Well, thank the gods, the Writers’ Guild of America has ceased its strike! I can go back to legally downloading and watching US series. Those damned writers disrupted a routine that had taken me months to develop. I was, at the height of my abilities, legally watching between 5 and 7 series simultaneously. But enough about me.
Let us talk about that other TV programme that had everyone talking a few days ago, as they were panicking that the Writers strike was going to block the Oscars, the Holiest of Holy Award Ceremonies. Yes, a few days ago we were graced by stars walking down a red carpet in London, to receive their very own British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award (sponsored by Orange, just like rugby. Classy).
In fact, several deserving individuals did win awards. Atonement won best film even though it had been nominated for 14 BAFTAs. It did also win a technical award. Best male actor was taken by Daniel Day Lewis for There Will Be Blood, which I have heard mentioned as film of the decade by fellow filmmakers. Marion Cotillard won the award for best actress after a masterful job in La Vie En Rose, where she completely transforms from one scene to the next.
The Coen brothers took home a Best Director award for No Country for Old Men (I wonder whose room they keep that, do you think they fight over it, does their mum decide?), which I absolutely adored and will definitely watch in the cinema; at some point. The supporting actor and actress were also very, very good. Tilda Swinton, whose green frock I still have nightmares about), accepted the award best supporting actress for a contained explosion of a performance in Michael Clayton, while Javier Bardem managed to avoid the pitfall Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz fell into when acting in Hollywood. Being crap in English. Even though these actors have given incredibly intricate performances in Spanish films, upon reaching Hollywood it’s all downhill. Bad directing I tell you. In any case, Javier Bardem steals the show in No Country For Old Men, as the psychotic hitman. Well done Javier!
Was Sweeney Todd nominated for something? I hope it didn’t win. You pay good money and see one of those films in the cinema… I miss the old Tim Burton, the miserable unhappy man. This guy with the girlfriend and the kids just doesn’t cut it. Anyway…
Speaking of award ceremonies, there is a very easy way of finding excellent European, Asian, etc. films to watch. Screen Daily(Screendaily.com) and Variety(Variety.com) have all of the news and detailed list of other award ceremonies and festivals (http://www.screendaily.com/AwardsMicrosite/ScreenDailyAwardsMicrositeHome.aspx?Category=642?WT.mc_id=GoogleReg_PPC&?WT.srch=1&gclid=CM_alK-VxpECFRnQXgodagPczA). That’s how I figure out what to legally download and watch next. I wonder if they will even have enough for the red carpet at the Oscars this year, what with all the revenue they must be losing from me not going to the cinema.
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