82nd annual Academy Award Nominations and Awards Discussion

[james0246]

A run down on the Best Animated Feature Film nominees:

Spoiler for Best Animated Feature:

“Coraline” Henry Selick – this was my favourite film of the year, so I am slightly biased toward its possible win. Suffice to say, this film combines stupendous 3-d graphic (nearly equal to “Avatar”, and if “Avatar” had not been released, “Coraline” would be the best 3-D film so far), wonderful story with complex and evocative characters, extraordinary visual effects, and tight direction (from long time great Selick). In fact, “Coraline” might just win simply because Selick has been such a long time contributor (director, writer, etc) in animation. Downside, it is not CG, rather it is stop motion, and that point may harm “Coraline’s” chances.

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson – a wonderful adaptation of a lesser known beloved children’s story, Anderson created one of the most interesting, emotionally touching, and fun films of the year. Downside, the film could be considered too adult, and the fact that it is also stop-motion could harm the films chance to win.

“The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements – The best Disney film in well over a decade, not to mention the first major 2-d animated project from Disney in years, as well as the introduction of Disney’s first African-American princess could be just the push that sees Disney finally win the Best Animated Award (technically, when a Pixar film wins, so too does Disney). Downside, not many actually went to see this revival, and some of the Randy Newman songs were really quite stupid.

“The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore – this wonderful 2-d animated film (probably the best I have seen in several years), tells the story of a young man growing up in an Abbey in the 9th century (A.D.) Ireland. There, the young man, who studies under his Uncle (an Abbot who is working to fortify their Abbey in case of a Viking attack), meets a fleeing priest who is attempting to finish the illustrations for one of the Books of the Bible. The young boy, so entranced and amazed by the Priests illustrations decides to follow in his footsteps and illustrate the Gospels. Thus begins the story of the creation of the Book of Kells. This is a remarkable film with jawdropingly beautiful animation and a wonderful story. Downside, no one in the US has seen this film, hell the only reason I have seen it is because a friend literally forced me to see the film (while I was in Europe last year). Added to that, there is a mixture of Christianity and Paganism that might be too off-putting to an American audience.

“Up” Pete Docter – it’s Pixar’s recent entry into their long line of quickly emerging classic films. Great acting, decent story, good visuals, and good directing all add together to create a very touching, if a little passé, film. Downside, for years now, there has been a predicted backlash against Pixar constantly winning this award, but so far such a backlash has not occurred. Ultimately, the film is only good compared to many of the other Pixar films, and with such great films as “Coraline”, “Mr. Fox” and “Kells” also up for nominations, this could be the year that Pixar finally loses…

Bottom Line -
Who Will Win: Probably “Up”. It’s Pixar, the home-away-from-home animation company; it’s like Mom’s homemade cooking, there is a an almost built in nostilgia factor to the studio and its releases…

Who should win: “Coraline” or “The Secret of Kells”. Powerful and beautiful films that are not afraid to tell complex and compelling stories that both children and adults can enjoy.

[Zu Ra]

I am cheering for Hurt Locker to win the best director . I hadn't known this a few days back but now I do . The director is breaking new ground and creating opportunities . Never before I have ever watched such a gusty gritty movie directed by a female director . Before you go sexist I can even go as far as to say she chokes all her male counter parts, when it comes to war movies . One of the most realistic war movies in recent times and yet takes no sides .

I hope Kathryn Bigelow does win the Best Director for Hurt Locker . It will open a window of opportunity to women directors who are forced to do chick flicks otherwise .

[Evil Rick]

I honestly can't figurate out why Inglourious Basterds and District 9 are both nominated for Best Picture.

Inglourious Basterds like all of Taranttino's movies has a pitty porr storyline filled with tons and tons of unecesary violence, add long and tired scenes with unlimited boring dialogs and a most fantasious & ridiculous "what if" trama wich made this movie a most disapointing experience saved only by the acting of Christoph Waltz (wich was really good).

