I’m trying to get as many films in before term starts.  In a few weeks I’ll be up to my neck in film noir (as is the paper I will be taking) and won’t have time for too much else.  Actually, who knows really … I have no idea what to expect of my lecturer, or indeed, no idea of what he will expect of me.  With this I’m mind I’ve been focussing on Oscar contenders as I tend to do around this time of the year.  From what I gather, nine nominations for best picture seems to be a little excessive, especially when quality productions such as Melancholia and Shame have been snubbed.  None-the-less there are plenty of good films nominated that thankfully shout louder than the not-so-good ones.  Next week I’ll report on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, but this week it’s The Descendants.  Nominated for five Oscars, directed by Alexander Payne (Sideways, About Schmidt), and starring George Clooney, this film had the pedigree for potential.  You can see my review here.