‘Milk’ Almost Sweeps NY Film Critics

COMMENTS (12)

• “Milk” is the best movie of 2008? Are they kidding? It’s a snoozer, and nobody will go see it, yet it has all of the elements for Hollywood award success – gay theme, lib star, victims galore.

  Therefore, “Milk” will win the Oscar for Best Picture. And, once again, the Oscar show will reach new lows in national viewership. But Hollywoodland will feel warm and fuzzy, swelling in pride for being so tolerant and aware.

  Yawn.

  Comment by savvydude — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 11:43am PST  Reply to this post

• Oh, you have to love the residual Drudge report trolls like “Savvydude.” Yawn indeed.

  Considering that “Milk” is on its way to $5 million in a little over a week in a very limited release, I think things are poised fairly well for a wider rollout. In fact, Focus is probably pretty fortunate that the Prop 8 controversy has made this story more relevant than ever.

  Comment by Matt — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 1:20pm PST  Reply to this post

• I saw it. I thought it was a great film — interesting characters, great acting, meaningful story.

  This is why there’s chocolate and vanilla, so everybody gets their favorite.

  Comment by apparentlynotsavvy dudette — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 1:27pm PST  Reply to this post

• savvydude could you just stick to posting on articles that are only on Drudge.

  Your myopic view on the world is just getting really tiring.

  Comment by Toby — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 1:49pm PST  Reply to this post

• Savvydude, you seem to be suggesting that mass appeal should be the criteria for Best Pic. That high ratings should be the governing factor in the Academy’s decision-making. That’s ridiculous. By that logic Twilight should get some serious awards consideration. But, as we all know, it’s drivel. Milk, on the other hand, has received unanimously stellar reviews, and it deserves whatever accolades it will receive.

  And as an aside, Hollywood has always been more progressive than the rest of the country. But being one step ahead isn’t a bad thing.

  Comment by Danny — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 2:04pm PST  Reply to this post

• Hey savvydude, I think you’re right…and the anger, petulance and defensiveness displayed by other commenters indicates that you struck a nerve.

  (N.B.: I clicked on Nikki Finke’s site via the Drudge Report…so discount away, you advanced, tolerant progressives, you!)

  Comment by HankStroszek — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 3:47pm PST  Reply to this post

• Saw Milk and agree with savvydude, but not for the same reasons.

  Sean Penn was great. James Franco too. But, this is not a best picture by any means – and if it wins, well…

  Watch Frost/Nixon. FL is amazing. Great performance.

  Slumdog? Easily best screenplay and direction… But, Director will go to the Button Man.

  Anyone who disagrees is simply… stoopid.

  Comment by not so savvy — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 5:02pm PST  Reply to this post

• You’re missing the point, Danny. The Oscar show is in big trouble ratings-wise. Year after year Gil Cates holds his post-Oscar press conference and laments about the dire Neilsen numbers. For 2009 there’s a new production team and promises for a better show. Yet, many find the show more a left-wing political fest than a celebration of movie-making. And with Jon Stewart hired as host twice, it sure looks that way. Whatever the cause the Oscar show is losing its’ audience.

  You may believe “Milk” is fantabulous (I saw it – it’s just okay), but those who don’t live in SF, LA or NY simply don’t care. You can bet
  ‘Milk’ and Sean Penn will be big winners Oscar night. Films with wide appeal, like ‘The Dark Knight’ and “Wall-E”, will be bystanders, and the public will once again tune out.

  If this is what the Oscar folks and Hollywood leaders want, fine. But without wider appeal and less politics the Oscar show is doomed to go the way of the Miss America Pageant or be relegated to Bravo or the Style Network.

  Comment by savvydude — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 5:23pm PST  Reply to this post

• Savvydude, you’re 2nd reply wasn’t up when i made my comment. Obviously you have seen the film and gave alternative ideas.

  Why is all this talk about the Oscars not about quality but about ratings? Who gives a flying f-bomb if the awards even stop being televised? Awards should be given out on merit, not because of Nielsen’s. They have awards for that, they are called The People’s Choice Awards and they are a joke.

  Comment by Anonymous — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 5:48pm PST  Reply to this post

• Well Milk is ok, but Frost/Nixon is better, and Dark Night is a better as well… the audience is smart as well please don’t forget that

  Comment by savvyy — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 6:32pm PST  Reply to this post

• best pic – Dark Knight

  Slumdog needs to get on DVD fast and with massive promotion . maybe even win

  Comment by Anonymous — Wednesday December 10, 2008 @ 8:48pm PST  Reply to this post

• It’s confusing to have the NYC critics pick the previous year’s 4 MONTHS 3 WEEKS 2 DAYS as their Foreign Language winner. It was eligible for the previous Oscars. It played L.A. and at film fests including in New York.

  Comment by Anon — Thursday December 11, 2008 @ 8:05am PST  Reply to this post