The Oscar Push!

[Kargo Warrior]

Now watch, if he don't win the Oscar, yet wins every other award under the sun, people will still gripe. Because the Oscar is like the big man on campus to people, whereas everything else is just vying to be like him.

There is not a chance for him to lose...he's a virtual lock.

He has all the hype,every other award whether American,British or Australian...and he doesn't have a big opponent.

And of course everyone will be pissed in the 0,000000001% he doesnt' win,since it will prove that the oscars are ridiculous,i mean if that would happen it will crush every little ounce of integrity they have left.

He has won everything else by everyone else...how would they justify giving the award to someone else?

[BLACK-SPIDEY]

oh my effin god SLUMDOG WON DIRECTOR!!!!........EFFIN DIRECTOR!!! thats stupid.

[Ace of Knaves]

Was Nolan even nominated for best director?

[redfirebird2008]

TDK is nominated for 8 categories. It's not like it's false advertising.

Showing clips of Chris Nolan is false advertising, since, you know, he's NOT nominated.

[Aloys]

It depends on the theater - you'll have to look up each one. And hopefully you'll be in NYC for more than that, LOL! Otherwise you might as well just make the trip to London and be done with it. (And even then....)

No, It isn't the only reason:oldrazz:

How about Loews Lincoln Imax Theatre?

[WVsax27]

Mickey won best actor, yay

[Ace of Knaves]

Well done Mickey!!!

[Ace of Knaves]

Funny bastard. Great guy :up:

[Kargo Warrior]

Awesome acting awards...simply awesome

Penelope,Heath,Kate and Mickey...completely deserved.

[redfirebird2008]

I dunno, I didn't feel Nolan's stamp as much on BB. BB is the least Nolanesque movie in his filmography. That's why I was amazed when the first reviews of TDK came out and some called it Nolan's "pinnacle." I wasn't sure if he'd really go full Nolan on a tentpole Batman movie. :cwink:

I disagree. Batman Begins uses flashbacks, which is a typical Nolan feature. TDK is the one that is different from his other movies since it's told in a straight linear style.

[WVsax27]

I guess they didn't air editing...I'd say Slumdog won though

[baronghede]

Where can I see this online?

[Ace of Knaves]

Try BBC.com or something.

[BLACK-SPIDEY]

slumdog won best film..........no comment

[Ace of Knaves]

Well it was inevitable really.

[GlasgowBat]

at least it wasn't benjamin button.

[WVsax27]

I liked Benjamin Button most out of the films they nominated...it was the only one of the 5 that made my own top 5

[Cancer4TheCure]

I agree WV. Slumdog is one of the most overrated films in recent years. Of course, that's just my opinion.

[WVsax27]

Slumdog just missed my top 10...I did have it in there, but Rachel Getting Married bumped a few movies down

[redfirebird2008]

I agree WV. Slumdog is one of the most overrated films in recent years. Of course, that's just my opinion.

It wouldn't be overrated if it wasn't winning literally every single "best picture" award of the awards season. At the rate it's winning, you would think it's the only good movie of 2008 or that it's somehow an all-time great. I don't think either is the case. People have just decided that they want it to win because of the subject matter. It's a pretty good movie but by no means should it be winning literally every award.

[Boom]

If anyone catches the BAFTA Awards taping tonight on BBC, could you please record and post Heath Ledger's segment online?

[WVsax27]

TDK won a Grammy!

[Kargo Warrior]

James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer took home a trophy for Best Score for The Dark Knight, beating out Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man, There Will Be Blood and Wall-E.

:applaud:applaud:applaud

[Kargo Warrior]

That's what happens when musicians choose the awards...not some actors or producers or directors.

No wonder Slumdog wasnt even nominated.

[redfirebird2008]

That's what happens when musicians choose the awards...not some actors or producers or directors.

No wonder Slumdog wasnt even nominated.

Exactly what I was thinking. It's a shame that these awards are voted on mostly by actors. Why is an actor allowed to vote for Best editing or whatever? They are no more of an expert in that field than you and me. And what they typically do is vote for the same movie that they supported for Best Picture. In this case, it's Slumdog. Which means Slumdog will likely win pretty much every category it's in at the Oscars.

[WVsax27]

Slumdog wont win both of the sound awards...I can promise you that

[batman11]

Exactly what I was thinking. It's a shame that these awards are voted on mostly by actors. Why is an actor allowed to vote for Best editing or whatever? They are no more of an expert in that field than you and me. And what they typically do is vote for the same movie that they supported for Best Picture. In this case, it's Slumdog. Which means Slumdog will likely win pretty much every category it's in at the Oscars.

I've got to agree somewhat with this sentiment. It appears that with awards, those that are eligible to vote simply vote for their favorite film that appears on the ballot, without looking specifically at the category. Is this a fact? No. But it's something that I've frequently observed. The most notable example of course, was Slumdog winning Best Ensemble. I love the film, but it appears that the voters confused the award with Best Picture. Either that, or everyone else is seeing something that I don't. LOL :woot:

[hatebox]

That's what happens when musicians choose the awards...not some actors or producers or directors.

No wonder Slumdog wasnt even nominated.

Erm... Indy and IM's soundtracks were nothing special at all in fairness.

[Nina7]

I've always thought it was strange that each Academy member votes for all the categories once the nominations were decided. I think they all should vote for Best Picture, but shouldn't only the writers vote for writing, the techs for the techs, etc...What the heck would a writer know about good sound editing anyway?

[baronghede]

Video of Roven accepting Ledger's award...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5u966OMYyc

[GlasgowBat]

that's always been my thinking as well.

[redfirebird2008]

I've always thought it was strange that each Academy member votes for all the categories once the nominations were decided. I think they all should vote for Best Picture, but shouldn't only the writers vote for writing, the techs for the techs, etc...What the heck would a writer know about good sound editing anyway?

Exactly. And the actors make up such a HUGE portion of the voting bloc that it seems pretty ridiculous to have actors deciding tech awards. They know nothing about those categories.

[GlasgowBat]

it would make the oscars more reliable, at least

[redfirebird2008]

The only people who have a right to be voting in the tech categories who aren't actual tech artists themselves would be the Directors. Directors oversee everything in the film so they at least have SOME idea of what goes on with editing, visual effects, etc. Actors are completely clueless on this stuff, yet they make up the largest voting bloc by far and have a huge influence on awards that they have no business voting on.

[Red Mask]

You guys know that the TDK soundtrack is similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean, right? Hans worked on both.

[redfirebird2008]

You guys know that the TDK soundtrack is similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean, right? Hans worked on both.

Uh, no it's not. Zimmer's work on Pirates is a ripoff of Zimmer's work on Gladiator. The thing that BB/TDK are similar to is Crimson Tide, which Zimmer also worked on of course.

[Red Mask]

Uh, yes- they are. I've listened to them both. They're similar alright.

[Etienne]

James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer took home a trophy for Best Score for The Dark Knight, beating out Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man, There Will Be Blood and Wall-E.

:applaud:applaud:applaud
Awesome! Was this televised?

[redfirebird2008]

Uh, yes- they are. I've listened to them both. They're similar alright.

Uh, no they're not. I've listened to them both repeatedly and they're different. As I said, Zimmer ripped off Gladiator for Pirates. And he ripped off Crimson Tide for Batman Begins. And he ripped off Batman Begins for TDK.

[redfirebird2008]

BTW Red Mask, since you claim to be an expert. Look 'em up on YouTube and prove that BB/TDK rip off the Pirates soundtracks. You can search for the song names of anything from the 5 soundtracks (BB, TDK, COTBP, DMC, and AWE) on YouTube. I own all 5 scores and the only ripping off that goes on from what I can tell is by TDK of BB and by DMC/AWE of COTBP. I would love for you to prove me wrong though.

[WVsax27]

You guys know that the TDK soundtrack is similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean, right? Hans worked on both.


umm...only not really at all? :huh:

[byte19]

guys...Zimmer is a musician... been so for 3 decades. like Williams, Elfman, and others, they repeat and steal from themselves. not expected for me. if they can use old tunes to get their point across on another film, they do it. i own every score from Zimmer. he repeats. how many (o)scars has he won?

so he rips from his own work.... i love his work, and AWE is vastly different than the other pirate scores

[BaleISBatman4ev]

They just won the Grammy for best score for TDK!

[byte19]

and.... i'm ecstatic!!!! :D

[Etienne]

Video of Roven accepting Ledger's award...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5u966OMYyc
The video they played when Heath's nom was read out was the "I'm a man of my word." scene. :up:

[Etienne]

They just won the Grammy for best score for TDK!
Damn, I missed it! :(

[ChrisB]

Damn, I missed it! :(

It wasnt televised.

[Etienne]

It wasnt televised.
:o That's what I figured, good to know. Is it normal not to televise the grammy for a movie score?

[redfirebird2008]

guys...Zimmer is a musician... been so for 3 decades. like Williams, Elfman, and others, they repeat and steal from themselves. not expected for me. if they can use old tunes to get their point across on another film, they do it. i own every score from Zimmer. he repeats. how many (o)scars has he won?

so he rips from his own work.... i love his work, and AWE is vastly different than the other pirate scores

AWE is the best of the Pirates scores, though it does steal the main theme from the first movie as well as the Davy Jones theme from DMC.

[byte19]

AWE is the best of the Pirates scores, though it does steal the main theme from the first movie as well as the Davy Jones theme from DMC.of course! you got to have familiarity...:hehe:

[ChrisB]

:o That's what I figured, good to know. Is it normal not to televise the grammy for a movie score?

yup

[scifiwolf]

Glad to see Newton Howard and Zimmer win the Grammy. I was also pleased to see John Williams win for "The Adventures of Mutt". Say what you want about that movie or that scene, but the track was brilliant.

[Anita18]

I disagree. Batman Begins uses flashbacks, which is a typical Nolan feature. TDK is the one that is different from his other movies since it's told in a straight linear style.
It actually isn't. (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16371661&postcount=403) :cwink:

But not just the use of flashbacks - lots of directors use flashbacks. I was specifically referring to say, the ending or the overall tone. The endings of Nolan's movies tend to punch the viewer in the stomach, and TDK did that more than BB. BB also had one foot in the comic-book-movie formula and one foot out, while TDK basically took the formula and threw it out the window. The tone of Nolan's films also lend an air of dreaded inevitability. Like, you know it won't end well but the story is just so powerful that you have to see it all the way through. Again, TDK had this more than BB did.

[redfirebird2008]

It actually isn't. (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16371661&postcount=403) :cwink:

But not just the use of flashbacks - lots of directors use flashbacks. I was specifically referring to say, the ending or the overall tone. The endings of Nolan's movies tend to punch the viewer in the stomach, and TDK did that more than BB. BB also had one foot in the comic-book-movie formula and one foot out, while TDK basically took the formula and threw it out the window. The tone of Nolan's films also lend an air of dreaded inevitability. Like, you know it won't end well but the story is just so powerful that you have to see it all the way through. Again, TDK had this more than BB did.

TDK very much had one foot in the comic book formula. There's a 20-30 minute portion of the movie (the climax with SWAT and ferry boats) that feels like something straight out of an over the top comic book movie. It felt similar to the climax of Begins.

[redfirebird2008]

of course! you got to have familiarity...:hehe:

Well of course. The best part of the movie is when Depp is sailing after the Fountain of Youth in the dingy boat at the very end and the main COTBP theme starts playing. :woot:

[Anita18]

TDK very much had one foot in the comic book formula. There's a 20-30 minute portion of the movie (the climax with SWAT and ferry boats) that feels like something straight out of an over the top comic book movie. It felt similar to the climax of Begins.
But unlike every other comic book movie, the main part wasn't a one-on-one fight with the hero's arch enemy. :oldrazz: The part where Batman and Joker went mano a mano lasted like, 15 seconds.

Plus the real climax happened on the ferries, not where Batman and Joker were at all.

[Boom]

A Critics' Choice Award.
A Golden Globe Award.
A Screen Actors Guild Award.
A BAFTA Award.

Heath has won all of the heavy hitters up to this point, with, perhaps, the exception of the Satellite Awards, but I don't know if that is considered one of the big awards. Does anyone know how relevant those awards are?

At this point, I would safely consider him a done deal for an Oscar victory. Considering his clean sweep at the televised award ceremonies, it would be a huge upset (and quite a mind****) if he doesn't win the big prize at this point.

[redfirebird2008]

But unlike every other comic book movie, the main part wasn't a one-on-one fight with the hero's arch enemy. :oldrazz: The part where Batman and Joker went mano a mano lasted like, 15 seconds.

Plus the real climax happened on the ferries, not where Batman and Joker were at all.

Yeah but the "pick your poison" scenario has been done before, even if they did try to put a different twist on it by making the citizens and criminals choose rather than the superhero himself. Batman Forever and Spider-Man are two examples in the superhero genre with a "pick your poison" climax.

[Kargo Warrior]

A Critics' Choice Award.
A Golden Globe Award.
A Screen Actors Guild Award.
A BAFTA Award.

Heath has won all of the heavy hitters up to this point, with, perhaps, the exception of the Satellite Awards, but I don't know if that is considered one of the big awards. Does anyone know how relevant those awards are?

At this point, I would safely consider him a done deal for an Oscar victory. Considering his clean sweep at the televised award ceremonies, it would be a huge upset (and quite a mind****) if he doesn't win the big prize at this point.

The Satellites are not relevant at all...

This year's best actor:Richard Jenkins
Last year's best actor:Viggo Mortensen
Last year's best supporting: Affleck/Wilkinson

So,they are rarely if ever choosing the best or the consensus.

[scifiwolf]

Boom, I'd say the most significant of the awards you mentioned is the SAG award, followed closely by the BAFTA. I'd say the Golden Globes has lost all credibility with the public, and the Critics' Choice awards seem not to pay too much attention to the reviews from the year.

