Talking Movies

One of the perks of unemployment is that you get to watch the live telecasts of those glamour awards shows from the US, which airs in the morning (Malaysian time) on weekdays. Just now I just finished viewing the 2006 Golden Globes. Before I start commentating about them it is best to give a SPOILER WARNING for those who have yet to watch the recording and want to be surprised when they do.

So, it has to be said my most enjoyable moment was when my man, Hugh Laurie won the best drama series actor for his portrayal of Dr. Gregory House. His acceptance speech was the best of the whole night. Even though I already knew he’s British but it’s still a delight to hear him talk in the accent. That would explain his tremendous wit in the show. Also because he was one of the pioneers in the Blackadder series. Go figure.

The women of Desperate Housewives took 4 out of the 5 nominations for best actress in a comedy series, and yet they were beaten by another portrayal of suburban mom in modern America played by Mary Louis Parker. It was a surprise and for some even shock. As Chris Rock said, the four women, whose lives are about “having affairs, popping pills and murder” was outdone by another suburban mom who was “selling dope”. He was referring to Weeds although I doubt the show will ever reach Malaysian shores. But Desperate did won best comedy series. A bit of reprieve for the women and obviously Marc Cherry.

One of the movies that I haven’t heard of but I would love to see as highlighted during the awards is the musical comedy The Producers. When you put Nathan Lane, Mel Brooks and Will Ferrell in one movie about staging a Broadway-like musical, you’re going to get one hell of a fun movie.

The biggest disappointing result to me, which was also in turn the biggest news of the night was the success of Brokeback Mountain. It won the best drama movie and its director, Ang Lee of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame, received the director’s honor. While I’m glad that an Asian director won an award as prestigious as a Golden Globe while beating the likes of Steven Spielberg (Munich) along the way, the recognition for the film itself is somewhat resentful. It tells the story of two rugged Western family men concealing their affair. In other words, it’s about two gay cowboys falling in love with each other. And those cowboys are Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger. Ooh fantasy galore but I can’t help but think it’s such a lame storyline. What I would have preferred was Good Night, and Good Luck. A film by George Clooney which tells the intense story of CBS reporter, Ed Murrow going against then controversial Senator Joseph McCarthy who preyed upon the Communism paranoia in the 1950’s. The fact the whole movie was displayed in black and white ala Schindler’s List gave it a sense of authenticity and clairvoyance. Another of my choice would be A History of Violence. It tells the story of one man, played by Viggo Mortensen of Hidalgo and King Aragorn fame, who is a small time diner restaurateur and good old family man. Then suddenly he realizes that he possesses this uncanny ability to carry out effective killing. Soon, strange people are showing up at his doorstep telling him he has another history. A violent one. Kind of like those Bourne trilogy stories.

So, I’m glad for Hugh Laurie but Brokeback Mountain just despairs me. As you know, like they say, a good run in the Golden Globe would provide a strong momentum for the Oscars. Brokeback Mountain for Best Picture? Oh God, it’s Titanic all over again – just worse.