Nice writing Reg. I only saw four of the nominees for best picture: Up, Hurt Locker, Inglourius Basterds, and District 9. Of those I could understand if Up or Hurt Locker won, considering the competition. Neither one would be my choice for 'best picture' though.

I rarely see Tarantino's pics but rented "IB" a few weeks ago. It mainly kind of reminded me why I don't like Quentin Tarantino. There's a nasty strain of adolescent boy that runs through his stuff and it's always been a mystery to me why he has such a cult following. I guess he speaks to the sadistic fourteen year old in all of us.

District 9 had an interesting premise but devolved into just another 'shit blows up' sideshow. Interesting how much homage to 80's sci-fi, particularly 'The Fly' and 'Robo-Cop' it seemed to pay, though it felt more derivative than an homage.

Up was a lot of fun (saw it in 3-D) but 'best picture'?

My favorite film this year wasn't nominated" "A Single Man" (not "A Serious Man') was a quiet, thoughtful, and very sad film with beautiful art direction and the best performances of the year from Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. Their dinner scene together was my favorite movie moment of the year. Firth will lose to Jeff Bridges (who I also like very much) and Julianne Moore wasn't even nominated for supporting actress: a huge omission this year.