The Oscar Push!

[blightsbiohazar]

I saw Slumdog. What a good movie

[Anita18]

So let me get this straight...

Benjiman Button, which has received a lot less critical praise then what most people thought it would get and is not of the high quality most people expcted it to be at, is getting some serious Oscar buzz now because it has proved to be "watchable" by producing a decent return at the box office, despite the fact it was merely surviving on hype for most of its production, and still is.

Yet, The Dark Knight, is said to be sinking in the Best Picture race, despite the fact that it's better made (from personal experience on this one), has much more acclaim, is much more celebrated, actually exceeding it's hype to most, and to top that off, making a large amount of money (largest since Titanic, domestically) in a very short period of time.

So, while The Dark Knight has all the qualities of being well made and being watchable that people are apparently looking for in Benjiman Button, also being many notches higher in both categories to boot, it is Benjiman Button that is getting the big Oscar boost while TDK may very well be left in the dust.

...can someone please explain to me how this is apparently supposed to make any sort of sense?
Because TDK is a summer action movie that features lots of explosions. And it's based on a comic book superhero, of which the genre has never had a film nominated for Best Picture.

Benjamin Button has been fairly divisive between critics. People either LOVE it or they're completely indifferent to it. Or they find it admirable but cold and hard to get into.

A friend of mine just saw it and she LOVED it, so I'll have to check it out soon. She likened it to watching Brokeback Mountain, where it isn't "cold" but it also isn't heavy-handed with the drama like Forrest Gump was.

[jmc]

So let me get this straight...

Benjiman Button, which has received a lot less critical praise then what most people thought it would get and is not of the high quality most people expcted it to be at, is getting some serious Oscar buzz now because it has proved to be ''watchable'' by producing a decent return at the box office, despite the fact it was merely surviving on hype for most of its production, and still is.

Yet, The Dark Knight, is said to be sinking in the Best Picture race, despite the fact that it's better made (from personal experience on this one), has much more acclaim, is much more celebrated, actually exceeding it's hype to most, and to top that off, making a large amount of money (largest since Titanic, domestically) in a very short period of time.

So, while The Dark Knight has all the qualities of being well made and being watchable that people are apparently looking for in Benjiman Button, also being many notches higher in both categories to boot, it is Benjiman Button that is getting the big Oscar boost while TDK may very well be left in the dust.

...can someone please explain to me how this is apparently supposed to make any sort of sense?

It's simple, it's a Batman film, it was always going to have an uphill battle, even in a poor year for films, even now when most of the so called 'Oscar contenders' are so-so at best. There's no getting around it I'm afraid, it's a Batman film and that's always going to be in the back of peoples minds when it comes to voting, regardless of how much critical praise, regardless how much money it made, regardless how well crafted it is. As for Button, I'm not as certain as some that it's is a lock, I get the feeling it may go down the Dream Girls route, lots of tech nods, but shafted from the major categories.

[bane]

Saw Benjamin Button yesterday, i was expecting to get more closure at the end, as to why he was getting younger rather than the sci fi explanation with the clock, but one of the Best movies of this year nonetheless.Certainly better than the Wrestler and Gran Torino, but not better than TDK.The special effects were top notch, i was expecting more from the cinematography aspect of the film, after all it's the director of Seven...Gonna watch Slumdog today

[bapi]

I saw Ben Button yesterday too and it's so boring. Pitt is great but that script is so boring and Fincher's direction is totally without any emotions and any invention. Slumdog Millionaire is a little bit overrated. I love Boyle but Trainspotting and Sunshine are better. Millionaire is a good indie movie but it's not unique. Frost / Nixon and Revolutionary Road got some great performances (Langella x Winslet) but that's all. Milk's got great Franco but Penn's acting is (again) over the top and Brolin... Oh my god! He's so SO boring! The only movie which is as good as the Dark Knight is The Wrestler. Unbelievable movie but... TDK is a little bit better, I must say. And Wall-E? For me it's the most overrated movie what I've ever seen. Sorry but that robot is a f***kin' i*iot.

[Crook]

I saw Ben Button yesterday too and it's so boring. Pitt is great but that script is so boring and Fincher's direction is totally without any emotions and any invention. Slumdog Millionaire is a little bit overrated. I love Boyle but Trainspotting and Sunshine are better. Millionaire is a good indie movie but it's not unique. Frost / Nixon and Revolutionary Road got some great performances (Langella x Winslet) but that's all. Milk's got great Franco but Penn's acting is (again) over the top and Brolin... Oh my god! He's so SO boring! The only movie which is as good as the Dark Knight is The Wrestler. Unbelievable movie but... TDK is a little bit better, I must say. And Wall-E? For me it's the most overrated movie what I've ever seen. Sorry but that robot is a f***kin' i*iot.
Words escape me. :huh:

[Dark Knight]

i have to disagree here. i thought button was, visually, a step back for fincher. it was pretty but boring. it was almost like he was fishing for an oscar. showed almost no signs of the inventive and risk taking camera work that his films are usually known for. the effects were pretty great but not quite as flawless as they should have been considering the entire movie depended on them.

in fact i was underwelmed by the whole affair. still need to see it again becuase i feel like i missed something. the film just left me kinda empty. it was like a sadder, more pretentious gump imo. same screenwriter even.

the use of the imax camera alone puts tdk above and beyond tccobb imo.



Agreed. A more appropriate name for Button would be....

The Curious Case of an Overrated Film!

Button was certainly not Finchers best work, that title goes to Fight Club for me.

What a terribly loooooong and drawn out movie Button was.

It certainly has no re watch value and if someone actually does waste their time and money to see that film again in the theater.....then they should bring at least two cans of Red Bull.

[Dark Knight]

My top movies of the year that are Oscar contenders for Best Picture or at least should be are.


1. The Dark Knight (of course the bias kicks in)
2. Milk
3. Slumdog Millionaire
4. The Wrestler


I thought the Wrestler was a better overall and more thoroughly engaging film from beginning to end than Button and Frost/Nixon.

[Dark Knight]

In terms of the BP race, Benjamin Button just made some good coin over its opening weekend and is on track to make $150 million+ total, which is probably enough to back up the Oscar talk. We'll have to see how its second weekend goes at least, but I dare say it just won itself the Oscar.

It also might hurt TDK's chances for a nomination, since if it ended up on the list, it would have done so as the "critically acclaimed blockbuster" and Benjamin Button's likely $150 million+ total would fill that spot too. Although it's not AS critically acclaimed as TDK, but...anyway. We'll see, especially with the upcoming guild awards.



Wow! What an overrated film Button was!

People were giving it the Oscar for best picture 2 months ago and when I saw it....I was bored and restless during the middle portion of the movie and my mind was wandering in and out.

Unreal....

[Figs]

Agreed. A more appropriate name for Button would be....

The Curious Case of an Overrated Film!

Button was certainly not Finchers best work, that title goes to Fight Club for me.

What a terribly loooooong and drawn out movie Button was.

It certainly has no re watch value and if someone actually does waste their time and money to see that film again in the theater.....then they should bring at least two cans of Red Bull.

Another case of ADD?

j/k

I was wondering if you've seen Slumdog Millionaire? For someone who found TCCofBB to be overated I was wondering what you thought of Slumdog.

I'm asking this because I'm usually the type that after I see some of these indie/low budget Oscar contenders that's what usually goes through my mind at the end...overrated.

I haven't seen it yet but it sounds/looks like typical boring Oscar bait that I won't care for, even though I like Danny Boyle.

[Hunter Rider]

Slumdog, Milk, Button, Frost/Nixon and ? I can't think what will be fifth at this point since the other contenders didn't exactly set the world alight critically.

[jmc]

Slumdog, Milk, Button, Frost/Nixon and ? I can't think what will be fifth at this point since the other contenders didn't exactly set the world alight critically.

Supposedly Doubt is meant to be contender, what I find ironic is it's getting better reviews than Button and somehow Button is a bigger contender. In fact Button in general is an oddity, it's the least praised critically of the so called 'locks' yet it's one of the favourites, go figure.

[Hunter Rider]

Supposedly Doubt is meant to be contender, what I find ironic is it's getting better reviews than Button and somehow Button is a bigger contender. In fact Button in general is an oddity, it's the least praised critically of the so called 'locks' yet it's one of the favourites, go figure.

It's probably one of those things that BO, mixed with solid acclaim, mixed with star names, mixed with a highly respected director has made a safe choice. As for Doubt, Ive not seen it but to me it looked to be solely about the acting as opposed to movie making on a whole.

[jmc]

It's probably one of those things that BO, mixed with solid acclaim, mixed with star names, mixed with a highly respected director has made a safe choice. As for Doubt, Ive not seen it but to me it looked to be solely about the acting as opposed to movie making on a whole.

Well actors do make up the majority of Academy members so I wouldn't count it out yet.

[Hunter Rider]

Well actors do make up the majority of Academy members so I wouldn't count it out yet.

Oh I know, but to me best picture should really be a film that excels in a number of areas, not just acting.

[jmc]

Oh I know, but to me best picture should really be a film that excels in a number of areas, not just acting.

As it should be, but this is the same group of people who chose Crash over the clearly better Brokeback Mountain, Crash was basically an actors film, it was no way the best all-round film of the year, but it's etched in history now.

[Boom]

Where it stands now, Slumdog Millionaire and Milk are locks for Best Picture nominations (as far as I'm concerned). Next films I'm going to see are The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Frost/Nixon. My brother and sisters saw TCCoBB, and said it was visually stunning, but it drug out. General consensus from them was that it was "okay."

Not too keen on seeing Doubt and Revolutionary Road, but I'll check them out if they end up getting nominations.

While I'm not convinced that The Dark Knight will get a nomination, I'm actually feeling pretty confident that it'll get the 5th spot. I won't be broken up if it doesn't though. It's still a terrific film in its own right. A nomination for a golden statue won't change that. And the mere fact that it's getting Oscar buzz at all is definitely something to be happy about.

[jmc]

The big curve ball is still Wall-E, there's just know way of knowing what's going to happen with that film, even Oscar journos are throwing their hands up saying 'who knows?', that little robot could definitely throw a spanner in the works for one film.

[Paradoxium]

Honestly, I don't see why you guys care whether TDK gets a nod or not.

The Oscars is basically a self-congratulatory exercise of masturbation for teH "elitez" in Hollywood. Whereon not the best stories are recognized, but some mandatory "teH soCial message" is included and is created by a niche of elites.