[NickyTea]

It actually isn't. (http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=16371661&postcount=403) :cwink:



This depends on what you view as the movie proper, I suppose.
The only real element that is "messing up" the movie's almost completely linear structure (time stretch and juxtaposition of events aside) is the prologue. Perhaps so aptly named.

Plus the real climax happened on the ferries, not where Batman and Joker were at all.

I'll fight you on this till the day I die. :funny:

[Bim]

Glad to see Newton Howard and Zimmer win the Grammy. I was also pleased to see John Williams win for "The Adventures of Mutt". Say what you want about that movie or that scene, but the track was brilliant.
Totally agreed, i'm happy aswell :yay:

[MiniBond]

it would be a huge upset (and quite a mind****) if he doesn't win the big prize at this point.

honestly, after the snub for the rest of the movie in the major categories I'm prepared for the worse :csad::cwink:



:up: to Zimmer and Howard for the grammy btw !

[Anita18]

This depends on what you view as the movie proper, I suppose.
The only real element that is "messing up" the movie's almost completely linear structure (time stretch and juxtaposition of events aside) is the prologue. Perhaps so aptly named.

I'll fight you on this till the day I die. :funny:
Yes, but then why is Batman's introduction shown before the bank heist investigation? :oldrazz: That's the part that's out of order.

Well, that and the "views of the future" at the very end, but...anyway. :funny:

Yeah, I suppose the climax bit is arguable, but the overall fight is leading up to that moment - do the passengers choose to detonate the other boat? Batman taking away Joker's detonator won't make a difference if passengers on either boat decide to use theirs anyway.

[Dark Knight]

They just won the Grammy for best score for TDK!



Congratulations to Mr Zimmer and Mr Howard for being recognized with the Best Score and Soundtrack award with a Grammy.

That will make up for the Oscar bulls**t!

[Ibn]

Damn. Movie scores musta really sucked this year.

[byte19]

with the exception of TDK and Ironman, i think so....

[scifiwolf]

I liked the score James Newton Howard did for Defiance. If the score's not good enough to take notice of it while you're watching the movie, then it's not that good. TDK, Indy 4, WALL-E and Defiance were the only soundtracks that did that for me.

[hatebox]

I liked the score James Newton Howard did for Defiance. If the score's not good enough to take notice of it while you're watching the movie, then it's not that good.


hmm... I know a lot of film composers who would say the opposite - that a score should enhance the scene but not overpower it.

[Ibn]

with the exception of TDK and Ironman, i think so....

Oh no. I meant them too. Bland percussion and simplistic melodylines, and basically a rock soundtrack. Yeah i thought they sucked too. Tho Ironman music supervisor did have some decent taste.

[FlawlessVictory]

:whatever:


Weinstein Tips Nine For Oscar Glory

12 February 2009 8:35 AM, PST

Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005544/) is predicting Oscar success for his latest project - movie-musical Nine (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0875034/).

The film, starring Daniel Day-Lewis (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000358/), Penelope Cruz (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004851/) and Nicole Kidman (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000173/), recently wrapped shooting and is scheduled to hit cinemas in November.

The all-star cast is directed by Rob Marshall (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551128/), who also helmed critically-acclaimed 2002 musical Chicago - which garnered six Academy Awards, including a Best Supporting Actress gong for Catherine Zeta-Jones (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001876/).

And Weinstein is sure the winning formula will be repeated with Nine (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0875034/).

He says, "Most definitely. You'll see a lot of nominations. You'll see a lot of dancing too. Really, this is a great musical, a lot of great musical numbers.

"It's directed by Rob Marshall (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551128/). We won the Oscar for Chicago; hopefully we'll get in the arena again."
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0677715/

[StylishHokie21]

Haha! He got nominated for one Oscar and thinks his films will be Oscar material now.

[jmc]

As we've learned it's not about which films are better it's about who campaigns and sucks up the most. Nine does look like a film directed squarely at winning Oscars, all star cast, musical, release in September, basically Oscar bait.

[Crook]

Haha! He got nominated for one Oscar and thinks his films will be Oscar material now.
His films have been at the Oscars for a while now. :huh:

I don't like the guy either, but admittedly some of the films his name is attached to, I like quite a bit.

[Figs]

It seems like he only makes movies for the sole purpose of getting nominated and/or winning.

I can't see this guy having any real kind of artistic passion in him at all.

[Doctor Jones]

Daniel Day Lewis in a musical? I thought he chose his roles carefully? This makes me frown.

Looking forward to the Vietnam war film with him though.

[batman11]

Daniel Day Lewis in a musical? I thought he chose his roles carefully? This makes me frown.

Are you implying that it is impossible to make a musical that is also a good film?

[SuperZer0]

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/1489/darkknightlk7.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5262/darkknight2us7.jpg

[scifiwolf]

WVsax27 posted both of those 10 days ago, but they're still nice to see (especially Nolan).

[WVsax27]

Art Directors and Audio Society(Sound Mixers) are on Saturday, Film Editors and Cinematographers are on Sunday.

[Kargo Warrior]

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/218733/february-12-2009/the-dacolbert-code---oscar-predictions

[Anita18]

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/218733/february-12-2009/the-dacolbert-code---oscar-predictions
ZOMG Stephen mentioned TDK??? :heart:

I haven't see the last two episodes yet. :o

[Doctor Jones]

Are you implying that it is impossible to make a musical that is also a good film?

No, but I don't like most musicals, (except Blues Brothers, if you count that which is actually a cool musical) Grease a movie I truly passionately HATE.

But Lewis in something like this seems strange to me. And its the same dude who did Chicago doing another musical. You would think Lewis would realize this. Hell, for all I know, it could be good. But I definately won't see it.

Like I said, I'm more excited for the Scorsese - Del Toro - Lewis team up for a Vietnam film. Just thinking of Scorsese doing a Vietnam film gets me excited.

[Nirvana]

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/218733/february-12-2009/the-dacolbert-code---oscar-predictions



:lmao:

That was hilarious. :woot:

[Anita18]

Winners for the International Cinephile Society. No, I've never heard of them either (they're apparently made up of people who used to be on Oscarwatch.com I think) but their nominations were awesomely off-the-cuff. And I mean, AWESOME.

TOP 10 FILMS OF THE YEAR
01. Happy-Go-Lucky
02. Milk
03. A Christmas Tale
04 The Dark Knight
05. Hunger
06. WALL•E
07. Flight of the Red Balloon
08. The Wrestler
09. In Bruges
10. Rachel Getting Married

DIRECTOR (TIE): Christopher Nolan - The Dark Knight AND Gus van Sant - Milk

SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

http://cinephilesociety.blogspot.com/2009/02/international-cinephile-society-has.html

[WVsax27]

The Sound Mixers awarded Slumdog Millionaire...they don't always match the oscars though.

[Kargo Warrior]

The Sound Mixers awarded Slumdog Millionaire...they don't always match the oscars though.

At this point i'm happy and satisfied that Heath will win cause this Slum overpraise is getting ridiculous.I have very little hope for all the other categories.

On the brighter side every other movie goes home empty handed too :whatever::woot:

[byte19]

Oh no. I meant them too. Bland percussion and simplistic melodylines, and basically a rock soundtrack. Yeah i thought they sucked too. Tho Ironman music supervisor did have some decent taste.
but... the supervisor is.... Hans.:hehe: i just got that now.....:csad:

[Anita18]

At this point i'm happy and satisfied that Heath will win cause this Slum overpraise is getting ridiculous.I have very little hope for all the other categories.
It is getting rather silly. I mean, it's a good movie, but it's not up there with Schindler's List, which I think it's actually matched in precursor wins.

My sound recordist/mixing friend (who works primarily in TV, most recently on The Sopranos and John Adams) was very disappointed that Slumdog was nominated for sound anything at the Oscars, if that tells you anything about how people who actually work in the industry feel about awards shows. :oldrazz:

[WVsax27]

TDK won the Fantasy Film category from the Art Director's Guild...http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/art-directors-guild-adg-announces/story.aspx?guid={C1403F5C-FBE5-4CBD-A83B-F262027A597B}&dist=msr_ 1 (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/art-directors-guild-adg-announce s/story.aspx?guid={C1403F5C-FBE5-4CBD-A83B-F262027A597B}&dist=msr_ 1)

[WVsax27]

The CAS started giving out awards in 1994, since then they have only matched the sound mixing(or best sound as it was once called) Oscar 7 times and only twice since 2000(Gladiator and Dreamgirls). It looks like they have been willing to go with what they feel is a better film where as the Academy has been going after loud action films and musicals

[byte19]

finally a win for tdk overall! but..... you see who won contemporary? give me a break!!!

[Kargo Warrior]

Slumdog won the Editing guild too...

Most overated movie in a terrible award season...I can't believe they are thinking the movie is the best in every category of all the movies this year.

Just mind-numbingly sentimental and ridiculous...not unlike the movie itself.

[The Chris]

You know I love Slumdog Millionaire, my number 2 of 2008, but it is not so much better than the rest of the films and shouldn't be winning every single award it's nominated for. Out of all the years this decade, 2008 should not have been one where one movie won everything. The load should have been shared because it's not so much better than milk and benjamin button and some of the others. It won the sound award, and in a year with The Dark Knight and Wall-E, that's just ridiculous. It won the sag best ensemble, and in a year with Milk, Frost/Nixon, The Dark Knight, and Doubt, that's just ridiculous. And I love the movie, but damn, why is everyone giving it everything. That's really the big reason why I haven't changed my mind about not watching the oscars. One movie is winning everything.

[Asr]

^ Totally agree. The last time a single movie deserved to sweep multiple awards was LotR: RotK back in '03. I thought Slumdog was a great movie too but IMO, at best it deserves a nom for just Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

I'm hedging my bets it's going to win the important Oscars anyway. The Academy doesn't usually give major awards to foreign movies, it usually likes to give awards to movies made in the Hollywood establishment. ;)

[Kargo Warrior]

You know I love Slumdog Millionaire, my number 2 of 2008, but it is not so much better than the rest of the films and shouldn't be winning every single award it's nominated for. Out of all the years this decade, 2008 should not have been one where one movie won everything. The load should have been shared because it's not so much better than milk and benjamin button and some of the others. It won the sound award, and in a year with The Dark Knight and Wall-E, that's just ridiculous. It won the sag best ensemble, and in a year with Milk, Frost/Nixon, The Dark Knight, and Doubt, that's just ridiculous. And I love the movie, but damn, why is everyone giving it everything. That's really the big reason why I haven't changed my mind about not watching the oscars. One movie is winning everything.


Well that's my point...when i saw the movie i liked it,it's a decent flick albeit cliche filed and completely predictably after 5 minutes.

But it has received so much acclaim and why?It has neither the best acting,nor story/screenplay of the year...in fact there are a lot of movies that have both a more complex and intriguing screenplays and far,far superior acting.

I'm not a cynic at all...but this movie does not present real love as a concept or a reality...it's a lemonade of a movie,a WWE type of an illusion.

Movies like this one and The Notebook shows how delusional people are,still believing in the same Disney type-fairytales which have zero ammount of reality...it's like still believing Hulk Hogan is the baddest man on the planet.

Sorry to all offended parties but when intelegent,romantic,thoughtfull and inspiring movies like Before Sunset and Before Sunrise are ignored for stuff like Slumdog,it really does make one question whether selling fairytales instead of food for thought has what art has become....especially movies.

[byte19]

but Hulk is the baddest old guy on the planet.... lol ok can't keep a straight face on that one.

[Pennyworth]

My local critics sounding off on Heath being a lock:

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/Oscar_Picks.html

Supporting Actor: Is there any choice but Ledger?
By Carrie Rickey and Steven Rea

Each weekday until the Oscars on Sunday, Inquirer film critics Carrie Rickey and Steven Rea will discuss their picks for the winners in one of the six major categories - best supporting actress, best supporting actor, best director, best actor, best actress and best picture.

Best Supporting Actor
The nominees for performance by an actor in a supporting role are: Josh Brolin, Milk; Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt; Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight; and Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road.

Steven: I was in New York earlier this month, near the Javits Center where ComicCon East was happening, and in the Skyline Diner a guy walked by in full Heath Ledger-as-The Joker gear - not only the costume, but that sad, scary, smeared-greasepaint face. It was creepy, and I only bring it up because Heath is going to win the supporting actor award for The Dark Knight -- his performance is the heart and (dark) soul of the movie, and the absolute shock of knowing it's his next-to-final screen performance clinches it. And he's still walking around - not just as a fanboy's eerie replicant, but walking around in our heads: the memory of his work (Brokeback Mountain, Dark Knight, Monster's Ball, I'm Not There...) vivid and alive.
So, I think it will be an absolute jolt from outer space then if Josh Brolin nabs the prize for playing the unstable city pol who sneaks into San Francisco's City Hall with a gun in Milk, or Robert Downey Jr. wins for his bold and funny Method Actor blackface shtick in Tropic Thunder, or Michael Shannon as the mad oracle of Revolutionary Road.
Then, there's Philip Seymour Hoffman, shunted into the supporting actor category when, really, his Father Flynn in Doubt - a young priest in 60s New York suspected off molesting a student - is lead role stuff. If, by some strange twist, Ledger isn't the winner, then Hoffman gets the call. But don't count on it.
Is that the way you see it, Carrie?

Carrie: I think Ledger's win in this category is a foregone conclusion. And not because of Academy (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) sentiment about his early demise, either. But because his Joker is an unsettling creation: A mad brilliant gamesman (and madman) who checkmates everyone he plays. It was only after I watched his performance here that I learned Ledger was, in fact, a chess virtuoso. His presumptive win over P.S. Hoffman (who is quite fantastic as parish priest Father Flynn in Doubt) has a certain resonance because Hoffman's Oscar-winning performance as Truman Capote beat out Ledger's as Ennis Del Mary in Brokeback Mountain. While I think Robert Downey, Jr. is hilarious in Tropic Thunder and Josh Brolin monstrous scary in Milk and Michael Shannon unforgettable in Revolutinary Road, I don't think Ledger will be forgotten or overlooked this year. We don't have to wait for the envelope to be unsealed.

