Oscars ... 22 years in a row

[Twoback]

This marks the 22nd consecutive year I've seen all five nominated pictures before Oscar night. I've gone to some extreme lengths to keep that streak going, including taking a bus from New Jersey to Manhattan and then cabbing it 40 blocks to see "Elizabeth" during the 1999 NCAA regionals, and walking 3 miles through the Vegas desert back to my hotel when I couldn't get a cab to pick me up from seeing "Kiss Of The Spider Woman."
So, having added Iwo Jima to the collection this year, here's how I rank the five nominees:
1. The Queen
2. Little Miss Sunshine
3. The Departed
4. Babel
5. Letters From Iwo Jima

 

[EE94]

If you need a life, there's a couple of spares out behind the garage.

 

[sportschick]

I'm impressed. I always try to see them all and never pull it off. The only one I'll see this year is The Departed.

 

[Ace]

Kudos, twoback.

 

[Dyno]

I try to see them all, too, Twoback. In fact, I try to see all the movies with nominees in the major categories. Some years it's harder than others, but I usually pull it off. I did this year, in any case.

I'm stumped for Best Picture. I couldn't stand The Departed, but I think it might win. I also wouldn't be surprised if Little Miss Sunshine won, not because I think it deserves to. I think the fact that Letters From Iwo Jima is all subtitled hurts its chances (I'm never surprised to hear that people don't want to have to read when they go to the movies.) and I think Babel's heavy plotlines (and subtitles) hurt it, too.

 

[Pringle]

I'll have seen three of the five by Sunday night ("The Departed" and "Babel" sitting on the entertainment center for tonight). I used to see them all, when I was single. But the wife isn't as much of a movie-goer as I am. She actually pulled the "I don't like to see serious movies because the world is too depressing and I don't want to be reminded of that" card on me last night, which is why her mother says she doesn't watch the news. So my wife is beginning to turn into her mother.

OK, back to movies

 

[Twoback]

If you need a life, there's a couple of spares out behind the garage.

Good thing I don't need a sense of humor, because this made me laugh.

 

[WSKY]

Twoback, how often do you pick the winner?

 

[Twoback]

The movie I favor never wins. In fact, most years it isn't nominated. I've won a few Oscar pools in the past, but this is going to be a tough year. There's no dominant picture.
If I had to predict, I think Babel might get it.

 

[Lugnuts]

Twoback, you're a great story. If you lived in my market, I'd pitch you.

I really liked The Queen, too.

I'm curious... in your 22 years, what have been some of your favorites?

 

[Buck]

Our critic says 'The Queen' is going to win.

 

[WSKY]

I have only seen Sunshine and Departed ... but for some reason I think Sunshine will win. I'll probably rent Babel before Sunday and watch it.