tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post6661290628033684266..comments2024-03-17T10:11:46.952-04:00Comments on Film Experience Blog: BPFTOI: Driving Through the Best Years of Miss Daisy's LivesNATHANIEL Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-80857604793266829742010-10-15T14:14:40.221-04:002010-10-15T14:14:40.221-04:00All I can say is "The Best Years of Our Lives...All I can say is "The Best Years of Our Lives" is one of my favorite movies of all time. Bravo for a brilliant discussion. When the realism of war began showing up in films like "Platoon" or "Saving Private Ryan," it gave me new respect for what "Best Years" did with the Dana Andrews character. Fred has nightmares, he has flashbacks, and while the audience never sees what he experienced during the war, I applaud the filmmakers for dealing with it so well within Fred's storyline. Today I think it's one of the movie's strengths. I also like how Fredric March's son is less than enamored of the "souvenirs" dear old dad brought back with him. Again, it was unexpected considering the rah-rah patriotism at the time. Every actor is superb. It's a time capsule film that gives us a glimpse into another era without feeling dusty today. Brilliant.classicfilmboyhttp://www.classicfilmboy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-4339639855023736882010-10-12T19:54:17.931-04:002010-10-12T19:54:17.931-04:00A.R. -- Toland really did add so much to every fil...A.R. -- Toland really did add so much to every film. Certainly near the tippity top of cinematographers from any era in terms of his contributions to cinema.<br /><br />JAMES T -- you know. i hadn't thought about the plot moves in that way but I understand what you're saying because i <i>usually</i> hate it when plot things work out so nicely/neatly. But that said, i do think the film was clear eyed enough to get away with this becaues i think enough problems have been underlined with Fred that you sense this new (presumed) marriage won't necessarily be without its own bumps.<br /><br />but... i LOVE what you say about Wright's performance and I totally agree (in terms of her being fascinated by hardship) and for that reason I buy the relationship fully. I do think she as an actress was making specific choices that totally show you how Fred, being f***edup is exactly what she wants. I'm not saying she's an adrenaline or drama junkie but i think she doesn't want a safe life.<br /><br />does that make sense?<br /><br />Adri & Nick -- i had no idea about much of this but as i believe i mentioned earlier i left the country around the time the oscar hoopla was starting. but it's interesting to read the different takes about Beresford. It is an awfully weird career.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-90004422319142667112010-10-12T16:52:19.851-04:002010-10-12T16:52:19.851-04:00I haven't seen Driving Miss Daisy since I was ...I haven't seen <i>Driving Miss Daisy</i> since I was a kid, so I don't really feel capable of making a full assessment. I suppose I thought it was good at the time, but rather hokey.<br /><br />I did see <i>The Best Years of Our Lives</i> earlier this year and mostly like it, though the sentimentality of the melodrama is a bit much at certain points. Overall it's a great film of the era, in no small part because of Toland's cinematography. Wow. But I agree with the general consensus on the performances. Russell is definitely the weakest link, but his presence does add something to the film overall.A.R.http://www.lunar-circuitry.net/wordpressnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-3348156973190453462010-10-12T14:28:04.860-04:002010-10-12T14:28:04.860-04:00@Nick - first, I apologize for going on forever. I...@Nick - first, I apologize for going on forever. I've been out in the mountains for a week, without reading, being online, etc. and the fresh air must have rotted my brain.<br /><br />I'm sure you remember that era better than I do - maybe because it was the first time I'd ever read comments detracting against an Oscar contender that it seemed so strong to me. And I was very disappointed in the people that I read making those comments - I'd always respected them. But I guess that just naiveness talking.<br /><br />Again, my apologies.adrinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-40052849520178039942010-10-12T14:01:00.131-04:002010-10-12T14:01:00.131-04:00Now.. i do have some problems with the film. But m...Now.. i do have some problems with the film. But minor ones. <br /><br />Cathy O'Donnell's and, partly, Teresa Wright's performances kind of frustrated me. O'Donnell seemed to only be able to look fragile. She wasn't bad at it, and most of the time that's what she had to do but it was just ALL THE TIME! <br />In the scene when she assures him/us she wants to be with Homer no matter what, she should have shown more strength and determination.<br />And Wright was pretty good half the time but there were moments when it seemed she didn't know what to do and i really hated the way she conveyed sadness/melancholy. "Stop doing that thing with your face!" i shouted but she ignored me.