the shiny golden men

i've seen all of the best picture oscar nominees now. i can honestly say that for the first time, i actually like them all. i cannot comprehend, however, the placement of juno and atonement in such august company. both are sweet and have their charms. but next to the other three, there will be blood and no country for old men and michael clayton, they are soft and forgettable. michael clayton, however, is the worst and most pleasurable case of cinematic blue balls i've ever experienced. the tension builds and builds and then does not release. it pretends to release, but the buildup simply continues. anyhow, it's quite good.