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Oscars Asside...
9 min read
Well folks, the Oscars came and went (an event that actually makes a difference in my life, if only meaning an increase of customer demand), so I thought I'd pay a little tribute and rank all the Best Picture Oscar winning films I've seen, to see how they stack up. This may be only 20 out of over 80, but I have better things to do than just listen to critics.
20. Chicago - If I'm going to be quite honest, this film wasn't all that memorable to me. I remember Renee Zellweger in a skirt singing and dancing with Catherine Zeta-Jones... but as much as I like musicals, this one just doesn't stand out. A lot of flash, little substance.
19. The Sound of Music - Again, I'm a fan of musicals, that's why I've seen most of the musicals that have one best picture (but I've never seen "Gigi"). I remember my old music teacher telling us that "The Sound of Music" has all of the right ingredients in the right portions for a musical, but it comes out bland because of this. It's pretty humorless, and has aged rather poorly.
18. My Fair Lady - To start off, Rex Harrison is way too old for Audrey Hepburn. Also the whole, stripping her of her fire and independence to turn her into a more acceptable woman plot never has jived well with me. Then there's the fact that Hepburn has a great voice (as evidenced in "Funny Face," which despite another bad pairing and similar plot line ends up being more enjoyable), yet doesn't sing any of the best songs. Harrison's character makes no concessions for his abominable manners, and ends up liking Hepburn because he's used to her? Despite all of these issues, I still find myself watching bits of this movie (or the whole thing) everyone once in a blue moon. It's not unwatchable, it's just beyond the realm of sense.
17. Titanic - I'm a fan of Kate Winslet, but I never enjoyed Leo when he was in this role. His hair cut is... just bad. I liked his friend much more. But the movie displays some of the best pacing for a film that long, the chemistry's there, and the luscious sets and gorgeous costumes are just awesome.
16. Crash - Most of the roles in this film were well cast, but it misses in a few places (notably Brendan Fraiser, who shouldn't ever step out of comedy if this is what happens). It's well put together, but it feels like it's trying a bit too hard. Definitely a "watch it once" sort of movie, I think.
15. Slumdog Millionaire - Really, a beautiful film. Some great moments of humor, and a rather impressive story. Not for those who detest the sentimental (of which I am not one), I really liked how the story wrapped together. Enjoyed the color, and most of the acting. I can't help but wonder when it comes to child actors who are speaking another language how good of a job I'd think they were doing if I could actually understand them, though. But certainly, cute kids.
14. West Side Story - Certainly one of the most famous musicals of all time. Great chemistry, great dancing, and some of the most catchy music ever. A bit dated, and easy to make fun of, especially if you have a friend named Maria.
13. A Beautiful Mind - Although I only saw this movie once, and that was recently after it came out, some parts of it still stick with me. It's pretty damn heartbreaking to watch. Terrific performance by Russel Crowe, this should be the one people remember him for.
12. Midnight Cowboy - Okay, I'll admit, when I first went to watch this movie I thought from the poster that it was Robert Redford in the lead... he just always looks like a cowboy to me. A really different subject matter than most movies (especially at the time), and some fine acting by Dustin Hoffman. Some of the gritty interiors are what stick with me most about this movie.
11. From Here to Eternity - I'm glad that Sinatra got an Oscar. I was surprised when I finally saw this movie last summer that a film with this message could get released (and so much money) during the age of HUAC. And to see infidelity portrayed so frankly? Deborah Kerr is so bitter in her role, and you can't help but feel for Montgomery Clift (especially when he starts to turn down the same road of bitterness). This movie deserves to stand the test of time as well as it has.
10. Kramer Vs. Kramer - So maybe people remember it's rival more than this film, but Dustin Hoffman really is working his hardest in this role. So much of his heart is put into this movie, and all the scenes he has with his son are so honest. I don't think that any film has really compared in the father/son relationship until "The Pursuit of Happyness" (and "Star Wars doesn't count!).
9. The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King - A fantasy film wins best picture? Maybe that's because the picture is literally awe inspiring. Breathtaking effects, stand-out performances, and a heart-wrenching delivery to the end of the sequel. Every time I watch Frodo leave to go into the west I start to mist up.
