Comments for Burlaki [back] on the Hudson

Comment on Rainstorm aftermath by Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:16:00 +0000

Ah, see? The gods are trying to give you the lottery win, but short of that they gave you the tragic storm instead. Same odds, eh? (grin)

Dr. Phil

Comment on Oscars by Brian Greenberg

Brian Greenberg — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:51:43 +0000

I guess it comes down to whether you consider the director as “controlling” only the actors, or everything that appears on screen. Given how much control he had over the entire process (and how much of the technology he had a hand in inventing/designing), I tend to give him more credit than the movie itself.

I can easily see how you’d classify the exact same sentiment as “best picture” but not “best director,” though.

Maybe there should be an Oscar for most popular movie? Or I guess the People’s Choice awards covers that…

Comment on Oscars by Ilya

Ilya — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:29:26 +0000

We'll agree to disagree on Avatar, gentlemen. I don't know what your definition of the "best" movie is, but I am pretty sure it should include the measure of the film's popularity and a consideration of its impact. And when those two are so outsized as they are with Avatar, I don't think any amount of brilliant acting or gripping story-lines can outweigh them. I actually do not think Cameron has done such great directing job here precisely because the acting performances were middling. But the overall impact was undeniable. No movie in a longest time comes close. You are entitled to a different measure system, of course.

Comment on Oscars by Kisintin

Kisintin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:22:27 +0000

I have watched the opening and it was uncofortable, although Neil patrick Harris was good. I’ve DVRed the show, but I think with so much stuff already recorded I am going to skip it this year.

Comment on Oscars by Brian Greenberg

Brian Greenberg — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:43:34 +0000

I'm with Vince on Avatar. As I said in my review, I found it a technically excellent presentation of a mediocre movie. If they wanted to honor James Cameron for revolutionizing movies (which I do believe he did), then Best Director was the award to give him. Instead, it went to his ex-wife, also for The Hurt Locker. I haven't seen the film, so I have no basis to judge, but the fact that they had Barbra Streisand present the award (and rather obnoxiously declare ahead of time that the woman and the African-American were more "historic" choices than the white, male visionary) lead me to believe that this was more about the academy connecting with its politically correct identity than it was a true choice for Best Director. Kudos to Kathryn Bigelow for shunning the "modifier," as she calls it, and yearning for a day when it's a moot point. It's a shame that Babs' speech, along with the nomination of such a popular and innovative director, makes me feel the way I do - especially if Bigelow really did deserve the award. Maybe one day I'll see the movie and decide for myself...

Comment on Oscars by Vince

Vince — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:18:00 +0000

While I pretty much don’t care about the Oscars, I would have to disagree with you about Avatar. I don’t think it deserved Best Picture, or even being considered for best picture. Yes, it set the standard for CGI and 3-D, and that’s no small accomplishment. But quite frankly I thought maybe George Lucas had written the script. And the acting was OK, but not outstanding.

Like the Grammys, the Oscars are often a poor measure of actual quality. And so is popularity.

Comment on Oscars by Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:09:44 +0000

Actually the Oscars officially started at 8:30pm EST, not 8pm, which is why after half an hour, they finally got around to awarding the Best Supporting Actor. 8pm was the Red Carpet Show, which I usually avoid. (grin)

Dr. Phil

Comment on Being cool by Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:37:19 +0000

Just be careful not to be too cool. When I was a kid, one of my mother’s favorite songs (which she’d turn up whenever it came on the radio), was Dylan’s “Lay Lady, Lay”. I was mortified when there were other kids in the car and said things like, “Mo-oo-om! Do you know what that song’s about?

Comment on Being cool by Brian Greenberg

Brian Greenberg — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:04:13 +0000

The Beatles were kids themselves, and kids seem to identify with that. Sinatra was a heartthrob at the beginning, but he lost his “kid-cred” when he kept on singing into his 70’s. Tony Bennett was smart enough to get it back – go figure…

Comment on Being cool by Kisintin

Kisintin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:47:35 +0000

Once again proof, that Beatles withstand time. I wonder how teens would react to my Sinatra – BB King collections. Oh well, only 10 more years to find out.