<br /><br />Also, i know it wasn't exactly a competition between her and Fred's wife, but did she have to be that selfish? We get it, Peggy is the one we should be rooting for. Though i liked how the movie did't feel the need to punish her in the end and/or make Fred eventually find a great job and be hugely successfull.<br /><br />I have a problem with the whole Fred-Peggy-Al thing. We have two people who are in love with each other but there seems to be a big problem - he's married - and that problem is also the reason Fred and Al's relationship goes into a crisis. So, how did the movie fix that? Fred's wife decided she's had enough and divorces him. Everything is fine now! But.. was it THAT simple? Because you (the movie) certainly didn't make me think so. Oh yes, and he might have gone away (another problem) if only he hadn't seen those airplanes (another problem fixed). <br /><br />It bothered me less than i probably made it seem.<br /><br /><br />Overall, very good movie (the things it got right are 20 times as many as the things it didn't) and a great discussion by the three of you! Thank you so much :)James Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16055933146552583102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-6725070018098758512010-10-12T13:59:50.352-04:002010-10-12T13:59:50.352-04:00I just finished The Best Years.. and I've seen...I just finished The Best Years.. and I've seen Driving Miss Daisy a year+ ago so I'm ready for the party!<br />Is anyone still here? I hope so.<br /><br />I don't really want to stay on the DMD subject so i'll be short. I liked it a lot when i saw it and i just realised i gave it a grade that might be higher than the one i'm about to give The Best Years. But that probably means that my grading system is problematic b/c i admired Best Years much, <i>much</i> more. <br /><br />Anyway, i don't remember DMD that clearly so i can't really debate and your criticisms seemed potetnially fair and certainly interesting, as always. <br /><br /><br />(big spoilers)<br /><br />On to The Best Years of Our Lives..<br />Aware of it, but unable to do anything about it, i was prepared to be disappointed even though i hoped i'd love it. <br />Thankfully, i quickly realised how strong this movie had the potential to be. I cried at the scene when Homer's parents see him and at some point notice the hooks.<br /><br />And the moment Myrna Loy realises this is/might be her husband having returned, is GREAT! We didn't even need to see her face!<br /><br />There were many witty/insightful/funny lines and just in the right places and with the restraint and accuracy i liked them to be delivered.<br /><br />Myrna Loy is just exceptional? Not nominated? Given the adoration for the film?? Insanity!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I liked how in the last scene, we see Peggy and Fred looking at each other when the priest (he's a priest, right?) says (sorry for the lame verb) the vows. It's like the movie tells us that four people are being united in that moment. Well, two pairs of people, that is :p<br /><br />And i also like how Wright seemed almost fascinated by the, on the surface, not very joyful predictions for their future made by Fred.James Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16055933146552583102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-8167876185703531982010-10-12T06:42:15.089-04:002010-10-12T06:42:15.089-04:00But Russell's performance is not Hollywood. I ...But Russell's performance is not Hollywood. I got the foreign feeling, too. Not neo-realism, but, as a said before, a Japanese vibe. Something studio-bound, but understated, calm, not that controlled. That's what I meant when I mentioned Ozu.cal rothnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-26113685488536627702010-10-11T23:09:02.690-04:002010-10-11T23:09:02.690-04:00@Adri: I lived very consciously through the '8...@Adri: I lived very consciously through the '89 release, and though <i>Daisy</i> and Beresford certainly had fierce detractors, your diatribe here makes almost no sense otherwise. The only "young Turk" director I remember who roundly came out against <i>Daisy</i> was Spike Lee, who obviously doesn't think African-American characters should have minor roles and die in the first reel. Who else are you talking about? And Beresford hardly lost his career after <i>Daisy</i>; he followed up with one of his strongest efforts, <i>Black Robe</i>, and went on to direct a truly out-of-nowhere smash in <i>Double Jeopardy</i>. He's had an extremely uneven career, I'll grant you, but that has as much to do with his dubious choices of material and execution, I would venture, as with some petty, vitriolic cabal of spendthrifts and bigots. I'm not even sure he's interested in fostering a huge Hollywood career. His tastes seem pretty rangy, only occasionally going in for director-for-hire gigs. I thought he did a nice job with the humanism but also the logistical demands of <i>Paradise Road</i>, so maybe we can agree there.