As the overweening, preening, keening, screening fest of the Oscars approaches, an invitation to WW movie-lovers to get in first. Free-form, you can even invent your own categories. We might call them the Write Words Walters - for no better reason than that a good movie gets a Walter and a bad one gets a Wally. These things always need a kick-off, so here's my list. I look forward to others, especially in inventive categories! Just film titles and/or one name - none of that down to the bookie-to-the-taxi-driver-to-the-chiropodist-of-the-doolally aunt-of-the-cousin-of-the-caravan-cleaner to Mr Travolta….stuff.

Walters

Film - Million Dollar Baby
Director - Clint Eatswood - Million Dollar Baby
Actor - Johnny Depp - Finding Neverland
Actress - Hilary Swank - Million Dollar Baby
Music - Ray
Documentary - The Corporation
Kids Movie - The Incredibles
'Sleeper' - The Home at The End of The World
Sequel - Before Sunset
Screenplay - Finding Neverland
Foreign - The Motorcycle Diaries

Wallys

Worst Title - Million Dollar Baby
Worst Dog - Phantom of The Opera
Most self-indulgent - Oceans 12
Worst Music - Phantom of the Opera

Have fun

Zettel

Hi Z, I can't remember all that I've seen in the last year, but I'm with you on lauding Johnny D and scorning Oceans 12 (that pretend to be Julia Roberts thing annoyed me so much that I almost asked for my money back, although the decorative Italy scenes and Mr Clooney's visage were some compensation.)

The House of Flying Daggers gets my vote for best cinematography (by Xiaoding Zhao) - stunning!

Adele.

Hi Ad

Darn it, you found a way to get HOFG in! I forgot cinematography. But my list was already too long. Great choice, though I might have been tempted to let Hero edge it.

One advantage of writing film reviews, apart from the fact that they're fun to do, is that it 'fixes' the films a bit in the mind. And you can go back to remind yourself of the year.

Must get a life!

Regards

Z

Z, I didn't see HOFD until yesterday, but found it jaw-droppingly beautiful in parts. Hero was also stunning, but the Walter goes to HOFD for the autumnal trees with the whispy white grass in front of them.

A

Walters

Film - Sideways
Director - Michael Gondry, Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind
Actor - Don Cheadle, Hotel Rwanada(feel bad for Giamatti not getting nominated for Sideways)
Actress - Hilary Swank - Million Dollar Baby(she's got this on lock)
Music - Garden State
Documentary - The Corporation
'Sleeper' - Napolean Dynamite
Screenplay - Zach Braff, Garden State
Best Sports Movie - Friday Night Lights

Wallys

Best Denzel Film This Year-Man on Fire
Most self-indulgent - Tie between Coffee and Cigarettes and The Life Aquatic(I thought Wes Anderson could no wrong before I saw this movie)

I tried to see Sideways on Sunday. However, when my friend and I turned up at the cinema for the 5.35pm performance, thinking there wouldn't be much demand and we wouldn't need to book, it was sold out, as was Million Dollar Baby. We'd already seen The Aviator and Closer, so ended up with the annoying Oceans 12.

I guess the moral of that story is not to underestimate the good cinematic taste of my neighbours, and next time to splash out the extra 50p to guarantee a seat.

Adele.

PS my vote for best eye candy must go to Gael Garcia Bernal in The Motor Cycle diaries and Zhang Ziyi in HOFD and Hero.

Ad

Now you've got me worried - I thoought the autumnal trees were in Hero. God could it be I see too many movies? Both are great anyway and win cinematography hands down.

As you've now elevated the aesthetics to eye candy: I'll have to give that some real (enjoyable) thought. Excuse me while I dream..

Adam

Great! I hoped this would pick up some good films I've missed. Had Sideways down of course but not out here yet. Missed Garden State - now I know to look out for it. Tired so dozed through bits of ESOTSM - bad idea. Must get over Careyphobia and see again - great fan of Kaufman. Don't know Friday Night Lights. Hardly sport but Riding Giants is pretty amazing.

