Will Scorsese win?

[PeruvianSkies]

Yet again Scorsese is up for Best Director this year as the Oscars...question as always is...will he win? His rivals....

CLINT EASTWOOD (Letters from Iwo Jima)
Certainly a good rival and War films are hard contenders for best picture, but it's hard to say whether this is a film worthy of a directing Oscar, especially against Scorsese.

STEPHEN FREARS (The Queen)
Doubtful that Frears can pull off a win over Eastwood and Scorsese, although this is probably his best film directing-wise.

PAUL GREENGRASS(United 93)
Nothing overly special in the directing of this particular film, despite how well it was done, but nothing Oscar-worthy in my opinion.

ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ INARRITU (Babel)
I was not a huge fan of 21 GRAMS and don't think that this film can compete with any of the films above, let alone the directing.

So can Scorsese pull this off? This is a long overdue Oscar and it's sad that he could finally win for one of his weaker films...where was his Oscar for Goodfellas? Oh, ask Kevin Costner. How about Taxi Driver? Raging Bull? Kundun? the list goes on.......

[SlumpBuster]

Scorsese doesn't deserve to win. Greengrass does. Based solely on direction of the performances.

I would actually argue that the very reason you cite, "nothing overly special" is precisely the reason Greengrass should win. A lessor director would have screwed that picture up. Other directors did screw it up, the made for TV version (Flight 93?) and Stone's World Trade Center were everything they shouldn't have been. So many other directors would have used the opportunity of United 93 to "showcase" their own talent or pet ideas. Greengrass's dedication to that project is exemplified by the support of the families. With lesser directors like Stone, you end up with Maggie Gyllenhall saying stupid things while promoting the movie. Yeah, yeah, he can't be responsible for her statements, but don't cast loose cannons on such a movie.

Scorsese was directing a remake and so poorly directed Jack Nicholson that Jack ends up waving a purple dildo around. Sure, not alot of directors can direct Jack, but you're certainly not entitled to an Oscar after completely abdicating any attempt. I would cite Reiner's direction in A Few Good Men as how you can coax a performance from Jack.

I would give it to Greengrass, Frears and Eastwood, in that order. I admittednly haven't seen Babel.

[Troy]

History shows that it doesn't matter which film or performance is better when it comes to winning Oscar®. Crash? Titanic? Kramer vs Kramer? Gimme a break.

I'd be totally shocked to not see Marty win this year, even tho I keep reading "The Departed" is the worst film he was ever nominated for. I hope to see it soon.

Then again, remember Lauren Bacall from a couple years ago . . . Nah, all the more reason why Marty will win.

It was a terrible year for movies. And once again, the best film of the year, the one that will be remembered 10 years from now, "Childern of Men" got no major nods.

[recoveryone]

I didn't want to start a new thread about this director, but I did view the DVD last night. Not bad as a film, but talk about six degrees of separation or less in this film. I can say that is not uncommon in Boston area or even a New York. People from the same hoods will connect at some point and time. The one hole I felt was that they never reach into Wahlberg history. And also the time lapse of Dicaprio time undercover. It may have served well to have a montage of events other than the few that he did with Mr. French. The ending was inline with Goodfellas... made no sense.

[Troy]

I don't get the bad press "The Departed" is getting. It's the best thing he's done since "Casino" 13 years ago.

Marty's only crime is that he makes it look too easy.

[Brainstorm]

I rented The Departed last week, looked good sound fair and I highly doubt poor ole Marty's got a chance of winning what has eluded him many times now, but there are surprises who knows what’s inside that envelope?

[icarus]

I personally didn't see united 93, so I can't judge on that one, but i did see the others, and personally I think eastwood deserves it, or freers, but I pray that ALEJANDRO doesn't win, since Babel was one of the most boring movies I've seen in a while.

[The Tahitijack]

Marty is good but this year others are better. I'm starting to see that while he has a remarkable body of work, he is getting to his so called "expiration date" and from that point he'll just be nominated again and again and never win.

[PeruvianSkies]

Finally and well deserved! Finally. Told ya'll.

[jvc]

He should have gotten an Oscar, but definately not for The Departed! Me, and everyone I've talked to (in person) hated it! It just plain sucked............

