1. It makes the win all the more prestigious? I think it was to provide a wider sampling of tastes in the Best Picture category because the Academy often gets called pretentious. Can you believe that? Pretentious. This is the group that gave Best Picture nominations to “Capote” and “Letters from Iwo Jima.” Now all the normal moviegoers can rejoice at seeing “The Blind Side” (gag) and “Avatar” in the Best Picture lineup because they are too lazy to see quality entertainment like “An Education.”

2. 6 of my top 10 made the Best Picture list for this year, which I think is pretty darn good. “Avatar” and “District 9″ were both on my supplemental list. “A Serious Man” has grown on me some since I slapped it with a B-, but “The Blind Side” has only become more cliched with time. Is it the absolute best representation of cinema in 2009? No. But it does a pretty good job (save the previously lamented movie), without a doubt better than last year with the heinous omission of “The Dark Knight.”

3. “Precious” is really that good. See my review which pretty much encapsulates my feelings: yes, it is tough to watch, but hope shines through.

http://marshallandthemovies.com/2009/11/17/preciousreview/

4. If you want to do some homework, start with “The Hurt Locker.” Also on video, check out “Inglourious Basterds” and “Julie & Julia.” In theaters, head to “An Education,” “Crazy Heart,” and “Precious” (if you can handle it).

And this goes out to not only Erin: I am more than happy to provide a home for your movie-related rant here. In fact, I welcome it. Want to rant about “Up in the Air?” I’ll tear you to shreds, but go for it.

2. I will confess now that I haven’t seen a number of the nominated movies and several of the ones I did see I thought were awful. Well, maybe not awful, but not worthy of Oscars. District 9? Meh. Amusing, I suppose. Avatar? Visually impressive, but otherwise tedious. Poor writing, tired storyline. I literally took a nap in the middle.

3. I cannot see Precious. Just can’t – it goes on the list of movies that are just too difficult for my little heart. Maybe one day I’ll work up to it like I did with American History X. But merits aside, why on God’s green earth does it have to have such an atrocious title? Also, do you think it was really that good, or are we all just suckers for a tough true story?

4. Okay, that is all. Truthfully, I found it to be a ho-hum year in movies. Didn’t realize that till I just looked over this list and started thinking about how many movies I saw in theaters this year (and yes, I didn’t see all the nominated ones, but I saw an awful lot. Not as many as you, of course, but still. Guess I have some homework to do before Oscar night.)

You’re the best. Thanks for giving me a place to rant about how much I hated Avatar.
Heart!