Oscars 2010

I have been looking forward to the Oscars since about January. Usually I try to see as many of the films up for nomination as possible before the event, and for the past few years I have been pretty successful at this. This is mainly due to the excellent import of pirated DVDs that were available to purchase in Mexico. Let me set this scene for you-

If walking down nearly any street in Tuxtepec, Oaxaca one will come across a variety of established and not so established establishments offering new and old pirated films for 20 pesos each (this is roughly the equivalent to $2.00 American). Usually blaring some type of Latin based sound under a tarped wire and mesh booth, equip with TV and DVD player to ensure good quality, men and women would use their best techniques of persuasion to make a sale on anything from Hollywood classics to the latest Tarentino to Xbox games to old Mexican Rancheros.

Every weekend I would make my way to the downtown to buy a stack of pirated DVDs. In Tuxtepec, where my mother tongue was hardly ever spoken, these movies felt like home to me. They reminded me of what was left behind, of where I was headed, of how things were changing.

Last year I caught all of the Oscar nominated films before the ceremonies thanks to the bootleg vendors. I got to see Revolutionary Road, The Wrestler, Milk, The Dark Knight, WALL-E, etc., all while they were still in the cinema.

This year I haven't been so fortunate. Of the films up for awards this year I've seen-Avatar, The Blind Side, Crazy Heart, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Hurt Locker, Inglorious Basterds, Julie & Julia, A Serious Man, Star Trek, Transformers, and Up.

Of these, I am rooting for Crazy Heart, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Inglorious Basterds. If it comes down to Avatar or The Hurt Locker for best film of the year I vote The Hurt Locker. I thought Avatar a better film overall but my politics are getting in the way. I would much prefer a female director to win best picture than James Cameron.

It is close to 8:00 now so I am going to turn on my TV to catch some of the Red Carpet interviews preshow.