Entertainment Weekly predicts BABEL Best Picture win.- Page 4

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 8:26pm

You know the more I think about it, I would actually go for The Queen as well.

I didn't have any faults with it, except that it's a "small" movie. Small in scope. But it was beautifully executed, acted, written, directed, etc.

I just wish it had REALLY been about the Queen herself, and not just this one chapter in her life. They could have used this movie as a springboard to open up and flash back into her childhood, early adulthood, marriage, coronation, childbirth, etc. all the while examining the two things the movie DID cover... How she dealt with Diana's death, and how she dealt with the changing perception of the monarchy in modern society. That would have been a more interesting film, and something I could have easily bitten into, rather than the "slight" story (by comparison) that was told.

But that wasn't the film they chose to make. The movie, as is, was excellent on all creative levels... just a bit "made for TV" to me. Still it was a compelling and fascinating glimpse into her life.

Considering the problems I have with each of the other nominees for Best Pic, which have more to do with creative misfires and shortcomings... I would likely end up voting for The Queen, when all was said and done.

If I had to pick one of these five.

At gunpoint.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 9:41pm

I completely agree. He was definitely robbed of a nomination. He could have beat Murphy for the Supporting Actor trophy definitely.

[Hiram]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 10:42pm

I saw LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE a few days ago for the first time and adored it. I loved the cast but Greg Kinnear's performance has really stayed with me. More than anyone else, his character makes the most significant transition and he performs it beautifully. Wonderful work. So genuine.

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 10:45pm

b12b,

I actually think if they did a full biopic, it would have been more 'narrow' in scope than THE QUEEN. It would have been epic...but in the end, it would have focused on this one woman's role in history (not insignificant, I grant you). I thought focusing on that one week actually opened up the picture as being about the distance between generations. I talked a little about this in another thread. I thought the idea of exploring the stoicism of an older generation in contrast to the expansive emotionalism of a later generation (represented by Blair but, even moreso, Diana) was fascinating. It made me think about my personal experiences with some of my family members...those who were not effusive and those who were. I always connected with the effusive people, but have also seen it lead to destructive, self-involved behavior. And the people who were 'cold' were, in many ways, the most giving and most self-sacrificing.

Ya know what...I may be with you. I may be pulling for the THE QUEEN at this point!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 10:51pm

Saw Pan's Labyrinth. I think it should have been a Best Picture nominee. And, it would be the one I'd be pulling for.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 10:59pm

So glad you liked it, JRB. I think it's a brilliant film.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/29/07 at 11:37pm

I'm a little surprised that Pan's Labyrinth and Volver were not recognized in the Best Picture category.

*SPOILER WARNING ABOUT VOLVER*

I was a bit worried going into Volver having strongly disliked Almodovar's previous film "La Mala Educacion." I ended up loving Volver (the fact that I was on my first successful first date in years helped a bit), my only problem with it--and this was more based on a particular taste than on Almodovar's beautiful skilled writing--was that Carmen Maura's character (her name escapes me, computer too slow to imdb.com it) was not a real ghost, I believe that sort of magical realism would've brought a very interesting aspect to the film. But that is not the movie Almodovar set out to do, so it's ok.

**END OF SPOILER**
In a way I even feel Cruz should get the award. I am Hispanic so of course I'm biased but I thought her performance was a revelation in a way. Of course I thought Hellen Mirren was beyond incredible in The Queen--the scene with the elk alone deserved the nomination. However, there was something in Cruz' performance that I found revealing, captivating, and ultimately touching at many levels.

Besty, thanks again for the Oscar trivia, I knew I had read something related to Bette Davis and write-ins at the Oscars, but I was doubting myself. I disagree with you about The Queen though, I believe that the fact that it zeroed in on a very specific moment in Queen Elizabeth's life, we were able to see a lot more about the two individuals at the core of the film (I personally believe the characterization of Tony Blair ultimately played a very important role in the understanding of the movie). A typical biopic could've easily turned the Queen into some sort of larger-than-life figure, we already know she is a larger-than-life woman, now why not focus on the human, individual aspects of her. That's why the movie was successful in my eyes.
Either way, I'd have nominated Dreamgirls over just about every film in this category (except for The Departed).

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 12:00am

I'd vote for Cruz's performance in VOLVER over Mirren's as well. I'd also vote for Dench and Winslet before Mirren. Not that I don't think Mirren isn't wonderful in the role, but its also a performance that works largely because of the addition of bang up makeup artistry.
Updated On: 1/30/07 at 12:00 AM

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 3:32am

I'm just glad that Penelope Cruz is getting recognition as an actress. I always felt she was a great actress, but her American films were not able to show off her abilities. I first saw her in All About My Mother and Woman on Top, but was completely won over when I saw her in Don't Tempt Me.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 10:42am

So glad you liked Pan's, jerby. For me, it is easily the best film this year.

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 11:15am

I loved Arkin's work with Breslin. He had such a sweetness with her in the scenes at the motel. Beautiful. The Academy most likely loved the contrast of these scenes and his vulgarity-laced speech in the van.

I found it a worthy nomination.

[broadway86]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 11:18am

So did I, xx.