"And the oscar goes to..."I am not a fan of Oscars. I never really care about them. I never forgive them for giving Oscar to Cher instead of Glenn Close in 1988. Heck, they give Best Picture nomination for "The Theory of Everything" instead of "Interstellar". Really, Oscar? But there were some days where The Academy gave the Oscar to the right people. The most memorable one is when "Shakespeare in Love" was the winner of Best Picture in 1999. Just kidding, I still realize that some of my favorite films are the winners of Oscar and I'm grateful of that.
Enough for the
Best Picture: The Sound of Music (Robert Wise, 1965)
Initially, I picked "Titanic" for this category. But another blog had listed me before I did, so I took "The Sound of Music" as the replacement.
As a seven-year-old kid, I didn't like this film. I felt that it was too long. But as I matured a little, I enjoyed the songs, the story, the choreography, and the scenery of Alpen and Austria. I love this film so much that at some point in my life, I remembered all the song's lyrics and their order.
I still feel that 174 minutes is too long for a film's duration. I don't like the second part of this film because it's not as exciting as the first part and it's too dramatic for my liking. But without the second part, the viewers would be left hanging without knowing the fate of Maria and Captain von Trapp. Although I don't really like the second part, it isn't really bad. We can see how the situation changes in Austria after it's occupied by Hitler and the dilemma of the von Trapps. I also can not think any scene in the first part that deserves to be cut. In the end of the day, I understand why The Sound of Music needs 174 minutes to entertain some of us.
Best Animated Film: WALL-E (Andrew Stanton, 2008)
What will you get if you mix comedy, romance, dystopia, post-apocalypse, and sci-fi together? You get the most loveable robot and one of the best works from Disney-Pixar!
I must admit that Wall-E doesn't have many symbolism like Miyazaki's films. But WALL-E is a very heartwarming film that contains a little homage and social message. The captains are fatter by the predecessor from time to time. The personality of Captain B. McCrea is also an indication that most of the captains are not really in charge because the work is handled by an auto system. Some people in Axiom don't even realize the beauty of outer space. In short, the excessive use of technology can blind us from knowledge, health, and simple things that are actually beautiful. I'm not saying that we should lessen innovation, but we have to be careful so that technology isn't the one who controls us.
There are two kinds of "ignorance" that represented in WALL-E. First, WALL-E's attitude and infatuation for EVE remind me of a little child. WALL-E doesn't have pride, great scientific knowledge, and power. WALL-E only does what is considered as good by him and the people he care. And although EVE can be hostile and impatient toward WALL-E, WALL-E still follows EVE because simply his infatuation or love for EVE. While it gives an innocent to WALL-E for this film, there's a high chance this kind of ignorance will only bring devastation in real life.
Second, people in Axiom don't give a fuck about outer space, knowledge, where they belong, and most importantly, where they came from. Heck, they don't even know they have swimming pool! They only care for...their super chairs. But I understand why ignorance is a bliss for some people. It will be quite depressing to know that your 'home' is ruined for good and nobody cares. Being knowledgeable either makes you a tortured genius or a disappointed idealist. But if a lot of those axiom people are knowledgeable, I think they can save earth even before EVE brings the plant.
Wow, I just realize that it's quite long, haha.
Best Foreign Film: The Virgin Spring (Ingmar Bergman, 1960)
When I looked the list of Best of Foreign Films winners and nominees, I was surprised that none of Kieslowski's Three Colors Trilogy, Wong Kar Wai's films and Park Chan Wook's Vengeance Trilogy got nominated for Best Foreign Film! But the most annoying for me is no nomination for "The Seventh Seal". I don't know about you, but I never heard of "The Barbarian Invasions" and "Burnt by the Sun". Once again, really, Oscar?
While I really like this film, I never truly understand the meaning and the symbolism in this film. According to wikipedia, there's an aspect of nihilism in this film. The nihilism is expressed by the apathetic (or is it sociopath?) attitude from the herdsmen. They show no remorse after they rape and rob an innocent girl.
For me, The Virgin Spring only shows that we live in a fucked up world with fucked up people. All knowledge, belief, principle, moral, and conscience become meaningless in the face of strong rage and strong desire. There are two innocent people in this film, Karin and the youngest herd. Karin is the victim of strong desire (greed and lust) while the youngest herd is the victim of strong rage and desire (to revenge). Both are simply in the wrong time, in the wrong place, and with the wrong people.
If you still say that we are the one who determines our fate and all those shits, watch this film.
Other favorite films that I can not leave:
Through a Glass Darkly (Ingmar Bergman, 1961) Best Foreign Film
Silence of the Lambs (Jonathan Demme, 1991) Best Picture
Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977) Best Picture
Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977) Best Picture
Life is Beautiful (Roberto Benigni, 1997) Best Foreign Film
Titanic (James Cameron, 1997) Best Picture
Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki, 2001) Best Animated Feature
Ratatouille (Brad Bird, 2007) Best Animated Feature
