Memoirs of a Geisha
I wanted to write about this for quite sometime, but somehow did not have the energy to blog :) Here it is anyway, i watched Memoirs of a Geisha sometime back in theatre. It was simply awesome, it was such a visual delight! The Costumes and the art direction just take you to the early 20th century. But the major highlight of the movie that scored over Cinematography and art direction was Music. I am surprised why John Williams didn't grab the Oscar this time(even though he had two nominations). The Cello Solos were just too good.
By the way, if you have read this blog entry that i wrote some two years back, you can realize that Memoirs of a Geisha has 5 of the 6 factors mentioned in this checklist! Here is the checklist:
1. It should be narrated by a drawling gruff voice
2. It should have at least one flashback scene
3. It should begin in a tragedy and end with healing or vice versa
4. It should have an amazing soundtrack.
5. Somebody important must die in the end.
6. It should have at least one character in one of the leading roles
from a different race/ethnicity.
I am dumbfounded to see the importance of item #6 with respect to this movie, this movie became so controversial for its casting of Chinese actresses as Japanese Geishas. I am yet to see the other Oscar winning movies, but i am pretty sure that my checklist will still be valid.
Someone better nominate me to the Academy committee. :)
Now Playing: The Hounds of Winter by Sting
I wanted to write about this for quite sometime, but somehow did not have the energy to blog :) Here it is anyway, i watched Memoirs of a Geisha sometime back in theatre. It was simply awesome, it was such a visual delight! The Costumes and the art direction just take you to the early 20th century. But the major highlight of the movie that scored over Cinematography and art direction was Music. I am surprised why John Williams didn't grab the Oscar this time(even though he had two nominations). The Cello Solos were just too good.
By the way, if you have read this blog entry that i wrote some two years back, you can realize that Memoirs of a Geisha has 5 of the 6 factors mentioned in this checklist! Here is the checklist:
1. It should be narrated by a drawling gruff voice
2. It should have at least one flashback scene
3. It should begin in a tragedy and end with healing or vice versa
4. It should have an amazing soundtrack.
5. Somebody important must die in the end.
6. It should have at least one character in one of the leading roles
from a different race/ethnicity.
I am dumbfounded to see the importance of item #6 with respect to this movie, this movie became so controversial for its casting of Chinese actresses as Japanese Geishas. I am yet to see the other Oscar winning movies, but i am pretty sure that my checklist will still be valid.
Someone better nominate me to the Academy committee. :)
Now Playing: The Hounds of Winter by Sting
2 comments:
Lets see how "Crash" defied all the points you mentioned about a movie winning an Oscar.
1.First, the big thing,"Crash" did not have a narration.
2. "Crash" did not have a long flashback.The story was over in two days, with a yesterday and today.
3. "Crash" did not have a 'major' tragedy in the end.The whole movie was a tragedy.
4. "Crash", when compared to Memoirs did not have a wonderful soundtrack. And, I am as surprised as you that Memoirs didnt pick up an oscar for music.
5."Crash" did not have any imporatnt person as such in the movie. So I cant say that people who died in the movie were important.
6. "Crash" did not have 'any' person in a lead role.
So, what do you think about this? :)
@ZZ:
First of all, the checklist is just a kind of reference, you might find either one or all points mentioned in any Oscar winning movie. Here is my analysis on "Crash":
1. No Narration- Agreed
2. There was a flashback buddy! The movie started with the Crime scene and it goes into a flashback that continued(in discrete manner) until the end of the movie.
3. Did you sleep in theatre by any chance? I dont want to reveal the climax, but dont you think 2 of the 4 stories had a tragic end? The whole movie was definetely not a tragedy, atleast the little girl part wasn't tragic!
4. Yeah, agreed. Not that great a soundtrack, but not bad either.
5. There was only one death in the movie and his role becomes important when past meets present.
6. Well, the whole movie was about it, so no comments :)
Anyway, ZZ, I can take a movie which doesn't have any of the 6 above characteristics, but my point is that it may not fetch a Oscar nomination.
Post a Comment