Well, the Academy Award Nominations once again reflect very little of what I enjoy. I'm not sure why I am surprised.
Ya know, there was a time in my life, say ten years ago, that I loved watching the Oscar show. It was an event that I enthusiastically sat through each year. Then one year, and I'm not even sure which, the whole thing faded for me and I stopped watching.
Open Range
Say what you will about Kevin Costner. He's never been one of my favorite actors or directors either. However, his western opus from last year was my absolute favorite film of the year. Costner made this one of my favorite westerns ever. It may not have broken any new ground in the western genre but the way in which it was crafted was first rate. The sets, the costumes, the glorious cinematography, the dynamic sound design, the gorgeous score and even the editing and pacing are wonderful. Yet this film didn't receive one nomination this year. Not even a Best Score nod for the late Michael Kamen. How disappointing.
It has been several years since I watched an Oscar telecast and this year will be no different.
Do yourself a favor and view 'Open Range' on DVD instead.
(Also, of note: I recently saw 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico' and it was a fantastic pastiche' of exaggerated action, comedy and violence with just a touch of mythological undertones. Very entertaining. Robert Rodrigous is one of my favorite contemporary directors. The documentaries and commentary featuring him on the DVD are well worth the rental price alone. Check it out.)
Ya know, there was a time in my life, say ten years ago, that I loved watching the Oscar show. It was an event that I enthusiastically sat through each year. Then one year, and I'm not even sure which, the whole thing faded for me and I stopped watching.
Open Range
Say what you will about Kevin Costner. He's never been one of my favorite actors or directors either. However, his western opus from last year was my absolute favorite film of the year. Costner made this one of my favorite westerns ever. It may not have broken any new ground in the western genre but the way in which it was crafted was first rate. The sets, the costumes, the glorious cinematography, the dynamic sound design, the gorgeous score and even the editing and pacing are wonderful. Yet this film didn't receive one nomination this year. Not even a Best Score nod for the late Michael Kamen. How disappointing.
It has been several years since I watched an Oscar telecast and this year will be no different.
Do yourself a favor and view 'Open Range' on DVD instead.
(Also, of note: I recently saw 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico' and it was a fantastic pastiche' of exaggerated action, comedy and violence with just a touch of mythological undertones. Very entertaining. Robert Rodrigous is one of my favorite contemporary directors. The documentaries and commentary featuring him on the DVD are well worth the rental price alone. Check it out.)