2015 Academy Award Nominations

[Don Draper]

Then the Revenant but seems like I should see Room.

P.S. Who is Emmanuel Lubezki?

Hope you enjoyed your Havana trip, my esteemed colleague.

Frankly, you should see both films. As a note, 5 of the 8 nominated films for Best Picture were shot (or at least partially shot) in Canada. That's one of the major benefits of a low Canadian dollar. Not to mention a credible and established infrastructure.

Brie Larson's status as an actor is now on a whole new level, Good for her! Little Jacob Tremblay was robbed though. If anyone deserved to be recognized for their work this year, it was the magnificent performance of this brilliant little boy in 'Room'. The scene were he sees the sky for the first time will leave you mesmerized.

The great cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki (affectionately called 'Chivo') has won back to back Oscars for 'Gravity' and 'Birdman'. If he wins this year for 'The Revenant', it'll be three in a row which is an unparalleled feat. His other credits include 'The New World', 'Children of Men' and 'The Tree of Life'. This is a very distinguished and admirable CV. Unlike the acting or directing categories, DOP is usually free of politics and duplicity as only Cinematographers vote on Cinematographers and it is truly a creative category. The template he used for 'The Revenant' is the palette of JMW Turner with a technical touch of Kubrick. As he's worked before with Terence Malick, that particular detail is palpable. The look of the film conveys both brutal and tender beauty. Kudos.

Along with 'Son of Saul' for Foreign Language Film, Chivo is the other one I'm cheering strongly for.

 

[fuji]

Not so fast fujimoto, Mad Max: Fury Road got 10 nominations. That film certainly isn't shishi enough for the Academy snobs.

Star wars is a much better liked and more popular film. It isn't artsy or sophisticated, but it's fun and people liked it more than any of the films the academy chose.

 

[Insidious Von]

Star wars is a much better liked and more popular film. It isn't artsy or sophisticated, but it's fun and people liked it more than any of the films the academy chose.

The Academy usually doesn't acclaim popcorn formula films...I can't believe I'm defending these pretentious, caviar spewing bastages! Can someone hook me up with Daisy Ridley, she's molto buona!

MEAN TWEETS LIVE!!!!!!!!

 

[Yoga Face]

Hope you enjoyed your Havana trip, my esteemed colleague.

Frankly, you should see both films. As a note, 5 of the 8 nominated films for Best Picture were shot (or at least partially shot) in Canada. That's one of the major benefits of a low Canadian dollar. Not to mention a credible and established infrastructure.

Brie Larson's status as an actor is now on a whole new level, Good for her! Little Jacob Tremblay was robbed though. If anyone deserved to be recognized for their work this year, it was the magnificent performance of this brilliant little boy in 'Room'. The scene were he sees the sky for the first time will leave you mesmerized.

The great cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki (affectionately called 'Chivo') has won back to back Oscars for 'Gravity' and 'Birdman'. If he wins this year for 'The Revenant', it'll be three in a row which is an unparalleled feat. His other credits include 'The New World', 'Children of Men' and 'The Tree of Life'. This is a very distinguished and admirable CV. Unlike the acting or directing categories, DOP is usually free of politics and duplicity as only Cinematographers vote on Cinematographers and it is truly a creative category. The template he used for 'The Revenant' is the palette of JMW Turner with a technical touch of Kubrick. As he's worked before with Terence Malick, that particular detail is palpable. The look of the film conveys both brutal and tender beauty. Kudos.

Along with 'Son of Saul' for Foreign Language Film, Chivo is the other one I'm cheering strongly for.

THEY INSISTED ON NATURAL LIGHT FOR THE REVENANT

MEANING 1.4 HOURS OF TIME TO SHOOT EVERY DAY

WAY OVER BUDGET

BUT THE BACKERS ACCEPTED THE COST AS PART OF ART

DiCaprio said it was so grueling in the cold he would never do it again

cameramen and cast walked off

shot in the Canadian Rockies, the Andes and Antarctica

'Chivo' is a true artist with a camera

 

[Insidious Von]

Once the financiers green lit the project, they were committed. When Inarritu decided to shoot in natural light, their only option was to scrap the project. Had they cut corners with the shooting the movie going public would have picked up on it and the film would now be in Jupiter Ascending territory. Frayed nerves all around but in the end it paid off. Art demands sacrifice sometimes, anyone who's seen Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo can understand that.