[hatebox]

Well that's my point...when i saw the movie i liked it,it's a decent flick albeit cliche filed and completely predictably after 5 minutes.

But it has received so much acclaim and why?It has neither the best acting,nor story/screenplay of the year...in fact there are a lot of movies that have both a more complex and intriguing screenplays and far,far superior acting.

I'm not a cynic at all...but this movie does not present real love as a concept or a reality...it's a lemonade of a movie,a WWE type of an illusion.

Movies like this one and The Notebook shows how delusional people are,still believing in the same Disney type-fairytales which have zero ammount of reality...it's like still believing Hulk Hogan is the baddest man on the planet.

Sorry to all offended parties but when intelegent,romantic,thoughtfull and inspiring movies like Before Sunset and Before Sunrise are ignored for stuff like Slumdog,it really does make one question whether selling fairytales instead of food for thought has what art has become....especially movies.

I don't disagree with you, but you can deride all the other oscar nominees too - Ben Button is corny as hell, Frost/Nixon is a glorified play, Milk is just a great performance, The Reader is just plain terrible, etc.

It's nothing new that one film wins everything - I suppose I'd have it'd be slumdog as much as the above.

[Anita18]

I'm not a cynic at all...but this movie does not present real love as a concept or a reality...it's a lemonade of a movie,a WWE type of an illusion.

Movies like this one and The Notebook shows how delusional people are,still believing in the same Disney type-fairytales which have zero ammount of reality...it's like still believing Hulk Hogan is the baddest man on the planet.

Sorry to all offended parties but when intelegent,romantic,thoughtfull and inspiring movies like Before Sunset and Before Sunrise are ignored for stuff like Slumdog,it really does make one question whether selling fairytales instead of food for thought has what art has become....especially movies.
I have no problem that the movie is a fairy tale. Nobody says that award-winning movies have to be plausible.

What I do have a problem with is all of tech wins. From what I understand, they simply took a digital video camera into Mumbai and shot the movie almost guerilla-style. It isn't very deliberate in its art direction or its sound, although I guess a case could be made for its cinematography, if you didn't count that they obviously didn't do a lot of complicated lighting setups. :oldrazz:

And these awards people are saying that Slumdog, a low-budget movie shot guerilla-style, has better sound, art direction, and cinematography than Wall-E (sound), Ben Button (art direction, cinematography), AND TDK (art direction, cinematography, sound)?

That's the joke to me.

It's nothing new that one film wins everything - I suppose I'd have it'd be slumdog as much as the above.
Again, I don't mind that it's winning Best Picture, Screenplay, or Director. But one film winning everything usually means it's a high-budget, tech powerhouse such as Titanic or LOTR:ROTK. It's a joke that such a small film is winning these tech awards, especially when the tech isn't all that thought-out. Wall-E DESERVES best sound because the first half of the movie depended solely on it. But I bet you that next Sunday it won't get it.

At least Slumdog's not up for best visual effects. :oldrazz:

[hatebox]

^ it is silly but let's be honest - no-one gives a damn about technical awards. At least, I don't and I assume my opinion speaks for everyone.

[Anita18]

^ it is silly but let's be honest - no-one gives a damn about technical awards. At least, I don't and I assume my opinion speaks for everyone.
:oldrazz:

It does add up to the overall Oscar tally, if anything. And I don't think Slumdog is a film that wins more than 5 Oscars, but right now it's looking to.

[jmc]

I'm actually surprised too that Slumdog is getting so much tech recognition, it seems odd that such a small budgeted film is getting that much praise in the tech departments, kinda makes me wonder if people are just marking the Slumdog check box by default because it's the 'little underdog'. As good as the film is it's no more than a 4-5 Oscar film, Picture, Director, Screenplay and a couple of tech nods, it's good film, but it's not that good.

[regwec]

Freida Pinto is the most beautiful woman in the world. She should be cast as Talia in "Batman 3", thus ensuring Oscar glory.

[magicangel1989]

i will be happy if at least Heath Ledger wins for the Dark Knight. If the movie gets a couple of other oscars, that will be a bonus.

[Kargo Warrior]

i will be happy if at least Heath Ledger wins for the Dark Knight. If the movie gets a couple of other oscars, that will be a bonus.

I have the same attitude...every other award can be argued this way or that way,every category has 2-3 deserving candidates.

The only award that has a clear frontrunner and is unanimous who the best is,it's BSA i.e Heath...every other award will make it sweeter but i'm not expecting anything except Best Supporting and maybe sound editing.

[Bim]

i will be happy if at least Heath Ledger wins for the Dark Knight. If the movie gets a couple of other oscars, that will be a bonus.
Agree :woot:

[Kargo Warrior]

Heath's parents will pick up the Oscar if (when) he wins:

''Heath Ledger's family will accept the late actor's hotly tipped Oscar on Sunday if his posthumous award-winning streak continues.

Father Kim Ledger, mother Sally Bell and sister Kate Ledger will walk the Hollywood red carpet among the A-list crowd in anticipation of their late son and brother's likely Academy Award win for his portrayal of the Joker in last year's Batman blockbuster, The Dark Knight.''


http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632733999.html


That will be a heart-breaking moment...:csad:

[WVsax27]

^ it is silly but let's be honest - no-one gives a damn about technical awards. At least, I don't and I assume my opinion speaks for everyone.


I care about them just as much as any other award...always have and always will.

As far as Slumdog's techs...I'd nominate it for film editing and cinematography and that's about it. If it wins sound editing I'm going to be angry, I really don't see what basis they had for even nominating it in that category...I don't agree with sound mixing either, but at least an argument could be made for that one. There was almost nothing in that movie in terms of sound editing/effects.

[Boom]

Heath's parents will pick up the Oscar if (when) he wins:

''Heath Ledger's family will accept the late actor's hotly tipped Oscar on Sunday if his posthumous award-winning streak continues.

Father Kim Ledger, mother Sally Bell and sister Kate Ledger will walk the Hollywood red carpet among the A-list crowd in anticipation of their late son and brother's likely Academy Award win for his portrayal of the Joker in last year's Batman blockbuster, The Dark Knight.''


http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632733999.html


That will be a heart-breaking moment...:csad:
I figured/hoped as much. Glad to see it's confirmed.

[jmc]

Heath's parents will pick up the Oscar if (when) he wins:

''Heath Ledger's family will accept the late actor's hotly tipped Oscar on Sunday if his posthumous award-winning streak continues.

Father Kim Ledger, mother Sally Bell and sister Kate Ledger will walk the Hollywood red carpet among the A-list crowd in anticipation of their late son and brother's likely Academy Award win for his portrayal of the Joker in last year's Batman blockbuster, The Dark Knight.''


http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632733999.html


That will be a heart-breaking moment...:csad:

If it's anything like them collecting his Australian film award for Best Actor last year there won't be a dry eye in the house.

[Kargo Warrior]

TDK just won another guild:

The Costumes Guild Award in the best fantasy film beating Narnia and the Mummy.:woot::applaud

In a more weird news so did Slumdog...beating Sex and the City,The Wrestler,Iron Man and Mamma Mia. :whatever:

Wall-E a is very lucky robot and should be very gratefull that Slumdog decided not to compete in the animated category...it would have won there too :o:woot::woot:

[WVsax27]

In a more weird news so did Slumdog...beating Sex and the City,The Wrestler,Iron Man and Mamma Mia. :whatever:


every single one of those films had better costume design...because they actually, you know...HAD A FEW. Do you have a link?

Too bad there isn't an award for craft service, I'm sure Slumdog did some groundbreaking work in that area as well.

[Kargo Warrior]

every single one of those films had better costume design...because they actually, you know...HAD A FEW. Do you have a link?

Too bad there isn't an award for craft service, I'm sure Slumdog did some groundbreaking work in that area as well.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/awards_festivals/awards-season/news/e3i0a2ed4a24bf26fb807be110921a7b698

[Crook]

Heath's parents will pick up the Oscar if (when) he wins:

''Heath Ledger's family will accept the late actor's hotly tipped Oscar on Sunday if his posthumous award-winning streak continues.

Father Kim Ledger, mother Sally Bell and sister Kate Ledger will walk the Hollywood red carpet among the A-list crowd in anticipation of their late son and brother's likely Academy Award win for his portrayal of the Joker in last year's Batman blockbuster, The Dark Knight.''


http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632733999.html


That will be a heart-breaking moment...:csad:
Eh...I was really hoping for the TDK crew to pick this one up. No offense to the Ledger's, but they weren't really involved in the process of this production/character in any sense. I feel the acceptance speech would have more impact coming from the people that were there with him every day creating this incredible mammoth of a movie.

In a twisted way, the Ledger's accepting this kinda makes it impersonal.

[Kargo Warrior]

Either way...TDK has won a costume design,an art direction and 2 actors guild awards.

Plus it could pick up a few more on Saturday when the visual effects and sound editing awards are given.

Except the Best Picture and Direction snub...this awards season was awesome to follow,especially great for the movie for picking more than 80 awards.

[Anita18]

Too bad there isn't an award for craft service, I'm sure Slumdog did some groundbreaking work in that area as well.
Everybody loves Indian food. :yay:

In other news, I now know what I'll be doing on Oscar night. There's a 4-hr spring madness sale at Michael's, conveniently RIGHT when the Oscars are happening. :hehe:

[jmc]

Eh...I was really hoping for the TDK crew to pick this one up. No offense to the Ledger's, but they weren't really involved in the process of this production/character in any sense. I feel the acceptance speech would have more impact coming from the people that were there with him every day creating this incredible mammoth of a movie.

In a twisted way, the Ledger's accepting this kinda makes it impersonal.

Man, seriously?

[baerrtt]

Well that's my point...when i saw the movie i liked it,it's a decent flick albeit cliche filed and completely predictably after 5 minutes.

But it has received so much acclaim and why?It has neither the best acting,nor story/screenplay of the year...in fact there are a lot of movies that have both a more complex and intriguing screenplays and far,far superior acting.

I'm not a cynic at all...but this movie does not present real love as a concept or a reality...it's a lemonade of a movie,a WWE type of an illusion.

Movies like this one and The Notebook shows how delusional people are,still believing in the same Disney type-fairytales which have zero ammount of reality...it's like still believing Hulk Hogan is the baddest man on the planet.

Sorry to all offended parties but when intelegent,romantic,thoughtfull and inspiring movies like Before Sunset and Before Sunrise are ignored for stuff like Slumdog,it really does make one question whether selling fairytales instead of food for thought has what art has become....especially movies.

The main reason SLUMDOG is being rewarded over, in some cases, superior movies is that, due to the current recession, it's overall message is an uplifiting one. It's no different from the days when ROCKY won Best Picture over TAXI DRIVER or TITANIC's Oscar haul a decade ago.

The Oscars (and some of the precursors) have always been suckers for supposedly inspirational movies that 'lift' the spirits in dark times. And this movie came at the right time.

[FlawlessVictory]

Eh...I was really hoping for the TDK crew to pick this one up. No offense to the Ledger's, but they weren't really involved in the process of this production/character in any sense. I feel the acceptance speech would have more impact coming from the people that were there with him every day creating this incredible mammoth of a movie.

In a twisted way, the Ledger's accepting this kinda makes it impersonal.

But the TDK crew has already had their chance on accepting on Heath's behalf and they have had their say. Chris Nolan, Charles Roven, Gary Oldman, Christian Bale have all accepted already, what differently would you expect them to say if one of them accepted once again for the Oscar? I'm glad Heath's family gets a chance to speak for the final and "biggest" award, and they get a chance to honor their son/brother with their words.

[WVsax27]

I don't say this to anger anyone that truly did love Slumdog Millionaire, but this is personally how I felt about it..

They talk a lot about how it almost went straight to DVD, and that is really where I thought it should have probably ended up. The editing and Cinematography(the only two things I actually nominate it for) make the movie look and feel a little more big time, but in terms of story and acting it really does feel like a DVD movie to me. It struck me as the kind of small movie I normally pick up at blockbuster on a Friday, watch, check out the extras, maybe watch again with commentary if I liked it,return a few days later and move on to something else. It's basically a mid level Sundance film without the quirk IMO.

[Kargo Warrior]

I don't say this to anger anyone that truly did love Slumdog Millionaire, but this is personally how I felt about it..

They talk a lot about how it almost went straight to DVD, and that is really where I thought it should have probably ended up. The editing and Cinematography(the only two things I actually nominate it for) make the movie look and feel a little more big time, but in terms of story and acting it really does feel like a DVD movie to me. It struck me as the kind of small movie I normally pick up at blockbuster on a Friday, watch, check out the extras, maybe watch again with commentary if I liked it,return a few days later and move on to something else. It's basically a mid level Sundance film without the quirk IMO.

Bingo.

That's exactly how i feel too.

Technically it's a well made movie but it's story is so black and white,so cliche...the moment when the brother suddenly becomes a good guy,his change of heart is so unrealistic and the moment when the girl picks up the phone in the last second I coudn't stop and wonder where is this great screenplay that is being awarded cause this surely can't be it.

[Badabing45]

Oddsmakers say that Ledger is the biggest lock ever to win an Academy Award.

http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/news/18227829/Heath+Ledger+Certain+To+Win+Best+Supporting+Actor+ According+To+Oscars+Betting.html


Heath Ledger looks to be the biggest certainty to win an Oscar this week in all of the Oscars (http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/oscars.htm) history. The odds being offered by bookies are very long odds on and he is set to follow up from the Golden Globe and BAFTA (http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/bafta.htm) he won for the same performance.

The Joker Is Long Odds On

Ledger played The Joker in The Dark Knight but tragically died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs before the film was released. It has quickly become one of the most iconic performances in the history of film and he is as short as 1/150 with Bet365 (http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/bookies.php?bk=7) to land the Oscars (http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/oscars.htm) Best Supporting Actor award. The best odds he can be backed at are 1/33 at Boylesports (http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/bookies.php?bk=69).

