The Useless Critic 2.0

I have always adored the Oscars, because I love celebrities and I love good movies. I'm also vapid. Love me, hate me. So, as goes without even introducing anymore, here comes your Useless Critic utterly useless thoughts on the nominations, which were announced today . I don't think any of the Best Picture nominations were surprises. And I'm pretty glad they've kept the category so large. It allows more room for interesting picks (read: abandon hope NOW.) "Nebraska" has been getting a TON of buzz, arguably the most "dark horse" of all candidates. And let's face it: This race is going to come down to "American Hustle" vs. "Gravity." Seriously: Where have I been? I was a bit disappointed about several things though, none of them being Jennifer Lawrence's cleavage.  Ahem. Where was I? 1.) "Before Midnight" only getting ONE  nomination. There is so much to love about t...

"Her" has gotten enough attention as "Gravity," "American Hustle," "The Wolf of Wall Street," etc. A lot of people and periodicals will insist this is the best film of 2013. After some inactivity on his part that Spike Jonze may have delivered the film of his career. Is it? It's one of the best- it's an unsettling, moving picture that manages to crawl under your skin. Despite its more fantastical properties, "Her" is riveting- and one of those movies that come along every now and then that manage to slip the viewer realistically in through the protagonist's vulnerabilities.  Joaquin Phoenix gives an amazing performance as Theodore, who is a borderline loser everyman, but more really just a lonely man going through a bitter divorce from his longtime love (acerbically played by "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," Mara Rooney.) He lives in flashbacks and lives by himself. Every emotion he goes through, the vi...

o hay Matishyahu! I don't know what to think about Mr. Phoenix ditching acting for music. Part of me think it's an asinine move, the other part of me thinks it's hilarious and the remaining part of me (that cares) is like HAHAHAHA YOU'RE AWESOME. I'm kind of curious to see what he does. Joaquin Phoenix is a pretty cool guy. If the fact he now is sporting a beard doesn't confirm that, then I really don't know what does. AND I'm kind of curious to see, you know, if "Two Lovers" isn't the self-indulgent shitty want-to-be-art-film a la "Garden State" I think it might be. http://www.twoloversmovie.com/ but of course it skips here. :( AND THIS JUST IN: Peter Gabriel Pulls Out of Oscars HA HA HA HE PULLED OUT "Gifted f. Kanye West, Santogold and Lykke Li"- N.A.S.A. - Brittany