As for district 9, I can only say that it's one of the most ridiculous movies I had ever seen, the lack of scense, mix of "stupid documental" and "gorish action" plus a really poor acting made this movie a BIG waste of time.

I only hope Avatar, The Blind Side or at least UP will get the oscar, since any of these movies deserv it more.

[Dilla]

The Blindside? What made that so great?

All I saw was another semi-lame 'Nice White Lady' movie.

[Evil Rick]

Originally Posted by Dilla

The Blindside? What made that so great?

All I saw was another semi-lame 'Nice White Lady' movie.

I dunno, but is of those movies who leaves you a good taste, perhaps is the personality of the characters or the catching story wich was presented in s imple but lovely way, not all movies need a set of action packed scenes in order to be good.

[Dilla]

I'm trying to find a way to post my annoyance for this movie without coming off as bitter, so I'll just post a parody.

I just don't see how The Blindside is different from the other movies that follow this trope other than the fact that it's a housewife instead of a teacher. It's just another cliche concept. Enjoyable is it may be (I'll admit that I found the Ron Clark Story entertaining), I don't think it's Academy worthy.

[Evil Rick]

Originally Posted by Dilla

I'm trying to find a way to post my annoyance for this movie without coming off as bitter, so I'll just post a parody.

[youtube]No need for videos or stuff that goes out of the topic[youtube]

I just don't see how The Blindside is different from the other movies that follow this trope other than the fact that it's a housewife instead of a teacher. It's just another cliche concept. Enjoyable is it may be (I'll admit that I found the Ron Clark Story entertaining), I don't think it's Academy worthy.

You know that Blindside is a true story right? How can it be a copy or a cliche then?

[Dilla]

That doesn't really matter tbh. The concept is still the same. Besides, a good portion of the trope is based off true stories, doesn't make it more deserving.

[Evil Rick]

Originally Posted by Dilla

That doesn't really matter tbh. The concept is still the same.

Thens the idea of cliche or repeated trama looses a bit of efect, doesn't it?

Anyway, I don't think Blinside will win, perhaps Sandra Bullock will get the oscar, but the movie for best picture probably will not.

[james0246]

Originally Posted by Evil Rick

You know that Blindside is a true story right? How can it be a copy or a cliche then?

You know "The Blind Side" is a fictional film based on real people, right? It's not a documentary in the slightest. Much of the film doesn't even come close to the book, and much of the book was dumbed down in order to tell a well meaning, but well known (as a cliche), story.

"The Blind Side" is definetly a feel good movie, and it has been quite awhile since such a film has won Best Picture, but it does seem a little unlikely that the film will actually win Best Picture.

[Gin]

Originally Posted by Evil Rick

I only hope Avatar, The Blind Side or at least UP will get the oscar, since any of these movies deserv it more.

Both of those movies shouldn´t be up for best picture either imo.

Originally Posted by Dilla

The Blindside? What made that so great?

All I saw was another semi-lame 'Nice White Lady' movie.

Yeah, it seems like just another movie trying to show white people as some sort of mystical race of angels, whose every action results in good things happening to the ´lesser´races.

[james0246]

Originally Posted by Gin

Yeah, it seems like just another movie trying to show white people as some sort of mystical race of angels, whose every action results in good things happening to the ´lesser´races.

To be fair, the movie is a lot better than this tired trope, and one of the few things I would credit Sandra Bullock’s performance with is the fact that she does a fine job of not making her character reflect on the colour of Big Mike's skin. She simply sees a child in need, so she helps (admittedly, the film is hampered by the fact that the boy grows up to be a NFL draft pick, which essentially underscores the message of the film, but whatever).

That being said, I agree that the film shouldn't have been nominated for Best Picture.

[Gin]

Originally Posted by james0246

That being said, I agree that the film shouldn't have been nominated for Best Picture.

The only Best Picture nominee I agree with is The Hurt Locker. I also thought Invictus was really good, why that wasn´t nominated instead of Blindside, I will never know.

