Javier Bardem was honored by his home country of Spain yesterday. He won the country’s 2008 national film award for his “defense of the acting profession and a constant commitment to Spanish cinema.”

I was introduced to Bardem with his engaging role in Almodovar’s Live Flesh where he played a paralyzed ex-cop who has an unhealthy obsession with both his wife and ex-lover. After seeing that film, I knew that America would be seeing a whole lot of him. Thus it’s no suprise, that this latest honor coincides quite nicely with his Supporting Actor Oscar for No Country for Old Men. Bardem was truly frightening in that role.

Thus, I’m delighted by the change of tone with his latest movie, Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Trailer Check:

Allen’s using ScarJo again? At least, he’s seeing the world and portraying a new version of the love triangle. But does all that stuff really matter? The inclusion of Javier will be enough to get most people to the theater. Vicky Cristina Barcelona already premiered to positive reviews at Cannes and hits US theaters on August 15th.

(News Source: Yahoo AP)

This year’s Oscar broadcast was the worst in recent history! I guess America doesn’t have the patience to sit through four hours of Hollywood self-congratulations. Or it’s more likely that the films nominated weren’t the most popular or highest grossing ones from 2007. No Country for Old Men, a film with a modest box office gross, swept the ceremony with four awards, including best picture.

Personally, I didn’t think they were all that bad. Jon Stewart did an alright job, especially if you consider the short time they had write the jokes. Sadly, the funniest thing I saw was Gary Busey bumping into Jennifer Garner and then snubbing her for Laura Linney. And that moment was just a happy accident of comedy caught by E! entertainment’s video cameras.

Find a full list of winners here.

The Independent Spirit Awards take place tomorrow, since they’re always the Saturday before the Oscars. This year’s host is Rainn Wilson from “The Office”. The ceremony will be broadcast on IFC at 5pm Eastern/2pm Pacific.

It seems I missed even more great movies from 2007, after looking at the nominee list. Of course, there’s a bit a of Oscar crossover, with No Country and Diving Bell. But that’s to be expected since Hollywood has been distributing and recognizing an increasing number of indie features.

I’m pulling for Parker Posey, since her performance in Broken English was perfect in every way. Broken English is a great example of a movie made with HDV camcorders that got released in a fair amount of theaters. The film’s director Zoe Cassavettes, daughter of John Cassavettes, probably helped the film garner recognition. But I’d like to think that the acting and substance of the film is what counts.

Check the trailer for Broken English: