[Dr. Scarpetta]

Did you see Crash?

[AntiGuv]

I did - it was a wild ride! The acting was exceptional and the storyline kept me fascinated from beginning to end. If I have any criticism, it would be that there was no subtlety, to say the least, in its racial themes, but that won't bother the Hollywood crowd one bit. If there were an Oscar for Best Ensemble Acting, Crash would be a lock I think.

[AntiGuv]

Of the movies on the lists above, I've seen Brokeback Mountain, Crash, Walk the Line, and Memoirs of a Geisha. The last one isn't one I'd ordinarily watch, but I was very, very interested in the Japanese setting.

I didn't care much for Memoirs of a Geisha as it turned out. I never did get into the characters or into the storyline. I just didn't really care about any of it. The film was gorgeous, both the visuals and the score, but there were also innacuracies in the portrayal of Japanese culture that irked me. I haven't read the book, and don't plan to, but from what I gathered the film was a disappointment to fans of the book.

I think Ziyi Zhang will get the 5th nom for Best Actress though because that's a very weak field this year (excepting Witherspoon) and because of esteem for her past works (such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - a far better film!) I wouldn't be slightly surprised to see Keira Knightley or Joan Allen (Upside of Anger) in Ziyi Zhang's place.