[Captain Planet!]

Are people seriously saying that they would rather have the TDK crew accept the award than the man's own FAMILY?

Some of you people astound me.

[Captain Planet!]

My final 2009 Oscar Predictions.

* = Winner

And for some categories, I've included an # which = What I hope/think should win.


And now, Here they are:

THE 2009 OSCARS:

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire*

BEST ACTOR
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler*


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight*
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt#, Just because I'm sick of Kate Winslet.
Kate Winslet, The Reader*

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona*
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

BEST DIRECTOR
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant, Milk
Stephen Daldry, The Reader (*Cough*Christopher Nolan was robbed*Cough*)
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire*

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Frozen
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Milk*
Wall-E#

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley, Doubt
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
David Hare, The Reader
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire*

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E*


BEST ART DIRECTION
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight*
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess*, but Ben Butt could also win.
Milk
Revolutionary Road

BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Betrayal
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire*
Trouble the Water

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch*
Smile Pinki
The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306


BEST FILM EDITING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight#
Frost/Nixon
Milk*
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST FOREIGN FILM
The Baader Meinhof Complex, Germany
The Class, France
Departures, Japan
Revanche, Austria
Waltz with Bashir, Israel*

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Defiance
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire*
WALL-E#

TDK got cheated out of this category. it should have been nominated and won. And the Slumdog score gives me headaches.

BEST SONG
Down to Earth, WALL-E#
Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire*
O Saya, Slumdog Millionaire

BEST ANIMATED SHORT
La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory - Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto*
This Way Up

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
Auf der Strecke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt*
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)


BEST SOUND EDITING
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E*
Wanted

BEST SOUND MIXING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E*
Wanted

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Dark Knight
Iron Man

[terry78]

The only TDK would win for makeup is if Two-Face had been done sans CG. The Joker's makeup was done simple on purpose, I know.

[Captain Planet!]

Yeah, I don't think it should win makeup either.

[Boom]

Logically, TDK shouldn't win for Best Makeup. Makeup for Two Face was extremely minimal, The Joker's makeup was simple, and Batman simply had eye shadow.

[Kargo Warrior]

As my final prediction,i think TDK will win Best Supporting,Sound Editing and Art Direction.

I just have a feeling it will receive one of the bigger technical categories and without Slumdog there,i think that's it's best shot...though Cinematography and Sound Mixing are not out of reach too.

Make-up and SFX will probably go to Button but remember last year where Transformers was deemed the favorite and it lost to Golden Compass,so anything can happen.

[Kargo Warrior]

Logically, TDK shouldn't win for Best Makeup. Makeup for Two Face was extremely minimal, The Joker's makeup was simple, and Batman simply had eye shadow.

Logically Slumdog shouldn't win Best Costumes and sound...but this is Hollywood :oldrazz::woot:

Objectively Hellboy deserves the make-up award,since 95% of Button was CGI not make-up.

But on the other hand the Joker's make-up became a flavor of the year everywhere so on a basis of social and cultural impact it woudnt surprise me to see TDK take it.

[Captain Planet!]

I don't see how TDK is going to win Art Direction, but stranger things have happened.

And it does not deserve any sound awards. WALL-E beats all in that category. Sorry guise.

[Anita18]

Bingo.

That's exactly how i feel too.

Technically it's a well made movie but it's story is so black and white,so cliche...the moment when the brother suddenly becomes a good guy,his change of heart is so unrealistic and the moment when the girl picks up the phone in the last second I coudn't stop and wonder where is this great screenplay that is being awarded cause this surely can't be it.
I had serious issues with the brother's characterization too. He seemed to forget the bad things he had done at the most convenient times. :oldrazz:

But on the other hand the Joker's make-up became a flavor of the year everywhere so on a basis of social and cultural impact it woudnt surprise me to see TDK take it.
If TDK wins Best Makeup, it will be on the power of Joker's makeup alone, and how powerful and iconic it was.

There are worse ways to win. :funny:

[Kargo Warrior]

I don't see how TDK is going to win Art Direction, but stranger things have happened.

And it does not deserve any sound awards. WALL-E beats all in that category. Sorry guise.

The sound categories go to the loud blockbuster usually...last year No Country had a better mixing than Bourne and yet Bourne walked away the winner.

Past winners like The Terminator,The Matrix and Bourne give a better odds to TDK than Wall-E.

And why not Art Direction? The battle is between Button and TDK with Button being the favorite but like i said,i really believe it will get either editing,cinematography or art direction...but with Slumdog in 2 of those i see the chance in art direction.

I guess we'll see.

[Captain Planet!]

WALL-E was one of the most creative films I've seen in years, sound effects included. TDK should not win those.

[Anita18]

And it does not deserve any sound awards. WALL-E beats all in that category. Sorry guise.
I can easily see how Wall-E could win Sound Editing, while TDK takes Sound Mixing.

Sound editing includes the design itself, which is the most genius thing about Wall-E and Ben Burtt truly deserves it. Sound mixing is putting all of the elements together, so the Academy might go for the movie with the "most" sound, which I'd argue would be TDK. :funny:

[Kargo Warrior]

WALL-E was one of the most creative films I've seen in years, sound effects included. TDK should not win those.

Yes,indeed it is...what i'm trying to say is,the best never wins or rarely wins...there are patterns that are constantly repeating,like for example the prettiest movie usually wins cinematography,the period drama wins the costumes and the big,bombastic blockbuster wins the sound awards.

If we go by deserving,Hellboy should win make-up,TDK cinematography,Milk editing,In Bruges or Wall-e Screenplay,Ann Hathaway Best actress and so on...but that probably wont happen.

Just look at the 5 movies nominated which are not by any means the best movies of the year.

[Asr]

So in other words, the only Oscar that TDK will probably get is Supporting Actor?












Words cannot express how completely disappointing that is.

[Anita18]

So in other words, the only Oscar that TDK will probably get is Supporting Actor?

Words cannot express how completely disappointing that is.
That's the only award for TDK which is highly likely, even a lock. It's up for others, but considering the Slumdog train, I don't really care what the outcome is for those. They're pretty much worthless now.

Also, if Heath wins, it'll be the first non-technical Oscar given to a superhero film, pretty much ever, I believe. So that'll be a big achievement in itself. :yay:

And for those who think that the Oscars should be about the films, that's not what they're trying to push in the TV spots or the local news. (I live near LA so...yeah.) All they're talking about is the glitz and glamor, and the acting awards. Because those are the only ones (aside from BSA) which are even remotely speculative at this point. :funny:

[Boom]

My predictions in the major categories:

BEST PICTURE
Prediction: Slumdog Millionaire
Runner-Up: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

BEST DIRECTOR
Prediction: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Runner-Up: David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

BEST LEADING ACTOR
Prediction: Sean Penn, Milk
Runner-Up: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST LEADING ACTRESS
Prediction: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Runner-Up: Meryl Streep, Doubt

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Prediction: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Runner-Up: Josh Brolin, Milk

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Prediction: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Runner-Up: Viola Davis, Doubt

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Prediction: Milk
Runner-Up: WALL-E

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Prediction: Slumdog Millionaire
Runner-Up: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

[jmc]

Still astounds me that Winslet is being nominated for the lesser of her two performances this year, even though she's overdue, if she wins on that performance it confirms to me it's nothing more than a make up Oscar. I still can't pick Best Actor, anyone willing to tip a tie between Rourke and Penn?

[Kargo Warrior]

Still astounds me that Winslet is being nominated for the lesser of her two performances this year, even though she's overdue, if she wins on that performance it confirms to me it's nothing more than a make up Oscar. I still can't pick Best Actor, anyone willing to tip a tie between Rourke and Penn?

I really think Penn will win...the comeback story for Mickey was great,he won a lot of awards,got his career back on track and a nomination would be enough.

I'm cheering for him and would love to see him complete his journey(from a has-been to a oscar winner) but i think Penn is the bigger name with the academy.

[Captain Planet!]

So in other words, the only Oscar that TDK will probably get is Supporting Actor?

Words cannot express how completely disappointing that is.
I predict it will also win for Cinematography, and it could very well win Editing and Sound Mixing, and it could possibly be a long-shot for Art Direction.


BTW, I'll be bumping my predictions as The Oscars get closer. 2 boxes of Barq's Root Beer and two large orders of Sesame Chicken say my predictions will be right.

[WVsax27]

Final round of FYCs...if nothing else these ads will be something fun to look back on about this whole awards race in a few years.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b372/Fallglimmer/darkknight21.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b372/Fallglimmer/darkknight3.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b372/Fallglimmer/darkknightjh.jpg

[byte19]

front page beheezie!!!

but yeah... my expectations are so low, i wouldn't even get mad if Heath got upset.
don't worry, I'll bounce around the rafters like it was 2005 all over again with win(s)!! :D

[jmc]

Anyone else think this years awards wouldn't be such a forgone conclusion had TDK (or even WALL-E) been nominated for Best Picture?

[Anita18]

Anyone else think this years awards wouldn't be such a forgone conclusion had TDK (or even WALL-E) been nominated for Best Picture?
If Slumdog had kept on winning everything it won....then frankly, it wouldn't have made a difference.

But at least it would have made the BP lineup more interesting. Instead all of the nominees are so -yawn-.

Considering all of the crazy tricks they're trying to get people to watch the telecast (Baz Luhrmann musical production with Beyonce and Hugh Jackman! Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens! ZOMG ROBERT PATTINSON IS GOING TO BE PRESENTING, PPL!), it sure sounds like they're desperate for some ratings. :oldrazz:

[Nina7]

The people behind the Oscar telecast are in full desperation mode. They're asking presenters not to walk the red carpet so viewers will be surprised because supposedly the list of presenters are supposed to be top secret. Except they're not. It's been leaked that Jennifer Anniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zac Effron and Robert Pattinson will be presenting. Lord, if these folks were leaked to pique Oscar interest, the rest of the presenters must be D-list(except for the Oscar winners last year). This telecast has train wreck written all over it. I heard about that Baz Luhrman musical number. It sounds horrific.

[cansi]

Nina7 you forgot Vannesa Hudgens. Yes you are right it doesnt look good. And its funny that they even has made a Oscar Promo where they show C. Nolan saying ACTION. Dude, he is not nominated. And we know that its not going to be him that accepts heaths oscar, so we trick us ?

[Jokers_Wild]

OSCARS = LAME

(Yes, I'm saying that because they stiffed TDK with no Best Picture Nomination. Anybody gotta problem wit it can go **** themselves, oh and they should probably be on a different message board then one for Batman. :yay: :brucebat:)

[Kargo Warrior]

OSCARS = LAME

(Yes, I'm saying that because they stiffed TDK with no Best Picture Nomination. Anybody gotta problem wit it can go **** themselves, oh and they should probably be on a different message board then one for Batman. :yay: :brucebat:)

Well if anyone has a problem with that,he has a problem with reality not with Batman really.

It is after all the second most awarded movie of the year,it's in second place at the year-end Top 10 lists,it's the second best reviewed wide release of the year and the second biggest movie in USA boxoffice history.

Those facts are hard to argue.

TDK and Wall-E brought such respect to it's respective genres no award show will ever do them justice...the impact both created cannot be measured by a gold statuette.

[Kargo Warrior]

There is a rumor around the net that the oscar's have somehow leaked...take this with 0% trust and a huge grain of salt but it's interesting so that's why i'm posting it:

Actor in a leading role: Mickey Rourke
Actor in a supporting role: Heath Ledger
Actress in a leading role: Kate Winslet
Actress in a supporting role: Amy Adams
Animated Feature Film: Wall-E
Art Direction: The Dark Knight
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Costume Design: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Directing: Slumdog Millionaire
Documentary feature: Man on Wire
Documentary short: The Conscience of Nhem En
Film editing: Milk
Foreign language film: Departures
Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Music (Score): Defiance
Music (Song): Down to Earth (Wall-E)
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Short film (animated): Presto
Short film (live action): Auf Der Strecke (On The Line)
Sound editing: Wall-E
Sound mixing: The Dark Knight
Visual effects: Iron Man
Writing (Adapted screenplay): The Reader
Writing (Original screenplay): In Bruges

If those end up true,that would be marvelous...both TDK and Wall-E will take 3,In Bruges for screenplay,Slumdog losing both score and song,Iron Man winning SFX...like i've said there is maybe 1% probability of these being true...but William Hill which is one of the biggest betting houses in the world has removed Amy Adams from the bets,so maybe there is a fire where the smoke is after all.

[FlawlessVictory]

^Amen.

[terry78]

Word has it that they plan on bringing Charleton Heston and Paul Newman back from the grave in order to present, but it's totally hush hush.

[WVsax27]

those are fake, they came out online just a few hours after the ballots were due...there is no way in hell they are real. It could be someones ballot...but it isn't the final results. There WILL be a few surprises, there almost always are at least a few minor ones.

[The Chris]

Academy dissed the only thing that would give them good ratings so, they can have whoever they want to present, and those results look fake. Can't see Benjamin Button not winning F/X, can't see the Reader winning screenplay when slumdog's in that category, and can't see In Bruges winning original screnplay with Milk and Wall-E in that category.

[bapi]

I read in one article that if Heath will win, his daughter Matilda will accept that award because she's Heath's closest kin if is that word right. Do you think if it's true? She's only 3 years old and... Heath was her father...

[Badabing45]

I read in one article that if Heath will win, his daughter Matilda will accept that award because she's Heath's closest kin if is that word right. Do you think if it's true? She's only 3 years old and... Heath was her father...

Heath's father, mother, and sister are going to accept the award at the ceremony. The actual statue will be given to Michelle Williams, Matilda's mother, who will hold onto it until Matilda turns 18.

