flotsam&jetsam

and I’m less excited than I have been in years.

Perhaps it’s the exploitation of the best picture award with 10 nods

or the ridiculousness of the Globes.

Seriously? Avatar?

In 09 aliens, District 9 was far superior.

This weekend has been one of cinema, perhaps not as much as I dreamed of on Thursday but enough to feel saited….satisfied. Yesterday I saw The Reader, one of the 2 best picture noms I’d yet to see (Frost/Nixon will occur later this week). I have to say I really enjoyed it. I’m finding more and more that really hard and gloomy or morose films seem to bring me the most enjoyment these days. Perhaps I see them as more true to life, not that I’m an unhappy person, but maybe they just make me think more than just feeling warm. This was one of those films. Surely it has it’s beginning of new love or rather tryst, but pain is the true star of this film. The lost love of the young protagonist, the pain of watching this former love stand trial - those past wounds reopened, the pain of the world in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

This was a pretty intense film emotionally….but I guess that’s to be expected. I liked that it was dismal, maybe that’s my issue with Slumdog. It was great sure, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as other films this year - one’s that were a bit more melancholy perhaps. I highly recommend The Reader though (as well as all the other best picture noms….Milk has been my favorite if you were wondering…strangely though an uplifting film to counter my previous statement). Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes and David Kross all gave amazing performances.

I also really enjoyed the discussion my fellow movie goers and I had after viewing. 3 of us are self proclaimed movie buffs and had our expect banter, but the 4th of the group - someone described as “not that into movies” really added depth to my reflection on the film. She had studied in German and the text the film is based on is one of her favorite novels. Her insight into the interpretation of the book into the film really shed light on some themes that were present, but maybe not as obvious in just viewing the film. I’d delve deeper but I’d hate to ruin it for those who’ve not had the chance to view. But I’d love to hear your thoughts if you have.