Maybe if Batman was a homosexual feminist who denounces racism with a touch of "I hate America" based in the Victorian era directed and staring Clint Eastwood.... would it have half a shoot of winning. In fact there the mere fact people like the WSJ paralleled this film to America and GWB, makes this a shoe-in not to be nominated :woot:

[Boom]

As far as Heath Ledger's chances go:

1) 2008 Australian Film Institute Awards
Best Actor-International (WON)

2) 13th Annual Satellite Awards
Best Supporting Actor - Lost to Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road)

3) 2008 Los Angeles Film Critcs Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

4) 2008 Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

5) 2008 Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

6) 2008 San Francisco Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

7) 2008 San Diego Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

8) 2008 Phoenix Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

9) 2008 Austin Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

10) 2008 Toronto Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

11) 2008 Houston Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

12) 2008 Dallas-Fort Worth Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

13) 2008 New York Online Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

14) 2008 Southeastern Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

15) 2008 St. Louis Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

16) 2008 Chicago Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

17) 2008 Detroit Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

18) 2008 Las Vegas Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

19) 2008 Florida Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

20) 2008 Utah Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

21) 2008 African American Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

22) 2008 Bulgaria Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

23) 2008 EDA Awards
Best Supporting Actor (WON)

24) 2008 New York Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor - Lost to Josh Brolin (Milk)

25) 2008 GQ Australia Men of the Year Awards
Best Actor (WON)

26) 3rd Annual Scream Awards
Best Actor in a Fantasy Film or TV (WON)
Best Villain (WON)
Best Line for "I believe whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you, stranger" (WON)
Most Memorable Mutilation for the "Magic Pencil Trick" (nominated)

27) 2008 National Board of Review Awards
Best Supporting Actor - Lost to Josh Brolin (Milk)

Heath has won 24/27 awards (to date). Percentage-wise, he's won 89%. Obviously, the big indicators will be the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards, but he's claiming the vast majority of victories at this point in time.

[Dark Knight]

Another case of ADD?

j/k

I was wondering if you've seen Slumdog Millionaire? For someone who found TCCofBB to be overated I was wondering what you thought of Slumdog.

I'm asking this because I'm usually the type that after I see some of these indie/low budget Oscar contenders that's what usually goes through my mind at the end...overrated.

I haven't seen it yet but it sounds/looks like typical boring Oscar bait that I won't care for, even though I like Danny Boyle.



ADD? Not even close....I love epic films that go past 2 1/2 hours just as long as they mesmerize, keep me engaged, and entertain me with a unique story and setting. Slumdog was a unique film and thoroughly engaging compared to the dragged out pace of Button.

I just think Finchers best work was Fight Club overall.

[Dark Knight]

Honestly, I don't see why you guys care whether TDK gets a nod or not.

The Oscars is basically a self-congratulatory exercise of masturbation for teH "elitez" in Hollywood. Whereon not the best stories are recognized, but some mandatory "teH soCial message" is included and is created by a niche of elites.

Maybe if Batman was a homosexual feminist who denounces racism with a touch of "I hate America" based in the Victorian era directed and staring Clint Eastwood.... would it have half a shoot of winning. In fact there the mere fact people like the WSJ paralleled this film to America and GWB, makes this a shoe-in not to be nominated :woot:




^ Funny and yet so true!

[jmc]

Honestly, I don't see why you guys care whether TDK gets a nod or not.

The Oscars is basically a self-congratulatory exercise of masturbation for teH 'elitez' in Hollywood. Whereon not the best stories are recognized, but some mandatory 'teH soCial message' is included and is created by a niche of elites.

Maybe if Batman was a homosexual feminist who denounces racism with a touch of 'I hate America' based in the Victorian era directed and staring Clint Eastwood.... would it have half a shoot of winning. In fact there the mere fact people like the WSJ paralleled this film to America and GWB, makes this a shoe-in not to be nominated :woot:

Because it's one of the best all round films of the year, and as such should be rewarded for its artistic endeavors and elevating the superhero genre beyond the candy coated, family orientated crap we've been force fed over the last few years.

[Anita18]

Because it's one of the best all round films of the year, and as such should be rewarded for its artistic endeavors and elevating the superhero genre beyond the candy coated, family orientated crap we've been force fed over the last few years.
Also because we're not patient and we cannot wait to see how important TDK is culturally. Star Wars: ESB didn't get a BP nom, yet people are still talking about it to this day. E.T., Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark didn't win BP and heck if I know who won those years instead. Everyone still knows those films, they're classics. Also, Kubrick never won Best Director, yet nobody can deny his influence.

An Oscar nomination/win is something immediately gratifying. Only time will tell if a film is truly a classic to be remembered.

We're just impatient and want immediate gratification. :hehe:

[Doctor Jones]

I finally saw Shiff in the Wendy's commercial! When I first watched it, I didn't see him at first, then I looked closer, and there he was!

It was funny, when I saw him I said, "His name is Shiff, Thomas. A paranoid schizaphrenic, emitted to Arkham. The kind of mind The Joker attracts."

[Jokers_Wild]

I finally saw Shiff in the Wendy's commercial! When I first watched it, I didn't see him at first, then I looked closer, and there he was!

It was funny, when I saw him I said, "His name is Shiff, Thomas. A paranoid schizaphrenic, emitted to Arkham. The kind of mind The Joker attracts."

I did the same exact thing! :hehe: Except he looks so happy and innocent in the commercial!

[Doctor Jones]

I did the same exact thing! :hehe: Except he looks so happy and innocent in the commercial!

Yeah, he was so calm. That's the reason why it took me a coulpe seconds to spot him. I was looking at the dude in the middle's hair, and I said, "Whoa, that's weird hair." Then I looked at the dude next to him, looked at his hair and I looked closer. :woot:

After I said that, my friend and my brother rolled their eyes. :woot:

[Paradoxium]

An Oscar nomination/win is something immediately gratifying. Only time will tell if a film is truly a classic to be remembered.

We're just impatient and want immediate gratification. :hehe:
I dunno, given what the Oscars has become (*cough*hollywood masturbatory fantasy*cough*smug narcissism*cough*George Clooney*cough**cough*)... it's more insulting then complimentary. But that's just me :o

[deathfromabove]

Circle of Life >>>>>> your mom.

Just sayin'. :hehe:

um ouch?:wow:

lets leave my mother out of it shall we?

anita is that really you? im very dissapointed.

anyway :whatever: i have always thought lion king was overrated anti democractic, borderline facist, and racist tripe. i know im in the minority but the message of that movie has never sat well with me.(shrugs)

[Doctor Jones]

um ouch?:wow:

lets leave my mother out of it shall we?

anita is that really you? im very dissapointed.

anyway :whatever: i have always thought lion king was overrated anti democractic, borderline facist, and racist tripe. i know im in the minority but the message of that movie has never sat well with me.(shrugs)

Dude, it's a Disney film.

[Fenrir]

i have always thought lion king was overrated anti democractic, borderline facist, and racist tripe. i know im in the minority but the message of that movie has never sat well with me.(shrugs)

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[batman11]

um ouch?:wow:

lets leave my mother out of it shall we?

anita is that really you? im very dissapointed.

Ummmm, I'm pretty sure Anita's ":hehe:" meant she was joking. Unless of course you're joking as well. :o

[Anita18]

um ouch?:wow:

lets leave my mother out of it shall we?

anita is that really you? im very dissapointed.
What can I say? Me hanging around you fanboys has corrupted me. :hehe:

And of course I was joking. I'm sure your mom is very cool.

But Circle of Life will always rock. :woot:

[deathfromabove]

Dude, it's a Disney film.

do you mean

a. dude its a disney film of course its racist etc...

or

b. dude its a disney film you are out of your mind no way is it those things

?

and i know anita was joking. and yes my mama is cool.

[Franklin Richards]

It's a retelling of Hamlet. That's all.



And James Earl Jones is the King. How is that racist?


:doom: :doom: :doom:

[byte19]

he helped spawn.... white lion?



ok that was low....:D

[Franklin Richards]

Low blow, byte! :D

Now you've forced me to out the Dark Knights storyline.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/AuntPetunia/tmp032.jpg

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:doom: :doom: :doom:

[byte19]

that's cruel Frankie! lol!:lmao:

i'm off to bed... the horror of that storyline......:waa::hehe:

[Hamill-Joker]

Low blow, byte! :D

Now you've forced me to out the Dark Knights storyline.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/AuntPetunia/tmp032.jpg

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:doom: :doom: :doom:


Oh My God


YOU'RE RIGHT!!!!

[Nirvana]

Now you've forced me to out the Dark Knights storyline.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/AuntPetunia/tmp032.jpg

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:doom: :doom: :doom:

:lmao:

[Doctor Jones]

do you mean

a. dude its a disney film of course its racist etc...

or

b. dude its a disney film you are out of your mind no way is it those things

?

and i know anita was joking. and yes my mama is cool.


B. You are out of your mind.

[Jokers_Wild]

Finally saw Benjamin Button. Very good film! But the sound mix seemed really bad, the dialogue was really low, and I had a hard time understanding what was said a lot of the time. May be just my theater? :huh:

[batman11]

Just saw Slumdog Millionaire. Saw The Wrestler a couple of days ago as well. The Wrestler was pretty good, but not great IMO. Slumdog on the other hand...wow. An incredible picture, just incredible. If you haven't seen this movie, go see it. Honestly, like a few others on here have said, as much as I'd love for TDK to win (or even be nominated) if Slumdog won, I wouldn't be disappointed in the least. Terrific film. :up:

Next on my list are Milk and Benjamin Button. Hopefully I can get to them before the Oscars nominees are announced.

[The Chris]

Just saw Slumdog Millionaire. Saw The Wrestler a couple of days ago as well. The Wrestler was pretty good, but not great IMO. Slumdog on the other hand...wow. An incredible picture, just incredible. If you haven't seen this movie, go see it. Honestly, like a few others on here have said, as much as I'd love for TDK to win (or even be nominated) if Slumdog won, I wouldn't be disappointed in the least. Terrific film. :up:

Next on my list are Milk and Benjamin Button. Hopefully I can get to them before the Oscars nominees are announced.

Yes. I prefer TDK, but Slumdog is incredible. At the moment I need a nomination. a victory is another story.