[WVsax27]

I read in one article that if Heath will win, his daughter Matilda will accept that award because she's Heath's closest kin if is that word right. Do you think if it's true? She's only 3 years old and... Heath was her father...


she would OWN the award...his whole family is going to accept. The Academy is very anal about who has these awards, I recall reading there is a clause where the only people that a person can sell their award to is back to The Academy.

Oh, and I read this over at In Contention

"I also found out last night that the only films that reached the Cinema Audio Society in screener form were “Quantum of Solace” and…”Slumdog Millionaire,” which makes their vote a bit difficult to chalk up as comprehensive. Maybe “The Dark Knight” and “WALL-E” are still very much in the mixing race and the Best Picture frontrunner will lose both statues. But this is just one example of the insanity that flows through my mind this time of year."

A movie nominated for both mixing and editing has never won one of the two without winning the other...but I'm really hoping TDK wins mixing and Wall-E wins editing

[Kargo Warrior]

Academy dissed the only thing that would give them good ratings so, they can have whoever they want to present, and those results look fake. Can't see Benjamin Button not winning F/X, can't see the Reader winning screenplay when slumdog's in that category, and can't see In Bruges winning original screnplay with Milk and Wall-E in that category.

In Bruges has a lot bigger chance of winning the screenplay than Wall-E...it won the Bafta which is huge predictor of the oscars in the last couple of years...the last 4 movies that won the bafta,also won the oscar in the category.

Milk is the favorite,but In Bruges has the biggest chance for an upset,which i think it'll happen.

[Anita18]

A movie nominated for both mixing and editing has never won one of the two without winning the other...but I'm really hoping TDK wins mixing and Wall-E wins editing
In a just world.....but the Oscars don't exist in a just world. :oldrazz:

I dunno, I like the new stage setup this year (presenters are totally meh) and I think it could be interesting...but I really can't bring myself to watch the ceremony. I mean, even if TDK was nominated for BP and BD, the Slumdog train has been completely unstoppable anyway and so its big wins are a foregone conclusion. I dunno, people were saying if TDK had been nominated for BP or BD, it would have introduced a bit of a race, but now we'll never know.

The only awards that are really up in the air are Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, and I don't care much for those this year. And I don't expect that the tech awards will be fair - if anything non-Slumdog wins them, then that's great, but I'm not keeping my hopes up.

[General Vulcun]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/edd_joey/movies/kateoscar.jpg?t=1233970784

[Kargo Warrior]

http://i43.tinypic.com/2mevp0h.jpg

I gotta say...that's very well done if it's a fake.:woot::woot:

[Boom]

It is fake. And whoever did it, they better hope the Academy doesn't take time to hunt them down and prosecute them.

[Kargo Warrior]

It is fake. And whoever did it, they better hope the Academy doesn't take time to hunt them down and prosecute them.

Yeah...the sound mixers stated for TDK are actually the sound mixers of Wall-E.

That deserves a big fail picture :hehe::hehe:

[Anita18]

Yeah...the sound mixers stated for TDK are actually the sound mixers of Wall-E.

That deserves a big fail picture :hehe::hehe:
:lmao:

[Boom]

Besides, there is no chance in HELL The Reader will beat Slumdog Millionaire for Best Adapted Screenplay.

[Boom]

Odds from Bodog life - here is the actual link to the betting - http://sports.bodoglife.com/sports-betting/tv-film-movie-props.jsp

Best Film
Slumdog Millionaire 1/6
Curious Case/Benjamin Button 11/2
Milk 12/1
The Reader 20/1
Frost/Nixon 30/1

Best Director
Danny Boyle 1/9
David Fincher 7/1
Gus Van Sant 22/1
Ron Howard 25/1
Stephen Daldry 35/1

Best Actor
Mickey Rourke 1/2
Sean Penn 7/4
Frank Langella 25/2
Brad Pitt 22/1
Richard Jenkins 50/1

Best Actress
Kate Winslet 1/3
Anne Hathaway 11/2
Meryl Streep 4/1
Angelina Jolie 21/1
Melissa Leo 35/1

Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger 1/35
Philip Seymour Hoffman 45/1
Josh Brolin 50/1
Michael Shannon 50/1
Robert Downey Jr. 50/1

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz 2/3
Viola Davis 3/1
Marisa Tomei 17/4
Taraji P Henson 10/1
Amy Adams 10/1

Basically, betters are 35 times more likely to win if they vote for Heath Ledger in the Supporting Actor category.

[Captain Planet!]

Slumdog beats TDK for Cinematography, I'll be mad.

[Kargo Warrior]

Odds from Bodog life - here is the actual link to the betting - http://sports.bodoglife.com/sports-betting/tv-film-movie-props.jsp

Best Film
Slumdog Millionaire 1/6
Curious Case/Benjamin Button 11/2
Milk 12/1
The Reader 20/1
Frost/Nixon 30/1

Best Director
Danny Boyle 1/9
David Fincher 7/1
Gus Van Sant 22/1
Ron Howard 25/1
Stephen Daldry 35/1

Best Actor
Mickey Rourke 1/2
Sean Penn 7/4
Frank Langella 25/2
Brad Pitt 22/1
Richard Jenkins 50/1

Best Actress
Kate Winslet 1/3
Anne Hathaway 11/2
Meryl Streep 4/1
Angelina Jolie 21/1
Melissa Leo 35/1

Best Supporting Actor
Heath Ledger 1/35
Philip Seymour Hoffman 45/1
Josh Brolin 50/1
Michael Shannon 50/1
Robert Downey Jr. 50/1

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz 2/3
Viola Davis 3/1
Marisa Tomei 17/4
Taraji P Henson 10/1
Amy Adams 10/1

Basically, betters are 35 times more likely to win if they vote for Heath Ledger in the Supporting Actor category.

If you bet $35 on Heath....you will get $1 ...$350 $10....and so on...

If you bet $1 on RDJ...you wil get $50...if you bet $100 you will get $5000

If i were a betting man,i would put 2 bucks on RDJ,just for the sake of it :woot:

[Boom]

Not necessarily. If you bet on Ledger and he wins, you get the $1 you won, and then the $35 you originally wagered. So you end up winning $36.

[Kargo Warrior]

Not necessarily. If you bet on Ledger and he wins, you get the $1 you won, and then the $35 you originally wagered. So you end up winning $36.


Well of course you will get your money back,but the profit is only $1....you start with $35 and end up with $36.

You're risking $35 for winning $1...

[Boom]

Yes, but in this circumstance, you're more likely to win $36 than lose $35.

[Kargo Warrior]

Yes, but in this circumstance, you're more likely to win $36 than lose $35.

:woot::woot: yeah you're right...but still,it just doesn't pay off however you look at it.

I would rather put $2 on RDJ and (im)possibly win $100 than putting $35 on Heath to win $36...and imagine if he somehow loses?

Leave aside the fact that he lost and you'll be probably very,very pissed about it,you will also lose $35...it has all the ingredients for a memorably terrible night :hehe::hehe:.

[Anita18]

:woot::woot: yeah you're right...but still,it just doesn't pay off however you look at it.

I would rather put $2 on RDJ and (im)possibly win $100 than putting $35 on Heath to win $36...and imagine if he somehow loses?

Leave aside the fact that he lost and you'll be probably very,very pissed about it,you will also lose $35...it has all the ingredients for a memorably terrible night :hehe::hehe:.
:funny:

I've made a date with some writer friends - since there is a distinct possibility of a trainwreck ceremony, we will have an all-out girls' night OSCAR SNARKFEST IN HD!

It will be glorious. :hehe:

[p.marlowe]

Slumdog beats TDK for Cinematography, I'll be mad.

So will I.

[Badabing45]

What's everyone's prediction for Heath Ledger's Oscar clip (the 15-30 second video they play of each nominees performance before handing out the award)

I predict it'll be the "It's all part of the plan" speech at the hospital.

[redfirebird2008]

Slumdog beats TDK for Cinematography, I'll be mad.

I fully expect Slumdog to win Cinematography. I expect it to win pretty much every category it's nominated in. That's what happens when the vast majority of Academy members just vote for their BP favorite on every category even if it's not really deserving in a different category. Actors voting on sound mixing, editing, etc. is absolutely laughable.

[FlawlessVictory]

I fully expect Slumdog to win Cinematography. I expect it to win pretty much every category it's nominated in. That's what happens when the vast majority of Academy members just vote for their BP favorite on every category even if it's not really deserving in a different category. Actors voting on sound mixing, editing, etc. is absolutely laughable.

Totally agreed. No one should act shocked anymore or be upset at any results that happen. I know it's not the Oscars, but the cast of Slumdog won Best Acting Ensemble at the SAG awards for crying out loud. That says it all. Slumdog is absolutely cleaning house, doesn't matter if it deserves to win in that particular category or not, it's just lazy voting done by the members.

[redfirebird2008]

Totally agreed. No one should act shocked anymore or be upset at any results that happen. I know it's not the Oscars, but the cast of Slumdog won Best Acting Ensemble at the SAG awards for crying out loud. That says it all. Slumdog is absolutely cleaning house, doesn't matter if it deserves to win in that particular category or not, it's just lazy voting done by the members.

I don't blame the members so much as I blame the rules committee. If someone is voting on a technical category that they have no expertise in, what else are they supposed to do than vote for their favorite movie? I would do the same thing if I was in their position. That's why the tech categories should be limited to the expert members in each field. Directors are the only ones who should have a vote in every category since they oversee everything in the filmmaking process.

[cansi]

Seriously guys if Dev Patel was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, maybe even Best actor he would have win on sunday. But we can pray for there will be a TDK sweap. There will probably not be one, but we have been surprised before.

[Kargo Warrior]

When i was a kid i was in absolute awe at the oscars...the prestige,the ceremony,it all looked so wonderful...and when someone won i was taking that as the ultimate deserving success.

But now i don't value the oscars any more than any kind of poll you will find at any website.

1) 3/4 of the people who vote have not seen even half of the nominated movies which by default gives them not credibility in choosing the winner.

2) A lot of the members give their ballots to family members to fill which again robs them of any credibility.

3)The oscars are about the 5 most prestige movies,not the 5 best...which is a fundamental difference...Button,The Reader,Frost/Nixon are not among the 5 best movies of the year by any criteria....and they were frontrunners even before a single screening was made,before a single review was issued.

4)As Redfirebird said,when a movie has it's followers,they vote for every category the movie is nominated in,no mather if every other nominated movie is better in the said category.Slumdog does not have the best score,cinematography,sound mixing/editing,song of the year...but it's following it's too big for any common sense to take place.

[Boom]

Check this out.

http://www.awardsdaily.com/Predictions/

Only three of the major categories are unanimously agreed upon by critics/Oscar bloggers.

-Slumdog Millionaire for Best Picture.
-Danny Boyle for Best Director.
-Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor.

It kills me that Stephen Colbert is on that list.

[Kargo Warrior]

http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=7361#more-7361

An interesting article about Melissa Leo's possible upset victory.

I really hope however unlikely that it'll happen..Kate Winslet didn't have the best perfomance of the year,as a mather of a fact this wasnt HER best performance of the year let alone the best overall....the same goes for Meryl Streep who overacted the hell out of the movie.

Either Leo or Hathaway deserve it...

[Anita18]

I fully expect Slumdog to win Cinematography. I expect it to win pretty much every category it's nominated in. That's what happens when the vast majority of Academy members just vote for their BP favorite on every category even if it's not really deserving in a different category. Actors voting on sound mixing, editing, etc. is absolutely laughable.
Slumdog also swept the guilds. Kris Tapley spoke to a "renowned" sound mixer who thinks Slumdog will sweep sound, while I have a sound re-recordist/mixer friend who think it's a joke that Slumdog is even nominated. So there you go. :funny: Not even the tech people can agree on these things.

It kills me that Stephen Colbert is on that list.
The DaColbert Code! :hehe:

[hatebox]

Anyone else ever so slightly disappointed Ledger Snr will collect the award? I know there's no real protocol for winning a posthumous oscar, but it's a professional award first and foremost and it'd be nice to the person most directly responsible for getting that winning performance out of Ledger (ie Nolan) collect it and give a speech. Obviously he'd give the statuette to the family.

Still, I guess it'll be an emotional moment anyhow.

[Kargo Warrior]

As i've heard,Tilda Swindon,last year's best supporting actress will present the Best Supporting Actor award.

[cansi]

I would love to see Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman and Chris Nolan on the scene. Maybe even Maggie Gyllenhaal... The hole TDK family.

But as you write its gonna be emotional no matter what, and i´m expecting a standing ovation!

[Figs]

4)As Redfirebird said,when a movie has it's followers,they vote for every category the movie is nominated in,no mather if every other nominated movie is better in the said category.Slumdog does not have the best score,cinematography,sound mixing/editing,song of the year...but it's following it's too big for any common sense to take place.

:applaud

[Crook]

Barring Best Song, people can make good arguments for Slumdog winning any of those either categories.

Look, I too hated on Slumdog (for completely different reasons than others here), but once I actually saw it, I realized what the hype was about. It obviously resonated with a lot of people, so it's no question why it's winning all these awards.

If TDK were in this position, I'm sure you all wouldn't appreciate others constantly talking down on the film because of it's popularity and massive achievements. It's just the Oscars. There was a massive campaign for TDK, and it didn't work out as planned. In turn, the Oscars (are once again) irrelevant. Until they agree with your opinion, that is. They're both successful, in different ways. I don't see why we can't just accept it.

[batman11]

Barring Best Song, people can make good arguments for Slumdog winning any of those either categories.

Out of curiosity, why don't you think a good argument could be made in favor of Slumdog winning Best Song?

[hatebox]

People should hate on the Reader, not Slumdog. The latter is actually a decent film, and didn't take TDK's place in BP because it was always going to be there.

[batman11]

People should hate on the Reader, not Slumdog. The latter is actually a decent film, and didn't take TDK's place in BP because it was always going to be there.

