Did anyone else think that Crash was an exceptionally mediocre film? I just finished watching it and I may never bother to sit through the Oscars again. I am fairly good at explication, but just what is the goddamned theme supposed to be anyway? All races are capable of racism? I already knew that. Predjeduces may be innacurate? Prejeduces may be extremely fucking accurate? Terence Howard looks like he uses a crimping iron? The movie should have been called “Guilt”.
I also watched Good Night and Good Luck last night. As much of a fan as I am of historical and biographical movies, I was tempted to paint one of my bedroom walls halfway through. So I could watch it dry instead. I need films that have a little something extra in order to be fully entertained. Like “Ernest Goes To…” tacked on to the beginning of the title.
Interesting. I actually found Crash to be a enjoyable, yet sobering film. This may have been in part caused by my very low expectations going into it . . . although the scene with the little girl protecting her dad made me all of a “klempt” (sp?) to borrow from Mike Meyers.
I haven’t seen crash yet, but Munich and Walk the Line were both top class films.
I thought the word was “vaklempt” but I’m a gentile, so what do I know. I enjoyed Crash, and nearly threw up when the child ran out to protect her dad (chalk that up to having a five-year-old girl, myself). The movie certainly takes the pound-you-over-the-head approach to the racism discussion, and I don’t think anyone would disagree that the characters’ racism is far more superficial than realistic. Nobody talks that way. Instead they say things like “Oh, that Deval Patrick is so articulate” – meaning he doesn’t seem too black – or “we found a great condo with a city view in Eastie, but the neighborhood was a little sketchy” – meaning there were too many hispanic grocerias.
Still, that’s what movies are all about. Truly, do you know anyone who talks like a Quentin Tarantino character? I doubt it. Should it have won the Oscar? meh. To my mind, the best discussions of racism are happening on The Chappelle Show.
I reckon your Blog is morphing into serious one-stop shop for all things meaningful! Popular music, cinema, sports, literature, etc. Essential stuff!
While on the subject, I agree totally with you about ‘Crash’ and would advise you not to waste your beauty sleep time on the Oscars. Last 2-3 years have been nothing short of a disgrace in my eyes but sadly reflect the sheer paucity of ideas, talent and originality coming out of Hollywood. There’s only so many smug biopics and pathetic lowest common denominator remakes I can take! Virtually every movie winning an award this year was utter and complete Trousers in my opinion. The best cinema is currently coming out of the Far East without question. Best movies of 2005 by a country mile were ‘Old Boy’, ‘Zatoichi’ and ‘2046’.
I think you hit the nail on the head, Dave when you said that all races are capable of racism and that prejudices can be quite accurate or way off and the way in which the movie throws that in your face is exactly what makes it so good. It is definitly the guilty feeling the movie imparts on every person that sees it that either makes them hate it or love it. For me, I certainly have always been of the mind that I am neither a racist nor a prejudice person but as the movie points out, everyone has had those racist and prejudices comments cross their minds at one point or another. The aftershock of 911 is a perfect example of those racist fears and prejudices actually coming to the surface. I think Crash was far more qualified to be nominated for an Oscar than Brokeback Mountain. At least it had a point better than not knowing ‘how to quit someone’
Walk the Line was another great nomination but that’s cause Johnny Cash is just the man.
Munich was the best film I saw last year.
Munich Rocked. It totally got Shawshanked…
really dave? then how come you kept jiggling your knee and fiddling with my elastic the whole time? ADHD much?