I'm so proud of myself...

...much more to come regarding the Oscars, but Mark Wahlberg's nomination this morning in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in The Departed made me especially happy, as...I predicted it!

After yesterday's runaround, I wound up at the Cobb Theaters in Miami Lakes. I just had to see The Departed! He's...ba-a-a-ck! Marty Scorsese elicited great performances from everyone: Leo's getting better and better; Matt played a good villain; Jack was...Jack: serious; funny; tragic; Martin (Sheen) had a low-key, but important, role; Alec (Baldwin) hammed it up within a serious context: it's a given that he's a very versatile performer; and the "sleeper" role went to...Mark Wahlberg (I won't give it away). I get the distinct impression that he picks and chooses his parts very, very carefully, following his career as I have since his Boogie Nights days. Slam-bang! Rene gave it four stars--I heartily concur!

I guess the above constituted a review. You know I'm not keen on blood and guts, P, but when a master is at work--and back on top--I didn't even look away, knowing, all the while, that every spurt, every punch, was there for a reason. It was cops and robbers--or, should I say, cops and mobsters--good. Bravo!

(From an email to Peggy Fisher on Saturday, October 7, 2006.)