8. Silence of the Lambs - Arguably this film will be remembered as the defining moment in Jodie Foster's career. The movie is so bleak, and Anthony Hopkins so creepy. Although I never felt like I was watching a horror, this movie made me fear my fellow man more than most. Not my favorite of the series, but so well delivered on every end.
7. The Hurt Locker - This year's winner was one of my favorite movies that came out this year, and one that I continue to recommend to anyone who asks about it. More than almost any movie I've seen, this movie is absolutely terrifying! I spent most of the time clenching my fists thinking "They're gonna die, they're gonna die, they're gonna die..." Knock-out performances by both Jeremy Renner and under-appreciated Anthony Mackie. The film feels so extremely real, totally sucks you up.
6. The Sting - Why is it that the Best Picture winners are rarely funny? "The Sting" breaks the trend... or did, back when it one in the 70s. One of the few best pictures I like that you could watch with a seven year old, this movie is just plain fun. Paul Newman and Robert Redford were two of the most bankable stars in Hollywood at the time for a good reason. Not to mention it has one of the most fantastic themes. This is the sort of Best Picture that I can watch over and over again. Just, really good and fun.
5. American Beauty - Every time I see Chris Cooper, I think of his role in this movie. Generally that's where my mind puts Kevin Spacey as well (although half the time he's Keyser Soze). I enjoy the haunting message at the beginning in the film, the somewhat characature roles given to the actors, and the way it all fits together. If you haven't seen this film (and you're adult enough to handle it), you should go out and do so.
4. No Country for Old Men - One of the best written movies I've ever seen. The writing in this movie is so solid that there wasn't a single word or phrase out of place. Certainly haunting, especially the end, this is one of the bleakest Coen brothers movies (and that's saying something!). All the cast does a tremendous job, and the finally scene is just so well executed. Not a movie to see if you like everything spelled out for you, though.
3. The Apartment - I saw this a few months ago after I realized that it's ended up on pretty much every list of favored romance movies... ever. For something often labeled as a comedy, it's so dark, and doesn't hesitate to deal with some pretty heavy material for the 60s. Infidelity, suicide... this movie doesn't hold back. Jack Lemon lightens the mood somewhat, playing the sort of guy you can't help but fall for. This movie holds up pretty well, despite being over 40 years old. Great writing, great acting, great direction.
2. Unforgiven - Not to be confused with "The Unforgiven," a totally different western starring Audry Hepburn, Clint Eastwood's film is the perfect ending to his previous westerns. Instead of glorifying violence and gun-slinging, this kind of brings all the veneer of a movie like "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" down to the level where it really stands, in the dirt. Eastwood's line "I don't do that anymore," just stands out in my head. Some of the most brutal action I've seen in a movie, "Unforgiven" is one of the best westerns I've ever seen.
1. Casablanca - There's a reason why this is one of the most famous films of all time. It's surprising that, despite everyone's initial reactions to the script, this film came out on the other end as so memorable and amazing. Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart are at their peaks. I've seen this movie over and over, and I still wish I could see it more. I love it more after each viewing. If you love a romance, if you love films, and you haven't seen this movie, you've got to be joking yourself. It's the sort of movie that you really have to devote yourself to every time you see it.
20. Chicago - If I'm going to be quite honest, this film wasn't all that memorable to me. I remember Renee Zellweger in a skirt singing and dancing with Catherine Zeta-Jones... but as much as I like musicals, this one just doesn't stand out. A lot of flash, little substance.
19. The Sound of Music - Again, I'm a fan of musicals, that's why I've seen most of the musicals that have one best picture (but I've never seen "Gigi"). I remember my old music teacher telling us that "The Sound of Music" has all of the right ingredients in the right portions for a musical, but it comes out bland because of this. It's pretty humorless, and has aged rather poorly.
18. My Fair Lady - To start off, Rex Harrison is way too old for Audrey Hepburn. Also the whole, stripping her of her fire and independence to turn her into a more acceptable woman plot never has jived well with me. Then there's the fact that Hepburn has a great voice (as evidenced in "Funny Face," which despite another bad pairing and similar plot line ends up being more enjoyable), yet doesn't sing any of the best songs. Harrison's character makes no concessions for his abominable manners, and ends up liking Hepburn because he's used to her? Despite all of these issues, I still find myself watching bits of this movie (or the whole thing) everyone once in a blue moon. It's not unwatchable, it's just beyond the realm of sense.