<br /><br />@000: Believe me, we all have night-sweats about having to deal with <i>GA</i> and <i>RM</i> in tandem. Thank God for a while after we get at least one film to look forward to in the subsequent pairings. Mostly. Whatever. <i>It won't be this bad again anytime soon.</i> I'm reminding myself as a mantra.<br /><br />@Dave: Thanks for such a rich comment, and I am totally with you on the relative merits of the '89 contenders. In comparing Russell's performance to those we see in Rossellini or De Sica films of the same decade, I wonder if you aren't comparing a philosophy about onscreen realism (capturing people untrained or barely trained as actors, contending with circumstances not unlike those they face in life) more than you are comparing approaches to character. I don't see a lot of similarity between how Russell acts and how, say, the key figures in <i>Bicycle Thieves</i> or <i>Open City</i> act, but I definitely see a corollary in the films' desire to get at "real situations" and "real people" - particularly when we watch Russell struggle with his clothing or unscrew a Coke bottle or otherwise inhabit the world as a double-amputee.NicksFlickPickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04607501848596529493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-37844188848015035482010-10-11T18:57:35.710-04:002010-10-11T18:57:35.710-04:00Did I really say "one" instead of "...Did I really say "one" instead of "won?" Must be the cough syrup.Dave in Alamitos Beachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-15350549923886710272010-10-11T18:55:24.254-04:002010-10-11T18:55:24.254-04:00I know I'm late to the conversation here, but ...I know I'm late to the conversation here, but I have just have to say that Driving Miss Daisy is the middle picture of the worst three year run of Best Picture winners ever. Dances With Wolves, Driving Miss Daisy, and Rain Man. I can't decide which is worse. They're all awful in their own sloppy minded ways.<br /><br />Of the five nominees, My Left Foot is definitely the best movie. It doesn't really have any flaws. It's just a "small movie." I remember reading at the time that it got kind of a late start in the conciousness of the Academy and if voting had been delayed a couple of weeks, it would have won.<br /><br />The only other decent movie at all is Born On The Fourth Of July which is at least a visually exciting movie. It seems well directed if a bit "obvious."<br /><br />About The Best Years of Our Lives - rarely has a topical movie actually one in the year its subject matter was topical. Usually it's 10 or 20 years later. I'm still shocked the Academy got it right that year.<br /><br />I found (and find) Harold Russell's performance to be terrific. Very naturalistic and more like a foreign film performance a la Bicycle Thief or Open City or something. <br /><br />Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, and Fredric March are just great actors period.Dave in Alamitos Beachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-31346391216403058762010-10-11T13:48:47.431-04:002010-10-11T13:48:47.431-04:00Nathaniel, go ahead and Netflix Alfred Hitchcock&#...Nathaniel, go ahead and Netflix Alfred Hitchcock's "Shadow of a Doubt" if you haven't already seen it. Teresa Wright is phenomenal in it. <br /><br />Oh, and guys..."Gentleman's Agreement" AND "Rain Man" next time? I don't think you'll have two worst movies paired together in this series.000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-8811579232869735062010-10-11T13:35:51.529-04:002010-10-11T13:35:51.529-04:00I've never seen The best Years of Your Life, b...I've never seen The best Years of Your Life, but this commentary really makes me want to see it.<br /><br />It's been a long time since I've seen Driving Miss Daisy. I remember liking how happy Dan Ackroyd was in the movie, as if he had achieved his acting dream and was grateful for every moment. I liked that his dream was to act with the best actors in the world in a serious piece. His comedy skills of listening and adaptiveness were useful here.<br /><br />I also remember the violent smear campaign directed against the director of the movie. Think of "A Beautiful Mind" but more personal and vindictive.<br /><br />On one side you had a kind of Clint Eastwood movie, professional set, on budget, etc. And on the other hand there were some Young Turk directors and their petty vitriolic followers, who ran over time, over budget, making movies that didn't turn much of a profit.<br /><br />These auteurs felt threatened by a movie that they felt had no right to exist: about a woman and women don't count; (artistic meaningful movies are only about men); and old women should shut up and be invisible; and African-Americans should have minor roles and die in the first reel.