2 Down... 3 to Go.... Oscar Movies...A Review

My quest this year is to view all 5 movies nominated for Best Picture before the ceremony. I have so far seen 2. It is a tough chore to find these movies as they are all in limited release this year. I find it kinda weird that Hollywood nominates movies no one has seen and then puts them on at so few theatres it is hard to go see them.

Last week, I rented Crash on DVD, it was the easiest one to find cause it had been a only a few screens and out on DVD in less than 4 months. This used to mean the movie sucked....so I was a bit wary. I see why it was nominated... quirky timeline... socially preachy plotline... and GREAT acting. While the movie is a bit of a downer, ok it s a HUGE downer, I still found it interesting and a good movie. Although I never really plan to watch it again.

Then.. tonight I went to see Capote. I had a failed attempt to see it last weekend when the only theatre it was playing at in all of Central Indiana...sold the last ticket right in front of me for the 7pm showing and didn't offer a 9:30 showing. LAME. Anyway, I managed to get a ticket to the 4:30 show on a Thursday... which was more than half full. I am guessing if they put this movie on in a few more theatres it might actually make some money.

Capote was an excellent film. Truly excellent. Incredible acting, Incredible Script, Incredible Cinematography, Incredible Direction. The movie was moving. It explored an extremely fascinating character. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was just flat out flawless. I am more intrigued after leaving the theatre and am now interested in learning as many details about Truman Capote and the enigmatic Harper Lee than ever before. I was reading that the rumor is that Capote co-wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird" with Harper Lee... and that is why she has never written another novel. I don't know, but Harper Lee and Truman Capote are fantastic writers and this film captures them in a light that will have enraptured. I was glued to every moment in the film. Lost in the texture and the soul of the film.

The other 3 movies have a tough row to hoe to be better than this movie in my mind. Of course... I still think Batman Begins is the best film of 2005. Apparently the academy didn't watch that one cause it is everything movies are supposed to be. I have watched it several times and it stands as a masterpiece of the action movie genre.

Capote is a close second right now... Going to see Brokeback Mountain this weekend and then I will have to take a road trip to find Good Night and Good Luck and Munich. Look for the reviews...coming soon.