After I watched it, I gave it to my stepfather to watch. The next day, when I saw him, he says, "I have some questions about that movie." I said, "There's no need to ask me, cause I can't tell you. I didn't like it at all." My uncle came in, and my stepfather asked him how he liked the movie? My uncle said, "it was the sorriest movie I've seen in a long time! It's the worst movie I've EVER seen Jack Nicholson in! I expected it to be much better, with all those big stars in it."

I've asked a couple of friends. They hated it. I've asked complete strangers, in Hollywood Video, what they thought. They hated it! I just don't understand how it got the Oscar! This really bothers me!

I don't mean to step on anyone's toes here. Especially being a new member, but..............!!!

[PeruvianSkies]

Oh here we go....

People whine and complain when the man get's snubbed again and again and then when he finally DOES win, he get's bashed for winning with a film that wasn't his greatest or perhaps even better than the others nominated. Let's just say the man finally got his due.

[Dusty Chalk]

jvc -- I actually disagree, I thought it was a great film.

[kexodusc]

I'm with Dusty on this one, I loved The Departed. One of the best, and most surprising I've seen in years. Very little hype about it before it was released. I haven't met anyone until this thread that didn't like it. Well deserving of the award.

[Troy]

Yep. A deserving winner.

I don't know what to tell you JVC . . .

[ForeverAutumn]

I really liked The Departed, until the end. The ending just didn't make sense to me. After the movie, we went out for dinner where we discussed possible alternative endings. All better than the original one.

[jvc]

One of the reasons I didn't like it, is that DeCrapio just is not a tough guy. No matter how hard he tries. I hated Gangs Of New York, for the same reason. DeCrapio needs to stick with movies like Titanic.............

[PeruvianSkies]

Sounds like someone needs to move on from their hatred of DiCaprio, who has (in my eyes) redeemed himself and has worked on 3 films with Scorsese, all of which were better than standard fare. I try not to let an actor ruin a film for me and look past my issues with them and respect the film for what it is. I am not a huge Tom Cruise fan, but I still love MAGNOLIA, EYES WIDE SHUT, THE COLOR OF MONEY, and THE LAST SAMURAI.

[JSE]

Saw it this last weekend. It was ok. Not great, but OK.

I don't think people are complaining that Scorsese got an Oscar but rather that of all the movies he has directed and did not win, he got it for this one?

[Dusty Chalk]

See, I thought the ending was perfect -- everything neatly tied up, yet not "Hollywood". Don't get me wrong -- I could see why people hated it; I have hated similar films for similar reasons. But for some reason, it just hit me as "right" for this movie.

And Leo was perfect -- from the first moment on screen he just reeked of that "angry young man" that we hear so much about. I completely forgot about that lousy boat movie, whatever it's called...I agree with PS about this -- people need to get over this stigma they have with him, Scorsese wrought a serious performance out of him.

[jvc]

I don't think people are complaining that Scorsese got an Oscar but rather that of all the movies he has directed and did not win, he got it for this one?

You are exactly right, JSE! Scorsese definitely has deserved an Oscar, in the past.........

Let me explain something.
My three criteria, for a movie being good, are:
1) It must be entertaining
2) It must sound good
3) It must look good
Right now, everything looks good on my 36" JVC. This won't be such a major factor, until I get a bigger tv. I can see now, there will be movies y'all will like, that I'll hate, and vice versa. Mainly because of #1. This is one of those times. This movie was not entertaining! Period. I don't try to read a lot into the story lines, unless it's a true story (like mentioned earlier - discussing alternate endings). I had people talking junk to me, because they hated "Crank", with Jason Stratham, and I really enjoyed it! They thought the story was stupid and unrealistic. IT'S A MOVIE! The sole purpose of it, is to entertain you! They were so worried about the story, they missed a very entertaining movie! The story was very original, which isn't seen much now days. The sound wasn't bad either.

To get back on track..............this movie didn't entertain me. To me, if the movie entertains me, it did it's job. I couldn't care less about the story line, in most movies. I don't watch them for the story. If the story is also good, that's a bonus, and will make it even better. A lot of people seem to only watch a movie, for the story. If the story is your main reason for watching it, save your money. A lot of movies are based on books. Go to the library, and get the book and read it.
Now you know what I look for in a movie...........

[PeruvianSkies]

So what determines if a movie looks or sounds good? Older movies do not have near the sonics that newer films do, especially when they are not restored or need more work. Does that mean if CASABLANCA for example has picture or sound issues that it's not a good film anymore?

