Sunday, 24 February 2019

Oscars 2019 - some early first thoughts


I'm surprised as anyone that 'Green Book' won 'Best Picture'. Not that it was in any way bad - it was in no way that! - but that out of the seven nominated films I'd seen (the sole exception being, maddeningly, 'Roma', it not having had adequate theatrical release. [Yet?]) I would have placed 'Green Book' in 6th place, beating only 'Black Panther' which was the only one I felt overwhelmingly negatively about. Perhaps it's an age thing. I didn't respond to 'Panther' in any positive way at all.  
From those seven seen I would have given it to 'BlacKkKlansman'. 

 I thought Rami Malek was possibly justifiably given 'Best Actor' out of those listed, for his extraordinary Freddie Mercury turn, though I wouldn't have complained if either Bradley Cooper or Christian Bale had clinched it.

 Olivia Colman best actress? Okay, but I still feel a bit aggrieved for Glenn Close (truly formidable in 'The Wife') who has to carry on being formally 'unrecognised' by an Oscar award. I'm sure the time will come for her - though it had better be soon!

 I'm not over-fussed by Mahershali Ali winning Best Supporting Actor for 'Green Book', though that reflects my feelings for the film as a whole, which required him to maintain a rather aloof, slightly supercilious, pose for the entire film - at least except for one episode where he's in danger and another where he's crumpled up in a state of humiliation. I thought his winning 'Best Actor' two years ago for 'Moonlight' was a more worthy and deserving accolade. I'd have given this year's supporting award to Adam Driver for his part in Spike Lee's first-rate drama, 'BlacKkKlansman'.

 And the last 'word', for now, goes to.......how could it not?.......Billy Porter (whose name I had to look up to remind me who he is).

Not quite the last word as I've only just watched the evening's opening given by Adam Lambert & (2 members of) Queen. Great credit for the good sense of whomsoever it was who decided not to give an impression of Mercury/Malek, which would have gone down like a lead balloon even if it had been a good one, or at least ought to have done. But that was one damn fine blinder of a start! Phew!
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6 comments:

  1. Dave R25 February 2019 at 10:59

    There's quite a bit of a discussion going on about "Green Book," and whether it is the worst film since "Crash" to win the Best Oscar. I had thought it might go to "Bohemian Rhapsody;" perhaps if it hadn't be stigmatized by the Bryan Singer debacle / termination.

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    1. Raybeard25 February 2019 at 21:45

      I've read that people are comparing 'Green Book' to 'Crash' as both being bad as the other and unworthy winners of 'Best Picture'. I have to say I really liked 'Crash' and wasn't too upset about it winning the ultimate award, though there was very quickly the suggestion that it only won in order to prevent 'Brokeback Mountain' getting the prize that year, which would also have been a worthy winner then.
      As for 'Green Book' being a BAD film it's just not so. What IS true is that it's not exactly profound, but all this talk about it being predictable and formulaic I also reject. Not only are films with the black character being in a senior position over a white still a rarity, but (without wishing to give away too much) how many such black roles are depicted as being gay? Very few indeed - if any? I take the point that in this the black character was a device to point up the earthy 'wisdom' of his white driver (as against what I refer to as being the monotone stance of the former) and it's the white man who, despite his inert racism, is the catalyst who 'enables' the other to 'change' - as well as vice versa. But a to being a 'bad' film, although it wasn't the best contender it was hardly that.
      In 'Rhapsody' I thought it was Malek who carried it. Without his exceptional presence I wouldn't have rated the film itself all that high.

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  2. Debdor26 February 2019 at 02:34

    I haven't seen The Wife yet, but I cant believe that Glenn Close has not won an Oscar yet. I am however very happy for Olivia Colman, who did deserve recognition - and gave my favourite Oscar speech for ages. I loved Bohemian Rhapsody, the whole cast was just Queen! I was rooting for Richard E Grant, but he has had the best time ever - I follow him on Instagram, and he has had the ride of his life in the run up to the big night.

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    1. Raybeard26 February 2019 at 07:07

      It'll be shameful if Glenn Close goes on much longer with no award of recognition, another one who goes through an entire lifetime of sterling work without anything to show off in the home? - and there have already been so many of them!
      I didn't know Olivia Colman much before this film, as she'd done a lot of TV work and I'm not a great telly watcher. But I was happy for her even though I didn't rate the film as highly as lots have done. But then when I watched it I hadn't realised that it was supposed to be a comedy whereas I'd taken it as a serious historical drama. But there you are.
      Yes, Grant's honesty and enjoyment as 'just' being one of the nominees had shone through in exhilarating manner for all of us. I'm sure his time will come.

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  3. Ur-spo27 February 2019 at 05:54

    I did not watch them and I am only superficially reading about the aftermath. It seems this gentleman's outfit was the highlight not the show.

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    1. Raybeard27 February 2019 at 07:13

      That's the impression I got too. but it was a spectacular contribution to the spectacle and fully deserved its renown.

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