[Anita18]

For those of you keeping track:

http://criticstop10.com/

1. WALL-E (226 lists, 31 top spots)
2. The Dark Knight (180 lists, 45 top spots)
3. Milk (177 lists, 18 top spots)
4. Slumdog Millionaire (171 lists, 38 top spots)
5. The Wrestler (139 lists, 15 top spots)
6. Man on Wire (107 lists, 4 top spots)
7. Happy-Go-Lucky (105 lists, 11 top spots)
8. Rachel Getting Married (103 lists, 10 top spots)
9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (101 lists, 10 top spots)
10. Let the Right One In (94 lists, 9 top spots)


That list basically takes every critic's top 10 list that they can find online. I think. They actually don't explain, LOL. But it does seem to be quite extensive.

The fact that TDK has so many #1's bodes well in terms of Oscar nominations, because of the voting system. It's better to have a smaller group of people voting #1 or #2 rather than everyone voting #4 or #5.

EW also has their predictions up, and they supposedly get at least 4 out of 5 of the nominees in each category right.

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher - -The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Christopher Nolan - The Dark Knight
Gus Van Sant - Milk

BEST ACTOR
Clint Eastwood - Gran Torino
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Penélope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader


http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20007870_20164474_20249429,00.html

[magicangel1989]

Holy ****! 180 lists and fortyfive number ones! The Oscar people can't possibly ignore that!

[Hunter Rider]

Very interesting indeed, as pointed out, the margin by which WALL E leads the others is the real point of interest as it is ahead by a long way, just as TDK and Slumdog are quite the way ahead of the other 7, in truth the others should be the ones contesting the remaining spots, yet it's TDK and WALL E that are deemed the outsiders.

The Academy has never had a greater valid reason to break the mould on 2 fronts, by recognizing a genre their industry whores for money but refuses to let sleep in the house, and too also recognize animation as far more than just "kids" stuff.

[Nirvana]

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20007870_20164474_20249429,00.html

I think those best picture noms are the most likely.

[jmc]

Very interesting indeed, as pointed out, the margin by which WALL E leads the others is the real point of interest as it is ahead by a long way, just as TDK and Slumdog are quite the way ahead of the other 7, in truth the others should be the ones contesting the remaining spots, yet it's TDK and WALL E that are deemed the outsiders.

The Academy has never had a greater valid reason to break the mould on 2 fronts, by recognizing a genre their industry whores for money but refuses to let sleep in the house, and too also recognize animation as far more than just ''kids'' stuff.

And with the field being very weak they've also got no excuse not to include 2 well received mainstream films this year. If that critics Top 10 list holds up with Academy voters too, and statically that's a possibility, then it could be a very interesting Oscars indeed.

[FlawlessVictory]

Very interesting indeed, as pointed out, the margin by which WALL E leads the others is the real point of interest as it is ahead by a long way, just as TDK and Slumdog are quite the way ahead of the other 7, in truth the others should be the ones contesting the remaining spots, yet it's TDK and WALL E that are deemed the outsiders.

The Academy has never had a greater valid reason to break the mould on 2 fronts, by recognizing a genre their industry whores for money but refuses to let sleep in the house, and too also recognize animation as far more than just "kids" stuff.

I look at stuff like this and I think TDK should be a lock for a BP nomination but what I really feel is like it just has an outside shot. I'm left scratching my head. It's so obvious it should get a BP nomination.

[jmc]

I look at stuff like this and I think TDK should be a lock for a BP nomination but what I really feel is like it just has an outside shot. I'm left scratching my head. It's so obvious it should get a BP nomination.

Yeah, but it's a superhero film, it's was always going to a tough road to get seriously looked at.

[Boom]

I believe the 2009 National Society of Film Critics announces its winners today.

[abcdefz]

For what it's worth:

I haven't seen Man on Wire, The Wrestler, Let the Right One In, In Bruges, Waltz with Bashir, Che, or Wendy and Lucy, and my gut tells me Gran Torino, Revolutionary Road, Valkyrie, The Changeling, and The Reader probably ain't so hot anyway (but I might still check out Eastwood), but here's my top ten (which I'm sure I'll revise as I realize I've forgotten something or some of the promising stuff gets seen, etc.):

Frozen River
The Visitor
Wall*E
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Iron Man
Vicky Christina Barcelona



Yes, these are better than The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, My Blueberry Nights, Synechdoche NY, Happy Go Lucky, and Rachel
Getting Married.

You guys?

[The_Joker7895]

Well, here's my Top Ten for the year. The Dark Knight and Benjamin Button were tied for my first place slot, so they are both ranked as number one.

1. The Dark Knight
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. The Wrestler
3. Wall-E
4. Slumdog Millionaire
5. Iron Man
6. Che
7. Milk
8. Revolutionary Road
9. Gomorrah
10. Rachel Getting Married

I did not care for Frost/Nixon much at all. It was interesting and entertaining, but nothing special. Doubt just missed the cut simply because it felt like it was better suited for the stage. Gran Torino and Changeling boasted strong lead performances, but were let downs compared to Clint Eastwood's other works like Unforgiven, Mystic River, and Letters from Iwo Jima.

[batman11]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i7fcfe6ddd3b5d6c25b9b7a175c55d9fc

'Waltz With Bashir' draws critics' praise
'Happy-Go-Lucky' in 2nd for National Society of Film Critics

By Gregg Kilday

Jan 3, 2009, 07:11 PM ET
The National Society of Film Critics hailed the animated documentary "Waltz With Bashir" as the best picture of 2008 on Saturday.

The last of the major critics groups to weigh in with a selection of the year's best, the National Society's choice confirmed the rising status of animated films. Last month, the Los Angeles Film Critics' Assn. singled out "WALL-E" as its best picture of the year. And "WALL-E" also tied with the British comedy "Happy-Go-Lucky" for runner-up status in the National Society's best picture voting.

Directed by Ari Forman and released by Sony Pictures Classics, "Bashir" centers on the Israeli war with Lebanon in 1982.

"Happy-Go-Lucky," a Miramax release, walked off with the most awards, though. Mike Leigh's portrait of a blithe spirit and the effects she has on those around her earned Leigh both best director and best screenplay honors. Sally Hawkins, as its upbeat central character, was named best actress, and Eddie Marsan, playing a downbeat driving instructor, was chosen as best supporting actor.

The group's best actor award went to Sean Penn, who plays the title role in "Milk," with Mickey Rourke ("The Wrester") and Clint Eastwood ("Gran Torino") as runners-up.

Veteran actress Hannah Schygulla was named best supporting actress for her performance as a conservative German woman who befriends a young Turkish activist in "The Edge of Heaven." Runners-up were Viola Davis ("Doubt") and Penelope Cruz ("Vicky Cristina Barcelona").

James Marsh's documentary about Phillipe Petit, "Man on Wire," was chosen best nonfiction film, winning in that category over Tia Lessin and Carl C. Deal's "Trouble the Water" and Werner Herzog's "Encounters at the End of the World."

The cinematography award went to Anthony Dod Mantle for "Slumdog Millionaire" over runners-up Lee Ping-Bing ("Flight of the Red Balloon"), Wally Pfister ("The Dark Knight") and Yu Luk-Wai ("Still Life").

Actresses in smaller indie pics were the critics' darlings in the best actress deliberations. While Hawkins prevailed, Melissa Leo ("Frozen River") came in second, and Michelle Williams ("Wendy and Lucy") was third.

In choosing Leigh as best director, the critics gave second place to Gus Van Sant for both "Milk" and "Paranoid Park" and third to Danny Boyle for "Slumdog."

The runners-up to Marsan for supporting actor were Heath Ledger ("Dark Knight") and Josh Brolin ("Milk").

Runners-up to Leigh for best screenplay were writer-directors Arnaud Desplechin ("A Christmas Tale") and Charlie Kaufman ("Synecdoche, New York").

The National Society named Ken Jacobs' "Razzle Dazzle" best experimental film.

It handed out several Film Heritage Awards, citing the Criterion Collection for its DVD release of Samuel Fuller's "White Dog"; Kent Mackenzie's 1961 film "The Exiles," about Native Americans in Los Angeles, which was restored by Ross Lipman of the UCLA Televisionand Film Archives and distributed by Milestone; Flicker Alley for releasing DVD collections of rare early U.S. and foreign silent films; and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment for its DVD set "Murnau, Borzage and Fox."

The National Society, made up of 63 critics from across the country, held its annual awards meeting at Sardi's Restaurant in New York, with 49 members voting, using a weighted ballot system. Scrolls will be sent to the winners.

Additionally, David Sterritt was re-elected chairman for 2009.

Not too large of a shock. Knew that a foreign film would be picked, but am slightly disappointed Heath only received runner-up.

[Anita18]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i7fcfe6ddd3b5d6c25b9b7a175c55d9fc

Not too large of a shock. Knew that a foreign film would be picked, but am slightly disappointed Heath only received runner-up.
From what I've read on Awards Daily, this group is always guaranteed to pick "WTF?!" winners. :funny:

[Nirvana]

Am I crazy to think that Robert Downey Jr. is more deserving of an Oscar win than Heath Ledger? :huh:

[Vile]

Why the hell does Benjamin Button keep showing up on these listss?!?!?

[DACrowe]

Last year was an amazing year for movies. Between September and December about 15-20 good or great movies were released. This year I've seen about 5. So it is quite a bit weaker.

My top movies of 2008:

1. The Dark Knight
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
3. Slumdog Millionaire
4. Doubt
5. Frost/Nixon
6. WALL-E
7. Iron Man
8. W.
9. Valkyrie
10. In Bruges
11. Let the Right One In
12. Tropic Thunder

Mind you, I have not seen Milk, nor Revolutionary Road or the Reader or Syndendoche, New York (albeit I do NOT want to see the two Oscar-bait movies with Kate Winslet in them this year), so I cannot judge Oscar-bait whole this year.

So, I think TDK has a good shot at an Oscar-nomination. I understand why Benjamin Button, Slumdog and Millionaire are more conventionally safe to pick. But honestly, TDK truly deserves a nomination before Frost/Nixon or Doubt. Doubt was a really well acted and written movie, but as a piece of cinema, it is very standard in its telling. It is told well unlike many movie-plays, but it takes fewer risks than Frost/Nixon and you see how it works as a play, through-and-through.

The Dark Knight is pure cinema and told with a near-flawless and unflinching narrative. Something so true to the medium should be recognized.

[Joe Von Zombie]

Am I crazy to think that Robert Downey Jr. is more deserving of an Oscar win than Heath Ledger? :huh:

for what?

[jmc]

^ I'd assume for Tropic Thunder.

