The MRFH 2005 Revue

It's sad, but we've had such a crappy year overall for movies, and now that I've had to give up much theater-going, good movies are coming out. I'd like to see Aeon Flux, Brokeback Mountain, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Memoirs of a Geisha, Rent, King Kong, all the big Oscar vehicles. But for better or for worse, movie-going has met its grisly end for a while in the face of poopy diapers.

Obviously, this was a huge year for me on a personal level, with the addition of the Ducklet to our family. It's been a major transition, especially going from post-doc scientist to stay-at-home mom, from no kids to having a baby, and from a twosome to a threesome, and it's a change we're still working through. It's also a change that dominated pretty much our entire year, from my last bout with booze at Geekfest to the day labor was induced to… yeah. To. It still goes on.

However, Mutantdom is still here, still a big part of life, and it's had it's changes and ups and downs this year. We have two new Mutants, which is cool (except that we had to say goodbye to other Mutants to have new ones, which is sad). But it's always nice to have fresh blood around here. And thanks to needing to review films for this site, I've seen such classics as The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension, Wind, and Naked. (I've also seen such real classics as The Great Escape.) But those are movies that I can see any time, thanks to the miracle of technology and DVD players.

Now as I sit here a few days into 2006, the Oscar-bait movies are flooding the theaters. I admit it — I adore the Oscars. At least, I love reading about who's nominated and who's won, and ranting and raving about the choices. (I do need to get a laptop though, because it was much more fun to watch them when Sue and I could chat on IM and mock the various actress's dress choices and sigh over our favorite actors in tuxes together, and my computer right now is nowhere near the TV screen. But anyway.) I won't get to see a lot of the Oscar vehicles until after the awards show, most likely, but I wanted to give my thoughts on the movies I saw this year, and what I'd pick if I was The Academy (which I'm not). This list was written pre-Golden Globe nominations, and edited after hearing what was nominated. Anyway, it's as good a way I know to sum up the year in movies!

So onward to my thoughts on 2005 movies, in order of release (and mainly on movies I saw):

Coach Carter: I saw this on the plane on the way back from Salt Lake City. Samual L. Jackson doing the real person thing. If this was the Oscars, it would be a miniscule possibility of a long shot. However, the idealistic, influential teacher schtick has been done by others better in better movies, so I wouldn't be holding my breath.

Sin City: Effects and cinematography are a possibility, as should be adapted screenplay. I could also see Mickey Rourke having a shot — the Academy loves the comeback kid. Of course, it won't happen, because it's a movie based on a comic book and therefore unworthy. But it was really cool seeing it with several other Mutants in Detroit.

Fever Pitch: Frankly, I don't think it deserves an Oscar, but it actually made me like Jimmy Fallon, so shouldn't it get some sort of award for that? Sweet romantic comedy, but doesn't have the Sox chance in the Series at actually being nominated.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: I'd actually kind of like to see this up for the soundtrack, and maybe even musical number for the "Goodbye and Thanks for All the Fish." I thought the guy playing Arthur Dent did an excellent job, but nothing about this movie remotely screams Oscar.

I would, however, like to point out I'm just about to enter the May releases, and this is pretty much all I've seen thus far. At least in the theaters.

Kingdom of Heaven: Acting was decent, but not overly memorable. Sets were gorgeous, but I'd give the nods elsewhere. Script was adequate. Kingdom of Heaven was the best of the sand and sword epics, but I still wouldn't be bringing people up to the podium.

Kicking and Screaming: I didn't see it, but isn't it time Will Ferrall won an Oscar? Isn't it? Ha. Right. Yes, I am utterly joking. I can't stand the man. Edit: Oh, good God — he's up for a Golden Globe for Supporting Actor in The Producers. I was JOKING people, JOKING!!!!!!

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: Move over to your normal places, George Lucas. Effects and whatnot. No acting or script awards for you. Of course, it must be mentioned in any Year End article because, come on, it was STAR WARS.

Madagascar: Probably my pick for animated flick, although I've yet to see The Corpse Bride. If nothing else, just for the penguins. Hmmm. I need a Madagascar penguin icon for the forum. I love the penguins.

