after a frequent visitor.
Oh, Merritt – please spend the night with us. PLEASE?!?!?!?! We have NOTHING going on next week until Friday…email me with details.
Merritt, that whole “I’m gist a little ole girl from Tennessee” thing is exactly what irritates me about Reese. Oh, I cannot tolerate that “barefoot, no running water, can’t even read” schtick.
And I will be crashing any movie-viewing party!
Okay…get out your sticks and I’ll take my beating like a woman.
I didn’t think “Walk The Line” was that great. There. I said it. The accents, in my opinion, were way off and the story lacked a much needed “edge”. Maybe I’ve lived where I live and worked where I work too long to lend an objective opinion. For whatever reason (writing, editing, coaching), I just don’t think either actor captured the true essence of Johnny and June.
While I think it was a wonderful tribute to two people who absolutely adored each other and made their marks in the music world, in my opinion, the film didn’t live up to the hype.
Let the bashing begin (if any of you are still reading this post)!!!
I haven’t seen it…but I would guess that given your proximity to the original J & J, you were bound to be disappointed. Personally, I can’t imagine that any movie about a country music legend could ever top “Coal Miner’s Daughter” – it works, at least for me – on every single level.
Yes, BooMama. Exactly. Throughout the film I kept thinking that they should have taken lessons from both “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “Sweet Dreams”. Sissy Spacek was Loretta Lynn to a “t”. Jessica Lange, who is a non-Southerner, gave a beautiful, believable portrayal of Patsy Cline (even with the lip-synching).
Bottom line, I was very disappointed in the latest tribute to 2 of Country Music’s greatest stars.