[dark_b]

its not crazy. just because it was a comedy directed by ben stiller doesnt mean that RDJ acting was not fantastic.

[Drz]

I wouldn't say his Black man acting was that special compared to Heath Ledger's Joker.

[hatebox]

RDJ was good, but it was effectively one trick done very well.

While Ledger was consistently crazy, he demonstrated a very broad range of craziness, be it calm or hyper active.

[The Chris]

I hope Downey is nominated for tropic thunder, I think he's terrific in that. But, no one was better than Ledger.

[bane]

I'm pissed TDK didn't get "Best Cinematography", sure there were some amazing scenes in Slumdog Millionaire, but nothing revolutionary...With that said Slumdog Millionaire is my 2nd favourite movie this year.

[Nirvana]

Don't get me wrong, Heath Ledger's Joker was incredible. A truly fantastic performance and without a doubt the definitive cinematic portrayal of the Joker. But Heath doesn't really need the Oscar to show what an iconic portrayal it was. His performance will be long remembered for years to come and will be damn near impossible to top.

Robert Downey Jr. however, has had one hell of a comeback. After spending time in jail he came back to the spotlight and everyone loves him again. He had two huge hits this year, and his method acting in Tropic Thunder was incredible. His portrayal of Lincoln Osiris really did have you convinced that you're watching a black guy. Also, Downey Jr., to me seems like a very perfect example of inspiration to turn one's life around. I think he deserves recognition.

[CristiMAN]

Don't get me wrong, Heath Ledger's Joker was incredible. A truly fantastic performance and without a doubt the definitive cinematic portrayal of the Joker. But Heath doesn't really need the Oscar to show what an iconic portrayal it was. His performance will be long remembered for years to come and will be damn near impossible to top.

Robert Downey Jr. however, has had one hell of a comeback. After spending time in jail he came back to the spotlight and everyone loves him again. He had two huge hits this year, and his method acting in Tropic Thunder was incredible. His portrayal of Lincoln Osiris really did have you convinced that you're watching a black guy. Also, Downey Jr., to me seems like a very perfect example of inspiration to turn one's life around. I think he deserves recognition.

no... Heath deserves it. Downey jr was good. But in the level of so many others this year. Ledger's Joker was nothing short of AMAZING. It made Nicholson's long remembered portrayal into just another bad guy in a comic book movie.

[Spider-Vader]

I would kill for Wall.E to get a Best Picture nod. That movie deserves it. I was blown away by it, similar to TDK blowing me away.

[Anita18]

RDJ was good, but it was effectively one trick done very well.

While Ledger was consistently crazy, he demonstrated a very broad range of craziness, be it calm or hyper active.
RDJ was great in Tropic Thunder, but I don't think he really added all that much to the character that wasn't already on the page. I think he did improvise a lot, but I dunno, I didn't think the role was all that deep.

From what we know, Heath suggested physical touches to a well-established character (like the potato peeler) that matched exactly to what even the most hardcore Joker fans could agree on. That's the mark of a great actor.

[The_Joker7895]

Let's take a look at RottenTomatoes shall we?

The Wrestler - 98%
The Dark Knight - 94%
Wall-E - 96%
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 73%
Slumdog Millionaire - 94%
Doubt - 76%
Frost/Nixon - 90%
Revolutionary Road - 67%
Milk - 93%
Happy-Go-Lucky - 94%
Rachel Getting Married - 87%
Gran Torino - 73%
Synechdoche, New York - 63%
Frozen River - 86%
The Reader - 61%

Now, what baffles me is that while some of the "locks" for Best Picture have ratings sitting around the 90s, that several of them are in the 70s. At the same time, the films with the highest ratings are the ones being considered long shots. I will say that having seen Benjamin Button, I think it is every bit as deserving of a Best Picture nomination as people thought for the whole year. In fact, I would personally have to say that it is what I would pick to win Best Picture this year. However, everyone says the following are locks.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Doubt

What frustrates me even more than The Dark Knight being a long shot is that The Wrestler is a long shot. It is the best reviewed film of the year, with only 2 negative reviews in total. Yet its not going to get any love beyond Mickey Rourke. Why is that? Honestly, if the academy doesn't grow a pair and start making less conventional choices soon, its going to become the butt of jokes everywhere, and will become close to obsolete.

[hatebox]

RT isn't necessarily the best thing to use for this though as it's merely binary. Some of the greatest films ever like Citizen Kane or 2001 received mixed press at the time.

RT's average rating is a better meter - and TDK and WallE scored high there too.

[The Chris]

Let's take a look at RottenTomatoes shall we?

The Wrestler - 98%
The Dark Knight - 94%
Wall-E - 96%
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - 73%
Slumdog Millionaire - 94%
Doubt - 76%
Frost/Nixon - 90%
Revolutionary Road - 67%
Milk - 93%
Happy-Go-Lucky - 94%
Rachel Getting Married - 87%
Gran Torino - 73%
Synechdoche, New York - 63%
Frozen River - 86%
The Reader - 61%

Now, what baffles me is that while some of the "locks" for Best Picture have ratings sitting around the 90s, that several of them are in the 70s. At the same time, the films with the highest ratings are the ones being considered long shots. I will say that having seen Benjamin Button, I think it is every bit as deserving of a Best Picture nomination as people thought for the whole year. In fact, I would personally have to say that it is what I would pick to win Best Picture this year. However, everyone says the following are locks.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Doubt

What frustrates me even more than The Dark Knight being a long shot is that The Wrestler is a long shot. It is the best reviewed film of the year, with only 2 negative reviews in total. Yet its not going to get any love beyond Mickey Rourke. Why is that? Honestly, if the academy doesn't grow a pair and start making less conventional choices soon, its going to become the butt of jokes everywhere, and will become close to obsolete.

Who the hell is saying Doubt's a lock? I keep hearing acting good, filmmaking techniques stink.

[The_Joker7895]

Who the hell is saying Doubt's a lock? I keep hearing acting good, filmmaking techniques stink.

Most oscar pundits are saying that the other four are certain locks, and that there's a fifth slot open, with Doubt being the most likely to score the nomination, simply because its the most oscar-y. I still wanna believe that TDK can be nominated, but unless it scores a PGA nomination tomorrow, the chances of that are growing even more slim. The SAG snub hurt, but PGA and DGA are the most important in determining what gets Best Pic nominations.

[jmc]

^ It'll get a Producers nod no worries, they're more open to blockbusters.

[jmc]

Who the hell is saying Doubt's a lock? I keep hearing acting good, filmmaking techniques stink.

Don't forget actors make up the highest number of Academy voters, and Doubts seems to be considered more of an actors film.

[The Chris]

Most oscar pundits are saying that the other four are certain locks, and that there's a fifth slot open, with Doubt being the most likely to score the nomination, simply because its the most oscar-y. I still wanna believe that TDK can be nominated, but unless it scores a PGA nomination tomorrow, the chances of that are growing even more slim. The SAG snub hurt, but PGA and DGA are the most important in determining what gets Best Pic nominations.

That's just dumb. Yeah, let's nominate the movie we don't really like as much as others because it's safer. Ugh.

[The Chris]

Don't forget actors make up the highest number of Academy voters, and Doubts seems to be considered more of an actors film.

Oh goodness I hope they check the ego to the door here. Hey I admit I'm jumping the gun big time because I haven't seen the film, but taking by what I've heard it shouldn't be in BP. Hell I'm hearing mix signals all over the place about the acting itself. I hear they're all good, but it sounds like to me that streep and hoffman are probably gonna get nominated mostly by name.

[jmc]

^ That's the Oscars for you, it's rarely ever about the 'best', there's a lot of back scratching that goes on in there.

[WVsax27]

There is a really good chance TDK will pick up a nomination from the PGA tomorrow, and I also like Nolan's chances of getting a DGA nomination later this week.

I also saw The Wrestler, really liked it. Rourke is my new pick for Best Actor, edging out Penn. Overall though I thought the movie could have benefited from about 20-30 more minutes added on.

[Crook]

Oh goodness I hope they check the ego to the door here. Hey I admit I'm jumping the gun big time because I haven't seen the film, but taking by what I've heard it shouldn't be in BP. Hell I'm hearing mix signals all over the place about the acting itself. I hear they're all good, but it sounds like to me that streep and hoffman are probably gonna get nominated mostly by name.
See the film. :dry:

Anyone that says Streep and Hoffman don't deserve to be nominated in their respective categories....are morons. They did fantastic.

[Nirvana]

Just saw The Wrestler today. Truly an incredible movie and I strongly support Rourke for a Best Actor nod. So that's The Wrestler, Benjamin Button, TDK and Wall-E so far...I'm catching Slumdog, Doubt, and The Reader this upcoming week and I'll definitely catch Frost/Nixon, Revolutionary Road and Milk when they open around here.

[The Spider-Bat]

Am I the only one who though Benjamin Buton was really mediocre? It just felt like a bland Forrest Gump wannabe and while the first act was fantastic... as the movie progressed it went downhill. I still have yet to see a lot of the big oscar contenders (such as Milk and the Wrestler) but I have to say that TDK is the best film of the year, marginally coming above Valkyrie (though that could be cause I thought it was gonna suck but ended up loving it). And Heath Ledger is just the best actor of the year... no competition.

[The Chris]

Am I the only one who though Benjamin Buton was really mediocre? It just felt like a bland Forrest Gump wannabe and while the first act was fantastic... as the movie progressed it went downhill. I still have yet to see a lot of the big oscar contenders (such as Milk and the Wrestler) but I have to say that TDK is the best film of the year, marginally coming above Valkyrie (though that could be cause I thought it was gonna suck but ended up loving it). And Heath Ledger is just the best actor of the year... no competition.

It was my number 3 of 2008, but I can definitely see the problems that people have with it. In my opinion it could have been number 1 if it had better execution of human emotion. I won't go as far as to say it was dead cold as others do, but I feel Dark Knight and Slumdog Millionaire both have the right human emotion to go with their technical brilliance, and that Benjamin Button should not win best picture.

[jm9843]

There is no way that Benjamin Button should even be nominated for best picture. Way too many flaws in that one.

[redfirebird2008]

I wouldn't say his Black man acting was that special compared to Heath Ledger's Joker.

I just recently saw Tropic Thunder and I thought he was pretty good but not that great.

Don't get me wrong, Heath Ledger's Joker was incredible. A truly fantastic performance and without a doubt the definitive cinematic portrayal of the Joker. But Heath doesn't really need the Oscar to show what an iconic portrayal it was. His performance will be long remembered for years to come and will be damn near impossible to top.



