Frozen River is Unworthy

I shouldn't care, especially after professing that I want to be more "Poppy" than "Scott," but I'm annoyed that Frozen River has been receiving a lot of attention again. Last night, the film won Best Feature at the Gotham Awards, where its lead actress, Melissa Leo, was also recognized as Breakthrough Actor. Also, it just picked up six Spirit Award nominations. Hopefully this is where the kudos end, because it really doesn't deserve any Oscar love.

Honestly, my memory is too poor to recall a lot of details from the film, but I know I literally hated every second. And I didn't find Leo's performance all that remarkable. I can see why other people might think she was good, though. However, a number of better actresses could have pulled the role off in their sleep.

As for the merits of the film as a whole, I just don't see any, and I don't get its success. Hopefully someone can comment here and explain it to me, or at least point to a review that does so. Or, if you're like me, simply leave a note of agreement, so I know I'm not the only crazy one.

Gambit Looks Lame

Looking back, I don't know why Gambit was my favorite X-Man. There is literally nothing about the character that seems appealing to me now. Then again, I liked sports cars and swimsuit models when I was 13 and nothing of those two interests exist with me now, either. Anyway, Empire magazine has a photo (seen here thanks to IESB.net) of Taylor Kitsch as Gambit in next summer's X-Men Origins: Wolverine. And all I can say is, ugh, that shirt is terrible. Almost as bad as that hair (on his head and face).

It took me until now, mainly thanks to this, for me to realize that Gambit is no longer mon ami.

Love Saves the Day Closing

I just learned from Curbed/Racked that Love Saves the Day will be closing its doors next month. It's been one of my favorite spots in the East Village since I first came to the city 13 years ago (when I was first drawn to its checkered sign, obviously). Of course, I never actually bought any of its toys or clothes, so I can't exactly be considered its #1 fan. But there are a lot of stores in this city that I enjoy browsing through without buying anything. Like design stores, for instance. Anyway, despite my lack of proper patronage, I'm sad to see the place go.

Happy-Go-Lucky

I finally caught Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky tonight, and while I don't see Sally Hawkins as a definite Best Actress candidate, I did enjoy the film tremendously. I don't know if the rest of the audience realized it's a comedy, but I was laughing to myself throughout. Also, after a number of weeks not feeling so grand, the character of Poppy made me remember when I was so happy-go-lucky, and my spirits were lifted. I just have to keep remembering to be like Poppy rather than her adversary and driving instructor, Scott. Speaking of which, if anyone deserves more credit for his/her performance, it's Eddie Marsan, who is really great here and makes me want to rewatch him as another villain in Hancock.