Each week or so I post a readable or watchable and/or a
listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens
after my recommendation. Ignore, embrace, debate. Earlier volumes of The Rabbit Recommends can be found here.
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{illustrations by Derek Eads}
The Oscars begin in just a few hours and I'm giddy as get-out. I've always fancied red carpets and couture gowns and celebrities who lose in public.
Tonight, I'm particularly excited because an Alabama native, Octavia Spencer, will hopefully win a Best Supporting Actress trophy for her role as Minnie in The Help. This Montgomery native and Auburn alum deserves it. I promise to tweet "War Eagle" if she wins.
As for the Best Picture nominees, I'm a tad disappointed because only about half of the 9 flew up my skirt and I outright disliked a couple.
Here's my grade and brief take on each film for future DVD rental purposes:
Here's my grade and brief take on each film for future DVD rental purposes:
1. The Help: A- I thought it was well-acted and moved at a good pace. The quiet moments were rich and the plot drew you in. However, as a reader of the book, it fell a little short of the glory found in the pages.
2. Moneyball: A I don't even like baseball and I adored this film. I'm a sucker for an "inspired-by-true-events" and Brad Pitt was at his best. And I'm not just saying that because he's pretty.
3. The Descendants: A- I'd like to post a disclaimer. I watched this after just having returned from Hawaii, the setting of this film. George Clooney is the most beautiful person on the planet and I like every single job he's had - including his stint on Roseanne. That being said, this movie was touching, witty, and smart. A combo that's a rare gem.
4. Tree of Life: C- Visually? Stunning. Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain? Moving. Plot? I'm not sure I even know what happened.
5. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close: B I adored this novel as well by Jonathan Safran Foer and wanted to love this film. I mean, it's Tom Hanks. But as imagined, he's not in it very long and the weight of the movie rests on the shoulders of Thomas Horn. He seems like a great kid, but his acting is what affected the grade. He just didn't communicate the grief so crucial to the plot.
6. The Artist: B- Beautiful cinematography and so gracefully nuanced that I was paying close attention. I was genuinely attached to George and Peppy throughout the film. But I learned this about myself: Jamie likes sound.
7. War Horse: A It was so good, I cried. Twice. For someone who doesn't think animals go to heaven, that should be reason enough to add it to your queue.
8. Midnight in Paris D I know some of you rabbit readers have already mentioned how much you loved this film. I wanted to love it. I watched it once on a plane and then gave it another shot on DVD thinking my dislike was fueled by altitude. However, even at sea level, it was not enjoyable.
9. Hugo A- An orphan working on a robot in France in the 1930's? It was fabulous. Another tear-jerker. Minus points because it was in 3-D. Those glasses are ridiculous.
Note: If I was a member of the Academy, I would have voted for Moneyball.
Disagree with my assessments? Did you see any of the nominees? What film should have been nominated?
1. Shopping for postcards. I offered to send you, the Rabbit Reader, a postcard via the old-fashioned US Postal Service and you responded kindly. Those go out this weekend. It's not too late to get your home sweet home included - 