Robert Downey Jr. however, has had one hell of a comeback. After spending time in jail he came back to the spotlight and everyone loves him again. He had two huge hits this year, and his method acting in Tropic Thunder was incredible. His portrayal of Lincoln Osiris really did have you convinced that you're watching a black guy. Also, Downey Jr., to me seems like a very perfect example of inspiration to turn one's life around. I think he deserves recognition.


You want the sympathy vote for Downey over Ledger? That makes zero sense. Ledger got robbed of an Oscar in 2005 and will NEVER have a chance to continue showing how great of an actor he was. RDJ hopefully has a long life ahead of him to continue proving how great he is. And eventually he'll get an Oscar if he keeps it up. Ledger's snub was based on Hoffman's great career of snubs prior to that point. Even so, neither of Downey's performances in Iron Man and TT were on the level of Ledger's Joker.

[Nirvana]

You Batfans are so narrow minded. :whatever:

[SuperZer0]

You Batfans are so narrow minded. :whatever:

Oooooohhh, get ready to duck cause tomatoes will be thrown at you soon...not by me though. :hehe:

[redfirebird2008]

You Batfans are so narrow minded. :whatever:

Care to elaborate on that? One man's trash is another man's treasure. I thought Downey was better in Zodiac last year than he was in either Iron Man or Tropic Thunder, and I thought he was very good in both of those. He got completely screwed last year though. Zodiac as a whole got completely screwed. :csad:

[WVsax27]

Zodiac as a whole got completely screwed. :csad:

I agree with that, a poor box office and the early release really hurt its chances, even more so seeing as last year was a fairly strong year IMO. I think it got a WGA nomination, but that was about it.

[deathfromabove]

robert downey jr had an amazing year. iron man exceeded alot of expectations and at least he was great in tropic thunder. no doubt it was a bit of mainstream* comeback year for him.

but the performance that everyone will remember from 2008 is heath ledger's.

rdj will have plenty of time to get his revenge on the academy.

*(i say mainstream because rdj has been great for years but IM showcased him in way that his under the radar choices never could.)

[usmcrice0311]

yeah and the films that rdj is starring in slated to come out next year are said to be big hits

[Nirvana]

Care to elaborate on that? One man's trash is another man's treasure. I thought Downey was better in Zodiac last year than he was in either Iron Man or Tropic Thunder, and I thought he was very good in both of those. He got completely screwed last year though. Zodiac as a whole got completely screwed. :csad:

Sorry, I wasn't directing that statement to you specifically. It was more of a general statement to the fans on how TDK and Heath's performance are the end all be all performances and everyone is picking them over the others films without having even seen the others (Doubt, Milk, Wrestler, etc) and how other films such as Benjamin Button are "horribly flawed". For every flaw that Benjamin Button has, doesn't Dark Knight have just about the same? It just seems that everyone is a bit one sided when it comes to this year's Oscars.

[FCEEVIPER]

I haven't been in here for a while, how we doing so far on the TDK Oscar race?

[Anita18]

I haven't been in here for a while, how we doing so far on the TDK Oscar race?
This week is sorta the big sign. Producer's guild announces nominees tomorrow, director's guild a few days after. Writer's guild I believe is this week too. I believe many of the tech guilds announce soon as well.

PGA probably isn't as important as DGA (they cannot ignore TDK's box office performance, for one) but having the major guilds finally chime in is good, since these will be the people who are actually DOING the voting for the Oscars. Critics are all well and good, but none of them are Academy members.

[Anita18]

Oh, and whaddya know, Kansas City Film Critics finally chimes in.

BEST FILM - Slumdog Millionaire
BEST DIRECTOR - Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler
BEST ACTOR - Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
BEST ACTRESS - Meryl Streep, Doubt
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY - Robert D. Siegel, The Wrestler
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY - Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM - Let the Right One In (Sweden)
BEST DOCUMENTARY - Man on Wire
BEST ANIMATED FILM - Wall*E
THE VINCE KOEHLER AWARD for Best Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror Film - The Dark Knight

[The_Joker7895]

I haven't been in here for a while, how we doing so far on the TDK Oscar race?

Well, so far most people are thinking that there are four locks for a best picture nomination.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
Frost/Nixon

There's a fifth slot left open, and it looks to be a dead tie/two horse race to get in between The Dark Knight and Doubt. The Dark Knight as lost some steam in the best picture race lately due to a lack of Best Picture nods in critic circles and Best Pic snubs from both the Golden Globes and SAG awards. However, it has made nearly every single top ten list thus far. I think it has a slight edge over Doubt for the fifth spot, but we will have a much better idea tomorrow when the PGA nominations are announced. If The Dark Knight is nominated for a PGA award, it will be nominated for Best Picture. If not, then its chances of a Best Picture nomination are going to fade really fast and rely solely upon a DGA nomination for Nolan.

Heath Ledger is pretty much 100% locked for a nomination and 90% locked for a win at this point. Nolan has been mentioned a few times, but we need to see if he gets a DGA nomination before he becomes a true contender for Best Director.

[Anita18]

:lmao: The folks at Awards Daily have started to quote TDK in their post comments.

And as for the television monitor’s *clears throat* “predictions”, Batman has no jurisdiction. He will end up in the final five, if the Academy really wants to boost viewership, which I’m sure it does.

I know squealers when I see them, and……

And by the way this nomination didn’t come cheap, you oughta know it, you bought it.

(A fun game).

http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=5481#comments

[redfirebird2008]

Sorry, I wasn't directing that statement to you specifically. It was more of a general statement to the fans on how TDK and Heath's performance are the end all be all performances and everyone is picking them over the others films without having even seen the others (Doubt, Milk, Wrestler, etc) and how other films such as Benjamin Button are "horribly flawed". For every flaw that Benjamin Button has, doesn't Dark Knight have just about the same? It just seems that everyone is a bit one sided when it comes to this year's Oscars.

I haven't seen Button yet although I have been wanting to see it. I'm a big fan of Fincher's work and it is written by the same guy who wrote Forrest Gump. The concept is very intriguing, plus it looks like it has excellent cinematography. I also want to see The Wrestler. Looks like a heartbreaking movie with one hell of a performance from Rourke.

[The_Joker7895]

I haven't seen Button yet although I have been wanting to see it. I'm a big fan of Fincher's work and it is written by the same guy who wrote Forrest Gump. The concept is very intriguing, plus it looks like it has excellent cinematography. I also want to see The Wrestler. Looks like a heartbreaking movie with one hell of a performance from Rourke.

I just saw The Wrestler today. A true masterpiece on every level, and Rourke's performance is nothing short of legendary. I am now 100% behind Mickey Rourke to win the oscar for Best Actor. He deserves it more than anyone in years. I think that now I can safely say that the five best films of the year are

The Dark Knight
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Wrestler
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E

[jmc]

Well, so far most people are thinking that there are four locks for a best picture nomination.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
Frost/Nixon

There's a fifth slot left open, and it looks to be a dead tie/two horse race to get in between The Dark Knight and Doubt. The Dark Knight as lost some steam in the best picture race lately due to a lack of Best Picture nods in critic circles and Best Pic snubs from both the Golden Globes and SAG awards. However, it has made nearly every single top ten list thus far. I think it has a slight edge over Doubt for the fifth spot, but we will have a much better idea tomorrow when the PGA nominations are announced. If The Dark Knight is nominated for a PGA award, it will be nominated for Best Picture. If not, then its chances of a Best Picture nomination are going to fade really fast and rely solely upon a DGA nomination for Nolan.


The lack of Golden Globe nomination is nothing to worry about, the Guilds are what's important, if nominations go as expected for the PGA's it will all but guarantee TDK a place at the big boys table come February, and with it the potential for a very interesting night.

[FlawlessVictory]

What time are the PGA nominations announced?

[namtaB]

Benjamin Button was really good. I think it'll lock up the best picture award.

[jm9843]

Sorry, I wasn't directing that statement to you specifically. It was more of a general statement to the fans on how TDK and Heath's performance are the end all be all performances and everyone is picking them over the others films without having even seen the others (Doubt, Milk, Wrestler, etc) and how other films such as Benjamin Button are "horribly flawed". For every flaw that Benjamin Button has, doesn't Dark Knight have just about the same? It just seems that everyone is a bit one sided when it comes to this year's Oscars.

Project much? I would have no problem with a film being better than The Dark Knight and would readily admit it. It wouldn't change my enjoyment of TDK at all. In fact, I still have yet to see The Wrestler, Milk, and Slumdog so there is a chance that that will happen yet. I consider Wall-E to be a modern day classic but found it to be a bit too predictable and as a result would give the edge to TDK.

But I have no problem stating my strongly held opinion that Benjamin Button is overrated and its flaws too numerous to warrant it being part of the discussion for best picture. Yes, far more flaws than TDK.

Sloppily written (i.e. gaping plot holes), meandering, pointless interludes, forced symbolism, gag-inducing dialog, and almost completely humorless (the one running joke gets played out quickly). I could go on and provide specifics if necessary.

Nobody will remember the thing in a year.

[The Chris]

online film critic nomination

http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=5518

[redfirebird2008]

Sloppily written (i.e. gaping plot holes), meandering, pointless interludes, forced symbolism, gag-inducing dialog, and almost completely humorless (the one running joke gets played out quickly). I could go on and provide specifics if necessary.

Nobody will remember the thing in a year.

I've seen plenty of people lob similar criticism at TDK. I haven't seen Button yet but I am looking forward to it.

As for Wall-E's predictability compared to TDK, there were two unpredictable things in TDK. The first was killing off the damsel in distress. The second is ending the movie with the hero as the villain on the run from the cops. Otherwise, it followed the same rules as any other superhero movie. Hero saves a city in peril. Wall-E and TDK are both mainstream films that do stay within the confines of their genre as far as predictability goes. An unpredictable movie is something like Infernal Affairs, where all the good guys die and the bad guy lives.

[Anita18]

What time are the PGA nominations announced?
Supposed to be around now, but I think 1:30 PST is still a "reasonable" time.

[J.Howlett]

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall)
“The Dark Knight” (Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas)
“Frost/Nixon” (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard)
“Milk” (Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks, Michael London)
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Christian Colson, Paul Ritchie)

PGA nominees.

All signs point toward a best picture nomination by the Academy. All we need now is the DGA to follow through on Thursday.

