I agree with most of your observations, I would like to put out for discussion my thoughts that, although powerful, I felt DDL's performance was one dimensional.
Now granted that dimension was strong, but it didn't seem to have the depth that perhaps I would have expected from the writing or the performance. Like hitting one note on the piano, either softly or sometimes with force, it's still one note...and that's part of what left me wanting for the whole film...an absence of humanity or depth, or suggestion as to the reason for that absence.
Even in "Smokin' Aces", a movie that some would dismiss as a basic shootem up, has elements of humanity amid all the chaos, Darwin's convo with the recently deceased Affleck is one example, and Pasquale's almost brotherly farewell to Matthew Fox being another...as well as the relationship between Messner and Carruthers (that you graciously spent time developing despite calls, I'm sure, of those who felt you needed to cut all that "talk" and get to the action) all these elements seemed to layer the movie and move it just beyond the realm of a basic "bang-bang-kiss-kiss" flick.
That was my only complaint for "Blood", the lack of humanity or at least a suggestion for that absence made most of the characters feel empty at best and cartoonish at worst.

Anyway, that's my two cents...anyone else care to jump in on this???

Peace,
RTA

I know what you mean. I supposed at the time I saw it that it was intended, that the characters had something about humanity that was lacking in them. That there was something empty about them.

Thanks for the thoughts. I enjoyed the show and felt especially grateful for it this year.

" DDL one of the top three performances in history" lol. you must be high joe. he is a very talented, committed actor with very good technique. unfortunately, his strength is one of his greatest weaknesses. i can always see his "acting" other than in my left foot, which he was amazing, i always get the feeling that i am watching a "performance". one that may be spectacular, but never the less, i am watching, not living with. his turn as bill the butcher in GANGS , was like watching someone in an opera.
i agree that in BLOOD, his performance lacked depth and nuance beyond his evil determination.
top three? cmon man. you directed patrick and liotta to two performances that for reality, depth, conflict, and mythological stature, rank right up there. ddl couldnt play either of those parts in NARC. he has to be on a stage that sets him up from the world and spontaneity and naturalness. Terry malloy? cmon man.
joe may have a mancrush.

Fincher was robbed.

P.T. Anderson was robbed.

Diablo Cody? Really? Whatever.

Shining moments of the awards...Falling Slowly winning, Tilda Swinton winning, and Marion Cotillard winning.

Oh, and Brad Bird. He can do no wrong.

Everything else. Utterly fucking predictable.

Kevin

I wanted Daniel Day-Lewis to win so he could sweep this year...and because I simply wanted to hear him speak. The man is poetry incarnate and a damn good actor. :)

I was surpised that Brad renfro wasn't in the memoriam before Heath.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees! It is all subjective, of course, and in many categories the voters couldn't go wrong no matter which way they voted. And yes, it is hard to understand the snubs, but the best thing to do is handle it gracefully. You never know. Next year could be different.

Best Wishes, Myriada

I was happy with the awards themselves for them ost part, but damn the show was boring. I thought John Stewart was good, but really, the Academy needs to hand the production over to someone in their 30's or 40's.

How old is Stewart?

Yeah, I agree with all your stuff. First of all how cool is it that Bardem is your Pablo (or at least last I heard)! He completely deserved the Oscar.
I loved No Country with all my heart, but when I saw There Will Be Blood, I wanted it for Best Pic, but am still totally satisfied with the Coen brothers. Their speeches were perfect. Anderson did such a ridiculous job with Blood and DD Lewis was amazing. I wish more people had seen it though. And I was surprised Assassination didn't get nominated for hardly anything! I thought it was amazing.