No Country For Old Men did not win the Golden Globe for best motion picture drama at last night’s untelevised awards ceremony. I believe Atonement received the honors. I will not comment as to whether or not Atonement deserved the award over the other movies, none of which I saw, but I am glad that No Country For Old Men did not win. It’s the sort of movie I desperately need to see again before I make a judgment, but even if I wind up on the right side of the fence there’s no guarantee I can call it “best movie of the year.” I probably won’t. There are some major issues, all of which I have written about before and I will not reiterate. See my previous blogs here and at myspace. One thing I was glad to see was that Javier Bardem won Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Anton. He deserved it. This movie was so well directed and well performed. Too many loose ends remain for me to crown it as best of the year.
One thing I was glad to learn was Sweeney Todd winning best motion picture musical or comedy. I saw Sweeney Todd Friday night. If it finds itself in the Best Movie category along with No Country For Old Men at the Oscars, I sincerely hope it comes out on top. Tim Burton’s vision blends superbly with Stephen Sondheim’s script and score. It takes a visual madman to adequately present the imagery of a lyrical genius. The opening sequence takes us on an animated journey from the mechanized barber’s chair, through the trap door in the floor to the cellar, and finally into the sewer. A trail of blood is our guide, dribbling through the metal grate into the murky water and ultimately into the Thames. It’s a grisly take on ashes to ashes – the lives of human beings washing away with a city’s waste. Johnny Depp is one of those actors who continues to impress me. I always give great credit to actors and actresses who can sing to back up their art. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor showed their true colors in Moulin Rouge. Both Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter deserve serious Oscar consideration for their performances. Johnny Depp won his Golden Globe last night. Hopefully the Academy will follow suit.
Last, and well off topic, I suddenly feel the need to write about the Green Bay Packers. They made the NFC Championship game, and I am seriously pumped. Not only are they in the NFC Championship game, they are hosting the damn thing. The New York Giants toppled the Dallas Cowboys, who were the only team in the NFC that I was afraid of. I’m apprehensive about New York, but I have renewed faith in Brett Favre and his young football team. Watching the way they dealt with Seattle on Saturday evening after dropping behind 14-0 early in the first quarter, it was like watching the old Green Bay Packers from the mid-90’s, the Green Bay Packers who had Brett Favre at the helm but who also had Antonio Freeman, Robert Brooks, and Don Beebe at wide receiver, Dorsey Levens in the backfield, Reggie White and Gilbert Brown taking care of business on the defensive line, and Desmond Howard winning Super Bowl MVP with his kick return touchdown. On third down Brett Favre is stumbling and losing his footing as he evades a sack when he glances up and finds a receiver. The moment before he finally falls he gives a nonchalant, underhand flip. They pick up the first down and wind up scoring one of their six touchdowns. Favre is finding receivers all over the field and playing with a sublime patience, and the running game is stronger than ever with Ryan Grant. I’m excited to say the least. Talking about them now is probably jinxing them beyond belief, but I haven’t had much to cheer about recently as a Packers fan. Eli Manning has come of age, and I take that Giants defense very seriously. This will be a game for the ages either way. With a little luck I’ll have a lot to cheer about come Monday morning, and maybe I’ll plan a trip home for Super Bowl Sunday.
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