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants: I just wanted to say, I haven't seen this yet, but I've heard really, really good things about it. I should watch it. Except right now it will make me cry. (Not that that's not like shooting fish in a barrel at the moment!)

Cinderella Man: The first big Oscar contender of the year. I can't stand Russell Crowe as a person, from all I read about him, and I'd almost hate to see him be nominated just because he can be an immature jerk, but he really did do a good job in Cinderella Man. Duckie would probably point out Renee Zellweger's performance, which was also good, but I have a good-natured dislike of her simply because a.) I get sick of hearing how great it was she put on weight for Bridget Jones (I thought she looked much better with it on), and b.) my husband has a thing for her, so I feel about her about like he feels about David Wenhem or Ewan McGregor. I did think Paul Giamatti did a good job as the manager as well, but who knows. The huge advantage that Cinderella Man has it that it's based on a true story. The Academy LOVES anything that's based on a true story. I might give this a shot at best director or best picture, but it was stupid and got released in June, so forget it.

Batman Begins: I finally saw it. Excellent movie, decent plot line, good acting by anyone with a Y chromosome (I'm not a huge Katie Holmes fan), and yes, Christian Bale needs to walk around in a tux more often. But a superhero movie having a chance at the Oscars? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

March of the Penguins: I didn't see it, but does anyone think this will NOT win Best Documentary?

The War of the Worlds: If there is a merciful God, this movie will be blasted off the Earth, never again to see the light of day. There is nothing worth honoring in this one.

Serenity: Finally saw it on DVD. Okay, there's no chance of an Oscar, but darn it, I liked Serenity. I liked it a lot more than some of the movies that will get Oscars. The Academy needs more geeks in its ranks.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Again, we have the awards for things like effects and cinematography and all that. I think Johnny Depp can skip the Oscars this year (at least for this), but Tim Burton should probably skip sleeping through it only because of The Corpse Bride. Maybe the Oompa Loompa could wrangle a nomination, but that's probably it. At least, I would laugh if he did.

Broken Flowers: Haven't seen it, but if the Academy feels guilty that Bill Murray's been neglected for so long and lost to Sean Penn the year Lost in Translation comes out, he's got a good shot.

The 40 Year Old Virgin: Saw it, and was surprised how clever it was, and how sweet in spots. But sex (or lack of sex) comedy? No chance.

Jarhead: I thought, had some excellent acting. I really liked Jamie Foxx, and I was impressed with Pete Sarsgaard, as well. I'd also kind of like to see it up for adapted script, and even best movie of the year. Look, I REALLY liked Jarhead, okay?

Side note: Jake Gyllenhaal. Okay, the guy played a real-life Marine in Jarhead and is playing a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain. Is it possible for him NOT to get an Oscar nomination this year? Seriously? I mean, the only way he'd be more guaranteed a nomination is to play a real-life gay Marine. Or to die. But seriously, I've liked Jake Gyllenhaal for a long time, despite The Day After Tomorrow, which was one of the most hideous pieces of claptrap I've ever laid eyes on. And while I haven't seen Brokeback Mountain, he was phenomenal in Jarhead. As long as he's not trying to be Tobey Maguire, Jake is a really, really good actor. (Plus, let's all admit it. He looked GOOD in Jarhead.)

Edit: Well, apparently the Golden Globes was not as impressed with Jarhead as I was. Well, pththththththth to them. They should have been, so there.

Walk the Line: I have to admit, I really like Joaquin, and have ever since I saw him in Quills. I haven't seen Walk the Line yet, and probably won't until it comes out on video. (Howard is not a Johnny Cash fan. My thought is we'll do a trade: I'll watch Ray if he'll watch Walk the Line.) I might even be impressed by Reese Witherspoon in that one. But playing a country music icon might get Joaquin some gold. However, he did his own singing, and as the cast of Moulin Rouge! and Chicago can attest, that doesn't really seem to impress the Academy. (Although Catherine Zeta-Jones did get Best Supporting Actress that year. But still.)

And that's all I've seen or have comments on from 2005.

So, here's my own nominations, based entirely on movies I've seen and actors I like. Yes, yes, I know. I'm missing a lot of the big Oscar vehicles. Crash, The Constant Gardener, etc. Oh well. I also skipped a lot of categories, but who cares? It's not like my predictions will be accurate anyway.