ArtReborn Seems strange that gifted actors such as Brad and Cate aren't able to make you care about the characters. Are they really unlikable people in it? Cate & Brad are not unlikable; their characters are the least developed in my opinion. Cate Blanchette's talent is completely wasted in this film. Any B list actress could play her role. My husband made me laugh as we were leaving the theater, he said he thought that if Babel pulls out a Best Picture win here, that this film will be more ridiculed than The English Patient was after it won Best Picture. He reminded me of a Seinfeld episode where Jerry and Elaine can't figure out how The English Patient won Best Picture. Elaine says all she could think about during the movie, was "Nobody cares, Just Die Already, Just Die." When Blanchette's character tells Pitt that she wet her pants that's when the Seinfeld episode popped into his head. LOL

Leela, I liked 21 grams too. A bit less on second viewing. About the Queen, I reluctantly decided to supress my aversion for anything related to royals and see it, since it got so much attention. I found it very funny at times, actually. Certainly entertaining, well-paced and with more than just one great performance. Good score, too. Regarding the SAG awards, Alec Baldwin and Mark have been announced as presenters. :)

here's my take, enjoyed reading everyone else's The Queen - well I love Helen Mirren (got hooked on her British TV show, Prime Suspect) and she can do no wrong almost, she even does comedy. Best pic, no, but it's a well-made well acted movie, helps if you like the royals :lol: Babel - zzzz. been there, done that. please no more of these movies for a long time at least where 5-6 stories simultaneously are played out, and interconnected, and we're supposed to feel we've witnessed something very inspiring and full of humanity. me, not so much. Letters - have not seen. Little Miss Sunshine - some laugh out loud scenes and I really like Steve Carrell for some odd reason. Toni C. got on my last nerve though, though I usually like her, it was her character. Didn't everyone see the ending a mile away? Not a best Oscar pic, its minor. P.S The English Patient was a masterpiece compared to Out of Africa.

Leela Do appreciate your promise to post LARGE WARNING SIGNS in the future :) Will Thanks for info that Mark/Alec will be present The "E" SAG red carpet show begins at 4:00 Central on Sunday Also read the Brad Pitt is staying here in town to work on his film....and will not be attending .. Of course...I would like to think that somehow he knows Babel isn't winning ensemble award and thus the reason he is not flying out for the day :roll: The Queen The one aspect of the "The Queen" that I wondered about was similar to how I felt after seeing "WTC"....is how much emotion did the movie maker actually 'create /produce' in the viewer versus the moviemaker just feeding off of 'emotions' that were already present in the viewer because he/she lived through the event In other words ..I felt that Scorsese and Co had to draw you into their story ...whereas ...especially in "The Queen" which used a great deal of actual footage of Diana ...how much did they allow that footage to draw you in rather than having to do it themselves :?: ?

Nota Thanks for your response....hopefully I'll see one of the commercials....if not...just GLAD to hear they are advertising ! :) Personally think a nice SAG placement card below :roll:

Ok Now I've seen Babel, the Queen is back in cinemas here too but I still have Blood Diamond to catch later today. (There should really be 3 day weekends at this time of year) :lol: Aryl You need to see Babel, you might not feel quite so confident about it's chances for best pic. It has some very moving moments but you have to wait an awful long time to get to them. I agree with az_sun's comments in that the Brad/Blanchett strand is probably the least interesting and if you discount that it would almost qualify as a foreign picture. The Departed is still way ahead for me on every level. :D

SAG awards tonight!! let's hope TD wins ensemble and supporting actor. Good Luck!!

leela, I plan on seeing it the moment it comes out on vid (about 5 days before the Oscars I believe) and I'm with ya goodfella - Here's hoping Departed wins for ensemble tonight!

SAG AWARDS I truly can NOT make any comment at this moment without it being X rated ... .just have to say "I give MY personal award for "Best Acting by Ensemble" to "The Departed'

C'mon!! what's happening? everyone claimed how good the actors where in TD and now, 0 SAG awards and more zeros will come. I don't know it seems that everybody is afraid of giving awards to TD or it's just me with a very fan opinion?LMS is a cute movie and all that stuff, but every year we see movies like this, little comedies with fine actors, it's not a surprise or somethin' special, I dunno. I can not make more comment without being X rated, Peanut80!!! LOL BTW, at least Alec Baldwin has won for his role in 30 rock, I really love Alec's work in comedy, he's hilarious

Oh well....some nice shots of Leo in the room and George and Peggy too I think. Forest was no suprise but LMS was. It could have been a made-for-TV film with that ending that was obvious almost from the beginning. Forest needs a speechwriter LOL We saw "The Last King of Scotland" yesterday and I won't be seeing it again. Very confronting and very true of Amin's regime I believe but I won't do any spoilers. Forest was awesome. I haven't seen all the films nominated and most of the TV series were unknown to me but Helen Mirren is always wonderful and Julie Andrews could give Warren Beatty lessons - and I don't mean how to sing. BAFTAS next.

Anyway, scorsese films use to have more credit and recognition 10 years after so in 2016 we will reunite here again to talk about the special 10th aniversary edition and how people is complaining movies like TD are no longer make. See you in 10 years guys!!!buhbye