In Which Lust, Caution is Ignored

Or at least, nearly. What that means is, that while Tony Leung Chiu Wai (siiiiigh) won the Best Actor Award at the Asian Film Awards, the film was ignored in every other category.

Also note that Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani have won the Best Composer(s) Award. While I liked OSO, I'm not sure it had award-winning music. But what do I know?

Oh, and Shanker did not win anything*. Does this mean he won't take photos of Tony for me?

*The award went to Pen-jung Liao, who's shot Lee Kang-sheng's Help Me, Eros. So I guess I don't mind that much...

'more music about makeup'

The Mumpsimus is a man after my own heart. In his Obligatory Oscar Post he says:

...the Oscars are a ridiculous ritual and by my fascination with them. They are, as somebody (I don't remember who) once said, the Superbowl for gay people, and I have often dreamed of tailgating the ceremony whilst wearing my pink feather boa. (Or maybe Tayari Jones's coat. Except I think I somehow look like Rudy Giuliani in that picture.) And yet I also agree with a lot of what A.O. Scott said about them: "The Oscars themselves may be harmless fun, but the idea that they matter is as dangerous as it is ridiculous."

So I'm going to give up on matter for the moment, and instead indulge in harmless fun by offering unsolicited and utterly useless opinions on films I have seen and not seen.

I would love offer unsolicited advice and useless opinions - in fact that is all I do on this blog when I do do it (doesn't that sound like a silly song?). I realise, though that this year will forever have the distinction in my mind for being the Year In Which I Have Not Seen A Single Oscar Nominated Film.

I can't believe it myself. And it's true; I haven't. This is tragic.

So go read Mumpsimus. I have to say, though, that he hasn't, after all, aired any opinions on films he hasn't seen. Instead he's done what any right-minded person would do: rooted for the one film in any category that he has seen.

ps: he has nice things to say about Tony Leung Chiu-Wai in Lust, Caution. Ha!

Nominees for Asian Film Awards 2008

My friend, Shanker Raman has been nominated in the Best Cinematographer category at the 2008 Asian Film Awards, for the film Frozen.

Yay!

Also among the other nominees are - hold your breath - Deepika Padukone for OSO (Best Acress) and Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani (Best Composer[s]) for ditto.

Shanker called yesterday to say he's off to Hong Kong and did I want anything.

"I want Tony Leung Chiu-wai. But if you can't kidnap him, make sure you get me a photograph."

"Ok. I'll have a photograph taken with Tony boy and send it to you."

"Who wants a photograph of you? I want only...

- and here my voice took on a low, beatlemaniacal quality

...only Tony Leung Chiu-wai."

"You can edit me out, no?"

"Ha."

"You're right. You can't edit me out of your life."

"Shut up. Listen. I don't mind if you just touch him and then don't wash your hands until I see you next. Oh, and while you're there, please get me a copy of Lust, Caution."

"M will have something to say to me if I don't wash my hands for the next few months. Mail me a list of films you want."

Bah. Just when I was ready to talk about Tony for a bit longer. Excuse me while I go look at his filmography. I have a list to compile.