[JL Unlimited]

Per Incontention.com, the PGA nominees are:

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall)
“The Dark Knight” (Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas)
“Frost/Nixon” (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard)
“Milk” (Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks, Michael London)
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Christian Colson, Paul Ritchie)

[redfirebird2008]

Awesome that TDK made it into the PGA nomination. Now hopefully Nolan gets a DGA nomination and its chances at an Oscar nom are looking much, much better than they have been lately! :)

[WVsax27]

this is good news, it was expected the PGA would go for TDK so if they hadn't it would have really hurt the movies chances.

[Anita18]

LOL talk about timing....

PGA was expected to list TDK, but WVsax27 is right - if TDK wasn't listed here, its Oscar chances would probably have been dead in the water.

So it's still alive, relatively speaking. :oldrazz:

[blueblazer2]

Tropic Thunder was really not that funny . Tom Cruise was not that funny , it was just over the top . And the retarded character by Ben Stiller got old after while . And downey jr performance really character was not that funny . To me it has to be the most overrated movie of 2008

[hatebox]

Nolan definitely should get the nom(s) for his career so far as much as anything else.

[FlawlessVictory]

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall)
“The Dark Knight” (Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas)
“Frost/Nixon” (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard)
“Milk” (Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks, Michael London)
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Christian Colson, Paul Ritchie)

PGA nominees.

All signs point toward a best picture nomination by the Academy. All we need now is the DGA to follow through on Thursday.

:yay::up:

So if Nolan gets nominated by the DGA, what percentage would we be looking at that TDK gets a BP nomination?

[hatebox]

69.8%

[FlawlessVictory]

69.8%

Wow, you're good with calculation! :woot:

[Jokers_Wild]

Sweet. I'm glad the PGA came through! TDK still has a good shot at a Best Picture Nom!

[namtaB]

Tropic Thunder was really not that funny . Tom Cruise was not that funny , it was just over the top . And the retarded character by Ben Stiller got old after while . And downey jr performance really character was not that funny . To me it has to be the most overrated movie of 2008

My thoughts exactly.

[jmc]

Dust off the old suit and shine the shoes folks, the Oscars await.

[jmc]

:yay::up:

So if Nolan gets nominated by the DGA, what percentage would we be looking at that TDK gets a BP nomination?

On top of the PGA nomination it's a certainty.

[FlawlessVictory]

On top of the PGA nomination it's a certainty.

Excellent.

[WVsax27]

one small thing to consider...Wall-E wasn't eligible for the PGA theatrical award and apparently isn't eligible for the DGA award either, although I don't think it would have picked up a nomination there anyway. I personally don't think Wall-E will sneak a BP nom. come Oscar time(although I think it would be deserving), but that is something to keep in mind.

[jmc]

one small thing to consider...Wall-E wasn't eligible for the PGA theatrical award and apparently isn't eligible for the DGA award either. I personally don't think Wall-E will sneak a BP nom. come Oscar time(although I think it would be deserving), but that is something to keep in mind.

Actually I'm pretty sure WALL-E was eligible.

[WVsax27]

Actually I'm pretty sure WALL-E was eligible.

There seems to be conflicting reports on this, so maybe I am wrong. I know it isn't eligible for the DGA though.

[The Spider-Bat]

Care to elaborate on that? One man's trash is another man's treasure. I thought Downey was better in Zodiac last year than he was in either Iron Man or Tropic Thunder, and I thought he was very good in both of those. He got completely screwed last year though. Zodiac as a whole got completely screwed. :csad:

You have no idea how much I agree with you, Zodiac was my favorite movie of last year and I was so mad that nobody noticed it. Downey deserved an Oscar for it.

[Doctor Jones]

You have no idea how much I agree with you, Zodiac was my favorite movie of last year and I was so mad that nobody noticed it. Downey deserved an Oscar for it.

A freaking Men my friend! You aren't the only one! Zodiac was too my favorite film last year. I was pissed that it got completely snubbed! And even more pissed that RDJ wasn't nominated.

[Boom]

online film critic nomination

http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=5518
What day do they announce the winners?

[redfirebird2008]

You have no idea how much I agree with you, Zodiac was my favorite movie of last year and I was so mad that nobody noticed it. Downey deserved an Oscar for it.

Same here. Though I think it's a toss-up between Downey and Bardem. They were both awesome.

[The Chris]

What day do they announce the winners?

Have no idea.

[Boom]

Well here are important dates:

January 7th
- Writers Guild of America Awards - Nominees announced
- People's Choice Awards - Winners announced
January 8th
- Directors Guild of America Awards - Nominees announced
- Critics' Choice Awards - Winners announced
January 11th
- Golden Globe Awards - Winners announced
January 22nd
- Academy Awards - Nominees announced
January 24th
- Producers Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
January 25th
- Screen Actors Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
January 31st
- Directors Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
February 7th
- Writers Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
February 22nd
- Academy Awards - Winners announced

[hatebox]

Well here are important dates:

January 7th - Writers Guild of America Awards - Nominees announced
- People's Choice Awards - Winners announced
January 8th

Jan 8th.. what? Oscar noms announced?

EDIT: ah, you added stuff.

[redfirebird2008]

Well here are important dates:

January 7th
- Writers Guild of America Awards - Nominees announced
- People's Choice Awards - Winners announced
January 8th
- Critics' Choice Awards - Winners announced
January 11th
- Golden Globe Awards - Winners announced
January 22nd
- Academy Awards - Nominees announced
January 24th
- Producers Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
January 25th
- Screen Actors Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
February 22nd
- Academy Awards - Winners announced

You left off the Directors' Guild.

[Boom]

I updated it again. I accidently hit reply while I was typing the list out, so I had to go back and edit.

[The_Joker7895]

I think the PGA nomination spoke volumes. If it gets nominated for a DGA award, its a 100% lock for a Best Picture nomination. Right now, its sitting on a 90% chance of being nominated.

[Anita18]

I think the PGA nomination spoke volumes. If it gets nominated for a DGA award, its a 100% lock for a Best Picture nomination. Right now, its sitting on a 90% chance of being nominated.
What's funny are all the conflicting theories on how big that chance is. For the last 10 years, the PGA nominations have gone 4/5 for the Oscar BP, so TDK could be the lone snub, historically. But if wasn't nominated at all here, then its chances were over! I mean, make up your mind already! :funny:

I still think the Academy voting system favors TDK and heck, even Wall-E, over Frost/Nixon. I still haven't seen it, but from reviews and such, the support doesn't seem to be as high.

[DACrowe]

Frost/Nixon is excellent and the buzz against it seems to stem from the fact that it is Ron Howard (who makes a lot of Oscar-bait, but avoids most of the trappings here) and it isn't a big emotional "Oscar" movie. It has one scene of that for Langella and is the reason why is performance, which was already great, is even being considered for a nomination.

But it is a strong movie about Nixon and an entertaining story about interviewing the most shamed president in recent American history (well...not counting Bush). I think it deserves to be there more than Wall-E (which I loved) or The Wrestler (a movie about a great performance and nothing more)...yeah I said it.

But, I am still hoping for it to be:

-Slumdog Millionaire
-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (who I'd like to see win)
-Milk (which I haven't seen, but know it will be nominated)
-Frost/Nixon
-The Dark Knight

I'd actually like to see TDK win, but if it gets nominated that is as far as the Academy will go towards "rewarding" the movie.

[jmc]

I'd actually like to see TDK win, but if it gets nominated that is as far as the Academy will go towards ''rewarding'' the movie.

I think it's a fair assessment to say that public support would be well an truly in TDK's favour should it get a nod, regardless, nomination is reward enough, anything after Ledgers win is a bonus.

[Shifty]

Gold Derby by Tom O'Neil
Producers Guild of America nominations = Oscars' front-runners

There were no jaw-droppers among the nominees for best picture by the Producers Guild of America: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Dark Knight," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk" and "Slumdog Millionaire." A winner will be announced on Jan. 24.

Most of the Producers Guild of America nominees tend to line up with the Oscar high five, but sometimes the guild is known to toss in surprises like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2002) and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001).

Some pundits believed that "Wall-E" might sneak in, considering that the producers guild nominated animated blockbusters in the past such as "The Incredibles" in 2004 and "Shrek" in 2001. Also snubbed were these other films considered to be front-runners: "Doubt," "Gran Torino," "The Reader," "Revolutionary Road" and "The Wrestler."

In their 19-year history, the Producers Guild of America awards have foreseen 12 of Oscar's eventual best-picture winners, including last year's champ "No Country for Old Men." However, the previous three PGA winners failed to prevail at the Oscars. In 2006, the PGA picked "Little Miss Sunshine" over "The Departed," in 2005, it backed "Brokeback Mountain" rather than "Crash," and in 2004 "The Aviator" soared ahead of "Million Dollar Baby."

While the PGA has only predicted 63% of the eventual Oscars winners, they have gotten a solid 76% of the best picture contenders correct. Indeed, 72 of their choices were among the 95 in contention for the top Oscar over the last 19 years. Last year, they scored four out of five with "Juno," "Michael Clayton" and "There Will Be Blood" also among their picks. While the PGA had "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" as the fifth nominee, the academy voters went with "Atonement."

The only year that the producers guild nominees did not include the eventual Oscar winner was back in 1995 when "Braveheart" failed to make the cut and "Apollo 13" took home the Golden Laurel.

[Nirvana]

I'm glad that TDK got the PGA nod and that it's chances are looking good. I really do hope the movie does get the Nomination. Despite all my complaints about all the narrow-mindedness here I do want to see the movie prevail. I just want to give the other competition a chance before I decide. :oldrazz:

But any ways, I just got back from watching The Reader and Slumdog Millionaire. The first half of the Reader is horrible...nearly unwatchable. It was pretty bad, not to mention creepy, lame, and all around strange. The last half of the movie really picked up once the Kid went to college. The movie starts to get pretty good. The end is fantastic, but the first half is so bad, I don't think it'll get any serious award consideration outside of a nod for Kate Winslet.

Slumdog on the other hand, was an incredible movie. Definitely one of the best movies I've seen this year. It's nice for a change that this serious Oscar contender has a feel good ending. I loved it, and I can go so far as to say it's definitely my second favorite movie of the year (TDK being first of course, lawl).

As far as Oscar Bait goes I've seen

The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Wrestler
The Reader

I'm seeing Doubt and Gran Torino later this week and definitely plan on catching Revolutionary Road, Frost/Nixon and Milk when they open later on around my area.