<br /><br />Consider the buffer that someone like Eastwood has against his backlash - industry respect, insider status, track record. Miss Daisy's director was an outsider and an Australian, and had no buffer. How often does a Best Picture have no nomination for Best Director? How often does directing a Best Picture mean that you'll be blacklisted and sidelined for the rest of your career?<br /><br />Beresford has delicacy and restraint, and knows how to step back to give the characters some room. He is also gifted in narrative, whether the film is plot heavy or plot light, he moves it along and paces it. Also, like some other Australians, there's enough nonjudgemental space around the characters that anything can happen: dementia, sudden death, gunfight, attack.<br /><br />I think that the vicious gossip directed against Bruce Beresford backfired in some ways, making the movie more honored than it would have been otherwise. The sexism, racism and ageism of the New Hollywood pampered director brats (who expected other people to pay for and indulge their genius) was rejected by Old Hollywood. And those brats had to shape up to get financing - that was one message.<br /><br />And maybe Old Hollywood wanted more movies like the Best Years of Our Lives (from what I've read here), where humanism wasn't seen as an old-fashioned liability.adrinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-63475894849829235272010-10-11T10:35:33.510-04:002010-10-11T10:35:33.510-04:00it's weird. I never thought much of Teresa Wri...it's weird. I never thought much of Teresa Wright outside of this movie and after watching it, I feel I may have underestimated her. Curious to see a few of her key things again.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-11234473980013916642010-10-11T10:00:36.692-04:002010-10-11T10:00:36.692-04:00I'll second that. I do think Russell's in...I'll second that. I do think Russell's intuitions about the performance are really strong, and I don't mean to sound down on him or his plotline. But for the reasons you point out, Michael S., the Andrews and March performances just set an incredibly high bar, without seeming to sweat about it, even. Every single thing in Carmichael's pub does feel astonishing. I definitely agree that both actors are spectacular reactors and great silent communicators, and they work brilliantly within the subtle channels of layered thought or unspoken feeling that ground the movie, even as they sell their dialogue like regular conversation.<br /><br />I'd also point to Andrews's scenes working in the department store as key instances of his greatness in the role. He brings a welcome humor to the absurdity of selling the perfume or whatever it was, as though he's beating everyone else by laughing at himself first, so it's not just a straightforward scene of despair or critique: "How have we reduced our fighting men to this?" And yet, you feel how low it's bringing him. And then the charming/sad surprise encounter with Teresa Wright, where she clocks it all immediately but matches his tone as a gesture of kindness, among other things.<br /><br />So much great acting and directing in this movie.NicksFlickPickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04607501848596529493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-55917812824952802882010-10-11T08:10:15.633-04:002010-10-11T08:10:15.633-04:00michael s -- that scene when the friendship betwee...michael s -- that scene when the friendship between Andrews and March cracks (then the forced phone call) is so fantastic. I think the phone call bit is the best scene in the movie. It doesn't force any of the feeling at all but it's like a hammer nonetheless. I miss deep focus!NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-76953231090492998762010-10-11T02:17:57.480-04:002010-10-11T02:17:57.480-04:00Jesus Volvagia, didn't they just say try to ke...Jesus Volvagia, didn't they just say try to keep the comments to the point? Your random praise of The Archers has nothing to do w/ anything anyone's brought up. Read the entry again if you are confused what movies to actually talk about.<br /><br />I agree with whoever above said that Russell was great, maybe a little better than this entry gives him credit. I think Russell, Andres, and March should have shared a Best Actor prize for Best Years if that was possible. I know Oscar never allows that but they all play off each other really well in their group scenes, even Russell the non pro. And whenever they're all united again in Hogey Carmichael's bar, the scenes are always awesome. March and Andrews silently communicating their sympathy for Russell's character w/o feeling sorry for him to his face. Those two also feel like they're on the same "wavelength" in other ways, maybe because of what they've both been through. Which makes it hurt worse when March sort of nails Andrews to the wall for romancing his duaghter, b/c you can tell he'd actually like to be friends with this guy.<br /><br />Don't really remember Mayo. I liked Wright too, who nobdy has really mentioned yet. Weird how Oscar went nuts for her in early 40s and then just dropped her even when she made big movies (well, this and Shadow of a doubt). Don't remember much about Driving Miss Daisy, which I'm okay with. Seemed like a TV movie to me. But it seems like it's still got fans.