:up: :up:

Funnily enough, I really want The Reader to win somehow. It's just too great of an opportunity to pass up. On February 22, the world will watch in horror as it's Internet community tears itself apart through hatred for The Reader. :woot:

[theShape]

I'm still stinging from TDK's snub. What bothers me is that the Oscars have become all about campaigning. That's how Harvey Weinstein was able to sneak The Reader into the Best Picture race, knocking out The Dark Knight, and how was was able to shove Winselt into the best actress race when she should have been there for Revolutionary Road.

But seriously, all three LOTR films were nominated for Best Picture and the third one actually won it. Are any of those films better than TDK, an ambitious, genre-bending epic? I think not, but of course, because of the source material, TDK wasn't taken seriously. Hell, TDK deserves to be there ahead of Benjamin Button by a long shot, let alone The Reader.

Even if Best Picture was too much to ask, Nolan seriously was robbed of a Best Director nomination, and that's the sad thing about it all. A man that worked so how and did so much and actually changed the medium of film forever with his revolutionary use of IMAX cameras. A man that took a concept that was laughable 10 years ago and churned out a crime epic that was appreciated by both adults and children all around the world, with a scope that is unrivaled by any of the other Best Pic nominees .

[Anita18]

People should hate on the Reader, not Slumdog. The latter is actually a decent film, and didn't take TDK's place in BP because it was always going to be there.
We did, for a whole week after the nominations. :oldrazz: Certainly you were here for that?

With Slumdog sweeping the guilds though, it's just your typical backlash. Slumdog was good, but it wasn't THAT good. Seriously. It's as if no other movies came out this year.

I'm not hating on Slumdog, I'm :whatever: at the "awards" its winning. I'm actually more miffed at the sound awards it got over Wall-E, than anything it won over TDK. :funny:

[redfirebird2008]

I'm still stinging from TDK's snub. What bothers me is that the Oscars have become all about campaigning. That's how Harvey Weinstein was able to sneak The Reader into the Best Picture race, knocking out The Dark Knight, and how was was able to shove Winselt into the best actress race when she should have been there for Revolutionary Road.

But seriously, all three LOTR films were nominated for Best Picture and the third one actually won it. Are any of those films better than TDK, an ambitious, genre-bending epic? I think not, but of course, because of the source material, TDK wasn't taken seriously. Hell, TDK deserves to be there ahead of Benjamin Button by a long shot, let alone The Reader.

Even if Best Picture was too much to ask, Nolan seriously was robbed of a Best Director nomination, and that's the sad thing about it all. A man that worked so how and did so much and actually changed the medium of film forever with his revolutionary use of IMAX cameras. A man that took a concept that was laughable 10 years ago and churned out a crime epic that was appreciated by both adults and children all around the world, with a scope that is unrivaled by any of the other Best Pic nominees .

The Nolan snub is definitely more annoying than the film getting snubbed. Oh well though. He'll get his due eventually, whether it be from the awards scene or simply from millions of people admiring his work. Hitchcock and Kubrick never won the Best Director Oscar but they are considered two of the best filmmakers ever. Nolan doesn't really pander with typical "Oscar-bait" style movies. Aronofsky doesn't either. But I think the two of them will continue making great movies and continue gaining a lot of respect around the world, regardless of whether the Academy chooses to acknowledge their ability or not.

[Kargo Warrior]

Barring Best Song, people can make good arguments for Slumdog winning any of those either categories.

Look, I too hated on Slumdog (for completely different reasons than others here), but once I actually saw it, I realized what the hype was about. It obviously resonated with a lot of people, so it's no question why it's winning all these awards.

If TDK were in this position, I'm sure you all wouldn't appreciate others constantly talking down on the film because of it's popularity and massive achievements. It's just the Oscars. There was a massive campaign for TDK, and it didn't work out as planned. In turn, the Oscars (are once again) irrelevant. Until they agree with your opinion, that is. They're both successful, in different ways. I don't see why we can't just accept it.

The popularity of the movie is not the point...last year No Country For Old Men won almost all critical awards including the oscars and i was very happy for the movie,even when it lost awards,it lost to equally great movies like There Will Be Blood.

Same thing for a lot of movies which won a huge number of awards.

There were a lot of great movies this year,The Wrestler,The Visitor,Frozen River,Wall-E,Let The Right One In etc... movies that i woudnt have been angry at all if they were nominated in front of TDK.

So it's not about blind fanboy-ism at all...i'm a movie lover first,so i want to see the best movies winning the awards not the movies which made people feel good...the number one liberal crap factor which makes Slumdog the frontrunner.

Slumdog doesnt have a great score...as a musician myself,there is nothing groundbreaking,harmonicaly relevant or even melodically aesthetic to even nominate the score.Same goes for the song.

The movie won the costumes guilds and the best ensemble...costumes???what costumes please?And objectivelly:Christian Bale,Heath Ledger,Garry Oldman,Michael Caine,Morgan Freeman,Aaron Eckhart,Eric Roberts or some unknown amateur actors whom you can find in the dictionary under the word mediocre?

That's where the problem is...people are voting for it just because...with their hearts not with their minds and that's not the way it should be done....at least not if they want to have relevant award shows.

I love TDK to death but if it lost to a deserving movie,a movie which will stand the test of time and wasn't awarded for sentimental reasons,i would have been fine with that.

Slumdog Milionare is not that movie.

[hatebox]

That's where the problem is...people are voting for it just because...with their hearts not with their minds and that's not the way it should be done....at least not if they want to have relevant award shows.
.

Although I know what you're getting at, I don't think this was the best choice of words. For what is art, and the appreciation of it, if it's not from the heart, if to some extent it doesn't defy logic?

[Captain Planet!]

The Wrestler should have been nominated for BP, Chris Nolan should have been nominated for BD.

The End.

[Kargo Warrior]

Although I know what you're getting at, I don't think this was the best choice of words. For what is art, and the appreciation of it, if it's not from the heart, if to some extent it doesn't defy logic?

A movie should be judged by some criterias...not how it makes you feel.That's why people are voting Slumdog in sound mixing even though most of them have no idea what sound mixing is.

By the academy criteria,Backstreet Boys are better than Beethoven because they evoke some feelings he doesn't.

Real art provokes,stings and often expresses the inexpressible.The best art often tries to speak about things people don't want to talk about...in a genuine way...not by making a story as black as white as you can ...as syrupy as candy.

Wall-E is art...Slumdog,not really.

Slumdog is nothing more than a cliche fairy tale where the boy gets the girl by surmounting circumstances...a story told hundreds of times,a hundred times better.

But like you said,art is subjective...so this is a neverending discussion.:yay:

[hatebox]

A movie should be judged by some criterias...not how it makes you feel.That's why people are voting Slumdog in sound mixing even though most of them have no idea what sound mixing is.

By the academy criteria,Backstreet Boys are better than Beethoven because they evoke some feelings he doesn't.

Real art provokes,stings and often expresses the inexpressible.The best art often tries to speak about things people don't want to talk about...in a genuine way...not by making a story as black as white as you can ...as syrupy as candy.

Wall-E is art...Slumdog,not really.

Slumdog is nothing more than a cliche fairy tale where the boy gets the girl by surmounting circumstances...a story told hundreds of times,a hundred times better.

But like you said,art is subjective...so this is a neverending discussion.:yay:

Well yes, and I'm glad you added that last sentence as the rest of the post seemed to take a very factual tone!

[namtaB]

I'm still stinging from TDK's snub. What bothers me is that the Oscars have become all about campaigning. That's how Harvey Weinstein was able to sneak The Reader into the Best Picture race, knocking out The Dark Knight, and how was was able to shove Winselt into the best actress race when she should have been there for Revolutionary Road.

LOL you guys crack me up. If that's true then TDK should have been a lock since WB spent a lot of time and energy pushing Dark Knight for Best Picture even going so far as to re-release it in theaters. WB campaigned their nuts off for TDK including hitching it onto the Ledger for Supporting Actor movement that's been brewing since his death.

You guys read things from the NY Post of all places and conclude that Weinstein's machinations somehow unfairly bumped TDK from a Best Picture nomination. Here's a novel thought, maybe the Academy just didn't like TDK? Some of you guys just can't stand the fact that certain people just don't feel the same way about TDK as you do. I thought it was a great film but no way does it deserve a BP nomination. But rather than accept this reality its spun into things like "boo hoo Weinstein is a meany", "the Oscars suck", "they are going to do so bad this year", "Its all about campaiging", "The Academy is out of touch", etc. etc. etc.

[Silverglade]

Best Picture, whatever, But Christopher Nolan should have been nominated for Best Director. He does not have to WIN. but a nod is MORE than unbelievably earned. He directed TDK with no second unit. And incorporated the IMAX camera into a feature film. I mean c'mon.

[redfirebird2008]

I thought it was a great film but no way does it deserve a BP nomination.

I would love for you to prove that The Reader, Frost/Nixon, Ben Button, Slumdog, and Milk were worthy but TDK was not. I actually agree with your idea that TDK is pretty good but not worthy of a nomination. What I disagree with, however, is the notion that the five films selected are any more worthy than TDK. I don't think any of them are as good as TDK. So if I feel TDK is not worthy of a nomination, and I do feel it wasn't worthy of one, then what does that say about the 5 that were nominated? Just about the only contender that I felt was truly worthy of a nomination is The Wrestler. It's been a rather weak year for quality movies to say the least.

My argument against TDK getting nominated has always been that Batman Begins wasn't nominated so why should TDK be nominated? BB was every bit as good as TDK to me. I'm probably not alone in thinking TDK did not beat its predecessor in the quality department.

[Kargo Warrior]

I would love for you to prove that The Reader, Frost/Nixon, Ben Button, Slumdog, and Milk were worthy but TDK was not. I actually agree with your idea that TDK is pretty good but not worthy of a nomination. What I disagree with, however, is the notion that the five films selected are any more worthy than TDK. I don't think any of them are as good as TDK. So if I feel TDK is not worthy of a nomination, and I do feel it wasn't worthy of one, then what does that say about the 5 that were nominated? Just about the only contender that I felt was truly worthy of a nomination is The Wrestler. It's been a rather weak year for quality movies to say the least.

My argument against TDK getting nominated has always been that Batman Begins wasn't nominated so why should TDK be nominated? BB was every bit as good as TDK to me. I'm probably not alone in thinking TDK did not beat its predecessor in the quality department.

And Juno,Ghost,Crash,Michael Clayton,Babel,Capote,Ray,Seabiscuit etc,etc are?

What constitutes a nomination worthy picture by your oppinion then?

And to namtaB,don't be ridiculous,TDK is the second highest grossing movie ever,it has 9/10 on imdb from 350,000 votes and it has 94% with 8,5 average on rotten tomatoes...all of which are better than the five nominated movies....so yes,the academy IS out of touch.The same thing can be said about Wall-E and the whole ''oh it's animated=it's for kids'' nonsense...it's 10 freakin times more mature than The Reader and Button that's for sure.

Techinically TDK is near perfect,the story is deep,complex,emotional,asks a lot of moral and philosophical questions and the acting is superb.

If that is not a nomination worthy movie then enlighten me please.

[jmc]

The Nolan snub is definitely more annoying than the film getting snubbed. Oh well though. He'll get his due eventually, whether it be from the awards scene or simply from millions of people admiring his work. Hitchcock and Kubrick never won the Best Director Oscar but they are considered two of the best filmmakers ever. Nolan doesn't really pander with typical ''Oscar-bait'' style movies. Aronofsky doesn't either. But I think the two of them will continue making great movies and continue gaining a lot of respect around the world, regardless of whether the Academy chooses to acknowledge their ability or not.

That is the bigger kick in the guts, I think most can live without the Best Picture nod, but the snubbing of Nolan is just downright appalling, here's a young director who knows how to tell a story and show it in a unique style, and has done so for all his films, who took a character who was a laughing stock and gave him his balls back, who created one of the biggest movie experiences of all time, who had the vision to gamble with IMAX technology, who single handedly reinvented a genre that was quickly becoming a joke, and yet come Feb 22 he'll still be sitting at the children's table.

[redfirebird2008]

And Juno,Ghost,Crash,Michael Clayton,Babel,Capote,Ray,Seabiscuit etc,etc are?

What constitutes a nomination worthy picture by your oppinion then?

And to namtaB,don't be ridiculous,TDK is the second highest grossing movie ever,it has 9/10 on imdb from 350,000 votes and it has 94% with 8,5 average on rotten tomatoes...all of which are better than the five nominated movies....so yes,the academy IS out of touch.The same thing can be said about Wall-E and the whole ''oh it's animated=it's for kids'' nonsense...it's 10 freakin times more mature than The Reader and Button that's for sure.

Techinically TDK is near perfect,the story is deep,complex,emotional,asks a lot of moral and philosophical questions and the acting is superb.

If that is not a nomination worthy movie then enlighten me please.

What constitutes a nomination-worthy film to me? City of God, not Slumdog Millionaire. Forrest Gump, not Benjamin Button. Schindler's List, not The Reader. Need I go on? My point is generally that if I'm not blown away by something, I tend to think it's not worthy of an Academy Award.

[Kargo Warrior]

What constitutes a nomination-worthy film to me? City of God, not Slumdog Millionaire. Forrest Gump, not Benjamin Button. Schindler's List, not The Reader. Need I go on? My point is generally that if I'm not blown away by something, I tend to think it's not worthy of an Academy Award.

Yes but we are talking nominations here,not winners...i'm not arguing that TDK should/should have win/won,i'm saying it deserved a nomination.

Going by history there are 50 movies that deserved that nomination less,far less ground-breaking movies,far worse acted movies,movies that are forgotten by now.

[Kargo Warrior]

BTW i just watched Gran Torino....how in hell is Brad Pitt nominated in front of Clint Eastwood is beyond me.

Another great movie(except for the Korean kid) which was basically ignored.

