Argo's win (and it's announcement from the White House no less) is just propaganda supporting the current US campaign against Iran.

Argo is a quite solid and well-made film at first look. Unfortunately, in a year with great and challenging political films, it seems quite satisfied with a rather superficial approach to its subject matter that relegates it to a somewhat conventional suspense thriller(using every cheap trick in the book in the last act). It is a shame that the filmmakers did not want to delve any deeper and just played it safe here. The acting is fine, but I think Ben Affleck needs to stop casting himself in the lead role in the films he directs. It didn't work well for The Town and it doesn't work well here. I just think another actor could have been better. Otherwise, it's nothing extraordinary or transcendent or anything it could've been if anyone actually had the balls to go there. No wonder this won Best Picture. It is as safe as the previous two winners for Best Picture. And it just makes me want to go back to The Hurt Locker or No Country days. Haha, anyway, I'd give this a B.

It's not the best picture of 2012, but it's a well done and intriguing film, I like it more than previous Oscar best picture winners
Good Job Ben!

A-

Argo

Finally caught up with this and while I don't think it deserved the Best Picture win, I can totally understand why it received it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The movie certainly paints America in a good light, but that was to be expected as it was directed by Ben Affleck, the poster boy for America, in all his Pearl Harbor-esque nationalist regalia.

It unfairly depicts the story of 6 Americans and their rescue out of Tehran by a CIA operative, Tony Mendez. I think this is important to note, but as Affleck stated, the film does say "based on a true story", therefore in his opinion, and my own, it's fine to make creative decisions to alter the story. It was a tense and interesting ride, and I never knew about this part of history, so I'm glad Affleck made the film for that reason. The details of the film are mostly incorrect, and the actual rescue mission was incredibly smooth with almost no confrontations or panic due to any threat from officers or guards. It would have been nice if Affleck was able to create a suspenseful and tense film without deleting so much of history, because the events of Argo will be what people remember, not what actually happened, and this is important.

I thought Affleck was likeable in the role, even if he didn't really do a lot. But I'm just glad that he didn't do his cheesy grin once during the movie - that wold have ruined it. He suits a beard and long hair. I was surprised how close the actors looked to the real six embassy staff. The music throughout the film was captivating and reminiscent of the time (as was the WB logo at the start, a nice touch), and the script wasn't bad too.

I feel that Argo was really let down in the character department. I had a hard time really giving a shit whether these 6 individuals lived or died. One or two of them were fucking annoying, and I wished they had got caught. The same goes for Affleck, I really couldn't care less if he was caught. If they worked a little harder in making them likeable (genuinely likeable, not fake shit like helping an Iranian boy that fell of his bike) then I think this could have improved the movie no end.

Good film. I want to see more from Ben Affleck in the directors chair, but please Ben, try to paint a more accurate picture of history next time. The movie was a bit too "America, Fuck Yeah!" for my tastes.

B+

I thought it was really good, and solid while watching it. But it is quite slight and left me almost completely when I was done with it. Certainly not the Best Picture winner I was expecting (I was surprised how close in it was actually) But it's a really well made film, and gets a lot right.

B+

Yes, it is solid and very entertaining in the moment, and the actual raid on the embassy is a notably well-crafted sequence of chaos and suspense, but in general the film goes in one ear and out the other.

Argo is nowhere near Syriana or Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, among recent espionage themed titles.

^ I still love Argo. *shrug*

It's a terrific thriller and a worthy Best Picture winner. Those who disagree, can go suck it.

Those who agree shall have spiders in eye sockets and ears!

You seem to enjoy it.

I just watched this again and I still liked it. B+

It was very enjoyable. Should not have won best picture, though.