Hi Toochis:
In fairness, the hatred between Frank Rich and Mel Gibson is mutual, and it started when Rich accused Gibson of anti-semitism and brought Mel's father into the discussion as a Holocaust-denier. It escalated when Gibson made a death threat against Rich in an interview w/the New Yorker.
But as far as Clint getting nominated for Best Actor -- I was also happy. Though everyone says Jamie Foxx is a "slam dunk" in this category, it's nice to see Clint get nominated because in "Million Dollar Baby," it's the first time I've seen Clint showing a decent amount of range.
Clint reminds me of those great actors who always play themselves and audiences don't care. John Wayne always played John Wayne, Woody Allen always plays Woody Allen and Cary Grant, the best example, always played Cary Grant. Of the three, Cary Grant NEVER won an Oscar except a special statue long after he retired.
Clint always plays Clint and we don't care. But in "Baby," his acting had my wife in tears. He's tremendous; and in any other year, he might be the favorite to win an acting Oscar. But who knows? Clint already has 2 statues for "Unforgiven" (and I like "Million Dollar Baby" a lot more), and John Wayne had to wait until 1970, 8 years before his death, when he won Best Actor for 1969's "True Grit."
The huge difference is that Clint has proven himself a great artist, perhaps underrated, as an independent producer dating back to the early 1970s with his still running Malpaso company. I love the guy even though he's going up against another maverick I adore, Martin Scorcese. The problem with Scorcese and Oscar is his material is rarely mainstream. And if and when Scorcese wins, I want it to be because of merit, not sentiment. It still pains me that Al Pacino got his Oscar, for example, for "Scent of a Woman," and not for his Godfather pictures, Serpico or Dog Day Afternoon. I can't even watch Pacino in that film, anymore than I can watch Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Man." (Though Dustin was the best thing in "Meet the Fockers;" he'll always find work.)
Anyway, more than anyone wanted to hear from me; sorry; it's been a while.
-d.
----Original Message Follows----
From: Toochis Morin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: Toochis Morin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU Subject: Re: Please stop giving away plot twists for newly released films! Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 01:33:55 -0800
David, I couldn't agree with you more. I was also offended when Frank Rich wrote that Passion of the Christ's nomination for make-up was for big noses. How low does he have to go to get attention? Obviously very low.
I loved Million Dollar Baby and just tell people to go see it. Whatever one hears about it they cannot help but be moved by this impressive film.
I'm glad Clint also got nominated for best actor. Toochis
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