More 2008 films seen

A true sign of being an Oscar geek - in the first 2 months of the year, almost all the movies seen are from the previous year. Could it be because not much in the way of good film is released at this time of year? Or are not many good films released this time of year because people like me don't go see them because we're too busy watching films from last year? A vicious circle...

Body of Lies - not very good. I think that Leo is wanting to a bit like Tom Cruise - moving from action/thriller/blockbuster where he plays scruffy tough guys to beautiful serious films where he plays more real people - but he is much more believable in the serious roles than the action ones (Blood Diamond would be the only exception, and that was a quasi-serious/action film). Whenever he has to don fake facial hair, swear a lot, and perhaps throw a punch, he is less than convincing. And in Body of Lies, he wore perhaps the worst fake beard ever. Russell Crowe was just irritating, and the overall story was lame. However, this movie was a classic compared to...

Miracle at St. Anna - this movie made no sense whatsoever. It never becomes clear what the miracle actually was. The story is predicated on a ludicrous coincidence and a rambling boring tale of some WWII soldiers in Italy, one of whom is carrying around a statue head that seems to be blessed. When St. Anna is finally revealed, it remains unclear what it has to do with anything in the story. Spike Lee's outburst at Clint Eastwood was completely uncalled for - it was not racism that made people prefer Clint's war movies to Spike's, it was the fact that Spike's movie was bad and Clint's were good.

It is Oscar weekend, and I did not make it this year to see all of the films, but am looking forward to the big shew, and to a full day of discussion, dissection, debate and delight with Jodi. No phone calls after 4pm!