Comments on: Crash?????????????????!!!?????!?!?!?!???????????!!!?!??!?!? http://www.thejay.com/2006/03/06/crash/ The official site of Jason Matthews - Playwright, Blogger, Doer Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:10:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: The Jay http://www.thejay.com/2006/03/06/crash/#comment-45 The Jay Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:46:17 +0000 http://www.thejay.com/?p=52#comment-45 Personal likes always get in the way of predictions and award choices, that's obvious. I'm not alone in my dislike for Crash, as many critics have railed on the film both in their initial reviews and in op-eds run before the Oscars (Check out www.Defamer.com, they've been clawing their eyes out since last night). I respect that race is a sensitive issue in this country, though I would venture to say that the more relevant social issue facing this country right now is sexual preference. This is evidenced beyond Brokeback, but through Gay Marriage Laws, through Transamerica and the issue of gender assignment, through the advocacy of GLAD and other lobbys. I agree, this was a weak year for film, but that's just the thing, if this had been a strong year for film, would Crash even have been nominated? I know many people were moved by it, but when you watched Crash did you really thikn to yourself "Man, this is the best movie of the year. Nothing else can touch this. What a piece of cinema!" Cause I didn't feel that way. I did feel that when I watched Brokeback and Munich. And I felt it last year for The Aviator (though it didn't win). As far as Million Dollar Baby, well, my feelings on that film have a lot to do with the hammer on the head of the film's message. Two thirds of the film is a Rocky fable about a woman boxer and the redemption of her crusty trainer, than BOOM out of nowhere we're talking about euthanasia? Where did that come from? And why, I ask, was it that powerful? Don't get me wrong, I like socially-oriented films. Traffic, Syrianna, and others are all favorites of mine. But i like to see the social issue explored and discussed, more than I like just having it explained to me. - The Jay Personal likes always get in the way of predictions and award choices, that’s obvious. I’m not alone in my dislike for Crash, as many critics have railed on the film both in their initial reviews and in op-eds run before the Oscars (Check out http://www.Defamer.com, they’ve been clawing their eyes out since last night). I respect that race is a sensitive issue in this country, though I would venture to say that the more relevant social issue facing this country right now is sexual preference. This is evidenced beyond Brokeback, but through Gay Marriage Laws, through Transamerica and the issue of gender assignment, through the advocacy of GLAD and other lobbys. I agree, this was a weak year for film, but that’s just the thing, if this had been a strong year for film, would Crash even have been nominated? I know many people were moved by it, but when you watched Crash did you really thikn to yourself “Man, this is the best movie of the year. Nothing else can touch this. What a piece of cinema!” Cause I didn’t feel that way. I did feel that when I watched Brokeback and Munich. And I felt it last year for The Aviator (though it didn’t win).

As far as Million Dollar Baby, well, my feelings on that film have a lot to do with the hammer on the head of the film’s message. Two thirds of the film is a Rocky fable about a woman boxer and the redemption of her crusty trainer, than BOOM out of nowhere we’re talking about euthanasia? Where did that come from? And why, I ask, was it that powerful?

Don’t get me wrong, I like socially-oriented films. Traffic, Syrianna, and others are all favorites of mine. But i like to see the social issue explored and discussed, more than I like just having it explained to me.

- The Jay

]]> By: Caleb Dean http://www.thejay.com/2006/03/06/crash/#comment-44 Caleb Dean Tue, 07 Mar 2006 01:02:55 +0000 http://www.thejay.com/?p=52#comment-44 I came across your website and read your response to the Oscars last night. I disagree with your argument against Crash. Crash moved a lot of people across this country and to many the issue of racism is much more relevant than sexual preference. Million Dollar Baby was an excellant film and Crash was the best film out of the choices from a very weak year. Much of the hype that resulted from Brokeback Mountain wasn't because it was such a wonderful film but was a result of the issue of gay cowboys and not the film itself. I also don't believe that is was the popular choice, many of my friends were not so adament about it winning. Maybe it is just your own personal likes that got in the way of your predictions which keep you from seeing great cinema for what it is. Million Dollar Baby is a great film. Caleb I came across your website and read your response to the Oscars last night. I disagree with your argument against Crash. Crash moved a lot of people across this country and to many the issue of racism is much more relevant than sexual preference. Million Dollar Baby was an excellant film and Crash was the best film out of the choices from a very weak year. Much of the hype that resulted from Brokeback Mountain wasn’t because it was such a wonderful film but was a result of the issue of gay cowboys and not the film itself. I also don’t believe that is was the popular choice, many of my friends were not so adament about it winning. Maybe it is just your own personal likes that got in the way of your predictions which keep you from seeing great cinema for what it is. Million Dollar Baby is a great film.

Caleb

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