New York Post film critic Kyle Smith lists the ” Five Most Idiotic Oscar Nominations of the Year ” and references one of my favorite books in his savagely spot-on take of the most disappointing movie of the year:
Best Picture for “The Hurt Locker.” C’mon people: This movie is one great scene (which is essentially repeated three times, just to be sure we caught it) and a shapeless second hour. We get it: War is a drug. Four words do not a story constitute, let alone a great story, let alone a great movie. This movie reminds me of Tom Wolfe’s comment, in “The Painted Word,” that a postmodernist painting like something by Jasper Johns was essentially a rebus leading you to a single, simple message.
After hearing months of effusive praise by critics, I was so excited to see The Hurt Locker that I watched it the day it came out on DVD. It was a huge letdown. Contrary to the critic’s claims, it wasn’t particularly riveting, suspenseful, or accomplished. It was a passable, though unenlightening, war movie that didn’t seem to have much fresh to say about either soldiers or combat. The fact that it wasn’t a America-loathing caricature of the Iraq War likely accounts for much of the acclaim and is worthy of applause (or at least a golf clap). But as Smith notes, as a story it was flat and simplistic and as a movie it falls far short of being Oscar-worthy.
Anyone see it have a different take?
While I have you, can I ask you something? I’ll be quick.
Twenty-five thousand people subscribe to First Things. Why can’t that be fifty thousand? Three million people read First Things online like you are right now. Why can’t that be four million?
Let’s stop saying “can’t.” Because it can. And your year-end gift of just $50, $100, or even $250 or more will make it possible.
How much would you give to introduce just one new person to First Things? What about ten people, or even a hundred? That’s the power of your charitable support.
Make your year-end gift now using this secure link or the button below.