[Anita18]

And as "expected" the PGA nom was, I think that this is the first time a superhero comic-book movie has gotten a nomination. :yay:

[redfirebird2008]

I'm glad that TDK got the PGA nod and that it's chances are looking good. I really do hope the movie does get the Nomination. Despite all my complaints about all the narrow-mindedness here I do want to see the movie prevail. I just want to give the other competition a chance before I decide. :oldrazz:

But any ways, I just got back from watching The Reader and Slumdog Millionaire. The first half of the Reader is horrible...nearly unwatchable. It was pretty bad, not to mention creepy, lame, and all around strange. The last half of the movie really picked up once the Kid went to college. The movie starts to get pretty good. The end is fantastic, but the first half is so bad, I don't think it'll get any serious award consideration outside of a nod for Kate Winslet.

Slumdog on the other hand, was an incredible movie. Definitely one of the best movies I've seen this year. It's nice for a change that this serious Oscar contender has a feel good ending. I loved it, and I can go so far as to say it's definitely my second favorite movie of the year (TDK being first of course, lawl).

As far as Oscar Bait goes I've seen

The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Wrestler
The Reader

I'm seeing Doubt and Gran Torino later this week and definitely plan on catching Revolutionary Road, Frost/Nixon and Milk when they open later on around my area.

TDK being listed as Oscar bait = hilarious. I laughed out loud when I read that. :woot::hehe:

[Nirvana]

TDK being listed as Oscar bait = hilarious. I laughed out loud when I read that. :woot::hehe:

Haha, it's an Oscar Contender so it has to be listed. I thought we moved past the stages of laughing at TDK being Oscar worthy? :oldrazz:

[Anita18]

Haha, it's an Oscar Contender so it has to be listed. I thought we moved past the stages of laughing at TDK being Oscar worthy? :oldrazz:
I've moved on from :funny: to :eek: that it's actually happening.

[jmc]

I've moved on from :funny: to :eek: that it's actually happening.

Seriously, a year ago had anyone suggested Oscars other than tech awards they would have been laughed at, the fact that TDK may be dining at the adults table this year is testament to Nolan and his vision to treat a comic characters mythology with the same respect as some classic literary novel. Note to other Superhero film makers: try harder.

[Nirvana]

I've moved on from :funny: to :eek: that it's actually happening.

It really is incredible. I'm sure we'll all be jumping out of our chairs if it gets the Best Picture Nod. :woot:

[WVsax27]

I still think the Academy voting system favors TDK and heck, even Wall-E, over Frost/Nixon..

Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are very popular people in Hollywood, I think Frost/Nixon is pretty safe as far as Best Picture goes. It wouldn't shock me to see Howard not pick up a Directing nomination, but I think he is pretty safe there also.

BAFTA nominations are on the 15th...they don't have much to do with predicting the Oscar race, but they are a big deal none the less.

[Nirvana]

I've moved on from :funny: to :eek: that it's actually happening.

It really is incredible. I'm sure we'll all be jumping out of our chairs if it gets the Best Picture Nod. :woot:

[redfirebird2008]

Seriously, a year ago had anyone suggested Oscars other than tech awards they would have been laughed at, the fact that TDK may be dining at the adults table this year is testament to Nolan and his vision to treat a comic characters mythology with the same respect as some classic literary novel. Note to other Superhero film makers: try harder.

I don't think "trying harder" is always the issue. Sometimes the people trying simply aren't good enough. Cough...the Raimi brothers...cough.

[redfirebird2008]

double post

[Anita18]

I don't think "trying harder" is always the issue. Sometimes the people trying simply aren't good enough. Cough...the Raimi brothers...cough.
Eh, I don't think they were necessarily trying to go for the same tone and heaviness that TDK went for. Not to say that ALL comic book superhero movies need to be as serious and go for the Oscar a la TDK, but the precedence now exists.

[redfirebird2008]

Eh, I don't think they were necessarily trying to go for the same tone and heaviness that TDK went for. Not to say that ALL comic book superhero movies need to be as serious and go for the Oscar a la TDK, but the precedence now exists.

Are you kidding? TDK is no more melodramatic than SM3. Death of a friend, check. Love triangle, check. And on and on. The only difference is one was well-made and the other isn't.

[The Chris]

Are you kidding? TDK is no more melodramatic than SM3. Death of a friend, check. Love triangle, check. And on and on. The only difference is one was well-made and the other isn't.

As a lover of all things Batman and Spidey, that last part says it all. It's all in the execution, and there's no denying that Nolan executed better.

[Anita18]

Are you kidding? TDK is no more melodramatic than SM3. Death of a friend, check. Love triangle, check. And on and on. The only difference is one was well-made and the other isn't.
The story beats are similar, but the tone is completely different between the two. Heck, TDK's tone is even completely different from its predecessor, BB.

There's a reason why we post the Peter-crying gif for lulz. :oldrazz:

[redfirebird2008]

As a lover of all things Batman and Spidey, that last part says it all. It's all in the execution, and there's no denying that Nolan executed better.

I include the writing in the execution. The Raimi brothers are bad writers. The Nolan brothers are excellent writers.

[FCEEVIPER]

This week is sorta the big sign. Producer's guild announces nominees tomorrow, director's guild a few days after. Writer's guild I believe is this week too. I believe many of the tech guilds announce soon as well.

PGA probably isn't as important as DGA (they cannot ignore TDK's box office performance, for one) but having the major guilds finally chime in is good, since these will be the people who are actually DOING the voting for the Oscars. Critics are all well and good, but none of them are Academy members.

Well, so far most people are thinking that there are four locks for a best picture nomination.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
Frost/Nixon

There's a fifth slot left open, and it looks to be a dead tie/two horse race to get in between The Dark Knight and Doubt. The Dark Knight as lost some steam in the best picture race lately due to a lack of Best Picture nods in critic circles and Best Pic snubs from both the Golden Globes and SAG awards. However, it has made nearly every single top ten list thus far. I think it has a slight edge over Doubt for the fifth spot, but we will have a much better idea tomorrow when the PGA nominations are announced. If The Dark Knight is nominated for a PGA award, it will be nominated for Best Picture. If not, then its chances of a Best Picture nomination are going to fade really fast and rely solely upon a DGA nomination for Nolan.

Heath Ledger is pretty much 100% locked for a nomination and 90% locked for a win at this point. Nolan has been mentioned a few times, but we need to see if he gets a DGA nomination before he becomes a true contender for Best Director.
Thanks for the updates guys!

[Boom]

The 2009 Kansas City Film Critics Awards
- Best Supporting Actor - WON

http://www.altfg.com/blog/awards/kansas-city-film-critics-awards-2009/

[The Chris]

Best makeup contenders down to seven

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army”
“The Reader”
“Synecdoche, New York”
“Tropic Thunder”
“The Wrestler”

http://www.incontention.com/

In the end I hope it's Benjamin Button, Hellboy II, and TDK. I feel that only one film should be here for aging makeup, Hellboy's creatures are incredible, and TDK is TDK.

[Jokers_Wild]

I think it's a fair assessment to say that public support would be well an truly in TDK's favour should it get a nod, regardless, nomination is reward enough, anything after Ledgers win is a bonus.

I agree 100%. I would just love to see TDK nominated, which of all the films I've seen this year, I think it deserves, barring a few films I still haven't caught.

[RakuMon]

Well, so far most people are thinking that there are four locks for a best picture nomination.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
Frost/Nixon

There's a fifth slot left open, and it looks to be a dead tie/two horse race to get in between The Dark Knight and Doubt. The Dark Knight as lost some steam in the best picture race lately due to a lack of Best Picture nods in critic circles and Best Pic snubs from both the Golden Globes and SAG awards. However, it has made nearly every single top ten list thus far. I think it has a slight edge over Doubt for the fifth spot, but we will have a much better idea tomorrow when the PGA nominations are announced. If The Dark Knight is nominated for a PGA award, it will be nominated for Best Picture. If not, then its chances of a Best Picture nomination are going to fade really fast and rely solely upon a DGA nomination for Nolan.

Heath Ledger is pretty much 100% locked for a nomination and 90% locked for a win at this point. Nolan has been mentioned a few times, but we need to see if he gets a DGA nomination before he becomes a true contender for Best Director.
I haven't seen either movie yet, but I'm wondering if "Frost/Nixon" and "Doubt" sort of cancel each other out. I mean, from the reviews I've read, neither film is that "cinematic" (especially since they're both adapted from acclaimed stage plays) but both contain great acting performances. So, for a BP nom, I don't think the Academy will put in two stage adaptations that are hailed more for their performances than their cinematic value. So, if "F/N" gets that slot, that means "Doubt" is out. Which would leave the fifth spot open for Batman.

[The Chris]

Best visual effects finalists

Australia”
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army”
“Iron Man”
“Journey to the Center of the Earth”
“The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”




http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=5577

[I Am The Knight]

Journey to the Center of the Earth?

WTF??? :dry:

[Anita18]

Journey to the Center of the Earth?

WTF??? :dry:
I thought the win for Golden Compass last year was a joke.

And Iron Man got a nomination for the USC Scripter award over TDK, which is befuddling people everywhere. :lmao:

[The Chris]

I thought the win for Golden Compass last year was a joke.

And Iron Man got a nomination for the USC Scripter award over TDK, which is befuddling people everywhere. :lmao:

I remember the talk in my class over how stupid that best f/x win was.

I guess TDK can't get everything. I Just hope for the important things.

[I Am The Knight]

I thought the win for Golden Compass last year was a joke.

Yeah, I mean, with the GC, you coulde see some artistry there, at least. But anyone nominating Journey to the Center of Earth for best anything is ludicrous. I saw Journey in the theater, not in 3-D mind you, but still...To say the effects were awful would be a huge understatement.

And Iron Man got a nomination for the USC Scripter award over TDK, which is befuddling people everywhere. :lmao:

"Scripter" as in script? :whatever: LOL :dry:

[Anita18]

Yeah, I mean, with the GC, you coulde see some artistry there, at least. But anyone nominating Journey to the Center of Earth for best anything is ludicrous. I saw Journey in the theater, not in 3-D mind you, but still...To say the effects were awful would be a huge understatement.
I only saw parts of GC, but my friend who saw it in theaters thought the VFX was a joke. The animation of the polar bears running was so obviously looped, he was actually kind of offended that they thought they could get away with that.

