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1. Sometime life feels like a continuous Abbot and Costello Routine.

Or just trying to analyze the plot with a soap opera fandom...who apparently has the cognitive ability of Lou Abbot or maybe Costello, and I'm Abbot.

Highly frustrating endeavor. I finally gave up. They said..."Well, just keep watching and see what happens."

ME: Now, where's the fun in that?

2. There were two comments that I saw on DW today that...I thought, "YES, THIS, EXACTLY!, BEEN THINKING THIS FOREVER AND YOU PUT IT PERFECTLY!"
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3. Tired. Did laundry today. Had a little Bangladash boy try to help me. ( Read more... )

Star is Born - Film Review..

Finally saw "A Star is Born" via "On Demand" for $5.99. I think I may try "Roma" via Netflix tomorrow. So, now I've seen everything but three of the Oscar nominated films. And I still have no idea why any of them were nominated. Well, I sort of get why Black Panther was nominated...that one does make sense to me.

A Star is Born directed by Bradley Cooper, also stars Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliot and Lady Gaga.

First, a caveat? I've seen all the versions of A Star is Born, and to date, I still think the second one with Judy Garland and James Mason is by far the best. In it Mason is far more self-destructive and somewhat abusive. It's a much darker film about Hollywood star system, addiction, and gender politics. Also, Judy Garland sort of kicks it out of the park and then some.

Here, Lady Gaga is good and holds her own. She's believable in the role (considering she's a rock star who went through a similar experience (sans Jackson Maine), not surprising. Which was why Barbara Streisand and Judy Garland were also good - they identified with the character -- possibly over-identified.

Also, Gaga has an amazing vocal range and nails the songs. Unfortunately only four of the six or seven songs are any good. Most of which are done by Jackson Maine.
She has two possibly three that Ally wrote, two of which was written and sung with Maine.

The best thing in it is Sam Elliot, when he's on -- I'm riveted. He get's across the pain of a man who loves and hates his younger sibling and knows in his heart that he can't save him. But Cooper doesn't quite wow playing a drunken country rock singer who can't stay sober. (Will state that of the men who've played the role, I like Cooper's version the best and his raspy voice is well done and almost unrecognizable as Cooper.)

Other than that? Much like the Streisand version -- I was bored. Less so here than with Streisand and Kristoffersan. Also I'd liked the songs better in this one. Evergreen has never really worked for me, while Shallow is a good song.

So...hmmm...I don't know why they nominated this for awards. (It's sad, but I got more out of Infinity War. I felt like I've seen this before...and wait, I have, three times. And halfway through I kept thinking...wouldn't it be cool if they flipped the genders, and Gaga played Jackie Maine, and Cooper played Al...who gets discovered, while she falls into ruine? OR a same-sex version? Actually I think I did see that once with Jeff Bridges.)

Anyhow...right now the ranking of the Oscar contenders...
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