Best Picture thoughts - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Displaced Flames fan · 02-23-2007, 09:21 PM

For the first time in forever, I have actually seen 3/5 of the year's best picture nominees. Has anyone seen them all? Here's how I'd rank them....

1. The Departed - What a great story, and the acting is top notch.
2. Little Miss Sunshine - Pure genius. A comedy will always have a tough time taking this award though.
3. Babel - Liked it, didn't love it. I'm a huge Brad Pitt fan, I think he's an underrated actor, but I didn't find his character very dynamic...in fact, I thought the most captivating aspect of the film was the performance of Rinko Kikuchi as Chieko. I thought she was fabulous. Supporting actress Oscar fabulous.

Obviously didn't see The Queen or Letters From Iwo Jima so can't comment on them.

Your thoughts?

Winsor_Pilates · 02-23-2007, 09:33 PM

I've seen the same 3

I think the Departed was the best of them and should get the nod of the 3, however I didn't like the ending and left the theatre angry.

I just watched Little Miss Sunshine last weekend and thought is was pretty enjoyable, but not best picture worthy. Good, not great.

Babel was also good, not great for me. The fact that so many things happened to one family at 1 time made it too far fetched for me to really connect with it.
It's the same problem I had with the movie Crash, where it just doesn't feel real enough for me to take it seriously, and it's too serious of a movie for me to take it any other way.

Daradon · 02-24-2007, 01:47 AM

Saw the first two you named, I'd give Little Miss Sunshine the slight nod, though The Departed was excellent. Just felt the ending was a little long and even a tiny bit pointless. Not that I feel I need a happy ending, I often like sad or thoughtful endings, but I thought it was a little over the top.

Still loved it though, and it's one of those movies that has you really (really) on the edge of your seat all the way through it.

Saint Troy · 02-24-2007, 08:48 AM

Of the ones I've seen, I'd take the Departed by a hair over Little Miss Sunshine, which was a great surprise. I believe the best movie of the year was Pan's Labyrinth which I saw last night, amazing film.

@theCBE · 02-24-2007, 08:56 AM

I saw The Queen on the plane a few days ago, it was alright, not best picture worthy imo. My movie viewing experience may have been tainted by the girl beside me who smelt like stale cigarettes and BBQ potatoe chips.

Saw Pan's Labyrinth last night as well and it was fantastic, best movie i've seen in a while.

kermitology · 02-24-2007, 09:44 AM

It would be refreshing to see a movie like Little Miss Sunshine win, but no chance in hell. The Departed was great, but reeks of a movie made to win Oscar's.. which is disappointing. Little Miss Sunshine was made to entertain and it was awesome.

BlackEleven · 02-24-2007, 10:00 AM

I'd like to see Little Miss Sunshine as well. Its rare you find a comedy as refreshing and well-written as it is. But I don't think it'll win. When's the last time a comedy won best picture, has it ever happened?

I was happy to see Forrest Whitaker get the nod in the Best Actor category. That was one of the best acting performance I've seen in my life and after I walked out of the theatre I said that if he doesn't get acknowledge for that, the Acamedy really doesn't pay attention.

Flames_Gimp · 02-24-2007, 10:11 AM

why all the love for Little Miss Sunshine? lame movie!

Bobblehead · 02-24-2007, 10:26 AM

I have seen Little Miss Sunshine and The Departed, but the movie I would consider best wasn't even nominated - Blood Diamond.

FlamesAddiction · 02-24-2007, 10:31 AM

I've only seen Little Miss Sunshine so I'm not sure what it is up against. While it was a good rental, I can't imagine that it would be best picture material.

Since it is, is it fair to conclude that it is a weak year?

kermitology · 02-24-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

why all the love for Little Miss Sunshine? lame movie!

Yeah, you would have loved it if the little girl was actually a stripper wouldn't you?

Language · 02-24-2007, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I have seen Little Miss Sunshine and The Departed, but the movie I would consider best wasn't even nominated - Blood Diamond.

I agree. Blood Diamond was a great movie. Out of the ones listed I would say The Departed was the best as well. Man, Leonardo Di Caprio has been in some great films lately.

I highly doubt Blood Diamond wins though. In the Oscar's mould of pimping the Actor's Association, it would seem too right to give the Oscar to a movie that deals with blood diamonds when all the actors and actresses are going to show up sporting million dollar bling.

octothorp · 02-24-2007, 01:52 PM

Haven't seen letters from Iwo Jima, but that movie aside I'd say that Departed was the best film. Excellent acting throughout, and a great story, well directed. The Queen was really disappointing. Decent acting, but the story was so completely lacking in any depth. Babel and Sunshine were both okay, but not best-picture worthy.
I'd actually say that the most deserving movie I saw this year was Children of Men (which got a measly one nomination, in the cinematography category). Absolutely stunning, thought provoking and engaging.

HelloHockeyFans · 02-24-2007, 01:56 PM

Certainly would be interesting if The Departed wins Best Movie in the North American awards after the original already won Best Movie in the Asian awards.

Antithesis · 02-24-2007, 02:07 PM

The only one I have seen is The Departed ... it was a good movie but I don't know if it was a "great" movie. I'd love to see Little Miss Sunshine (won't win) and Babel, which I understand to be the favourite.

Flames_Gimp · 02-24-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermitology

Yeah, you would have loved it if the little girl was actually a stripper wouldn't you?

well thats what the book quiz would have you believe

Daradon · 02-24-2007, 02:37 PM

Oh yeah, I saw Pan's Labyrinth too, very good film, I bet it wins best foreign film.

I haven't seen Blood Diamond yet but I really want to, and from what I've heard of it, I'm surprised it was left off the best picture list. Sounds like the type of film the oscars loves to nominate.

Maybe DeBeers threatened to pull sponsorship on some of the oscar gift bags?

VANFLAMESFAN · 02-24-2007, 02:44 PM

Just watched Little Miss Sunshine, I thought it was a fun, don't know why it's gettin all this hype and a best picture favorite.

I really enjoyed BAbel, and would choose that for best pic of the nominees. I thought it was the most original movie of the year and thought out of the three nominees I have seen, it was executed the best.

The Departed was outstanding as well and I think it will win, but like I said if I had a vote, Babel would get the nod.

MrMastodonFarm · 02-24-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

fact, I thought the most captivating aspect of the film was the performance of Rinko Kikuchi as Chieko

Oh boy, do I agree.

lol.

Like you, I've seen Babel (just this week) the Departed and Little Miss Sunshine. Out of those three it's a toss up between the Departed and Sunshine. Two totally different movies so it's hard to say really.. but I am finding it hard to go against Sunshine here. All the performances were great, Greg Kinner was at his loser best here, and Steve Carrell was brilliant as well. I think it's a toss up, might have to go with Sunshine, but I think The Departed will win.

Just liked, didn't love Babel. Alot of good performances in it though.

HelloHockeyFans · 02-24-2007, 07:58 PM

Yeah... just saw Babel right now, and I agree with you guys... good movie for sure, but not really Oscar worthy in my opinion.