Thanks for the tips. Gratefully noted.

Regards

Z

PS; Ad - back to you on the other thing when the sighing stops.

Z

Z - easy, tiger!

Adam, it was a miserable grey afternoon in London town so I sneaked out to a matinee of Sideways. Very good movie. I never thought a 1961 Cheval Blanc would move me like that...

Adios,

Adele.

PS I know what Maya meant about the life changing properties of 1988 Sassicaia - just wish I could afford to buy some!

Nice, Adele, I'm glad you liked it. The cast was great, weren't they?

Sidenote: Thomas Haden Church, who plays the washed up actor from an old primetime tv show actually used to be on an early nineties primetime sitcom called "Wings". It was a big hit for awhile and hadn't seen him since this movie. Great role for him.

A friend of mine nailed a good observation about this movie. He said,"It's like a more mature and intelligent Swingers."

Zettel,
Yes, you must see Garden State. The writing is captivating. This kid Zach Braff has the goods. Natalie Portman and the supporting cast are pretty good in it too.

<Added>

'since' should be 'until'

<Added>

Lots of great dialogue but my faves are:

Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we're drinking Merlot.
Miles Raymond: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any fucking Merlot!

Miles Raymond: I'm a thumbprint on the first-floor window of a skyscraper, a smudge of excrement on a tissue surging out to sea along with millions of tons of raw sewage.
Jack: Ya see? I could never write anything like that!
Miles Raymond: Neither could I, I think it's Bukowski.


Also, this film could be a testament that the Californians have finally caught up with the French in the quality of wine. And may have even surpassed the French in this department.

Adam, I still like what those cheese-eating surrender monkeys produce. Good Californian wine in the UK is very expensive so I tend stick with red rhones. I liked all the movie stuff about pinot noir. It reminded me of an ex, who was a burgundy specialist with whom I once went on an amazing buying trip from Champagne all the way down to the Luberon with a detour to Alsace. I have a photo of him standing in front of a sign for Bouzy (it's a village near Epernay). Fond memories.

This nostalgia trip is not going to be good for my waistline. I'm cooking tartiflette (bacon, cream, potatoes, Reblochon cheese), which of course needs to be drunk with a good glass (or two) of red.

Gym tomorrow, I promise!

Adele

PS I like the merlot dialogue too, even though I occasionally drink the Chilean stuff and, when someone else is paying, never say no to merlot-heavy bordeaux.

PPS Watching the film must have taken quite a bit of willpower on your part, no?

Ad

You've solved my problem: Julie Delpy please with about 10% of the wine you and Adam appear to consume/day.

The Californian's may catch up with the French on wine, I wouldn't know I can't afford a good palate, but as for what you referred to as eye candy...........

Thoughtfully

Zettel (Grrrrr)

Come on guys and gals:

I am as weary as you must be, with what I like. I've already picked up 2 I didn't know about to watch out for. No need for a full list - one would do. We could then compare with who gets the golden baldies.

Z

Hey Z, I hope you went to the bookie's after you posted your initial picks. Right on the money for the biggie - I'm impressed!

I was glad to see that Sideways won best adapted screenplay. I hear that business in the Californian vineyards has boomed since it came out, so I guess they'll be raising glasses of Au Bon Climat (no f***ing Merlot, obviously ).

Adele.

Adele,
I won a hundo on Foxx and Swank. Lost a hundo on The Aviator. Should have stuck with Zettel's Best Picture pick.

<Added>

btw, How awful was Chris Rock's monologue in the opening. Ouch. I'm not a fan of Jude Law either, but his bashing wasn't that funny.

There you go guys, just staring at the Sky again. I can't get my head around the idea that I have to pay for the Sky, so I missed the tears and angst. Glad MDB did good. One up for quiet strength over noisy 'look-at-me' style. Anyway Scorcese should have won years ago for Mean Streets and especially his wonderful memorial to his dad, The Age of Innocence.

By the way, Halle Berry scored a few brownie points for me by turning up for her Razzie. Almost excuses her for Catwoman. Almost.....but not quite.

Regards

Z