Here and There

I need a distraction.

So I scroll past the death of a champion of social justice and equal rights to the AMPAS’s Oscar nominations for 2005.

Brokeback Mountain is the big winner here, to no surprise. But this awards show, I want Heath Ledger to get the recognition he deserves (I realize his performance is critically acclaimed, but apart from nominations, he’s yet to win any awards). Philip Seymour Hoffman is outstanding in Capote (another strong film with gay under- and overtones), but as has been duly pointed out, Ledger brought a fictional character to life, a slightly more amazing feat than recreating an historical figure we know from pictures and video.

I’m pulling for a Brokeback sweep, in fact. Lee for director, Michelle Williams for supporting actress (despite my mini-rant yesterday), adapted screenplay, original score, and, most importantly, Jake Gyllenhaal for best supporting actor. That guy’s career is too amazing, and his performance in Brokeback too strong, to net him anything less.

I don’t typically care about the Oscars. I’ve only attended one Oscar party in my life, several years ago, and I don’t remember any of the movies.

This year is different, and not only because of Brokeback Mountain. There were other important films this year, and (again, despite what I’ve said in past tirades, it was, overall, a good year for movies.

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