Oscar nominations

The Oscar nominations were announced today.  Of all the award shows, I think the Academy Awards have the most integrity and the most relevance, but as usual, the Academy members appear to collectively have short-term memories, since most of the nominations went to films that came out in or around December.  Screw all those good flicks that came out last summer, huh?  And Meryl Streep again for best actress?  I don’t mean to imply that she hasn’t had some Oscar-worthy performances in the past—she certainly has—but I swear, this woman could play a crash test dummy in a film and get nominated!  Sorry kids, but The Devil Wears Prada sucked (yes, I have seen it), and Streep’s character was too over-the-top, totally unlikable and unbelievable, and impossible for me to buy into.  I truly hope Kate Winslet kicks her hiney in the voting...

Meanwhile, why the filth-flarn-filth wasn't World Trade Center nominated for Best Picture?  For the first time since Platoon, Oliver Stone finally nailed one, and the Academy is sleeping at the wheel again.  Excellent film, if you haven't seen it yet...

And a round of applause please for Jackie Earle Haley's nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Little Children. which I hear is quite good, but haven't seen yet.  Talk about being picked up off the Hollywood scrap heap and being put back into circulation.  This guy was (literally) on skid row at one point, and he's now the equivalent of the New Orleans Saints in terms of being the sentimental favorite at this year's Oscars...