17. Titanic - I'm a fan of Kate Winslet, but I never enjoyed Leo when he was in this role. His hair cut is... just bad. I liked his friend much more. But the movie displays some of the best pacing for a film that long, the chemistry's there, and the luscious sets and gorgeous costumes are just awesome.
16. Crash - Most of the roles in this film were well cast, but it misses in a few places (notably Brendan Fraiser, who shouldn't ever step out of comedy if this is what happens). It's well put together, but it feels like it's trying a bit too hard. Definitely a "watch it once" sort of movie, I think.
15. Slumdog Millionaire - Really, a beautiful film. Some great moments of humor, and a rather impressive story. Not for those who detest the sentimental (of which I am not one), I really liked how the story wrapped together. Enjoyed the color, and most of the acting. I can't help but wonder when it comes to child actors who are speaking another language how good of a job I'd think they were doing if I could actually understand them, though. But certainly, cute kids.
14. West Side Story - Certainly one of the most famous musicals of all time. Great chemistry, great dancing, and some of the most catchy music ever. A bit dated, and easy to make fun of, especially if you have a friend named Maria.
13. A Beautiful Mind - Although I only saw this movie once, and that was recently after it came out, some parts of it still stick with me. It's pretty damn heartbreaking to watch. Terrific performance by Russel Crowe, this should be the one people remember him for.
12. Midnight Cowboy - Okay, I'll admit, when I first went to watch this movie I thought from the poster that it was Robert Redford in the lead... he just always looks like a cowboy to me. A really different subject matter than most movies (especially at the time), and some fine acting by Dustin Hoffman. Some of the gritty interiors are what stick with me most about this movie.
11. From Here to Eternity - I'm glad that Sinatra got an Oscar. I was surprised when I finally saw this movie last summer that a film with this message could get released (and so much money) during the age of HUAC. And to see infidelity portrayed so frankly? Deborah Kerr is so bitter in her role, and you can't help but feel for Montgomery Clift (especially when he starts to turn down the same road of bitterness). This movie deserves to stand the test of time as well as it has.
10. Kramer Vs. Kramer - So maybe people remember it's rival more than this film, but Dustin Hoffman really is working his hardest in this role. So much of his heart is put into this movie, and all the scenes he has with his son are so honest. I don't think that any film has really compared in the father/son relationship until "The Pursuit of Happyness" (and "Star Wars doesn't count!).
9. The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King - A fantasy film wins best picture? Maybe that's because the picture is literally awe inspiring. Breathtaking effects, stand-out performances, and a heart-wrenching delivery to the end of the sequel. Every time I watch Frodo leave to go into the west I start to mist up.
8. Silence of the Lambs - Arguably this film will be remembered as the defining moment in Jodie Foster's career. The movie is so bleak, and Anthony Hopkins so creepy. Although I never felt like I was watching a horror, this movie made me fear my fellow man more than most. Not my favorite of the series, but so well delivered on every end.
7. The Hurt Locker - This year's winner was one of my favorite movies that came out this year, and one that I continue to recommend to anyone who asks about it. More than almost any movie I've seen, this movie is absolutely terrifying! I spent most of the time clenching my fists thinking "They're gonna die, they're gonna die, they're gonna die..." Knock-out performances by both Jeremy Renner and under-appreciated Anthony Mackie. The film feels so extremely real, totally sucks you up.
6. The Sting - Why is it that the Best Picture winners are rarely funny? "The Sting" breaks the trend... or did, back when it one in the 70s. One of the few best pictures I like that you could watch with a seven year old, this movie is just plain fun. Paul Newman and Robert Redford were two of the most bankable stars in Hollywood at the time for a good reason. Not to mention it has one of the most fantastic themes. This is the sort of Best Picture that I can watch over and over again. Just, really good and fun.
5. American Beauty - Every time I see Chris Cooper, I think of his role in this movie. Generally that's where my mind puts Kevin Spacey as well (although half the time he's Keyser Soze). I enjoy the haunting message at the beginning in the film, the somewhat characature roles given to the actors, and the way it all fits together. If you haven't seen this film (and you're adult enough to handle it), you should go out and do so.
