|
About Jon
|
Let’s go to the movies! I love the movie experience, study what happens on the screen and am writing about it to help you with your movie going decisions. Hopefully something in the blogging of a film’s big elements – screenwriting, cinematography, directing, acting, visual effects, sound, and editing (and sometimes automobiles) – will help movie fans discern where their entertainment dollars should go. I’ve been blogging about movies on 99x.com since April 2008 and have been listening to 99x since moving to Atlanta in 1996. I’ve worked on the Olympics and short films that have appeared at Sundance and other film festivals in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. I have a Master’s degree in film from Florida State University and regard film school as one of the best experiences of my life.
I currently live in Atlanta with my wife and two labs; love baseball, music, family and friends, good food, and of course movies. Just to blog down thoughts from an eyewitness perspective I avoid reading other movie blogs or reviews on a new release until I’ve posted my own. All references to box office results or cast and crew are culled from boxofficeguru.com, boxofficemojo.com, or IMDB.com. Wikipedia is not used in the writing of this blog. Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/jonlamoreaux for additional movie updates.
|
|
Jon's Movie Blog
|
Feb
3
Written by:
Jon Lamoreaux
2/3/2010 10:29 AM
Not since 1943 have the Academy Awards had ten films in the Best Picture Category. Back then during World War II and the Studio era it was Casablanca that took the Oscar. Can you imagine being the film in a category with Casablanca? What an honor. And so it is with the 82nd year of the Academy Awards, coming at you live on March 7th at 8PM that we have nine other films honored to be on the same ticket as the eventual winner. And I’m talking to you Blind Side. I know you and An Education are feeling pretty excited to be in this category. Might I add one without a Casablanca.
Why so many films in the category when five have barely fit the definition of “best” the last few years? It used to be that there was an abundance of great films mass manufactured conveyor-belt style for a country desperate to escape the threats of Nazis and Kamikazes. This time around though I get the impression it’s more a promotion for Hollywood’s products, and a chance to increase television viewers on Oscar night to sell those products than it is a reflection of five-star overabundance during war time.
But it could also very well be a celebration of Hollywood’s most banner box office year to date. The Studios in general racked in more than $10.7 Billion in profits this year, more so than they’ve ever done in history making the silver screen in 2009 recession proof. Is it because we’re so burdened with financial worries, or because we’re fighting two wars and are more uncertain about our post-911 future that movies draw us in, offer a place to escape? I’d say so. The movie theater and those two hours of cinematic storytelling, when it’s good, is the best distraction next to exercise, or eating, or sports, or other extra-curricular activities keeping us occupied that money can buy. Sometimes even when they’re not so good as a wealth of exploding bodies and top-selling soundtracks will prove.
“Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going to allow Academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories, but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis. Well if that’s the case, why didn’t they include Sherlock Holmes, Zombieland, The Informant! or Star Trek, if you’re going to “just as well” nominate the following:
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air
This year it could be Avatar, or The Hurt Locker, or maybe Precious…those are the ones I’m guessing will have the most votes by Oscar day. And along with Inglourious Basterds, Up In The Air, or A Serious Man (a Coen Brothers film). These would be the serious contenders, in my opinion though I wasn’t much of a fan of Up In The Air’s last act, nor do I think Up is Pixar’s best effort to win this group. Sure, I liked District 9 for many of its technical qualities, along with the social commentary and I think it would rightfully deserve any technical Award it might win. But The Blind Side, while it is a good story to see, or read about on a Sunday afternoon, it by no means pushes the envelope in any of the Oscar’s 24 categories. Sounds subjective, I know, but don’t you just get a feeling that Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Precious, and countless other films not mentioned, are working on your emotions and senses in a completely different and challenging way than The Blind Side? Without getting too detailed in film criticism just compare The Blind Side, and any of this year’s picks for that matter, to The Godfather (1972), One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), Shindler’s List (1993), or In The Heat of the Night (1967) to name a few, as a means to gauge the effectiveness of the craft. Which of these belong, which don’t?