<br /><br />- michael s.michael s.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-67873625416693747062010-10-10T21:52:34.640-04:002010-10-10T21:52:34.640-04:00Exactly, Nat. Haven't seen Baker Boys, but &qu...Exactly, Nat. Haven't seen Baker Boys, but "dated" is as meaningful a criticism as "pretentious." Psycho is dated. Harold and Maude is dated. A Woman Under the Influence is dated. Does that matter? Of course not! The only filmmakers I would classify as immune from the "dated" criticism are The Archers, Leone and FF Coppola.Volvagianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-12300986232881692332010-10-10T19:03:01.723-04:002010-10-10T19:03:01.723-04:00Okay I want to apologize right now for derailing t...Okay I want to apologize right now for derailing this conversation over a difference of opinion concerning the merits and category position of Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys with my lame and petty rant about the film being “dated”.<br /><br />I still stand by the “smooth jazz” comment. But the fashion and makeup stuff is meaningless in as serious discussion of this film. As for Jessica Tandy wins an Oscar because Hollywood felt sorry for the old lady who had a Beatty White level late career resurgence as America’s favorite movie grandma – I have nothing really to add. I don’t like the movie or her performance. If there’s any soft spot for this actress I have is for Fried Green Tomatoes and even I don’t agree with her BSA nod but this of course was at out sentiment – same goes for Dianne Ladd’s third nomination for Rambling Rose./3rtfu11noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-18218384852920488132010-10-10T17:46:02.571-04:002010-10-10T17:46:02.571-04:00Nicks -- well, the Baker Boys digression is probab...<b>Nicks</b> -- well, the Baker Boys digression is probably my fault since it's such a personal favorite. oopsie.<br /><br /><b>everyone</b> as for the issue of being "dated"... i'm totally curious about Nick's question. I hadn't thought of that at all in relation to <i>Driving Miss Daisy</i> but I think it never crossed my mind because wasn't it dated even at the time it premiered? If anything being dated was its chief selling point to the Academy given that they were not at all ready for THE NOW of <i>Do The Right Thing</i> and I don't mean this in a "period piece" way so much as a "message/aesthetic/temperament" way.<br /><br />and speaking of "dated"... isn't <i>Do The Right Thing</i> absolutely and unmistakably an 80s picture? But I'm not sure I view "dated" as a bad thing for any picture that is about the time its emerging from and continues to play with such gusto.<br /><br />oh and... in case people are still reading this comment thread... i'd also like to hear what people thought of <b>Virginia Mayo</b>? It's kind of a stock role but I greatly enjoyed her in it. I think? Convince me one way or another ;)NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-27707562756271555242010-10-10T17:26:42.073-04:002010-10-10T17:26:42.073-04:00It makes sense, /3rtfu11. I don't really agree...It makes sense, /3rtfu11. I don't really agree with you, though, because I think applying some sense of "timelessness" as the standard of "real" art doesn't make any more sense than any other rigid way of approaching the issue. Do you think you could explore the same ideas in relation to <i>Daisy</i> or <i>Best Years</i>?<br /><br />I think it's just disorienting for us to have an organic conversation about two movies, and then figure out how to make the comment threads sustain a longer, point-by-point discussion about those movies without getting hung up on tangents and side-arguments. But we tend not to say that because it sounds like we're not happy to get the wonderful level of response that these BPFTOI installments keep getting, and we don't mean to sound churlish about it! Best case is when comments actually grow out continuously from each other, though all the specific responses to details or aspects or oversights in the published conversations, keeping the two winning films front and center, are also great. Once we get started on also-rans or on lots and lots of personal ballots and arcane digressions (sorry, Volvagia), the discussion gets harder to manage or re-enter.<br /><br />That said, there's so much rich stuff in these comments! I'd be interested to hear more about whether people find <i>Driving Miss Daisy</i> "dated" to the late 80s in substantial ways, despite being a period pic. Or to explore why it is that so many of us seem to feel that <i>Best Years</i> manages to seem unmistakably of its time <i>and also</i> completely renewable for spectators of any era. <br /><br />Apologies if I/we sound too ungrateful or controlling of the kind of feedback we're hoping for, at least in so far of keeping these two films foregrounded. Especially because there <i>has</i> been so much food for thought: more on Loy and Mayo and Andrews and Russell and Freeman, on Robert Sherwood's script, about how <i>Best Years</i> manages to be a pretty major canonical mainstay and yet people tend to come to it a little later than other classics... This has all been fascinating.