The Oscar watch

(Post rated R.)

As the Oscars approach, I start my pre-Oscar watch, viewing every possible movie on the list. Saw Crash yesterday -- though confusing at times, it has brilliant performances from Don Cheadle, Jennifer Esposito and Matt Dillon, one of whom could swab a supporting performance nomination. The Shaniqua lady in a one-minute role was brilliant too, with all size, action and energy.

So was Thandie Newton, the most delicate beauty on this planet. In one scene, she looks back to a police car, after performing a fellatio on her husband who is driving. I love that frame; the black and white background makes her look so fragile and beautiful, it just melts my heart. (sorry m!)

Crash is worth checking out, if only for its brilliant performances and strong characters, who are all loosely tied to each other. The movie looks at race relations -- white folks, black folks, chinese, hispanics, even Iranians. Yo, where are the desis?? Desis always run after money, and in this movie, no one has any. It's a grim drama with some humor thrown in. The attempt to throw in LA reality is brave, though it falls a bit short.

Yeah, like my criticism of Crash will shake up the Academy and deny it any nomination. If you don't include desis in your movie, don't expect our community to be quiet.

The movie wraps up with "Maybe Tomorrow", a Stereophonics single. The synthesizer-type music mixed with sounds from their roots makes it sound like a new-age version of the band. It matches up with the high-energy concert they put up when I saw them live during my years in England.

Any recommendations for the next Oscar movie to watch?