Gabriel Lewis

Let’s talk Oscars!

The 84th Academy Awards were held last night from 8:30 pm eastern time to 11:40 pm eastern time. They used old traditions (Billy Crystal, same awards) and added new things (Cirque du  Soleil, video clips). Overall, they were pretty solid, in my opinion. But, there are some things that bugged me. Lets get those out of the way first.

The main one that is still bugging me is Meryl Streep winning Best Actress for Iron Lady. I have nothing against Meryl Streep, she’s a fine actress, but Glenn Close had never won an oscar before and this may have been her last chance. It kinda breaks my heart. Meryl Streep had won twice, which is a lot. But, Meryl Streep is a great actress and the fact that when she went up there she knew exactly what I was thinking. Next on my list is Cirque du Soleil. I thought their act was amazing! I couldn’t do those things if my life depended on it! But, the fact is this s the Oscars. Not the Tonys. It felt like it was filler, like they had nothing else to do. I like Cirque du Soleil, but not at the oscars. Also, it really felt weird when they awkwardly cut to the musicians. The hell? Why are they smiling so strangely? It was weird. You can cut to the music, but not that suddenly.

Good things now. I think it was great that Jean Dujardin won Best Actor for The Artist. Although that isn’t my first choice for Best Picture, Jean Dujardin did a magnificent job. So, he deserved it. I was thinking Clooney would’ve won, but he didn’t. Also, Christopher Plummer winning Best Supporting Actor for Beginners made me feel good. After all these years, they finally give him the naked, golden dude in which they call Oscar. Why couldn’t you do that for Glenn Close, Academy?! Huh?!

Best Picture went to the Artist, which doesn’t set me off, but it wouldn’t be my first or second choice. A matter of fact, it would be 4th. Number one would be Hugo. Number two would be Descendants. And number 3 would be The Help. So, yeah. But, The Artist is still a fine movie. Just not Oscar material, in my opinion.

Oh yeah, the host! I almost forgot. Billy Crystal was awesome. His jokes were great and were always in good nature. Plus, his opening film is the best I’ve ever seen. It was funny, charming, and more creative, since they didn’t use film clips. Also, Billy Crystal’s song about Scorsese was funny.

So, yeah. That’s what I thought about the Oscars. Peace out!

Just somethin’ I wanted to do because I’ve been watching them all weekend. Here goes.

10. Nightmare at 20,000 Feet

Season 5, Episode 3, aired October 11, 1963, written by Richard Matheson.

This episode is about a man (SHATNER!!) and his wife who get on a plane for the first time in 6 months. Why have they not gone in 6 months? Because Shatner had a nervous breakdown on a plane and was committed to a sanitarium (aka Looney Bin). Shatner’s nervous but he’s doing alright, until he opens the window and sees somebody on the wing of the plane. Shatner alerts the stewardess, but when they come and look out the window the man is gone. Well, turns out it’s a beast, not a man. Everybody thinks Shatner’s going crazy because he’s the only one who can see the beast. This is one of those psychological episodes. You don’t know if it’s real or not until the end. But, this one is also a classic, so I just had to have it on the list. It really is a great episode, and is one of Captain Kirk’s best performances.

9. Where is Everybody?

Season 1, Episode 1, aired October 2, 1959, written by Rod Serling.

This is the first aired episode of the Twilight Zone. It’s also one of the best. Basically, it’s about a man who just finds himself in a town with no people. He doesn’t know how he got there or how to get out. And his sanity slowly deteriorates after a whole day in this deserted, mysterious town. This is a great episode because you are with this man. You don’t know where you are, why your there, or even how to get out. It makes you feel uncomfortable and curious, just how a Twilight Zone episode should make you feel like. Also, Earl Holliman does a great job as our main and only character. Not a famous one, but still a good episode.

8. Escape Clause

Season 1, Episode 6, aired November 6, 1959, written by Rod Serling.