[redfirebird2008]

Yes but we are talking nominations here,not winners...i'm not arguing that TDK should/should have win/won,i'm saying it deserved a nomination.

Going by history there are 50 movies that deserved that nomination less,far less ground-breaking movies,far worse acted movies,movies that are forgotten by now.

Well I mean even for a nomination, I expect top notch stuff. And there really wasn't much of that this year IMHO, with the exception of The Wrestler. I will say this, however. Crash was a flat-out bad movie. I just hope the winner is at least a good one. I thought 4 of the 5 movies nominated were at least good. One of them I thought was average/mediocre. Ironically enough, I thought Frost/Nixon was the best, but I'm a bit of a political junkie so it was very interesting to watch for me.

[Crook]

Out of curiosity, why don't you think a good argument could be made in favor of Slumdog winning Best Song?
Because I thought Springsteen's song for Wrestler was by far the best of the bunch, and that wasn't even nominated.


But seriously, all three LOTR films were nominated for Best Picture and the third one actually won it. Are any of those films better than TDK, an ambitious, genre-bending epic?
As Oscar-caliber films, yes I do find them all to be better than TDK. However, I do find TDK to be better in the replayability and movie-going experience.

Even if Best Picture was too much to ask, Nolan seriously was robbed of a Best Director nomination, and that's the sad thing about it all. A man that worked so how and did so much and actually changed the medium of film forever with his revolutionary use of IMAX cameras. A man that took a concept that was laughable 10 years ago and churned out a crime epic that was appreciated by both adults and children all around the world, with a scope that is unrivaled by any of the other Best Pic nominees .
I'll agree Nolan deserved it, but moreso for the IMAX and genre-elevating movie. I just can't count the popularity into that, because we all know the massive audience was lured in the hype caused by Ledger's death + drug scandal + performance of a lifetime + The Joker. It became much more than just a Batman film, it really was THE movie event to see.


There were a lot of great movies this year,The Wrestler,The Visitor,Frozen River,Wall-E,Let The Right One In etc... movies that i woudnt have been angry at all if they were nominated in front of TDK.

So it's not about blind fanboy-ism at all...i'm a movie lover first,so i want to see the best movies winning the awards not the movies which made people feel good...the number one liberal crap factor which makes Slumdog the frontrunner.
Lol, what exactly is wrong with a movie that resonates in that fashion? I've already explained my position of not wanting to like this movie, and *I* came out actually supporting it for Best Picture.

The movie won the costumes guilds and the best ensemble...costumes???what costumes please?
For someone that's a fan of film, you don't think that's a stupid question? What "costumes"? You do realize that term isn't literal, don't you? Anything worn in that movie can be categorized as costuming. Every aspect of the visual aesthetic is chosen by the director or someone under him. The actors don't just go into their own closets and film what they wear.

And objectivelly:Christian Bale,Heath Ledger,Garry Oldman,Michael Caine,Morgan Freeman,Aaron Eckhart,Eric Roberts or some unknown amateur actors whom you can find in the dictionary under the word mediocre?
In terms of individual performance, Ledger, Oldman, and Eckhart were very impressive. But as an ensemble, I did find Slumdog's to be better. Everyone was on point, had their job, and were all generally good (especially the child actors). In TDK I found it to be heavily one-sided.

That's where the problem is...people are voting for it just because...with their hearts not with their minds and that's not the way it should be done....at least not if they want to have relevant award shows.
I don't even know what to say to this. Film is an art form, and you're critiquing how it "moves people's hearts" as a critique? It's not all about cerebral impulse. Not one bit.

[jmc]

Looking at this years nominations I challenge anyone to say with a straight face that the best five movies of this just happened to be released within the last three months. The Wrestler? WALL-E? TDK? Hell even something like Rachel Getting Married.

[[A]]

^ didn't get your post

[Kargo Warrior]

''For someone that's a fan of film, you don't think that's a stupid question? What "costumes"? You do realize that term isn't literal, don't you? Anything worn in that movie can be categorized as costuming. Every aspect of the visual aesthetic is chosen by the director or someone under him. The actors don't just go into their own closets and film what they wear.''

That's the point...they were wearing average clothes for a lack of better term...if ANY movie not named Slumdog had ''costumes'' like that it woudnt have won anything.

You wanna tell me that Slumdog had better costumes/clothes than Sex and The City,The Wrestler and Mamma Mia with a straight face?

Come on man.

[Crook]

Looking at this years nominations I challenge anyone to say with a straight face that the best five movies of this just happened to be released within the last three months. The Wrestler? WALL-E? TDK? Hell even something like Rachel Getting Married.

It's Oscar season. Studios always save their "best" films for that period.

[redfirebird2008]

It's Oscar season. Studios always save their "best" films for that period.

Which explains why Zodiac (a) wasn't released in the fall, and (b) didn't get a single nomination at the Oscars. Yeah, what a craptastic movie that was. :whatever:

[Crook]

That's the point...they were wearing average clothes for a lack of better term...if ANY movie not named Slumdog had ''costumes'' like that it woudnt have won anything.

You wanna tell me that Slumdog had better costumes/clothes than Sex and The City,The Wrestler and Mamma Mia with a straight face?

Come on man.
I absolutely will tell you that with a straight face. Those films you mentioned didn't have anything special that this audience hasn't seen much before.

Slumdog's? Completely atypical. A major praise for the film was how every aspect of it's direction made you feel like you were in this completely different area (from America). The setting and costuming greatly contributed to this.

Which explains why Zodiac (a) wasn't released in the fall, and (b) didn't get a single nomination at the Oscars. Yeah, what a craptastic movie that was. :whatever:
Roll your eyes at the studio and Academy, neither of those were my decisions. :huh:

[namtaB]

And Juno,Ghost,Crash,Michael Clayton,Babel,Capote,Ray,Seabiscuit etc,etc are?

What constitutes a nomination worthy picture by your oppinion then?

And to namtaB,don't be ridiculous,TDK is the second highest grossing movie ever,it has 9/10 on imdb from 350,000 votes and it has 94% with 8,5 average on rotten tomatoes...all of which are better than the five nominated movies....so yes,the academy IS out of touch.The same thing can be said about Wall-E and the whole ''oh it's animated=it's for kids'' nonsense...it's 10 freakin times more mature than The Reader and Button that's for sure.

Techinically TDK is near perfect,the story is deep,complex,emotional,asks a lot of moral and philosophical questions and the acting is superb.

If that is not a nomination worthy movie then enlighten me please.

All those things are indicative of a popular film but not indicative of an Oscar worthy film. I liken TDK to Kennedy. Kennedy barely won the election against Nixon but he was immensely popular b/c of his youth, energy, class, etc. Even to this day he's fondly remembered. But his foreign policy was abysmal and his domestic policies had negative ramifications that extended well into the 70s. In other words he was a popular figure but he was far from being a great President.

TDK is a hodgepodge of various things. Its got action, morality, emotion, etc. But it never fully immerses itself into any of these areas. Don't get me wrong, its a great hodgepodge and combines all these elements wonderfully but it examines each of them without committing to any of them. This is why its so popular. There's something for everyone in this film. Its also why its not an Oscar contender.

I do think Nolan was robbed for Best Director. Since only an Oscar quality director can make a hodgepodge that good.

[redfirebird2008]

Roll your eyes at the studio and Academy, neither of those were my decisions. :huh:

My point is they practically ignore plenty of great movies that come out much earlier in the year. They ignore those films primarily due to release date. If it's not a big summer blockbuster and it doesn't come out in the fall, it gets ignored no matter how good it is.

[StylishHokie21]

My point is they practically ignore plenty of great movies that come out much earlier in the year. They ignore those films primarily due to release date. If it's not a big summer blockbuster and it doesn't come out in the fall, it gets ignored no matter how good it is.

It's a shame.It just baffles me that Gary Oldman hasn't been nominated yet.

[Crook]

My point is they practically ignore plenty of great movies that come out much earlier in the year. They ignore those films primarily due to release date. If it's not a big summer blockbuster and it doesn't come out in the fall, it gets ignored no matter how good it is.
Well there is a logical reason for it. The ballots are handed in January, yes? Something that comes out in Spring of the previous year is gonna be hard to remember. It'd have to be some unforgettable film to be recognized for that long when you're doing nominations.

Critics and academy members watch tons of films each year. It's hard to keep up with them all. Come awards season, they're used to the fact that the nominees are almost always within the Oscar-bait months. So they're focused on that.

The only reason something like TDK was even in the race, was because it became such a mega-hit, that the critics couldn't help but recognize it's presence. Something as low-key as Zodiac is easily gonna be lost up in the mix when it's that far out from other contenders.

[Anita18]

TDK is a hodgepodge of various things. Its got action, morality, emotion, etc. But it never fully immerses itself into any of these areas. Don't get me wrong, its a great hodgepodge and combines all these elements wonderfully but it examines each of them without committing to any of them. This is why its so popular. There's something for everyone in this film. Its also why its not an Oscar contender.
I dunno, I found TDK's commitment to chaos/order, corruption, and image to be pretty deep. Way deeper than The Reader's examination of the post-Holocaust fallout (I was supposed to feel sorry for Hanna Schmidt because she was illiterate? Really?) or Slumdog's examination of destiny. At least Slumdog had its incredibly powerful and tactile examination of poverty on its side.

Let's face it. The Oscars have a "formula." Both TDK and Wall-E's genres did not fit that formula. That's the only reason that neither were nominated for Best Picture.

[redfirebird2008]

Well there is a logical reason for it. The ballots are handed in January, yes? Something that comes out in Spring of the previous year is gonna be hard to remember. It'd have to be some unforgettable film to be recognized for that long when you're doing nominations.

Critics and academy members watch tons of films each year. It's hard to keep up with them all. Come awards season, they're used to the fact that the nominees are almost always within the Oscar-bait months. So they're focused on that.

The only reason something like TDK was even in the race, was because it became such a mega-hit, that the critics couldn't help but recognize it's presence. Something as low-key as Zodiac is easily gonna be lost up in the mix when it's that far out from other contenders.

Actually TDK was a hit with critics before it was a hit with the public, seeing as the critics got to see it before we did and the rave reviews were pouring in around 2-3 weeks before its release. I think what you meant with your line of thought is that the Academy (industry workers, NOT critics) were forced to take a look at TDK because of how big its box office was. This is true, though it was the combination of critical acclaim and box office, not JUST box office, that gave it some pretty good recognition from the Academy.

[Kargo Warrior]

All those things are indicative of a popular film but not indicative of an Oscar worthy film. I liken TDK to Kennedy. Kennedy barely won the election against Nixon but he was immensely popular b/c of his youth, energy, class, etc. Even to this day he's fondly remembered. But his foreign policy was abysmal and his domestic policies had negative ramifications that extended well into the 70s. In other words he was a popular figure but he was far from being a great President.

TDK is a hodgepodge of various things. Its got action, morality, emotion, etc. But it never fully immerses itself into any of these areas. Don't get me wrong, its a great hodgepodge and combines all these elements wonderfully but it examines each of them without committing to any of them. This is why its so popular. There's something for everyone in this film. Its also why its not an Oscar contender.

I do think Nolan was robbed for Best Director. Since only an Oscar quality director can make a hodgepodge that good.

Great reviews are sign of great popularity??:huh:

My discussion with you stops there.

[Anita18]

Critics and academy members watch tons of films each year. It's hard to keep up with them all. Come awards season, they're used to the fact that the nominees are almost always within the Oscar-bait months. So they're focused on that.
No they don't. They're too busy making their own films to be watching other people's films. That's why studios have relegated to sending out DVD screeners for them, because that's the only way a lot of the Academy members will ever see the movies.

I think it's a detriment for judging certain technical things like cinematography and sound, but....that's the way it's done.

Someone like The Envelope's source "Deep Vote" didn't even bother to see all of the Oscar hopefuls before the nominations came out. The comments on that article were hilarious - he was like, "I'm fairly surprised Rachel Getting Married didn't get a BP nom" and the commenters replied, "That's because people like you didn't see it, doofus!" :funny:

[Crook]

Actually TDK was a hit with critics before it was a hit with the public, seeing as the critics got to see it before we did and the rave reviews were pouring in around 2-3 weeks before its release. I think what you meant with your line of thought is that the Academy (industry workers, NOT critics) were forced to take a look at TDK because of how big its box office was. This is true, though it was the combination of critical acclaim and box office, not JUST box office, that gave it some pretty good recognition from the Academy.
I know it was a hit with the critics. I'm referring to the film's recognizability at Awards season. TDK was like half a year out from everyone else, but because of the huge fan-campaign and mainstream success, it was hard for anyone to forget that little ol' comic book film that came out in the summer.

Zodiac did not have that luxury.

No they don't. They're too busy making their own films to be watching other people's films. That's why studios have relegated to sending out DVD screeners for them, because that's the only way a lot of the Academy members will ever see the movies.

I think it's a detriment for judging certain technical things like cinematography and sound, but....that's the way it's done.

Someone like The Envelope's source "Deep Vote" didn't even bother to see all of the Oscar hopefuls before the nominations came out. The comments on that article were hilarious - he was like, "I'm fairly surprised Rachel Getting Married didn't get a BP nom" and the commenters replied, "That's because people like you didn't see it, doofus!" :funny:
I see. I was under the impression that despite busy schedules, everyone frees up during Oscar season to get into a "catch-up" process.

[redfirebird2008]

I know it was a hit with the critics. I'm referring to the film's recognizability at Awards season. TDK was like half a year out from everyone else, but because of the huge fan-campaign and mainstream success, it was hard for anyone to forget that little ol' comic book film that came out in the summer.

Zodiac did not have that luxury.

