I'm guessing they're badly over-extended on the mansion, makes sense as a prime motive for their crime.

Yeah, I'm surprised that episode isn't in here. First thing that came to mind when I saw the title.

Yeah, I'm surprised that episode isn't in here. First thing that came to mind when I saw the title.

Dislike isn't quite hate. I usually find Tom Hanks annoying or distracting… and if the presence of a certain actor interferes with my ability to suspend disbelief, that's a problem. And that's my typical reaction to Tom Hanks. I'm sure he's a great guy.

Dislike isn't quite hate. I usually find Tom Hanks annoying or distracting… and if the presence of a certain actor interferes with my ability to suspend disbelief, that's a problem. And that's my typical reaction to Tom Hanks. I'm sure he's a great guy.

So, typecast?

So, typecast?

Hugh Grant with four speaking parts is four Hugh Grants too many, in my world. I realize many people have no problem with him, but he's on my personal Blacklist of Insufferable Actors, alongside Andie Macdowell, Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise and Sandra Bullock. Hanks is pretty close to making the list, too.

Hugh Grant with four speaking parts is four Hugh Grants too many, in my world. I realize many people have no problem with him, but he's on my personal Blacklist of Insufferable Actors, alongside Andie Macdowell, Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise and Sandra Bullock. Hanks is pretty close to making the list, too.

I have plenty of reasons not to see this, or at least wait for home video.

I have plenty of reasons not to see this, or at least wait for home video.

I thought "Far From Heaven" was more of an academic exercise (asking the question, "what if Douglas Sirk had been able make a movie that's explicitly about homosexuality?") than Oscar-bait. It was also an indie made for $13.5 million. Doesn't sound like a cynical award-grab to me, though it's arguably cynical for…

I thought "Far From Heaven" was more of an academic exercise (asking the question, "what if Douglas Sirk had been able make a movie that's explicitly about homosexuality?") than Oscar-bait. It was also an indie made for $13.5 million. Doesn't sound like a cynical award-grab to me, though it's arguably cynical for…

Been rolling my eyes at the Oscars ever since Moonstruck, the epitome of a hackneyed rom-com, took two awards for acting and one for writing, plus nominations for best actor, director and picture. It stereotypes Italian-Americans as loud, cute gossips instead of money-grubbing thugs, so there's that.

Been rolling my eyes at the Oscars ever since Moonstruck, the epitome of a hackneyed rom-com, took two awards for acting and one for writing, plus nominations for best actor, director and picture. It stereotypes Italian-Americans as loud, cute gossips instead of money-grubbing thugs, so there's that.

I have no plans to see Battleship (so don't know if it fits what follows), but in general I have no problem with a glitzy blockbuster that sets out to be nothing more nor less than loud, flashy entertainment and succeeds in being entertaining. It probably doesn't fit most people's definition of art, but at least it's…

I have no plans to see Battleship (so don't know if it fits what follows), but in general I have no problem with a glitzy blockbuster that sets out to be nothing more nor less than loud, flashy entertainment and succeeds in being entertaining. It probably doesn't fit most people's definition of art, but at least it's…

The thing is, this kind of "ambition" often amounts to just throwing lots of money and big names at an idea, all too often a shitty idea.

The thing is, this kind of "ambition" often amounts to just throwing lots of money and big names at an idea, all too often a shitty idea.

Oh, and how does a turd like the English Patient win nine of its 12 nominations, but not the ones for its leads and writer? Because it's a turd. I'm totally with Elaine Benes on this one. I realize this doesn't qualify for this list, but it really should have, dammit.