[ForeverAutumn]

One of the reasons I didn't like it, is that DeCrapio just is not a tough guy. No matter how hard he tries. I hated Gangs Of New York, for the same reason. DeCrapio needs to stick with movies like Titanic.............

DiCaprio was fantastic in The Basketball Diaries. And let's not forget What's Eating Gilbert Grape and This Boy's Life.

Unfortunately, people remember him best for the smultz that was Titanic and, as a result, they underrate him.

But hey, if you don't like him...you don't like him. I won't try to convince you otherwise.

[jvc]

So what determines if a movie looks or sounds good?

I determine if a movie looks and sounds good. In your house, you probably determine if a movie looks and sounds good?
The old movies, made in the 30's and 40's, don't even enter into this. They were mono soundtracks, so they're only going to sound a certain way. That can't be helped. Those are "Classics", when you talk about Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, The Thin Man, etc. I liked Casablanca, even though Bogey isn't one of my favorite actors either. I've seen it 3-4 times, and don't care to see it again. The Departed will never be considered a "Classic", even 100 yrs. from now.

Believe it or not, I think DeCrapio did ok in "The Aviator". He did that part very well. He even did a fair job in "The Man In The Iron Mask". I never saw those other movies mentioned, that he was in. I know he can do ok, when given the right part, but I still don't like some of what he's done, that I've seen. Again, he's just not a tough guy.

Aren't there actors that you don't care for? Hasn't there ever been an actor that you think, "I don't think I'd like him in real life"? (I don't count. I'm not an actor) Just something about them, that doesn't sit well with you?

A lot of things enter the mix of liking movies and/or actors. I hate George Clooney's politics, but one of my all time favorite movies is "O Brother, where art thou?". Then he turned around and did that piece of crap "Syriana" I don't care for John Travolta's religion, but he's done some very good movies! I don't like that Steven Seagal beat his wife (Kelly LeBrock), but I have every movie he's ever made (I think). I also have both his cds (he has a blues band. He plays lead guitar and sings). See what I mean?

[recoveryone]

[quote=Dusty Chalk]See, I thought the ending was perfect -- everything neatly tied up, yet not "Hollywood". Don't get me wrong -- I could see why people hated it; I have hated similar films for similar reasons. But for some reason, it just hit me as "right" for this movie.

I don't know on that one Dusty, Walburg capping Matt at the end was a bit of a stretch for me. It would have been better if the girl friend would have capped him. At least she had some real interest in doing it. Walburg role needed a bit more depth (background/history) he jumps in on Leo like he knows him from the hood and the same with Matt. The way it ended leaves one to think, was he in with Jack also? or did he just loose it because Matt was given control of the ops. I enjoyed the film so don't but me in the haterater group.

[PeruvianSkies]

I determine if a movie looks and sounds good. In your house, you probably determine if a movie looks and sounds good?
The old movies, made in the 30's and 40's, don't even enter into this. They were mono soundtracks, so they're only going to sound a certain way. That can't be helped. Those are "Classics", when you talk about Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, The Thin Man, etc. I liked Casablanca, even though Bogey isn't one of my favorite actors either. I've seen it 3-4 times, and don't care to see it again. The Departed will never be considered a "Classic", even 100 yrs. from now.

Believe it or not, I think DeCrapio did ok in "The Aviator". He did that part very well. He even did a fair job in "The Man In The Iron Mask". I never saw those other movies mentioned, that he was in. I know he can do ok, when given the right part, but I still don't like some of what he's done, that I've seen. Again, he's just not a tough guy.

Aren't there actors that you don't care for? Hasn't there ever been an actor that you think, "I don't think I'd like him in real life"? (I don't count. I'm not an actor) Just something about them, that doesn't sit well with you?

A lot of things enter the mix of liking movies and/or actors. I hate George Clooney's politics, but one of my all time favorite movies is "O Brother, where art thou?". Then he turned around and did that piece of crap "Syriana" I don't care for John Travolta's religion, but he's done some very good movies! I don't like that Steven Seagal beat his wife (Kelly LeBrock), but I have every movie he's ever made (I think). I also have both his cds (he has a blues band. He plays lead guitar and sings). See what I mean?

I don't think I would admit I owned every Steven Seagal movie ever made. But based on that comment alone, I can now see and understand why you didn't like THE DEPARTED.