Back to regular viewing this week, with probably the only time I’ll type this in a place that isn’t directed at my girlfriend: Sorry, I was wrong.

A few weeks ago, I posted a top 5 of 2009, but up until that point I hadn’t seen one of the films, which has had the most amount of well deserved critical acclaim mixed with equal parts of stellar reviews everywhere, but I missed it in the cinema, thinking it was all hype, choosing District 9 over it. But I regret that. Because, this film, that I discovered this week, is in fact a near perfect film. I have nothing original to say about the film that you couldn’t already read elsewhere, because everyone who has reviewed it have been more accurate than anything I could ever say. So, I’m sorry, my top 5 of 2009, which was (in descending order), Fantastic Mr Fox, Up, (500) Days of Summer, Star Trek and Moon at the top, have all been bumped down one significant spot. And I wouldn’t really care about it, to be honest, but this film is so good, I had to tell everyone to watch it…. So, okay, I was a wrong, I made a mistake – I’m sorry: The Hurt Locker, is the greatest film of 2009. And would have definitely made it into the top films of the decade.

So, what you should be doing now, is quitting this column, going over to any reputable online store, or a Tesco or anywhere that sells DVD’s (or if you have the capacity for Blu Ray, get that), and buy The Hurt Locker as soon as you can, because it’s better than this column. Like I’ve said in previous columns, I won’t review it – other people will do it better than me, but it is not a penny spent or frame that’s wasted;

The film brings together two soldiers in a bomb squad in Iraq, joined by a third (the defuser of the three), played by James Renner. Renner is a typical, yet not cliché, solider/protagonist, in that he’s reckless and boisterous, he’s very much driven by adrenaline. And being politically relevant, I was fully convinced that at any point during that film, all three would men would die (and I’m not saying they don’t), because it’s so tense – Renner disabling bombs as the others try and provide support, it’s a case of ‘is that bomb going to blow, or are they going to fire or be fired upon?‘, and at no point was I still or thought that it was only the mere threat of danger.

Renner was addicted to war, which makes you wonder a lot. About war, and about people, but hey! I’m not going to write about psychology. It offers enjoyment on many levels, it’s so amazing, it got 9 Academy Award nominations!

Ooh, that was a cheap segway into writing about the Oscars…..

Yes, we all love the Oscars. We all like to predict, and I find myself wondering this year, If there’ any point?

First of all, yes, 10 best pictures is pathetic, it contains two 3D films, (three 3D films were nominated, if you include Coraline for Best Animated)

Avatar and The Hurt Locker both nabbed the most nods with 9 each. Which makes me happy and sad at the same time. My gut tells me that The Hurt Locker deserves pretty much every damn award it’s up for, but I won’t hate it when Avatar beats it to most, because, well – let’s all admit it, The Academy is biased, and considering Avatar has made billions – plural – they’re going to push 3D. And I don’t blame them (hey, it keeps piracy down)

I’d be very pleased if THL gets Best Director more than anything else – They can (and have) regarded Cameron in the past, and Avatar has had its almost unanimous approval, it’d be fair and just for his ex-wife to get the Statue. Because anyone who says she doesn’t deserve it is a fool – Cameron himself admitted that she should have taken home the Globe for it. What a guy.

Up is pretty much guaranteed Best Animated Picture – it’s the only animated film in Best Picture. Bit unfair really…

I was a little winded by the fact that Clint Eastwood never got a nod for director with Invictus. I suppose there’s only five slots and he consistently churns out films that are five star, so why tell the grass it’s green? Give someone else a go.

I’m going with Avatar, Bigelow, Jeff Bridges getting his first win after five previous noms, I couldn’t even guess on Leading Actress, or supporting, I thought Marion Cotillard was the best female actress all yea, so I’m baffled. Supporting actor will go to Inglorious as will Supporting Actor for Colonel Hans Landa. Which will be deserved.

The Hurt Locker deserves Original Screenplay, but adapted will fall to Up In The Air, usually the quirky comedy wins in the Original category, but UITA is a lot better than In The Loop , and Up In The Air will probably get snubbed in all other categories, but with eight nods, it won’t go home empty handed.

Cinematography… deservedly? I don’t know. I admire each of these for very different reasons; Cameron created all his visuals, which probably made camera work and frame manipulation something you don’t have to worry about, Quentin’s War-Western opening, followed by all kinds of styles is definitely a showcase of skilled camera work, but Harry Potter can politely move from the spotlight. (Haven’t seen the foreign one, which is silly of me)

Editing will be an Avatar job, but also, just because they’ll want it to pick up the most – although I can’t complain, I think it’s some of the greatest editing ever.

Up will bag two – Best Animated Picture and Best Score – The score is a piece of genius, Giacchino being one of the best composers around – along with Zimmer who’s got his 8th nom, for Sherlock Holmes.

No-one ever cares about the rest, so I’ll skip em.

I don’t particularly care about the outcome of these, Avatar will bag many, but THL will be recognised by The Academy, hopefully District 9 will too.

Although I’m probably wrong all-round; I won’t be apologizing for anything else after this!

Next week… I think I’ll write about 3D!

Related posts:

1. Bi-Weekly Bugle – Issue 4 – Superhero Movie Edition
2. Bi-Weekly Bugle – Issue 3
3. B-Weekly Bugle – Issue 4 – My Problem With Superhero Movies
4. Bi-Weekly Bugle – Issue 1
5. Bi-Weekly Bugle – Issue 2