Oscar Time!

Oscar nominees were announced today, and I was very pleased to see that "Hugo" led all films with 11 nominations. Last year offered several really fantastic movies, so I hesitate to go out on a limb with which particular one was my absolute favorite- but "Hugo" would definitely be near the top of the list. It was uplifting, beautiful, entertaining, everything that a good movie should be. To be completely honest, the only Scorsese film I had ever seen before was "Good Fellas," which I felt lacked substance and was horribly overrated, so I was pleasantly surprised by the degree to which I enjoyed "Hugo." "War Horse" (which I previously posted a review of on this blog) was likewise nominated for Best Picture, as was "The Help," "Tree of Life," "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," "The Artist," "The Descendants," and "Midnight in Paris"- all of which I'm sorry to say I wanted to see but have not yet done so, with the sole exception of "Midnight in Paris," which I absolutely adored. Though I have not yet seen it, I was a little disappointed to find that "The Iron Lady" was not nominated for best picture. The trailer was so captivating I almost feel that it could be nominated itself for best picture, lol. Planning on going to see it this coming weekend with my cousin Anthony here in Austin. On a side note, I am pleased to find that the Academy is continuing a trend of nominating more audience-friendly films for Best Picture. I recall a very boring ceremony a few years ago in which it seemed that "No Country For Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" swept up all the awards- two films whose appeal is, to say the least, limited (though "No Country" is a fantastic movie- even if it does have a crappy, unsatisfying conclusion. I've never seen "There Will Be Blood," though I hear that it is an excellent film as well). Nice job this year, Academy. Looking forward to the ceremony.