Just saw Notes on a Scandal and it is a rock solid performance from Judi Dench.

I've now seen all five nominations for Best Actress and I would rank them (from top to bottom):

Penelope Cruz - Volver
Judi Dench - Notes on a Scandal
Kate Winslett - Little Children
Helen Mirren - The Queen
Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada

All moot of course, since Mirren will win in a landslide. It has been decreed.

Was less impressed by Cate Blanchett, though she does do a pretty good orgasm (if you ignore the fact that it is being provided by a 15-year-old). Bill Nighy continues to impress me with every appearance on screen. He doesn't have much time to do anything and still does more than you could fairly expect.

It is very unflinching and I am glad it doesn't romanticize any of the three relationships in the movie. Could have done without the final scene in the movie but pointless prologues seem to be all the fashion these days. People apparently just can't live without certainty as to what happens after the actual end of the story.

Woohoo, another one off the AFI 100 list. Network.

That movie delivers. Save for Dunaway's performance (I'm sure I'm committing some sort of sacrilege, but sorry, she was bad) I thought it was damn near perfect. It tackles so many issues so well, and remains entirely relevant. Just outstanding.

What I want to know is, how many times has Lewis Black seen this movie, because his act might as well just be called an impersonation of Peter Finch's performance.

I agree with your asessment of Network, GD. Great movie, still very relevant, and Faye Dunaway is only so-so in this. Truth be told, I can't watch her anymore- Mommy Dearest keeps popping up in my head every time I see her. I

Box Office Poison!

Oy! I just watched Mommie Dearest recently. (It had been a while, and WOW, I had forgotten how overwhelming Ms. Dunaway was.) I was curious to hear John Waters commentary, but was surprised to find that for the most part, he defends the movie and Faye's performance. I can't quite agree with him, and yes, it will be hard to watch her in anything else without thinking of her shouting,"Tina! Fetch me the axe!"

Network is a remarkable film, though.

I caught the last 40 minutes of Match Point. And I have no desire to see the rest. The unevenness of the performances alone might be enough to keep me away.

Aww-- you missed the only thing that I truly liked about the moment-- the set-up of the gimmicky "gravity" bit in the climax.

I liked how the ring from the 1-sheet worked its way into the story in a way I wasn't expecting, but over all, blech bah boring.

Wow, and I really liked that movie.


Well, not really really liked it. Just thought it was one of Woody Allen's better films.




Yeah, that's not saying too much, huh?