A hypochondriac and narcissist is obsessed with living. So, he sells his soul to the devil for immortality and indestructibility. But he has an escape clause. Being able to die in the moment. But being the stupid fool he is, the man doesn’t think he’ll need it. But, trust me. He needs it. I love this episode because I love David Wayne as the main character. He’s so despicable and mean that it’s a chore to like him. He’s that bad. Also, the things he does. Like getting run over by a train. It’s actually a bit comical. Seriously, it’s funny. Anyway, this is a great entry and will be one of favorites in the Twilight Zone.

7. Nothing in the Dark

Season 3, Episode 16, aired January 5, 1962, written by George Clayton Johnson

This episode is about an old lady who won’t rescue a cop who’s been shot because she’s afraid of death. she finally takes the cop in and tells him her stories about Death. The whole episode is basically the cop and the old lady reminiscing about death. That’s the beauty of the episode is the simplicity and the tension. The tension starts because they are both suspicious of each other and they ask each other questions. You may argue that the twist is pretty obvious, but I thought it wasn’t bad. Plus, Robert Redford is the cop, so it’s pretty cool. Anyway, this episode is pretty awesome and should be watched. Seriously, watch it.

6. Living Doll

Season 5, Episode 6, Aired November 1, 1963, Written by Jerry Sohl

This is about a little girl and her mother who buy a doll for the girl. the doll’s name is Talking Tina and she’s pretty creepy. Well, the father doesn’t like the doll. But then the doll starts telling the dad things like “I’m going to kill you.” Just like Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, this is one of those psychological episodes. You don’t know if the doll is real or fake until the VERY end. Unlike Child’s Play, this is actually a MYSTERY! Child’s Play may be entertaining but to call it original is like calling Pauly Shore funny. It’s just wrong. Anyway, this episode will make me shiver anytime I listen to Tina Turner.

5. It’s a Good Life

Season 3, Episode 8, aired November 3, 1961, written by Rod Serling

This episode is about a 6 year old kid who has telekinetic powers and he isolates a whole town and basically controls it. Now, while that sounds comedic and the episode is also quite funny, I personally think this is one of the darkest episodes of the series. Why? 7 words–Jack in the Box with Human head. That’s all I’m giving away. My favorite part is how everybody always uses the word “good” rather than something more creative. Also the adults are always so scared around the kid which makes this episode HILARIOUS!! But, it’s so well written, it also includes dark tension and suspense. Only one thing to say and that’s Rod Serling’s a genius.

4. Eye of the Beholder

Season 2, Episode 6, aired November 11, 1960, written by Rod Serling

This episode is about a woman who is having an operation on her face to make it look “normal.” For the majority of the episode she’s in bandages, so you can’t see her face. But the odd part is you can’t see the other people’s faces. There’s a reason for that. Anyway, before the twist scene, there’s a lot of strong, sad monologues by the woman. They’re really sad! I mean Jesus, lady! Keep you sadness to yourself! But, this is a classic Twilight Zone episode and I’m pretty sure everyone’s seen it. But, for those who haven’t, I’m not spoiling anything. Also, this episode is beautifully shot in darkness and shadow. It actually looks best in black and white. So, all I have to say is what a classic.

3. Nick of Time

Season 2, Episode 7, aired November 18, 1960, written by Richard Matheson

William Shatner and some chick’s car broke down, so they stop at a diner. Well, the napkin holder has a fortune telling machine. So, Shatner asks it some questions. The answers from the machine are coincidentally true every time, so Shatner becomes a slave to it. There really isn’t a twist ending, only a message. The message is don’t trust everything you see. That moral is pretty much the reason I love this episode. I mean, Shatner gets so attached to the machine, he starts asking where he’ll live. He goes crazy!!!! Not much to say only, if you trust psychic’s, watch this episode.

2. The Masks

Season 5, Episode 25, aired March 20, 1964, written by Rod Serling

An old man in New Orleans is dying and is having his despicable family over for dinner. They obviously only want his money. So, he makes them wear disgusting masks to show who they really are in his last hours. This episode is a really good one because of the tension. The tension starts at the end when the old man starts insulting his family. You smile when this happens and you have an evil laugh when the twist happens. I won’t give it away, but the twist is awesome. Seriously. Anyway, everybody (even if you’ve seen it) should watch this episode. Just go to Netflix and add the Twilight Zone and go to Season 5. Bodda Bing, Bodda Boom!

