A Mortal Lock

Someone in the Oscars pre-production show not only has a long memory but also a twisted sense of humor. Vegas odds for the Academy Awards were posted at all the casinos. The 'Hurt Locker' was a 'wiseguys' pick; what gamblers call a 'mortal lock' to take down the director's award for Kathryn Bigelow. So who you going to dial-up to hand out that chunk of hardware? Why, none other than Barbara Streisand, who in 1983 and 1991 (midst swirling controversy) was passed over not once but twice for a best director's nomination, while the movies which she starred, produced and directed, 'Yentl' and 'Prince of Tides', were heavily nominated in other categories but...so it was a brassy move to roll Barbara out of mothballs, in anticipation of Kathryn Bigelow's historic win. Those of you who have been following the blog know that the 'Hurt Locker' was one of the first topics I wrote about last year. The movie has grossed only 12.2 million. A pitiful amount of money in the film industry; but make no mistake about it, the Hurt Locker is no candy ass movie made in some back lot. This is the film who could and did put the 'hurt' on a field admittedly diluted by the ridiculous 10 nomination best picture format. Bigelow's film stood tall and distinguished itself in a year dominated by big budgeted Hollywood films. Art over CGI. Chalk one up for Indie true grit. And how about Sandy Bullock? On a recent flight over the Pacific I watched 'The Blindside.' I felt like someone had called a line backer blitz on me. I was tired and emotionally drained from my trip, however I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. And maybe Bullock did 'over the years wear us all down.' What a refreshing self-deprecating remark! For two hours I launched myself into the drama and forgot momentarily where exactly I was. Somehow, I think Bullock would agree that's what good movies are all about.