4. No Country for Old Men - One of the best written movies I've ever seen. The writing in this movie is so solid that there wasn't a single word or phrase out of place. Certainly haunting, especially the end, this is one of the bleakest Coen brothers movies (and that's saying something!). All the cast does a tremendous job, and the finally scene is just so well executed. Not a movie to see if you like everything spelled out for you, though.
3. The Apartment - I saw this a few months ago after I realized that it's ended up on pretty much every list of favored romance movies... ever. For something often labeled as a comedy, it's so dark, and doesn't hesitate to deal with some pretty heavy material for the 60s. Infidelity, suicide... this movie doesn't hold back. Jack Lemon lightens the mood somewhat, playing the sort of guy you can't help but fall for. This movie holds up pretty well, despite being over 40 years old. Great writing, great acting, great direction.
2. Unforgiven - Not to be confused with "The Unforgiven," a totally different western starring Audry Hepburn, Clint Eastwood's film is the perfect ending to his previous westerns. Instead of glorifying violence and gun-slinging, this kind of brings all the veneer of a movie like "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" down to the level where it really stands, in the dirt. Eastwood's line "I don't do that anymore," just stands out in my head. Some of the most brutal action I've seen in a movie, "Unforgiven" is one of the best westerns I've ever seen.
1. Casablanca - There's a reason why this is one of the most famous films of all time. It's surprising that, despite everyone's initial reactions to the script, this film came out on the other end as so memorable and amazing. Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart are at their peaks. I've seen this movie over and over, and I still wish I could see it more. I love it more after each viewing. If you love a romance, if you love films, and you haven't seen this movie, you've got to be joking yourself. It's the sort of movie that you really have to devote yourself to every time you see it.
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Hey, it's 2010 Now!
3 min read
It seems I've been writing one entry a year or so. I'll try to improve upon that, maybe if they aren't spaced so far apart they'll be of more interest.
Thing is, there isn't much different with my life from where I was last year. I'm still working two jobs (the same two jobs), I still live in my apartment with Devon, and Shaun and I are still together.
I'm just in sort of a surreal mood right now, and it makes me want to chronicle it. I wish I could feel this way more often, it's the way that I think would help me feel better when I get moody. It's... gushing joy at being alive. I look towards the future with excitement and hope, and I look back on the past with fondness and love. Perhaps there's something more manic in my moods than I might care to admit, if this is the high, and the low is... so very much lower. But I believe there's a manic quality to everyone's moods in that regard. I think hope is the key ingredient to keep around during the low points. Even if you feel absolutely, impenetrably miserable, it's possible to keep hope.
I spend most of my leisure time (when I have it), watching movies. I watch new movies at the theatre ("An Education" was my latest), and old movies from Fig's (such as my latest, "The Apartment"). I have some sort of obsession going on with romance in movies, I think I'm searching for the best ones to add to some sort of mental collection. Not that anyone I know would care to sift through it.
I do hope that this journal finds anyone who might read it in good health and spirits. I have both for now (we'll see about the first tomorrow, everyone around me is getting sick). My only hope is that I'll continue to remember that this life is amazing as the week progresses further. Tomorrow is day 14 of no days off, and I suspect the number will continue to grow for the next week at least. I got my second wind yesterday, but I have no idea how long that will last me. Talking about stress when I feel like this is strange, but I understand that working so much without time to myself really does make me somewhat crazy. I have all the books in the world to entertain me when I'm done, though.
Thing is, there isn't much different with my life from where I was last year. I'm still working two jobs (the same two jobs), I still live in my apartment with Devon, and Shaun and I are still together.
I'm just in sort of a surreal mood right now, and it makes me want to chronicle it. I wish I could feel this way more often, it's the way that I think would help me feel better when I get moody. It's... gushing joy at being alive. I look towards the future with excitement and hope, and I look back on the past with fondness and love. Perhaps there's something more manic in my moods than I might care to admit, if this is the high, and the low is... so very much lower. But I believe there's a manic quality to everyone's moods in that regard. I think hope is the key ingredient to keep around during the low points. Even if you feel absolutely, impenetrably miserable, it's possible to keep hope.
