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FourScore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 12:42 PM
Original message
Poll question: DU Votes for the Oscars - Best motion picture of the year
Edited on Fri Mar-05-10 12:52 PM by FourScore
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BunkerHill24 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 12:48 PM
Response to Original message
1. My vote goes to: The Blind Side
A true story, indeed.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:06 PM
Response to Reply #1
9. Folks just LOVE that one. Doubters went and came out believers in that film. nt
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joeybee12 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:27 PM
Response to Reply #9
14. Refuse to see it...seems like a retread of a bad Lifetime movie, although
I guess since I said Lifetime, it's implied it's bad.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:51 PM
Response to Reply #14
21. And Avatar's plot is a tired one from the patriarchy...
Edited on Fri Mar-05-10 01:51 PM by Captain Hilts
But it's still a pretty good movie.
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salguine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 04:46 PM
Response to Reply #14
27. In order for it to be "Lifetime", it has to star Eric Roberts as a woman-beater.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 05:11 PM
Response to Reply #27
29. It's such a lame network. nt
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 12:49 PM
Response to Original message
2. Inglorious Basterds.
Man, Avatar totally sucked.
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The Straight Story Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 12:51 PM
Response to Original message
3. I voted for Debbie does Detroit, it got a standing ovation
:evilgrin:
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LWolf Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 12:51 PM
Response to Original message
4. I DID see one of the movies on that list: UP. I loved it. nt
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NRaleighLiberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:00 PM
Response to Original message
5. First 15 minutes of Up was remarkable. But for us, Up in the Air.
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CTyankee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:22 PM
Response to Reply #5
11. I loved Up in the Air. I liked everything about it and everyone in it.
Masterful direction. Script perfect. The 3 main characters flawlessly played, even in those scenes where sentiment could slip into maudlin emotionality. Deft, nuanced, intelligent...everything I love in a movie. George Clooney was even better than I could hope for...I love to watch that man's every move, I swear...
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NRaleighLiberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 03:03 PM
Response to Reply #11
23. It also rang true for me - in my career, I had to do lots of travel (and as a consultant now,
still at risk to do so) - how it makes you feel, what you experience, the sorts of people you run into - and having been laid off and had to do lay offs in the corporate world, that part rang true as well.

Admittedly, much of the country will not resonate with the life that the characters lived...but those of us who were stuck in corporate hell sure do!
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CTyankee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 04:01 PM
Response to Reply #23
24. The air travel part alone tho resonates with those of us who fly regularly.
Even though I have never been in "corporate" anything (I worked in nonprofits), I could certainly sympathize and connect with what the characters were going through. I particularly liked the scene with all 3 leads in the bar after the younger woman has a melt down in the lobby finding her relationship ended on a text message. It was a great scene, well played and directed, nice touches (esp. the fact that the older characters were drinking scotch in tumblers and the younger one with her frothy mixed concoction).
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FourScore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:50 PM
Response to Reply #5
19. Up is also nominated for best animated feaure.
It's up against Coraline, but I think The Ucademy will give it to Up since there is no way Up will win Best Picture.
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sufrommich Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:02 PM
Response to Original message
6. Up was nominated? I love that movie. nt
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:05 PM
Response to Reply #6
8. The lead character was modeled on Spencer Tracy in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. nt
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sufrommich Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 05:40 PM
Response to Reply #8
33. I didn't know that, but now I can certainly see
the resemblance.
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Johonny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 04:34 PM
Response to Reply #6
26. IT was the best movie I saw last year
won't win because it will win best animated instead...
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:05 PM
Response to Original message
7. Avatar would deserve it if the plot weren't so trite and predictable. nt
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FourScore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #7
10. That's the problem with that movie.
If they had made more creative decisions to the script, it would have made Avatar a truly fantastic movie. But they settled for mediocre in so many ways.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:23 PM
Response to Reply #10
13. Yes. I hear it's really something to see, but the plot is a very tired one. nt
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MrCoffee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:23 PM
Response to Original message
12. District 9 should win...it won't, but it should
A brilliant, brilliant film.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:49 PM
Response to Reply #12
16. Someone's dissing your mother in the Lounge!
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flvegan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:50 PM
Response to Reply #16
17. Tattler!
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negativenihil Donating Member (772 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:29 PM
Response to Original message
15. The Hurt Locker
by a long shot. Been putting off Precious as i know that's not going to be a fun movie to see, but that's on deck for tonight so ill have completed my annual review of the best picture nominations.

(yeah i love movies lol)
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Hawaii Hiker Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:55 PM
Response to Reply #15
22. I have Hurt Locker from Netflix for this weekend
along with couple others..

