And the Oscar went to . . .

There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, No Country for Old Men, and No Country for Old Men.

And I agree. I think it was correct to reward Daniel Day-Lewis' tremendous performance, while also recognizing what the Coen Bros. did. I have a hard time imagining another actor in the role of Daniel Plainview. I think Joel and Ethan could have made their movie with countless other actors and still been great.

In other awards, I'm happy Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova got Best Song (and that Jon Stewart gave her a chance to show her appreciation). Tilda Swinton earned her Best Supporting Actress (even sacrificing her svelte figure). Marion Cotillard definitely inhabited Edith Piaf to win her Best Actress, but I still didn't like watching La Vie En Rose. I'm happy I got to see Javier Bardem in an English speaking role. Now I see why everybody likes him so much.

And the Oscar goes to . . .

So I watched the only nominee for best picture I hadn't seen yet, There Will Be Blood. As a recap(itulation?), Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, No Country For Old Men, and There Will Be Blood.

After Atonement, I came home and told my sister I was tired of the British. I was reluctant to watch this film, but Marcy said it was good. I don't regret watching it, but I won't need to watch it again. It reminds me of the English Patient.

I enjoyed Juno. It isn't the best picture of the year.

Michael Clayton is very good. It isn't the best picture.

This brings us to the dilemma. No Country For Old Men has three great acting performances, "breathtaking vistas," Cormac McCarthy story, and directorial pedigree. There Will Be Blood has one tremendous acting performance, dark cinematography, haunting score, Upton Sinclair inspired story, and directorial cache (oh, and it was dedicated to Robert Altman).

I was going to choose There Will Be Blood for best picture because Paul Thomas Anderson hasn't won an Oscar yet, though he's been nominated a couple times, while the Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan (Fred isn't as famous), have won for their original screenplay for Fargo. But that is a poor reason. Don't punish a great film because people associated with it have been great before.

I think and think and I can't choose. But I don't have to. I'll update with my opinion after it is awarded.

COGniscent

COGniscent: aware that you are a cog in the Machine.

So Nebraska Democrats caucused yesterday. I was one of 41 and then 44 after our spokesperson convinced three undecideds to join our group of Obama supporters. Our 44 of 67 gave him two of the three delegates our provides to the County delegation. Looking at the statewide results on CNN.com, we seem to mirror the rest of the state.

After reading Hillary and Barack's website issues summaries, the only difference I saw between them was a more comprehensive international approach from Obama. He said more about international trade like reforming NAFTA and CAFTA, and will actually speak with countries like Syria, Venezuela, and North Korea. Also, after hearing what an elderly woman at the caucus who had lived in Arkansas for forty years said about the "Clinton Machine," I was reminded why I'm leery of such a Machine, especially when the Republicans are used to attacking it. CNN also had a handy issues drop down that had a short bit for each candidate's stance. It revealed more mind-changing from Hillary, particularly on Iraq and outsourcing, but I'm not frightened by her ability to change her mind when she has more information. However, I'm more confident in Obama, who seems to form the right decision the first time, not having to change his mind.

I'm happy Nebraska's Democratic party moved themselves up in the Primary race to become more relevant because it allowed me to sort myself out on things earlier. Now I just have to hope things will go my way. Half my work is done.

I Couldn't Recommend It

Cooperative Somniloquence--when I start talking, they start sleeping.

Like Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, I'm disappointed they lost the Super Bowl. I was rooting for the Pats because I don't like how the 1972 Dolphins (the only team in the Super Bowl Era to win all their games) celebrate their accomplishment, and I wanted them at least to have company, and possibly have to move down a chair at the table of perfection (the Patriots would have been 19-0 while the Dolphins only had 17 games). However, I'm very happy that it was a great game with great plays. The 3rd down with 5 yards to go where Elisha Manning resisted being sacked by Adalius Thomas and then threw a beautiful pass that was equaled by the prestidigious catch by David Tyree may have been the greatest play ever in a Super Bowl.

I watched the first episode of Jeeves and Wooster from the BBC on my Netflix. It is taken from P.G Wodehouse's stories and stars Stephen Fry as Jeeves and Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster. I enjoyed the first episode and am looking forward to the rest.

In closing, it is that magical week of getting rid of your eggs and dairy so you aren't tempted with their delectablity for Lent.