So The Aviator didn’t pick up the major Oscars it was hoping for. Can’t say as I’m that surprised. I finally caught it at the Uptown Theatre on Saturday night, and the only thing about it that was jaw-dropping was when Cate Blanchett opened her mouth. I didn’t know you could win an Oscar for channeling the dead.

Like another Leo DiCaprio movie that comes to mind, this film was heralded as the Second Coming of (the Passion of the) Christ, and turned out to be, well, long. Yes, you get a sense of epic scope in the opening scenes — but the rest of it just sort of fizzles in terms of making Hughes out to be a masterful character. Leo, next time, check out an Orson Welles flick you might recall, or heck, just cuddle up with Jeff Bridges for a bit.