If you haven’t seen any of the ten nominations in this year’s Best Picture category (and what rock might you be under if you haven’t seen Avatar, is what “they” would say to you), then there’s still time to decide for yourself. AMC Theaters usually does a Best Picture marathon though with double the films I can’t rightfully see how they’ll do it this year. And I don’t know how the producers will manage time at this year’s show when they often already run over.
But see, I’m part of the machine too: getting you to go spend money on movies which is probably our greatest American export currently (Avatar is already at $2,045,442,330 worldwide according to Boxofficemojo.com), which isn’t a bad thing. It’s precisely what having ten films in the Best Picture category is all about.
Tags:
9 comment(s) so far...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Kick-Ass
Buy all kinds of best MBT shoes, we guarantee the lowest prices on the world MBT shoes on sale! Free Shipping worldwide and no tax. Hope you shopping happy!
www.sell-mbt.com/
By mbt shoes on
4/20/2010 2:14 AM
|
|
|
Re: Academy Puts Ten Films Up for Best Picture
Youll likely not designer watchesstay with it long Experiment and see what Patek Philippe watchesworks for you You can write based on your own omega replicaopinion or something factual You can Tudor replica review a product or service or a movieswiss watches Read other peoples blogs and noticeRolex replica how many reads theyre getting Above all,Hermes watches have fun After all, its free Rolex replicaand if youre persistent youll Hublot replicasee your Google Adsense dollars addingloewe replica handbags upThe best thing about blogging is that there are no balenciaga handbagsrules You can write about anything you want A self-publishers dream! There are some things you can doysl handbags though to maximize your Google Adsense replica dooney and bourkeprofits Narrow your subject Dontreplica handbags just write about shopping Soccer Jersey wholesaledolce gabbana handbags. Write about shopping for antique dresser thomas wyldedrawer pulls Write every day Have designer handbagsa blog at more than one Mulberry leather bagsite If you develop a readershipprada replica.
By replicahangbags on
7/20/2010 11:56 PM
|
ChronoswissWatches
As we are talking about this, Replica Watches, Replica Watches, Swiss Replica Watches, Cheap Watches, Wholesale Watches, Rolex Watches, A.Dunhill Watches, A.Lange&Sohne Watches, Alain Silberstein Watches, You must be thinking buying such a watch is nearly impossible due to its high price. Audemars Piguet Watches, B.R.M Watches, Baume & Mercier Watches, Bell&Ross Watches, Blancpain Watches, BMW Watches, Breguet Watches, Breitling Watches, Burberry Watches, Bvlgari Watches, Calvin Klein Watches, Carl F. Bucherer Watches, Fake timepieces are a true luxury, being originals or replicas. Cartier Watches, Chanel Watches, Chopard Watches, Christian Dior Watches, Chronoswiss Watches, Concord Watches, Corum Watches, D&G Watches, De Witt Watches, E-Sprit Watches, Ebel Watches. Like all other movements of Emporio Armani Watches this one is a movement of the highest quality. Fendi Watches, Ferrari Watches, Fossil Watches, Franck Muller Watches, Girard Perregaux Watches, Glashutte Watches, Graham Watches, Gucci Watches, Guess Watches, Hamilton Watches, Harry Winston Watches, Hermes Watches, This lime green watch is meant to remind you of spring and summer.
By ChronoswissWatches on
7/25/2010 8:08 PM
|
Re: Academy Puts Ten Films Up for Best Picture
vibram soles ,vibram fivefingers for ,vibram fivefingers shoe ,vibram fivefingers flow ,buy vibram ,vibram fivefingers footwear ,vibram 5 finger ,vibram fivefingers womens ,vibram shoes sale , vibram fivefinger shoes ,vibram fivefingers sale ,new vibram fivefingers ,vibram toes ,vibram fivefingers kso multisport ,vibram foot ,vibram fivefingers review ,vibram five fingers shoe ,vibram fivefingers water ,vibram five fingers reviews ,vibram five fingers kso black ,vibram five fingers kso sale ,vibram five fingers kso review ,vibram five toes ,vibram five fingers discount ,vibram five finger shoe ,vibram 5 fingers shoes ,cheap vibram five fingers ,vibram fivefinger classic ,vibram five fingers for sale ,vibram five finger flow ,vibram fivefingers reviews ,vibram fivefingers discount ,vibram fivefingers coupon ,vibram five finger sale ,mens vibram fivefinger kso ,vibram fivefingers kso womens ,vibram five fingers on sale ,vibram fivefingers kso review ,vibram fivefingers classic water ,vibram fivefinger flow ,cheap vibram fivefingers ,vibram 5 fingers sale ,where to buy vibram fivefingers ,vibram fivefinger review ,vibram five fingers flow sale ,vibram five fingers sales ,nike Z-Doc shoes ,Nike X Marc Newson Zvezdochka ,cheap Nike Zvezdochka ,buy Nike Zvezdochka ,discount Nike Zvezdochka ,Nike Zvezdochka sale ...... time's flying by , are you ready for your winter store?ugg women's classic short ,new ugg boots ,ugg australia ,classic ugg boots ,australia ugg boots ,womens ugg boots ,on sale ugg boots ,ugg boots online , uggs boots online ...chocolate uggs , ugg sundance , grey ugg boots , ugg classic mini , ugg classic tall chocolate , new uggs , ugg classic short chocolate , ultra ugg boots , uggs boots outlet ,uggs boots coupons ,uggs boots store ,uggs for cheap
By coach handbags on
7/29/2010 8:46 AM
|
bag
http://www.mylacebags.com
thomas wylde are a great product to sell. They are a popular item. The majority of women have many bally replica handbags for this outfit and one for that outfit or one for these colors and another for another color of clothing. You'll want to get them wholesale because the price will be low. But where do you go to get them wholesale?Here are some ideas for finding a wholesaler of loewe replica. coach handbags Maybe you already sell some other women's mulberry bayswater. Does your wholesaler sell purses too? Or if you have a relationship with another retailer that sells women's things-your contact might know a good source for mulberry replica handbags. If you have such a contact then you'll be sure about where the bottega veneta replica originate and of their good quality. Being sure that you have a good source of the product is so important. designer handbags If you have some good friends in the same retailing business, your friends might give you the name of a trusted wholesaler. Funny as it sounds, they will probably share their wholesaler with you and you'll know this is a good source because your business friend has already had good experiences with this person. This can be an excellent avenue of sourcing your wholesale hermes replica handbags. bottega bags Seek out some online auctions. There are quite a few of them. Auctions can be a good source of wholesale products. Many times you'll save a lot of money even with paying shipping. Check out the seller's reputation at the auction site; read the feedback about him or her. Pick dolce gabbana handbags with a good feedback number. If there is a forum, read any pertinent information in it. If you're going to buy in big quantities or are buying more than one kind of item from the seller...he may give you a deal on shipping.Or you can do an online search for wholesale fendi handbags, look for wholesale directories or business-to-business sites. These are good ways to come up with a good company to get your replica handbags from. When you are checking out wholesale distributors make sure they are following fashion trends. Distributors that are careful about the styles of purses they buy are the ones to get your thomas wylde from so that you're selling stylish jp tods handbag.This is a must because out-of-date replica burberry handbags or those that just aren't as popular won't sell well. Traditional bottega veneta bags are going to be a good seller too. Leather is always in good taste and diversifying your line of designer handbags is cartier replica handbags a good ploy to sell a lot of them. If you sell women clothing, burberry replica handbags to match can help a customer build her ensemble.So if you find a distributor with trendy and traditional ysl bags and one that sells other women's jimmy Choo handbags if you sell those, then you can spend more time concentrating on your sales, your website, traffic and other things you need to pay attention to. With a good source of fendi bags cheap, you can put your efforts into building repeat business. That's where the money is and where you want to go.
By mylacebags on
7/30/2010 7:27 PM
|
|
|
|