I make it a goal every year around this time to cram in all of the Oscar nominated movies.  I try to see all the movies in the major categories (that look half decent).  For example, I have NO DESIRE to see “The Queen,” I don’t care how great Helen Mirren is. 

Last week I took the afternoon to go watch “Notes on a Scandal” with Kate Blanchett and Judi Dench.  Wow…that movie was AMAZING. I’ve decided that I’ll pretty much watch any movie that Kate Blanchett is in.  She’s an incredible actress.  Kate & Judy were both nominated for their performances – and if they don’t win…I will be completely SHOCKED. 

The movie was so well written that it’s obvious why it’s nominated for it’s screenplay.  It was released with little or no marketing – hell, I didn’t even know the movie EXISTED until it was nominated for 4 Oscars.  If you don’t mind subject matter that’s a bit – intense (to say the least), you should really run out to see this movie.  It was terrific.

BUT THEN…

Today, I decided to go see Will Smith’s Oscar nominated role in “The Pursuit of Happyness.” Let’s just say it’s a good thing I didn’t have a razor in my purse, cause I surely would have done myself in. 

It was PAINFUL to watch, to say the least.  It was one HORRIBLE thing after another.  Sure, Will Smith is a good actor, and yes – he probably deserves his Oscar nomination.  But c’mon, could they have made the movie ANY MORE DEPRESSING!? 

The only reason why I went to see the movie in the first place, was because I knew the ending (it’s a true story) and I thought – I’ll stick through all the “hard stuff” to get to the happy ending.  BUT HELLO the ”hard stuff” took 1 hour 50 minutes! They neglected to put ANY happy stuff in the whole friggin movie!?

I’m not saying it was a BAD movie…I just was praying for the film projector to break so I would have an excuse to leave the theater.  Maybe you guys liked it more than I did…I HATED it. 

I don’t mind depressing movies… I just raved about “Notes on a Scandal” which is VERY DARK.  But Happyness was just too much.  You begin to think it’s all some sick joke God’s playing on Will Smith’s character (I don’t even remember his name).