Queer at the Oscars

So I had another birthday yesterday. Seems to slip up on me about once a year. The partner's back in town, so we went into Barca for dinner and a movie. We saw Milk, so there's no excuse for all you folks in the states. If you haven't seen it, do so now. Ok, I'll give you 'till the weekend but only if you bring an excuse note from your gay neighbor. 

Actually the title in Spanish is Mi Nombre es Harvey Milk, so in the listings it appears as Mi Nombre es... Not very helpful if you've been anticipating something with a significantly shorter title. I'll never understand the whole Spanish title system. 

ANYWAY, title notwithstanding we made it just in time. Probably the most watchable thing Gus Van Sant has ever filmed. He really told a story this time, a story that wasn't lost in all that amazing artistic talent showcased in most of his films. Also not to be missed is an amazing performance by Sean Penn. You knew he could act, right? But did you know he could act happy? Maybe they should let him kiss boys more often. And I continue to be blown away by Josh Brolin. Seriously, watch this guy. Incredible. 

So I'll be rooting for Milk to carry away several Oscars this year. It received nominations in a handful of categories: Actor (Penn), Supporting Actor (Brolin), Costume Design (Danny Glicker), Directing (Van Sant), Film Editing (Elliot Graham), Score (Danny Elfman), Best Picture (Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen), and Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black). It ought to get some of those. 

Not necessarily queer though certainly liberal, Wall-E looks like the only thing in the Animated Feature Film category. It does get a bit preachy on the environment, but the criticism of the American lifestyle is dead-on (yes, you are the fat people riding around in little chairs being endlessly entertained). 

I also expect Australia to walk away with something. This is exactly the kind of movie people like my parents absolutely love. Something mistakenly identified as an epic. Think Gone With the Wind down under. It's good. But that's it. It's just good. And long. And cute. Who can resist a ten-year-old mixed-race boy with an adorable accent? Goes best with milk and cookies.

And last but not least (drum roll please) I hate to be the cynical bastard to say this, but I think they gave too many nominations to Dark Knight. It was fine, really. And yes, Heath Ledger's life was cut tragically short immediately after. I really feel sorry for his loved ones. But to throw every possible nomination at the film except Best Live-Action Short for the trailer is just overkill. It was just a good if typical action movie based on a comic book character. Nothing more.