I know what you meant. I was correcting a technical error on your part. Critics aren't handing out these awards for the most part. You mentioned that critics couldn't help but give it credit due to its success. Critics have nothing to do with the Academy Awards so they're not looking back at anything. And critics weren't forced to like the film only because of its box office. They liked it because they liked it. If box office was an influence on the critics, then the likes of Transformers wouldn't end up with a rotten rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

I made the point earlier that unless you release your movie in the fall or your movie is a box office hit in the summer, prepare to get ignored by the time awards season comes around. It sucks, but it's the way the industry works.

[Anita18]

I see. I was under the impression that despite busy schedules, everyone frees up during Oscar season to get into a "catch-up" process.
:funny: Yeah, that'd be giving WAY too much credit to the Hollywood machine.

One day you will learn, grasshopper. :yay:

[General Vulcun]

On a side note, anyone have their ballots filled out yet?

[Kargo Warrior]

I give up arguing what is worth it and what's not...since we can all be right but at the same time never agree on this particular topic.

But...the facts that TDK and Wall-E have bigger critical acclaim,both have won more critical awards than The Reader,Frost/Nixon and Button(TDK has 84 awards so far) and they take the 1 and 2 place at the year-end Top 10 lists are here...they are not debatable.

Every category which in a way determines a quality of a movie,puts TDK and Wall-E over 3 or 4 of the nominated pictures....and arguing that they didn't deserve a nominations while those movie did holds no water.

They didn't because both are from genres that are never nominated and that won't chance...at least not until a whole generation of the old voters changes.

Have a good night guys(and Anita) :yay:

[Crook]

I know what you meant. I was correcting a technical error on your part. Critics aren't handing out these awards for the most part. You mentioned that critics couldn't help but give it credit due to its success. Critics have nothing to do with the Academy Awards so they're not looking back at anything.
Ah, I should have clarified. I was using the "critics" term loosely, in reference to the people judging the movie for nominations. Not the actual critics who have it as a profession.

And critics weren't forced to like the film only because of its box office. They liked it because they liked it. If box office was an influence on the critics, then the likes of Transformers wouldn't end up with a rotten rating at Rotten Tomatoes.
I'm pretty sure I never said this. I only brought up box office in terms of how the film's lasting impact made it hard to forget as an '08 movie.

:funny: Yeah, that'd be giving WAY too much credit to the Hollywood machine.

One day you will learn, grasshopper. :yay:
Heh. It doesn't make much sense to be head of the voting process if you're not going to watch your peers' work. Seems a bit rude. :o

[deathfromabove]

I dunno, I found TDK's commitment to chaos/order, corruption, and image to be pretty deep. Way deeper than The Reader's examination of the post-Holocaust fallout (I was supposed to feel sorry for Hanna Schmidt because she was illiterate? Really?) or Slumdog's examination of destiny. At least Slumdog had its incredibly powerful and tactile examination of poverty on its side.

Let's face it. The Oscars have a "formula." Both TDK and Wall-E's genres did not fit that formula. That's the only reason that neither were nominated for Best Picture.

i agree.

it was as worthy as at least half of the nominated films ive seen.

it was worthy of a nod.

so was nolan.

[Anita18]

Heh. It doesn't make much sense to be head of the voting process if you're not going to watch your peers' work. Seems a bit rude. :o
That's why most industry people don't take the Oscars that seriously. :oldrazz: I mean, it's great if you're nominated, but it doesn't mean ALL that much if you're not.

[deathfromabove]

I give up arguing what is worth it and what's not...since we can all be right but at the same time never agree on this particular topic.

But...the facts that TDK and Wall-E have bigger critical acclaim,both have won more critical awards than The Reader,Frost/Nixon and Button(TDK has 84 awards so far) and they take the 1 and 2 place at the year-end Top 10 lists are here...they are not debatable.

Every category which in a way determines a quality of a movie,puts TDK and Wall-E over 3 or 4 of the nominated pictures....and arguing that they didn't deserve a nominations while those movie did holds no water.

They didn't because both are from genres that are never nominated and that won't chance...at least not until a whole generation of the old voters changes.

Have a good night guys(and Anita) :yay:

bows slowly.

[Captain Planet!]

A big ole' BUMP for My final 2009 Oscar Predictions.

* = Winner

And for some categories, I've included an # which = What I hope/think should win.


And now, Here they are:

THE 2009 OSCARS:

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire*

BEST ACTOR
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler*


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight*
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt#, Just because I'm sick of Kate Winslet.
Kate Winslet, The Reader*

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona*
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

BEST DIRECTOR
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant, Milk
Stephen Daldry, The Reader (*Cough*Christopher Nolan was robbed*Cough*)
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire*

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Frozen
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Milk*
Wall-E#

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley, Doubt
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
David Hare, The Reader
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire*

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E*


BEST ART DIRECTION
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight*
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess*, but Ben Butt could also win.
Milk
Revolutionary Road

BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Betrayal
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire*
Trouble the Water

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch*
Smile Pinki
The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306


BEST FILM EDITING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight#
Frost/Nixon
Milk*
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST FOREIGN FILM
The Baader Meinhof Complex, Germany
The Class, France
Departures, Japan
Revanche, Austria
Waltz with Bashir, Israel*

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Defiance
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire*
WALL-E#

TDK got cheated out of this category. it should have been nominated and won. And the Slumdog score gives me headaches.

BEST SONG
Down to Earth, WALL-E#
Jai Ho, Slumdog Millionaire*
O Saya, Slumdog Millionaire

BEST ANIMATED SHORT
La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory - Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto*
This Way Up

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
Auf der Strecke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)*


BEST SOUND EDITING
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E*
Wanted

BEST SOUND MIXING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E*
Wanted

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Dark Knight
Iron Man

[Boom]

Is anybody else nervous about this comment?

This year for best supporting actor you have Robert Downey Jr. in blackface and then you have Heath Ledger. So how do write something like that?

Bruce Vilanch: "Actually, this year we're going to do supporting actor differently and I'm not allowed to tell you how. It's one of those state secrets that I've been sworn not to reveal. And since the New York Times described me as tight-lipped and I got a lot of dates after that, I've decided I have to remain that way. Otherwise they'll beat me around the head with an Oscar and I'll get loose-lipped. But it's an unusual year in that category."

http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/int/2009/02/21/bruce_vilanch/index1.html

[General Vulcun]

Apparently, and I'd suggest not believing it until a written source comes up, TDK has won Best Foreign Film at the Japanese Academy Awards. This is what someone who has apparently seen it said. I don't know. Could be BS, but it's kinda cool.

I'll keep looking for a link to this.

[baerrtt]

I give up arguing what is worth it and what's not...since we can all be right but at the same time never agree on this particular topic.

But...the facts that TDK and Wall-E have bigger critical acclaim,both have won more critical awards than The Reader,Frost/Nixon and Button(TDK has 84 awards so far) and they take the 1 and 2 place at the year-end Top 10 lists are here...they are not debatable.

Every category which in a way determines a quality of a movie,puts TDK and Wall-E over 3 or 4 of the nominated pictures....and arguing that they didn't deserve a nominations while those movie did holds no water.

They didn't because both are from genres that are never nominated and that won't chance...at least not until a whole generation of the old voters changes.

Have a good night guys(and Anita) :yay:

If 2008 had been as weak a year for mainstream film as 1991 was both TDK and WALL-E would have made it in imo (ala Silence of the lambs and Beauty and the beast.)

[Captain Planet!]

If Heath Ledger does not win, I don't know if I'll be able to watch the Oscars again.

[jmc]

If Heath does not win, I feel sorry for the poor bastard who does, that's going to be one of the most awkward moments in the history of TV.

[redfirebird2008]

If Heath does not win, I feel sorry for the poor bastard who does, that's going to be one of the most awkward moments in the history of TV.

Yep, it would be very awkward. The person would probably not even be able to show how happy they are that they've won. I almost hope it happens just to see the total clusterf**k that would occur. Heath never cared about these awards. He was relieved that he lost for his role in Brokeback because he just didn't like the politics involved with campaigning for an award that is allegedly based on who did the best work. If he didn't care about it, then I'm not sure why anyone else should care so much that he receives it. I think he'd probably be looking down at us and laughing at this whole thing.

[regwec]

I think people should prepare now to feel angry and disappointed. The Academy hates film audiences, and will do anything it can to hurt them. Expect plenty of love for Kate Chinslett and "The Reader".

[Captain Planet!]

Hmm.... What if Kate Winslet wins Best Supporting Actor?



http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/FriendlyNeighborhoodSpidey/samuelljacksonmb7.gif

[Nina7]

Holy crap, the Oscars telecast sounds worse than I thought. From Deadline Hollywood:

The people who put on the Academy Awards are in a flopsweat panic as the hours tick away before this year's big broadcast, which is having its major rehearsal today. For weeks now, they've been begging myself and the other journalists who cover the Oscars not to trash the planning and performances for this year's telecast like we have in years past. Because their frustration and fear is that, if Sunday's top-to-bottom reworked show can't bring back viewers after 2008's sunk to its lowest ratings ever, then nothing will. And the worst part is that not even Hollywood wants to participate in the Oscars anymore.

I can report that this year's producers are privately complaining that the biggest movie stars in the world like Jack Nicholson, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, and Kate Winslet gave them excuse after excuse about why they didn't want to present awards, once considered a huge honor. (For instance, Kidman said she appear onstage without the "right" hairdresser. And Winslet, the Best Actress shoo-in, claimed she was too "nervous" to take it on.) One of the few big actresses who didn't balk was Reese Witherspoon. These behind-the-scenes embarrassments are one reason why the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences took the unprecedented step this year of failing to make public the list of Oscar presenters. There's even talk now of bringing back those official $100,000+ Oscar baskets of expensive freebies that used to be given to the show's presenters and performers (before Uncle Sam decided to tax the giveaways) as a way to bribe Hollywood into lending its star power.

And the lack of major celebrities is one reason why the producers may finally be able to keep the show's running time to their goal of 3 hours and 15 minutes instead of the usual dragfest that has driven away TV audiences with every passing year. But, in the process, the producers lost Peter Gabriel who refused to sing his Best Original Song from Wall-E, "Down To Earth", in what he claimed was the insulting allotted time of only 65 seconds for each of the 3 tunes in a medley. The producers also have dissed last year's actor winners by deciding that France's Marion Cotillard (Best Actress for La Vie En Rose) and Spain's Javier Bardem (Best Supporting Actor for No Country For Old Men), Scotland's Tilda Swinton (Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton) and even England's Daniel Day-Lewis (Best Actor for There Will Be Blood) weren't big enough names to carry on the time-honored tradition of announcing this year's winners by themselves. So, I've learned, the unusual step will be taken to bring onstage in a group other past Best Actor or Best Supporting Actress winners in order to add more glitz and glamor to the presentations. (Not to mention that Australia's Heath Ledger won't be picking up his Best Supporting Actor award this year.) Oh, but don't worry: last year's winners will still get to open the envelope and announce who won.

So much for this year's Academy Awards shaping up as the most international ever: AMPAS is truly concerned that Americans don't care about Bollywood's Slumdog Millionaire, the shoo-in for Best Picture, its director Danny Boyle for Best Director and other 2009 honors. Even the choice of host this year, Australia's Hugh Jackman, was intended to pump up the overseas interest in the Oscars. But on Friday, people close to the X-Men and upcoming Wolverine star still felt the need to release a viral video on YouTube of a very buff Jackman, his biceps bulging, making fun of previous Oscar hosts as he rehearsed a song-and-dance number. And the fact that so many Oscar categories have been locked in since December, and therefore marquee nominees like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie locked out for months, have only added to the anxiety among organizers. They even tried, and failed, to convince celebrity publicists to bring clients around to a side entrance at the Kodak Theatre instead of onto the Red Carpet Sunday in order to keep secret what the stars would be wearing so it could be a surprise for the telecast. One new idea thought up by the producers that will be seen Sunday? Trophy boys. The result is that very handsome young men will now join very beautiful young women on stage carrying out the Oscar statuettes. If that's not an acknowledgement that the viewership for the Academy Awards these days is limited to only females and gays, I don't know what is.
Meanwhile, a group of online bloggers has led an audience boycott of the

Oscars among the predominantly male fans of The Dark Knight because of the Academy voters' snub of the $1 billion-in-worldwide-grosses comic book caper for a Best Picture nomination and its Chris Nolan for Best Director. And that's yet another problem that hurts viewership: this year, too, the most popular movies aren't in contention for the major category Academy Awards. That drives away younger viewers. So it's little wonder that ABC in this economic freefall scrambled to drop prices for 30-second ads and replace two of the key sponsors for its Sunday broadcast, General Motors and L'Oreal. Not even the prospect of 30+ million U.S. viewers could lure advertisers who've cut their TV budgets to the bone. Prices for Oscars spots averaged $1.7 million last year, but now are going for as cheap as $1.4 million. The result is that, in a departure from tradition, parent company Walt Disney had to let its rival movie studios buy time on the telecast.
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/oscars-crisis-hollywood-frustrations-and-fears-over-sundays-awards-stars-and-advertisers-give-show-cold-shoulder/#respond

[Captain Planet!]

Whoa. I'm thinking that everyone saying that there "Will be surprises" are just trying to get people to watch.

[NickyTea]

Oscar's failing is pleasing to mine ears. :woot:

[Crook]

That article was actually pretty hilarious to read. You could feel the despair of the Oscars. :funny:

[jmc]

Wait a sec, last years Actors/Supporting Actors winners aren't presenting this years Acting Awards? That's appalling. That's one of the few things about the Oscar ceremony I actually like. They really are desperate if they are ditching that time honored tradition coz last years winner are too 'foreign'.

[Cmill216]

No, they are. They're just presenting with a more famous partner.

[batman11]

Haha. You can actually hear Oscar screaming in pain when you read that article. :funny:

[jmc]

No, they are. They're just presenting with a more famous partner.

Ah, I misinterpreted the article, still, do they really need someone 'more famous' to hold their hand whilst they present? Who's Marion Cotillard gonna be paired with? Tom Cruise?