`Mank’ better than `Citizen Kane’
Syracuse, Girard head to NCAA Tournament
The Front Page
Morning Briefing
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
By Ken Tingley
Ironically, I think the movie about making “Citizen Kane” - “Mank” - is a better than the much acclaimed “Citizen Kane.”
That speaks more to my dislike of “Citizen Kane” than love of “Mank.”
The Oscar nominations came out Monday morning with Mank” leading the way with 10. Home-bound and retired, I’ve already seen four of the seven Best Picture films and “Mank” was clearly the most ambitious, perhaps too ambitious. It could have used some editing.
If you are looking for one man’s opinion of what you should see, here is a quick list:
“Mank” is a great peek into old Hollywood - shot in black and white - with Gary Oldman at his best (remember, he won an Academy Award for Churchill) as screenwriter Joseph Mankiewicz.
“Trial of The Chicago 7” is Aaron Sorkin at his writing best. At the very least, the 1960’s hairstyles and clothes make it worth a look, but the politics don’t seem that much removed from what we are seeing today. See if you can pick out Sacha Baron Cohen. He got a supporting actor nod.
You don’t have to be a heavy metal fan to relate to a drummer who suddenly loses his hearing in “Sound of Metal” just as his band is starting to get traction. Ruiz Ahmed played the drummer and earned a Best Actor nomination.
The movie that was sadly overlooked was “I care a lot” with Rosamund Pike as a shady lawyer trying to steal senior citizens’ life savings. She was the most hated character I saw all year.
Over the next month, my goal will be to see as many Oscar nominated films as possible. I make it a point to seek out shorts and documentaries streaming online. They are often the movies I remember the most. For the complete list of nominations, check here.
Stay tuned, you will be hearing more as the Oscars near.
Quote of the day
“As you read these words, some scrofulous tunnel rat in public office is busy selling your best interests down the road. It might be happening at your town council, zoning board, water district, or county commission — but it is happening.”
- Carl Hiassen, retiring columnist for the Miami Herald.
Tourney bound
Great to see Syracuse make the NCAA Tournament and for Glens Falls native Joe Girard III to have his moment on the big stage.
Ironically, the two teams I have watched the most this year are Syracuse and West Virginia. I think there is a good possibility that they could meet in the second round. Based on watching both teams a lot, I don’t see Syracuse getting by West Virginia.