But I'm pissed about one item. William Shatner, the greatest actor to ever bestride God's green earth has never gotten a nomination. That is a travesty to the point of blasphemy! At least I can take solace in The Immortal Nicolas Cage having an Oscar. Never forget: The Shat is where it's at!

 

[GPIDEAL]

Hope you enjoyed your Havana trip, my esteemed colleague.

Frankly, you should see both films. As a note, 5 of the 8 nominated films for Best Picture were shot (or at least partially shot) in Canada. That's one of the major benefits of a low Canadian dollar. Not to mention a credible and established infrastructure.

Brie Larson's status as an actor is now on a whole new level, Good for her! Little Jacob Tremblay was robbed though. If anyone deserved to be recognized for their work this year, it was the magnificent performance of this brilliant little boy in 'Room'. The scene were he sees the sky for the first time will leave you mesmerized.

The great cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki (affectionately called 'Chivo') has won back to back Oscars for 'Gravity' and 'Birdman'. If he wins this year for 'The Revenant', it'll be three in a row which is an unparalleled feat. His other credits include 'The New World', 'Children of Men' and 'The Tree of Life'. This is a very distinguished and admirable CV. Unlike the acting or directing categories, DOP is usually free of politics and duplicity as only Cinematographers vote on Cinematographers and it is truly a creative category. The template he used for 'The Revenant' is the palette of JMW Turner with a technical touch of Kubrick. As he's worked before with Terence Malick, that particular detail is palpable. The look of the film conveys both brutal and tender beauty. Kudos.

Along with 'Son of Saul' for Foreign Language Film, Chivo is the other one I'm cheering strongly for.

As usual it was good, but this time I saw the Parisien cabaret show at La Nacional (my 'novia' has a friend who dances in that troupe - had a 3some a few days later, he he).

My buddy saw the Revenant and thought it was quite the spectacle, but enjoyed the story in Sicario better.

Thank you for your primer on the finer aspects of this year's Oscar nominations.

P.S. If you dine at Nevia Di Seppia on Sunday nights, you will enjoy the two opera singers that visit. One of the ladies is Laura and she is in the Cuban/Havana Opera Company.

 

[Insidious Von]

The Jessica Chastain - Timothy McVeigh connection

A commenter to a review of The Martian said that Jessica Chastain should get an Oscar for just being alive - I understand the sentiment. Coming from a working class family with a dark past, she realizes how lucky she is. She's never surly to the press and is always accessible to her fans.

Her natural father Michael Monasterio loved the rocknroll lifestyle but never made any money from it. Eventually his wife Jerri Chastain would divorce him and take custody if their two daughters. Her younger sister had a rapprochement with her father (Jessica never did) which eventually lead to her getting addicted to drugs and committing suicide. Jessica nearly quit acting due the tragedy. Monestario died a month before the 2013 Oscars, a on-line campaign started to shame Jessica into paying for his funeral. She never did and funds for his funeral were raised on-line.

Eventually her mother Jerri re-married with fireman-arson investigator Michael Hastey becoming Jessica's step father. Jerri became a vegan chef and owns her own food truck. Michael Hastey was called to Oklahoma City to take part in the search and rescue mission at the bombed federal offices and to search for clues. He presented his evidence at the trail of Timothy McVeigh, his efforts partially led to his conviction and eventual execution.

Jessica has taken members of her family to Awards ceremonies. So far Mr. Hastey hasn't shown up, hopefully he'll attend this year's Oscars with her.

 

[Insidious Von]

Here's the entire show if you care to watch it:

 

[Insidious Von]

Oscars wet farts: female

 

[Insidious Von]

Oscars wet farts: Male

 

[**Sophie**]

The Oscars have arrived! If they don't give Leo an Oscar this year, I swear I give up on them

 

[SkyRider]

Just learned to-day what happened to the streaker at the 1974 awards. He was murdered by drug dealers 5 years later.

Also, all 3 stars of Rebel Without a Cause died unnatural deaths. James Dean -- car crash. Sal Mineo---murdered. Natalie Wood --- drowned/murdered.