I spend most of my leisure time (when I have it), watching movies. I watch new movies at the theatre ("An Education" was my latest), and old movies from Fig's (such as my latest, "The Apartment"). I have some sort of obsession going on with romance in movies, I think I'm searching for the best ones to add to some sort of mental collection. Not that anyone I know would care to sift through it.
I do hope that this journal finds anyone who might read it in good health and spirits. I have both for now (we'll see about the first tomorrow, everyone around me is getting sick). My only hope is that I'll continue to remember that this life is amazing as the week progresses further. Tomorrow is day 14 of no days off, and I suspect the number will continue to grow for the next week at least. I got my second wind yesterday, but I have no idea how long that will last me. Talking about stress when I feel like this is strange, but I understand that working so much without time to myself really does make me somewhat crazy. I have all the books in the world to entertain me when I'm done, though.
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Journey's End
3 min read
So guys, I've got my own place again. It's pretty much the greatest place ever... or rather, it's not, but for the price and location, I'm pretty excited. I will put up pictures of it soon, I'm sure. I've got this little patio that just screams "Put a mini BBQ on me!" which I have yet to do. But all in good time. I'm living with Devon again, who maybe you've heard me speak of.
I have been spending my days working. I work and work and work some more, and then I get paid on $200 for it. Well, okay, that's not a complaint. It just kinda suck when someone comes up to the counter at the movie theatre and says something along the lines of "You guys control everything here, it's fucking bullshit," when complaining about various different things. Okay, so my co-worker was right and he was probably just having a bad day, but I don't come to your minimum wage paycheck-to-paycheck job trying to tell you to overthrow the system for me so you can get fired the next day. Don't tell me what kind of power I have, I know what kind it is: very little.
I spent three days on a journey with my boyfriend Shaun (same guy from the last entry, only now we're a bit more seasoned), and I think each of us got to see the other person at some of our highest points (seeing friends I've missed and love) and lowest points (puking outside of McD's on the way back). I think overall it was a good trip. I mean, the journey home was awful on many levels, but I feel like I have more of a point to judge who Shaun is around me now that I've seen him with the people he's closest to. And I think that meeting those people is a natural step for our relationship to take at this point. I mean, it's one thing for him to (briefly) meet my mom and my sister, I'm not sure he'll ever meet my dad (because, I mean, I have no idea when I'll get to see him next), but those people live around me. When you travel, it's different. Also, meeting Shaun's niece convinces me that she's one of the most adorable children to live... ever.
I have every intention of writing creatively again someday, and I know it'll happen soon. I just need to manifest an idea of what to write.
I have been spending my days working. I work and work and work some more, and then I get paid on $200 for it. Well, okay, that's not a complaint. It just kinda suck when someone comes up to the counter at the movie theatre and says something along the lines of "You guys control everything here, it's fucking bullshit," when complaining about various different things. Okay, so my co-worker was right and he was probably just having a bad day, but I don't come to your minimum wage paycheck-to-paycheck job trying to tell you to overthrow the system for me so you can get fired the next day. Don't tell me what kind of power I have, I know what kind it is: very little.
I spent three days on a journey with my boyfriend Shaun (same guy from the last entry, only now we're a bit more seasoned), and I think each of us got to see the other person at some of our highest points (seeing friends I've missed and love) and lowest points (puking outside of McD's on the way back). I think overall it was a good trip. I mean, the journey home was awful on many levels, but I feel like I have more of a point to judge who Shaun is around me now that I've seen him with the people he's closest to. And I think that meeting those people is a natural step for our relationship to take at this point. I mean, it's one thing for him to (briefly) meet my mom and my sister, I'm not sure he'll ever meet my dad (because, I mean, I have no idea when I'll get to see him next), but those people live around me. When you travel, it's different. Also, meeting Shaun's niece convinces me that she's one of the most adorable children to live... ever.
I have every intention of writing creatively again someday, and I know it'll happen soon. I just need to manifest an idea of what to write.
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So THIS Is the New Year
3 min read
(But I think I do feel a bit different, at least this morning)
So I am officially done with all of my court stuff. I went there yesterday, paid The Man, and now I get to tuck that into the back corner of my mind, "Hey Jasmine, yeah, you remember how much it sucked to go to court? Yeah, don't get yourself in trouble, foo'!"