1. The Invaders

Season 2, Episode 15, aired January 27, 1961, written by Richard Matheson

A woman in a cabin hears noises. She goes up to the attic to find that aliens have come into here house. So, she fights them the whole episode. What I love about this episode is besides Rod Serling’s narration, there’s no dialogue. That proves how well this episode is made. They get the point across so obviously, but without dialogue. Also, the plot and way it’s filmed makes the episode even a bit scary! Plus the blow your mind twist ending, and you’ve got the greatest Twilight Zone episode ever made (in my opinion). Oh yeah, also a great performance by Agnes Moorehead.

10. Stripes

There were a lot of funny movies in the 80’s. From Caddyshack to Money Pit to Ferris Bueller to Blues Brothers, they were the first of the “raunchy” era. And the film Stripes is no exception. Sadly, a lot of people don’t know the movie Stripes, even though they own three copies of Ghostbusters. Seriously, Stripes is a freaking hilarious. But the thing is, a lot of the dialogue isn’t dirty. It’s driven by Bill Murray’s great dead-pan performance. Add some great writing by Harold Ramis and comedic director Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters, Meatballs) and you have one military experience you won’t want to forget.

9. A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Back in the 70’s, after 2001 and A Clockwork Orange were made, Stanley Kubrick wanted to make another sci-fi film. He wanted it to be about robots, specifically a boy. So, for the next 25 years, Kubrick assigned writer after writer on this idea, but never came to the write script. In the mid 90’s, Kubrick discussed his idea with director Steven Spielberg, who was a friend and fan of Kubrick. When Kubrick died, Spielberg decided to direct it. After a couple of years, it was complete and was named A.I. Artificial Intelligence and was released in 2001. This is a great movie. A lot of people complain that Spielberg was too optimistic with the idea, but I think it’s quite dark for Spielberg’s taste. I don’t know about you, but when I think of Spielberg, I think of a chase scene set to cute John Williams music. Not a city made for sex robots! Jesus!! But the best thing is how it’s so creative and revolutionary in visuals, the genre, and in old fashioned storytelling. I’ll probably post a review sometime going into more detail, but I’ll leave it at this for now. So, watch this goddamn movie!

8. The Man Who Wasn’t There

Another film from 2001, The Man who Wasn’t There is a Coen Brothers movie that pretty much goes like any other Coen Brothers movie. But everybody hated it and used it as there ass-wiper. And these are the same people that praised that dumb animated film, Rio. What’s so bad about this movie? It has everything a Coen Brothers movie should have. Simply complicated characters, a simply complicated storyline, charming dialogue, and brilliant symbolism. But here’s what our buddies the critics have to say. Here’s what Tim Robey of the Daily Telegraph had to say, “A perfectly executed illustration of what is not, quite, great about the Coen brothers, which is a kind of grandstanding, and another kind of weirdly alienating insincerity.” What do you mean this isn;t what’s great about the Coens?! These guys make movies like this all of the time. O Brother Where Art Thou?, No Country For Old Men (won the oscar), Fargo. Any of those ring a bell? But the real essence of the movie comes from the homage to old Film Noir of the 40’s and 50’s. The black and white, murder mystery, and dramatic music are all cliches of old Film Noir. The point, SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

