Movie Review: Inglourious Basterds

So here's my first attempt to get caught up on my Oscar nominees. I figured I'd go with one of the cooler offerings to slip into the Best Picture category. Plus, I've been meaning to watch more of Quentin Tarantino's movies. I've only seen one other, and that's 1992's Reservoir Dogs, which I really liked. Everyone tells me I've gotta see Pulp Fiction but it hasn't happened yet.

But right now, it's all about Basterds. Let me tell you, very few film makers would try to rewrite history, especially the pitch-dark time period that was the second world war. But, this is Tarantino we're talking about, and what we have is a rip-roaring, often funny, occasionally tense revenge-fantasy that is as entertaining as it is cathartic.

Brad Pitt (luscious, luscious Brad Pitt) is a hoot as Lt. Aldo Raine, who leads a group of Jewish-American soldiers waging a campaign of terror against the Nazis in occupied France. Diane Kruger and Melanie Laurent hold up the female side of things, though I couldn't help but notice how much of a resemblance Laurent bares to Uma Thurman. Coincidence, or does Tarantino have a certain type, per se? But the player that really stood out to me was Christoph Waltz, who thoroughly earned that Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as SS Colonel Hans Landa, a man who's so charming at times you almost forget how freakin' evil he is...until he eventually reminds you.

And while there was lots of gratuitous violence and a few scenes I had to cover my eyes for, there was also a number of scenes that just had a lot of talking between characters, which I wasn't really expecting but still found very enjoyable. Overall, I think how much you like this film will depend on how tolerant you are of playing with history, and how strong a stomach you have for the violence. If you can stomach it, I'd recommend this little look at a war that could've been.

My Verdict: Funny, action-packed and brutal. All good, and what I'm coming to expect from a Tarantino film.

The Wonderful World of Disney (World)

I've come to the conclusion that Disney World really is the happiest place on earth. Don't agree? Then I'm guessing you haven't had the chance to visit there yet, have you?

I just got back from Florida, and I made it a point to visit said-happiest place on earth. I considered other theme parks, because Orlando is known for many tourist destinations, but really, how could I choose anything other than the Mouse House? So I drove the hour and a half north from Avon Park where I was staying with my Grandmother, to the vast expanse of area that Disney's four Florida theme parks take up to make it there in time for the parks to open.

Two days I spent wandering around two different parks. Day one was the Magic Kingdom. You gotta go to the Magic Kingdom. It's not a Disney trip if you don't. MK is the heart of what Disney is all about, where you can find a hodgepodge of the different characters, locales and history that make Disney so special. I was so excited when I pulled up in the parking lot. It may have been like my fourth visit there, but I was still excited. And even the rain that came late in the morning and stayed until early evening when I left to head back to Avon Park did not squelch the excitement. Sure, I missed out on a few live shows because of weather, but there were so many things to see indoors. I did all my favorites, from Pirates of the Caribbean to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Space Mountain to the Philharmagic to the Jungle Cruise to the Haunted Mansion. I tried some new things as well (or at least attractions I don't remember doing as a kid), like the Hall of Presidents, which was not at all what I expected; it was much classier and less corny than I anticipated. I did Cinderella's carousel and the Spinning Tea Cups too, and other fun activities. I did some shopping to keep out of the rain. They still had a parade, though it was the Rainy Day Character Cavalcade instead, with performers in coordinating rain gear and the characters in covered vehicles. I left the park that evening with a merry heart, wet jeans and a container of Wonderland Tea. The Mad Tea Party blend. Sweet!

Day two was spent at the Animal Kingdom, the only Disney World park I had not yet visited, as it was not finished when I was there as a kid and last year Hollywood Studios won out instead. I was surprised how much I loved Animal Kingdom. Even the unprecedented chill in the air didn't damper things (weather has no power over Disney, people!) I love animals, so I knew I'd enjoy that, and the park has a very strong focus on conservation, which is great in this day and age, but there was so much more to see. Live shows from The Lion King and Finding Nemo, a 3D movie with the characters from A Bugs Life, rides, a parade and, of course, animals, including some gorgeous tigers, big gorillas, monkeys, lions. They even have a safari you can go on. But my favorite, absolute favorite attraction was Expedition Everest, a full throttle roller coaster that takes you forwards, backwards and downwards in a huge drop as you fly through a man made Mt. Everest and escape the Yeti! I went on that ride not once, not twice, but three times! If the park hadn't closed right at 6pm, I may have gone for a fourth. But it did, and as we were ushered out to the trolley's that would take us to the parking lot I made sure to take one last look at the Tree of Life, Animal Kingdom's major landmark that needs to be seen to be believed.