I broke up with Jacob. Like, a month ago. I'm not sure how many people who knew that I had a boyfriend know that we broke-up. It wasn't going anywhere. He's a bit of a robot. However, since this happened I've started seeing a new boy. It's been less than two weeks, but I think we're both pretty smitten with each other. He's fucking adorable. We're already finishing each other's sentences:
ME: Have you played--
BOTH: Dangeresque?
HIM: But I really love Peasant's Quest.
ME: Yeah, that game rules...
BOTH: Throw baby.
I don't know. I've always kind of felt that there are two types of people when it comes to relationships: there's the people who are almost always single, and the singlness is punctuated by bursts of dating people for short amounts of time; and then there's the people who are almost always involved with someone. I used to always be the first type, but it looks like I've switched. I don't know how I feel about that. So much of my relationship with Jacob was about relationship protocol (going on cliche dates, being sickeningly sweet in public, among other things), and I think I'm breaking protocol by jumping into this less than a month after splitting with someone I was dating for six months. But at the same time, Jacob and I lacked any sort of attachment to each other really (well, not none, but not six-month relationship development), so it's more like jumping into something when you broke up with someone you were dating for two months. I'm also just shocked that I could find someone this compatible with me.
Enough about that. Other things that have happened are me moving in at my mom's, and me getting a job at Fig's. Now there's something that was apparently bound to happen one of these days. I love working there. Video stores are so choice.
So I am officially done with all of my court stuff. I went there yesterday, paid The Man, and now I get to tuck that into the back corner of my mind, "Hey Jasmine, yeah, you remember how much it sucked to go to court? Yeah, don't get yourself in trouble, foo'!"
I broke up with Jacob. Like, a month ago. I'm not sure how many people who knew that I had a boyfriend know that we broke-up. It wasn't going anywhere. He's a bit of a robot. However, since this happened I've started seeing a new boy. It's been less than two weeks, but I think we're both pretty smitten with each other. He's fucking adorable. We're already finishing each other's sentences:
ME: Have you played--
BOTH: Dangeresque?
HIM: But I really love Peasant's Quest.
ME: Yeah, that game rules...
BOTH: Throw baby.
I don't know. I've always kind of felt that there are two types of people when it comes to relationships: there's the people who are almost always single, and the singlness is punctuated by bursts of dating people for short amounts of time; and then there's the people who are almost always involved with someone. I used to always be the first type, but it looks like I've switched. I don't know how I feel about that. So much of my relationship with Jacob was about relationship protocol (going on cliche dates, being sickeningly sweet in public, among other things), and I think I'm breaking protocol by jumping into this less than a month after splitting with someone I was dating for six months. But at the same time, Jacob and I lacked any sort of attachment to each other really (well, not none, but not six-month relationship development), so it's more like jumping into something when you broke up with someone you were dating for two months. I'm also just shocked that I could find someone this compatible with me.
Enough about that. Other things that have happened are me moving in at my mom's, and me getting a job at Fig's. Now there's something that was apparently bound to happen one of these days. I love working there. Video stores are so choice.
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Since April...?
1 min read
I haven't written a journal since April. Wowee. For anyone who might read these but not keep up with me, I did get a job. I've been working in a movie theatre since the beginning of May. It's pretty fun, especially getting to watch movies for free. I've had a few thoughts of restarting #movieendings but so far I don't think I have the cojones to really keep it updated as much as I did. Although there are some movies I'd like to review. I've been watching almost anything since I had the privilege (I even saw "High School Musical 3" yesterday, I'll tell you about it if you care to listen).
Other than that I've been occupied by my boyfriend and trying to sort out how to earn more money than I get working 12 hours a week minimum wage. Also court matters pertaining to a bunch of shit that went down in June (but it looks like that's almost behind me now).
So there's a short update on what my life has been like since April. How are things with everyone else?
Other than that I've been occupied by my boyfriend and trying to sort out how to earn more money than I get working 12 hours a week minimum wage. Also court matters pertaining to a bunch of shit that went down in June (but it looks like that's almost behind me now).
So there's a short update on what my life has been like since April. How are things with everyone else?
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