7. Jackie Brown

This was Tarantino’s follow up to Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, which are REALLY hard to top. Tarantino, being the crappy film nerd he is, decided to make an homage to blaxploitation movies of the 70’s. If you don’t know, Blaxploitation movies were action movies starring african americans as Clint Eastwood types, going around killing people to funky music. And if you know Tarantino, you know he eats these exploitation movies up. So, he decided it would be a heist movie with Pam Grier, the star of famous blaxploitation films such as Foxy Brown and Coffy. He added some more stuff and Jackie Brown came out in 1997. I’d just like to say that in no way is this movie better than Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs. But, it’s still fantastic. Everybody acts really well here. Even Michael Keaton! But the one person that sticks out like a sore thumb is Robert Forster, who plays a bail bondsman who gets mixed up with Jackie. He’s magnificent. He should’ve won the f*cking oscar!!! But I’d also like to point out the lack of violence in this movie. Usually Tarantino has buckets of blood come down on people. Not here. Rarely does violence occur. Sadly, this movie gets overlooked. Everybody watches Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, or Inglourious Basterds. Oh, and if you don’t know why I didn’t say Death Proof, it’s because it sucked. Anyway, SEE THIS FILM!!!

6. Le Cercle Rouge

This is a foreign film released in the 70’s by my favorite foreign director (besides John Woo) Jean Pierre Melville. He’s famous for films like Le Doulos and Le Samourai. But for me, this movie takes the cake. First off, it has one of the longest heist scenes EVER, and second, Yves Montand. Yves Montand comes way into the movie, but he’s great as the nervous thief. But, Alain Delon and Gian Marian Volonte are great too. Not much to say, only if your offered to watch a Melville movie, choose Le Cercle Rouge.

5. D.O.A.

When I say this, I mean the 80’s remake of the 50’s movie. This is one of those instances where I enjoy the remake better than the original. Dennis Quaid does a great job as the college professor. He really nails that intellectual type, almost better than Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones. But, I think what’s so great about this movie is how all of the mysterious things unravel so slowly, like your watching a film noir. But I like this better because it’s more stylized and has better acting. Even though it has a bleak ending, doesn’t make it bad. It makes it interesting and starts a discussion. That makes a good movie.

4. The Lady Vanishes

Alfred Hitchcock is known for making movies like Rear Window, Psycho, Vertigo, and North by Northwest. But a lot of people haven’t seen his early work like The Lady Vanishes. Lady Vanishes is a real thought provoking mystery, because unlike any common mystery, everyone has a secret and I mean EVERYONE. Plus, Michael Redgrave is great as the smartass male companion. It’s a shame he didn’t go anywhere. Again, not much to say, only, you should DEFINITELY get this on netflix!

3. The King of Comedy

Why in the hell did this not win the oscar? DeNiro should’ve won, at least. This is a depressing movie, but it’s a good one. The end also reminds me a lot of Taxi Driver. It’s so surreal that your not sure it’s real. I’d have to say, I think the end is in Rupert’s head, because throughout the movie, he pretends things are going on in his head. So, I think he’s probably still in jail. But, that’s what so great about this movie. It starts discussions. Plus, DeNiro should’ve won the oscar!! The movie should’ve too. Anyway, check out this movie. It’s really great.

2. Snatch

Guy Ritchie’s comedic gangster movie is fantastic, but nobody’s seen it. Everybody’s wrapped up in these stupid, big budget, cash cow 3-D blockbusters and they don’t look into the passion. Snatch is a passion for film. Some people may criticize the editing, but I think it’s well paced. Also, all of the characters are fully developed. And the acting is A class. Dennis Farina and Alan Ford, especially. Anyway, this is a great movie and everybody should at least give it a chance. And if you don’t like it, I shove you by the tie in my car window and drive.

1. Paths of Glory

Everybody bitches and moans about how Barry Lyndon and Eyes Wide Shut are underrated. Bullsh*t, Paths of Glory. Nobody EVER talks, watches, reads, or even CARES about this movie. I’m telling you that this is my favorite movies and it happens to never be noticed. It wasn’t even nominated for an oscar when it came out, which is a shame. Paths of Glory is one of the best war movies ever made. It tells it like it is, no sugar coating crap. It doesn’t have a happy ending, hell, it doesn’t even have a happy moment! And everybody says, “Don’t you wanna be happy?” Not when I’m watching a war movie. A movie where people die. How can you make that happy? I also just saw Warhorse and although the World War I scenes are good, they don’t even compare to the war scenes in Paths of Glory. Anyway, WATCH THIS MOVIE!!! Seriously, catch it on netflix. It’s awesome.