I had a great time with my Grandma as well, so it was a great few days down south overall. I wore my Team Canada hoodie, and saw quite a few tourists at the parks do the same. I'm already wondering if I can make it back down there for next year. While the new Harry Potter park will be open by then and will likely compete for my attention, Disney World will always have a place in my heart. If you haven't seen it yet add the trip to your list, even if you're not much of a Disney fan. There's something for everybody.

Oscar Nominess and the Big 10

The nominations are out! Yay! Oscar Season, one of my favorite times of the year, people!

You know what I've realized, though? I really have not watched enough movies this year.

The 2010 Academy Award nominees have been announced, including ten picks for Best Picture, which has not been done since 1943. And as I glance over the selected films, I realize that I have not seen many of the nominees. That can't be good. In fact, the only Best Picture nominee I have seen is Up (which, by the way, is only the second animated movie to be nominated for Best Picture). I do like that two, count 'em, two sci fi films are also in that category. The Academy has a major bias towards sci fi. But, as I've said, I have seen neither.

Overall though, I'm not sure how to feel about having 10 in the Best Picture category. Sure, it allows for more audience-friendly fare, but it kind of cuts back on the prestige of the nomination. Plus, it'll make it that much harder to try to catch up in my movie watching over the next few weeks. But there are some BP noms that I will not watch. Precious being one (the subject matter is too brutal). The Blind Side and The Hurt Locker are others (not interested). I'm also still holding out on Avatar. Like Titanic, I may end up being one of the few people who has not seen it, and that's okay with me, because I'm just not keen on it. Some of you probably think I'm nuts, but I did not get where I am today by being a slave to what's popular, thank you very much.

But I like the Best Animated Film selections, some fine individuals have been nominated in general, and with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin hosting it should be a good show. What do you think? Any nominees surprise you, delight you or outrage you? Check them out here and let me know.

Now, I need a theatre and stat!

Some final thoughts on the Leno-O'Brien Debacle

Well, the whole controversy over NBC's The Tonight Show seems to have been finally settled. I'm not happy about it though, not by a long shot.

On January 21st, Conan O'Brien signed a settlement deal with the network to leave Tonight and got about $45 mil out of it, around $32 million for himself, and roughly $12 million for his staff (which NBC apparently did not want to cover in the agreement). Some of his staff members who were not covered by the settlement got about six weeks severance from O'Brien out of his own pocket. The dude is a class act all the way. The agreement also keeps O'Brien from appearing on another network at least until September of this year. Jay Leno will return to The Tonight Show in March.

Again, so not happy about this.

In O'Brien's final Tonight Show he gave a heartfelt final monologue, thanking NBC (the company that in the end screwed him over) for over 20 years of work they've done together. He spoke about how quitting the show was the hardest thing he's ever had to do, and thanked his fans and his staff for their work and support. One of the best things said by the embattled host that evening, however, would have to be this advice.

"All I ask of you is one thing... I ask this particularly of the young people who watch. Please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism. For the record, it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. I'm telling you, amazing things will happen."

Like I said, class act.

I don't think the same can be said for Leno. I really felt like he took an "It's not me doing this, it's the network" approach to the whole thing. And in some ways, that is correct. Oprah Winfrey, one of the few celebrities who supported Leno over O'Brien during all of this, pointed out that people who support O'Brien do so because they don't understand how the industry works. Perhaps, but for Leno to act like he had no say or power in this is just ridiculous and, frankly, kind of underhanded.

My feeling is that Leno could've stepped aside. Back in 2004, when it was announced that O'Brien would take over Tonight, Leno said on the show that he would allow O'Brien to take the reigns without incident. He stated that "I'll be 59 when [the switch occurs], that's five years from now. There's really only one person who could have done this into his 60s, and that was Johnny Carson; I think it's fair to say I'm no Johnny Carson." He also said that Tonight is a dynasty; "you hold it and hand it off to the next person." That's the Leno I would've liked to see when this hit the fan. I would've liked him to say "You know what, I had a great run on that show, it's a shame my prime time slot didn't work out, but let that red-headed kid take this as far as he can, and I'll find something else to do." If I had seen that Leno at all during the past few weeks, I would've cheered both men on.

But that Leno was nowhere in sight. A while back Leno even amended what he had said on The Tonight Show back in 2004, now saying that he was lying that night and that NBC was forcing him off the air. He's said that this host and time slot conflict was "all business". When he sat down with Oprah Winfrey on Jan. 25th he admitted that he hadn't spoken to O'Brien since the programming changes were first announced. Not cool Leno, not cool.

But, what's done is done. I may not like it, but there's not a damn thing I can do about it. Leno will be back on The Tonight Show, and O'Brien will hopefully be back better than ever in the fall on a network that will appreciate him for the talented, funny, classy guy that he is. As that old saying goes, the best revenge is living well. Maybe it'll be for the best that things turned out the way they did.

Any thoughts on the matter?