<br /><br />(And by all means, start watching <i>Rain Man</i> or <i>Gentleman's Agreement</i> now, so we can open out to a full-group convo on those two after the next BPFTOI!)NicksFlickPickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04607501848596529493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-51137004138361009492010-10-10T17:12:30.803-04:002010-10-10T17:12:30.803-04:00Jeremy Applegate played Heather Chandler's ex....Jeremy Applegate played Heather Chandler's ex. Remember he said, "Dear lord, I hope this never happens to me because I don't think I could handle suicide." He committed suicide with a shotgun.Volvagianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-75252168924677916792010-10-10T14:38:32.735-04:002010-10-10T14:38:32.735-04:00When a major red flag for a film over twenty years...When a major red flag for a film over twenty years old is that it’s dated you have to consider that for this viewer the overall narrative wasn’t substantial enough for them. All movies are products of the time in which they were made. However the best films solider through the tail-tell signs of the picture’s vintage and so movies are ahead of their times by starting visual trends or not letting current trends in movie making influence the final product. My problem with Baker Boys is that 1989 is the only time this movie played with any genuine spark. Once 1990 came it was already a relic. Think of it this way – Total Recall (1990) was instantly dated the moment audiences saw Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). The insane part is that T2 holds up better than big budget CG fest of today. There are many things in the picture that let you know you’re watching something made in 1991. Although ultimately there’s stuff that’s outright ahead of it’s time. Gosh I hope the above makes some sense somewhere to someone./3rtfu11noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-71767114508849422962010-10-10T14:01:46.576-04:002010-10-10T14:01:46.576-04:00volvagia -- who is jeremy applegate? i'm sudde...volvagia -- who is jeremy applegate? i'm suddenly confused. and i love Heathers.<br /><br />mike -- there was more than just Pfeiffer vs. Tandy but you have to dig for it :) <br /><br />i'm so happy that so many people love BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES. and i hope we've convinced at least a few people who haven't seen it to watch.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-51249011260765161592010-10-10T11:58:54.623-04:002010-10-10T11:58:54.623-04:00Um...Cusack has BEEN top 5 material (See Grosse Po...Um...Cusack has BEEN top 5 material (See Grosse Pointe Blank), but Say Anything...? Solid, but I think Mahoney is stronger in it.<br /><br />My Best Actor ballot:<br /><br />Spike Lee, Do the Right Thing<br />Martin Landau, Crimes and Misdemeanors<br />Christian Slater, Heathers<br />Jack Nicholson, Batman<br />John Mahoney, Say Anything...<br /><br />My Best Supporting Actor ballot:<br /><br />Danny Aiello, Do the Right Thing<br />Denzel Washington, Glory<br />Alan Alda, Crimes and Misdemeanors<br />Giancarlo Esposito, Do the Right Thing (If only the white guy gets a supporting actor nomination for this movie, you're a little bit racist. Plus: Buggin' Out is really funny.)<br />Jeremy Applegate, Heathers (His big joke may be sick now, considering how he eventually died, but it's still at the service of a great, well written movie.)Volvagianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-78347838338356197302010-10-10T09:50:55.708-04:002010-10-10T09:50:55.708-04:00I was looking over my top 10 list from 1989 and I ...I was looking over my top 10 list from 1989 and I realize I haven't seen a lot of those films since 1989. The late 1980s is <b>not</b> an era I like to revisit. But looking back at my dim memories of many of them, in addition to the few that I have revisited, I'm going to toss out John Cusack as a Best Actor candidate. Of course he doesn't win against Daniel Day-Lewis, but he's top-five material. Discuss.<br /><br />Nathaniel, I know I've seen <i>The Fabulous Baker Boys</i>, but I remember absolutely nothing about it. But I will defend it against one charge, that of its being "dated." That's silly. It contains costumes that were fashionable in 1989, and the score has "smooth jazz" frills (how crazy, in a film about smooth jazz performers), and it's dated? Then any movie that takes place in the time it was made is dated. (This is all to excuse my lack of other defense of La Pfeiffer or the film.)<br /><br />I wish this hadn't turned out to be so much about whether <i>FBB</i> is or is not good. What do you guys think about <i>Driving Miss Daisy</i>?Mike Phillips, aka Goatdoghttp://goatdog.com/blognoreply@blogger.com