Oscars 2020; Oscar-nominated shorts and Les Miserables on Monday Morning Diary (February 10)

by Sam Juliano

Yes Parasite won big last night. No it was NOT my favorite film of the year, heck it didn’t even finish in my Top 10. (#16 in my Top 25) I like the film well enough but here’s the rub: I am a lifelong International film fanatic, but this past year I have SIX (6) foreign-language films ahead of “Parasite” on the aforementioned list. It is NOT the Second Coming of cinematic works, and by its very essence it is mostly emotionally distancing if deliberately so. Hence, here is my conclusion in a night that was totally predictable until we reached Best Director and Best Picture – it was great that the long maintained taboo against foreign films was broken, even if the choice was not the absolute tour de force I would have liked to break the snide. Yesterday morning I predicted 1917 to win but in parenthesis I added Parasite is gaining fast!” There are some very good trusted cinephiles who are celebrating and to them and all lovers of this good- if – not -absolutely-great-for-me film I hold up my glass for a toast.  In any event 51 people crowded into the back room of the Tiger Hose Firehouse in Fairview last night for our 43rd annual Oscar party. As always it was a soulfully ingratiating affair, one where some get to see others for the first time in a calendar year and re-institute their friendship vows. It was quite a treat to have my beloved Cliffside Park High School English teacher Patrick J. Shelley (P.J.) and his lovely fiance Patty attend after a drive down from northern Connecticut. They are pictured above with my lifelong friend Tony Lucibello and Yours Truly. What a fabulous night!

Lucille, Sammy IV, Jeremy, Broadway Bob and I finally saw the French International feature nominee “Les Miserables” Saturday night at the Village East Cinemas on Second Avenue. I have to say this: This smoldering and explosive multi-ethnicity drama is impressively filmed and mounted and the performances are first-rate. I like it MORE than “Parasite.” One caveat: It opened theatrically in mid-January so it will count as a 2020 film on all year-end lists despite the Oscar nod for this past year. Hence at this early stage of the year it is my own #1 film.  On Wednesday night Lucille, Sammy IV, Jeremy and I watched the Oscar-nominated shorts (animated/live-action) in Montclair. I found them a mixed bag, with my faves being “Hair Love” (which will win the Oscar) and “Nefta Football Club” (France). However live-action winner will probably be “The Neighbor’s Window” or “Brotherhood.”

French film “Les Miserables”