[james0246]

^I disagree. "Inglourious Basterds", "Up", "Up in the Air", "Hurt Locker" and "Precious" are all well deserving of their nomination for Best Picture (They were actually my initial choices for what should be nominated if the previous rules had not been changed). "District 9" probably shouldn't have been nominated (I'm on the fence), and "A Serious Man" and "An Education", while very good, did not really deserve the Best Picture nomination. "Avatar" and "Blind Side" were the populist nominations (of which there si always at least one), and thankfully it doesn't look like there is much support for these nominations in this category.

[Zu Ra]

The funny thing about Cameron Vs Kathryn Bigelow is . They were married once and she used to assist him back in the day . Its a battle between Master and Prodigy but the love angle makes it even more personal . Here is Cameron's take on the Hurt Locker :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0pv9XslEwg

[james0246]

Best Picture nominees and prediction -

Spoiler for Best Feature Film:

“Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau – the box-office hit of the…well ever (Sorry “Gone…”, but you are slowly fading with your wind). Definitely the frontrunner of the current race, “Avatar” is greatly boosted by the fact that it has so many nominations (though it is hindered by the fact that it lacks any acting or writing nominations), though it is hindered by the lack of any acting or writing nominations. The real downside to this feature is the fact that only the 3-D version of the film is any good (the 2-D version of the film is a boring 3 hour CGI film), and I really find it hard to believe that the Academy would vote for a film that, essentially, looks bad in a different light...then again, I never expected the film to win a Golden Globe...

“The Blind Side” Nominees to be determined – the feel good movie of the year with decent acting by a well liked actress. Not much else to say about this fairly transparent film. The good, a feel good film has not won this award in years, and during these tough times, Hollywood may just think that awarding such entertainment will be seen as “sensitive” by the Average Joe. The bad: this film reeks of averageness, and considering that it is competing against 2 similar films (“Precious” definitely, but “An Education” also has some similar themes, albeit from the youth perspective) that far exceed anything and everything “Blind Side” ever hoped to accomplish, it would be almost criminal to allow “Blind Side” to win. (Personally, something like “Star Trek” should have attained this nominations, but popular opinion often times outweighs…well intelligence.)

“District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham – thought provoking sci-fi films that contemplates the innate qualities of man when faced with the truly unknown (spoiler alert: man is found lacking). While everything comes together quite nicely to create a fun and exciting movie experience, there are too many missteps (especially from first time director Neill Blomkamp) to really place this film at the top of the list; additionally, it does not help that Peter Jackson won a Best Picture and Best Director award just a few years ago for another large fantastical movie…

“An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey – powerful bildungsroman (if a bit formulaic), with superb acting, a great adapted script, and good first time directing from Lone Scherfig. But, it is a bit to simplistic for Best Picture, and definitely feels like the freshman effort that it is.

“The Hurt Locker” Nominees to be determined – hands down, the best action film of the year, but “The Hurt Locker” is so much more. Great acting, good story, and superb directing all add to this superb war film that attacks the previous Hollywood concept of war from a very different and difficult direction. The bad: there are 3 definite war films nominated this year (“Avatar”, “Hurt Locker” and “Inglourious Basterds”) and one other (“District 9”) that could end up hurting the picture. Added to that, it seems more likely that Kathryn Bigelow will be awarded for direction, will be awarded (then again, if Bigelow doesn’t win for Best Director, it seems almost certain that she will win for Best Picture).

“Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender – beautifully designed satire that strikes at the cord of propaganda, war films, as well as the nature of violence in modern film; deeply designed, wonderfully directed, and with a good story and great acting to boot, “Inglourious Basterds” is truly one of the most invigorating and sly films on this list. But, it is probably too violent, and too crazy to win the coveted Best Picture award…or is it .

“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness – beautifully evocative drama filled with terrific acting and writing, though first time director Lee Daniels defiantly shows his newness to the art by making many slight mistakes throughout. Very unlikely as a Best Picture, though there is ample precedent for strong family dramas winning the Best Picture award, especially when they are stacked against large blockbuster movies.