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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 05:10 PM
Response to Reply #22
28. It's a Big Screen Movie. It really benefits. nt
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Blue_In_AK Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:50 PM
Response to Original message
18. The only one I saw was Avatar.
We don't get out much.
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derby378 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 01:51 PM
Response to Original message
20. Inglourious Basterds
The Hurt Locker was harrowing, gritty, and well-directed. Avatar was lush and engaging. District 9 was moving and thought-provoking. I like them all very much. But there's a certain quality that Basterds demonstrates that's hard to pin down. The Jew Hunter is a thoroughly believable and disturbing villain, Lt. Aldo Raine is a complicated anti-hero suspended between good and evil, and the story itself is masterfully executed.
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Paladin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 08:36 PM
Response to Reply #20
39. Tarrantino's Done Better Work...... (n/t)
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Toasterlad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 04:29 PM
Response to Original message
25. I Seen Six Of 'Em
Avatar wins hands down just on technical innovation alone. Not even close. But my heart is truly with Inglorious Basterds, which was fucking AWESOME. If the Hurt Locker wins, I'll be disappointed. It was a decent movie, but WAY overrated. Should not have even been nominated.
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Swamp Rat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 05:28 PM
Response to Original message
30. Watched the "African Queen" on TMC last week.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 06:32 PM
Response to Reply #30
34. Then you MUST read this:
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Swamp Rat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-06-10 06:55 PM
Response to Reply #34
40. WOOHOO!!!!!
:bounce:
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slampoet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 05:33 PM
Response to Original message
31. Funny how the voting is almost exactly the ratio of Box Office money....
..it makes a great case for Critics selecting the Oscars instead.
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Odin2005 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 05:39 PM
Response to Original message
32. AVATAR!!!
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robdogbucky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 07:01 PM
Response to Original message
35. Hurt Locker
Edited on Fri Mar-05-10 07:12 PM by robdogbucky
The year for movies was pretty good in my opinion. I liked Avatar alot and did not expect any plot innovations. It was comic book but great effects, etc. I was stunned by the 3D version and could not fathom anyone wasting the price of a ticket to see it non-3D.

Public Enemies: Very entertaining and engaging for me as I grew up in the Upper Midwest and know of many locations related to that era in our history, 30s, Prohibition, Organized Crime in Chicago. Dillinger was different and was a throwback even then. He captured everyone's imagination and became a cultural hero. When we told my MIL, aged 89, about seeing a Dillinger movie, she immediately said "Public Enemy."

Star Trek: I don't know what number or version this is but we saw it when we missed another film we wanted to see and were pleasantly surprised. If this is the direction the franchise is going, I say full steam ahead.

Julie and Julia: Would like to see Meryl get Best Actress for this, and felt Stanley Tucci gave the best Supporting Actor for the year IMO.

The Road: First in a string of post-Apocalyptic films I happened to see. Now I know why I didn't read the book. I've learned my lesson with McCarthy from some of his earlier books. My wife loves Viggo so we saw it. I know it has an important message and it was a gripping performance if you can focus on that much pain and discomfort for the 90 or so minutes it takes. Robert Duvall with a great cameo and Charlize Theron as well.

Book of Eli: Great film with great performances by Denzel and Oldman. Jennifer Beals was a surprise for meas well. Cameos by Michael Gambon and Malcolm McDowell noteworthy. Even though this was the second in a string of post apocalyptic films for me, I came out of it sad that it was over. The plot device actually fooled us for the duration and that made the ending very enjoyable.

2012: This was the least-liked and the third of the three post apocalypic films I saw. I howled almost all the way through it. Don't get me wrong, I felt it was good escape and good entertainment with special effects, etc. God help my soul if it turns out anything like the movie depicted. We are so fucked.

Inglorious Basterds: Tarrentino just does not connect for me. Too little quality story, too much blood and that's my take on all of his films that I have seen at least. It was a chilling performance by the Jew-hunting German, and the theatre owner role was excellent. If the rest of this movie was like and had the quality of the first scene, I would feel differently about it overall. We felt Brad walked his way through it. Great fantasy though, to have assassinated the high command at that juncture.

Up In The Air: We really enjoyed this and that is after it was not what we expected going in. It was much better. I could relate as others here have already to the frequent flyer experience. Really a sad ending though and that is not what we expected. Great cameo by Sam Elliott and the woman that played Clooney's assistant was very good with her portrayal of the current yuppie MBA type, adding lots of zest to the juxtaposition with Clooney's character as the old, cynical corporate hand, with all the attendant advantages and disadvantages for both. Maybe lots of awards for this film.

Avatar: Really ended up liking it notwithstanding all the hoopla Yay and Nay on its behalf. Must be seen in 3D.

Sherlock Holmes: Glad to see this was successful enough that Downey will have more time to grow on the big screen. too few people probably saw Soloist for it to matter, although Downey is pretty good in it too. Jude Law and Rachel McAdams were fun in the Holmse film but it was Downey that made this acceptable for me. Very nice sets and costumes for the period depicted.

It's Complicated: This was really fun escape and if it weren't a comedy maybe Baldwin would have a shot at Best Supporting Actor. Meryl is on a roll.

Hurt Locker: Best film of the year for me and my wife. In so many aspects. I did not want to see it without really knowing what it was about initially because I feared it was either propaganda or in some other way so unrealistic, but I was turned around. First, the moment to moment tension felt real. I achieved willing suspension of disbelief. Second, it was well-cast and well-performed. I could really feel like I was there. Great insight to PTSD and the effects of an addiction to adrenaline. Everyone should see it as I do not think it glamorizes war, nor do I feel it is too much blood and gore. There are a couple of scenes that are just unreal good in terms of conveying tension. Great cameos by a few as well, like David Morse I believe. Saw it early in the year and could not stop telling people that I had already seen the best picture.


Just my dos centavos


robdogbucky

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Whisp Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 08:31 PM
Response to Reply #35
38. agree with your view of Hurt Locker
for the first few minutes I was very unimpressed... is that all there is? whats the big deal?

then the movie sucked me in with its sense of being there.

It was a public service for soldiers on what its like to spend your days in tension hell.
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FourScore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 07:37 PM
Response to Original message
36. kick
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Lord Helmet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 07:38 PM
Response to Original message
37. Quentin T. for the win with Inglorious Basterds.
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