“A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen – deeply ironic, very bleak, and disquietingly humorous, the Coen Bros. managed to turn the Book of Job into a modernist reflection of Judaism in modern times. As a work of art, the Coen Bros. have produced their best film in years (at least since “No Country…”, but probably since “Fargo”), but as a viewing experience, this film is quite arduous in its depictions of a modern man struggling with faith and self.

“Up” Jonas Rivera – No matter how good the film is (though it is not as good as many make it out to be), as so long as there is a Best Animated Feature award, no animated film will ever win Best Picture.

“Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman – Strong film about modern times and a man’s struggle to surpass, or simply suppress, his apathy toward the world, even when the world is crumbling around him. In many respects, this should be the film to beat, but it seems to be hitting a little too close to home for some voters, so it is very unlikely that “Up in the Air” will win for Best Picture.

Bottom Line-

Who Will Win: Too close to call. Both “Avatar” and “Hurt Locker” have the needed credentials to win this award (though only “Hurt…” would be winning based on its own abilities, whereas “Avatar” is simply a cash cow), but there has been much talk about “Inglourious Basterds”, that if any film were to take it away from the 2 top contenders, it would be Tarantino’s wonderfully sly war fantasy. But, if I had to bet, I’d probably go with “Avatar” (with Bigelow then winning Best Director).

Who Should Win: Probably “Hurt Locker”, though “Inglourious Basterds” and “Up in the Air” are real close seconds.

[Zu Ra]

Kathryn Bieglow (Hurt Locker) recently created History being the First Women to win the Best Director at BAFTA AWARDS .

She has already won the best director at Critics Choice Award . So hope Oscar does come her way . But know what would be anticlimactic , Jason Reitman & Up in The Air walking away with both Best Director/Movie . Felt George Clooney IMO deserves an Oscar for Up in the Air for a stellar performance, bringing Bingham to life . The character thanks to Clooney feels so real, also somewhere down the line your drawn into Clonney's charisma . Though quite didn't like as in enjoy the movie, too bitter sweet for my liking . But the scene where Vera/George counsel Kendrick, shows the caliber of Clooney Performance .

[Evil Rick]

The winners were:

Music
Up

Song
"The Weary Kind" Crazy Heart

Makeup
Star Treek

Art Direction
Avatar

Sound Editing
The Hurt Locker

Sound Mixing
The Hurt Locker

Film Editing
The Hurt Locker

Costume Design
The Young Victoria

Documentary
The Cove

Short Animated film
Logorama

Foreign Language Film
El Secreto de Sus Ojos-Argentina

Visual Efects
Avatar

Writing (Original Screenplay)
The Hurt Locker

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Actor in a Supporting Role
Christoph Waltz in "Inglourious Basterds"

Actress in a Supporting Role
Mo’Nique in "Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire"

Animated Feature Film
Up

Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart"

Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side"

Directing
Kathryn Bigelow in “The Hurt Locker”

Best Picture
The Hurt Locker


NOTE: I can't recall short documentary film, short live action film and Cinematography, any help here?

[james0246]

Unsurprising, if overly "political" awards (Bullock and Bridges were not the best in their categories, and "The Cove" should have never won, and "Coraline" should have won Best Animated film). Still, Mo'nique and Bigelow won, and "Avatar" thankfully did not receive Best Picture, so for that I am very happy.

[Buttercup~]

Originally Posted by james0246

Unsurprising, if overly "political" awards (Bullock and Bridges were not the best in their categories, and "The Cove" should have never won, and "Coraline" should have won Best Animated film). Still, Mo'nique and Bigelow won, and "Avatar" thankfully did not receive Best Picture, so for that I am very happy.

I'm glad that Avatar didn't win Best Picture too >_> Maybe because it's just too overrated and I never really understood why everyone loved it so much...
On the other hand, I actually did not enjoy Coraline o_O I thought it was.... boring? compared to even Up and Princess and the Frog. The story didn't really captivate me at all. The Cove was a REALLY good documentary and I actually think it doesn't get enough credit. I have no comment to Bullock and Bridges though since... well I had a feeling they'd win.