"Scripter" as in script? :whatever: LOL :dry:
Yup. :funny: IM has much snappier dialogue, but the last 20 minutes and the bad guy's "I've always wanted to kill you and NOW I WILL MWAHAHAHAHAHA" speech really brought it down for me. TDK's dialogue is definitely less snappy, but screenwriting includes the plotline and I've never seen a comic book movie with a tighter plotline. Some people might disagree, but whatever. :oldrazz:

I just read about an interesting scenario on one of the Oscar prediction forums - if TDK is nominated, it'll automatically become the frontrunner because EVERY media outlet imaginable will spew the headline, "BATMAN UP FOR BEST PIC OSCAR." Heck, TDK making the PGA list even got into my BBC News Google reader feed! The article was more general, but that was the headline: "Batman makes producers' shortlist."

[jmc]

I just read about an interesting scenario on one of the Oscar prediction forums - if TDK is nominated, it'll automatically become the frontrunner because EVERY media outlet imaginable will spew the headline, ''BATMAN UP FOR BEST PIC OSCAR.'' Heck, TDK making the PGA list even got into my BBC News Google reader feed! The article was more general, but that was the headline: ''Batman makes producers' shortlist.''

No doubt, the fact it's a Batman film alone will cause headlines, then you'll have the obligatory columnist debate on whether or not a Superhero should be nominated.

[Nirvana]

I only saw parts of GC, but my friend who saw it in theaters thought the VFX was a joke. The animation of the polar bears running was so obviously looped, he was actually kind of offended that they thought they could get away with that.


Yup. :funny: IM has much snappier dialogue, but the last 20 minutes and the bad guy's "I've always wanted to kill you and NOW I WILL MWAHAHAHAHAHA" speech really brought it down for me. TDK's dialogue is definitely less snappy, but screenwriting includes the plotline and I've never seen a comic book movie with a tighter plotline. Some people might disagree, but whatever. :oldrazz:

I just read about an interesting scenario on one of the Oscar prediction forums - if TDK is nominated, it'll automatically become the frontrunner because EVERY media outlet imaginable will spew the headline, "BATMAN UP FOR BEST PIC OSCAR." Heck, TDK making the PGA list even got into my BBC News Google reader feed! The article was more general, but that was the headline: "Batman makes producers' shortlist."

I totally agree. I think if TDK gets the Nod that it more than likely will get the Oscar, if it doesn't then I think the next likely candidate is Slumdog Millionaire.

[hatebox]

Batman making the PG list is the only newsworthy thing about the list in fairness.

[Captain Planet!]

Here is what I think will/should happen, but keep in mind that I haven't seen half of these films since I don't get out to the movies very often.

Best Picture:

Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Dark Knight


Best Director:

Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Gus Van Sant, Milk

Best Actor:

Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Sean Penn, Milk*
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler


Best Actress:

Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Cate Blanchett, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Meryl Streep, Doubt*
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road


Best Supporting Actor:

Josh Brolin, Milk
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Aaron Eckhart, The Dark Knight (This is what SHOULD happen, but it won't. Instead it will most likely be Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder)
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight*
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Supporting Actress:

Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Hensen, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
Kate Winslet, The Reader*


Best Original Screenplay:

Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Dustin Lance Black, Milk*
Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky
Jenny Lumet, Rachel Getting Married
Andrew Stanton and Jim Reardon, 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:

Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E*
Bolt

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Frost/Nixon
Revoloutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Dark Knight


Best Achievement in Editing

Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight*


Best Achievement in Art Direction

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


Best Achievement in Costume Design

Changeling
Duchess*
Revolutionary Road
The Fall
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button


Best Achievement in Makeup

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
The Dark Knight

Best Original Score

Frost/Nixon
The Dark Knight*
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wall-E


Best Original Song

The Wrestler, Bruce Springsteen, The Wrestler*
Down to Earth” by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Wall-E
Gran Torino, by Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino
Once in a Lifetime, Cadillac Records
Jaiho, Slumdog Millionaire


Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

Iron Man
The Dark Knight*
Wall-E


Best Achievement in Sound Editing

Iron Man
The Dark Knight*
Wall-E


Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
Iron Man


Just my guess. I don't know enough about the short films/documentary's to say which will get nominated/win.

[GregComicFan]

The Producer's Guild announced its nominees today for Best Picture

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39663

The Dark Knight is in!!!!!

Read the article above.

[scifiwolf]

In actual fact, they were announced yesterday. Good news anyway.

[Kargo Warrior]

I'm enjoying the love TDK gets...but i'm trully happy for Hellboy getting on both SFX and Make-Up short lists.

A very,very underated movie...too bad it was released just before TDK...and then fell into obscurity.

[The Chris]

The Dark Knight nominated for 13 BAFTA awards

Best film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, Best Makeup and Hair, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best production Design, and Best Music

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=news&articleid=VR1117998032

[hatebox]

wow. nice one Britain.

EDIT - oh that just the 'longlist'. oh well

[Poetic Chaos]

Looks like TDK may actaully be nominated for more than supporting actor and some technical awards. I'd still say SFX is outta the picture though. Ben Button has that locked up.

[Boom]

UPDATED:

January 7th
- Writers Guild of America Awards - Nominees announced
- People's Choice Awards - Winners announced
January 8th
- Directors Guild of America Awards - Nominees announced
- Critics' Choice Awards - Winners announced
January 11th
- Golden Globe Awards - Winners announced
January 22nd
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards - Nominees announced
January 24th
- Producers Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
January 25th
- Screen Actors Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
January 31st
- Directors Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
February 7th
- Writers Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
February 8th
- British Academy of Film and Television Awards - Winners announced
February 22nd
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards - Winners announced

[Silverglade]

Thank you, Boom, for updating that list! I am looking forward to each of those dates!:woot:

[luke1234]

Benjamin Button and Dark Knight are gonna be neck and neck for special effects but i think Dark Knight will pull through.

[The Chris]

I'm not sure because it seems like special effects is like the main reason benjamin button is where it's at right now. We'll see though. Honestly without the great techical skill shown in it, it probably wouldn't be in my top five.

[WVsax27]

I'm not expecting any love from the WGA tomorrow...it'd be nice though.

[General Vulcun]

How could they not nominated TDK tomorrow? Look at what the Nolans and Goyer did with 70 years of history behind the character. That's gotta be worth something.

[WVsax27]

I just don't think they will. I think it has a chance, I'm just not expecting it.

[General Vulcun]

I'm definitely not disagreeing with you on the subject, as I'm sure the writers will go for the novel-based films instead. It honestly just escapes me how TDK isn't getting buzz for the script. What makes a film like The Reader a better adaptation than TDK?

[WVsax27]

Was anyone else a little surprised to see Bale on the BAFTA longlist? No chance he gets nominated, but it did stick out to me.

[redfirebird2008]

I bought Bruce Springsteen's single from the movie "The Wrestler." It's a hell of a song. Cannot wait to see the movie.

[luke1234]

I bought Bruce Springsteen's single from the movie "The Wrestler." It's a hell of a song. Cannot wait to see the movie.

Me too, im stoked to see Mickey Rourke put on the performance of a lifetime

[redfirebird2008]

Me too, im stoked to see Mickey Rourke put on the performance of a lifetime

Have you heard the song? It's in the trailer for the film. Great song and I'm sure it'll be a great movie too. Heartbreaking.

[Anita18]

Have you heard the song? It's in the trailer for the film. Great song and I'm sure it'll be a great movie too. Heartbreaking.
Mickey Rourke looks like he's playing such a sweet character, but it definitely gives off the vibe that the film will just end in tears for him.

[Nina7]

I know y'all have been waiting patiently for Salman Rushdie's Oscar thoughts. Well, the wait is over. He thinks The Dark Knight is an Oscar shoo-in.

“I really like the Batman movie,” Mr. Rushdie said. “I think ‘The Dark Knight,’ is a shoo in.”
“I think even people who don’t like superhero movies might like this because it’s about the problem of the idea of the superhero,” he said. “There’s a scene in the film where the Joker confronts Batman and says, ‘You know, we’re the same, and we need each other.’ That’s a profound moment. These extreme characters can only exist in each other’s company.”

http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/

[WVsax27]

ASC(American Society of Cinematographers) just released their nominees

Roger Deakins, Revolutionary Road
Roger Deakins and Chris Menges, The Reader
Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
Claudio Miranda,The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Wally Pfister,The Dark Knight

[Crook]

Benjamin Button and Dark Knight are gonna be neck and neck for special effects but i think Dark Knight will pull through.
The sfx award should be a shoe-in for Button. I can't imagine how ANY film this year could compete with it. If anything but TCOBB wins for that category, that's a bigger bu11**** upset than Golden Compass over Transformers.

I'm not sure because it seems like special effects is like the main reason benjamin button is where it's at right now. We'll see though. Honestly without the great techical skill shown in it, it probably wouldn't be in my top five.
Lol, and what exactly is a film w/o technical skill behind it?

[Anita18]

I know y'all have been waiting patiently for Salman Rushdie's Oscar thoughts. Well, the wait is over. He thinks The Dark Knight is an Oscar shoo-in.

http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/
What's truly hilarious are some of the comments below the post (http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/salman-rushdie-oscar-prognosticator/#comments) regarding his opinion of Slumdog Millionaire. The posters attempt to explain a Bollywood movie to Rushdie, like he wasn't born in Mumbai. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salman_Rushdie) :lmao:

[Boom]

Reminder, everyone.

People's Choice Awards tonight, followed by the Critics' Choice Awards tomorrow.

[jmc]

The sfx award should be a shoe-in for Button. I can't imagine how ANY film this year could compete with it. If anything but TCOBB wins for that category, that's a bigger bu11**** upset than Golden Compass over Transformers.



Let's remember though, The Dark Knight was more of a practical FX movie whilst Button was more your CGI stuff, so even though Button's use of CGI was second to none, TDK's mixture of both practical and CG could easily sway old school voters.

[RKO]

Reminder, everyone.

People's Choice Awards tonight, followed by the Critics' Choice Awards tomorrow.


Is this televised?

[[A]]

January 22nd
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards - Nominees announced
Nice--I'll get to see it :up:

[baerrtt]

I'm definitely not disagreeing with you on the subject, as I'm sure the writers will go for the novel-based films instead. It honestly just escapes me how TDK isn't getting buzz for the script. What makes a film like The Reader a better adaptation than TDK?

For the same (possible) reason some award bodies aren't acknowledging the film as a whole: they don't take the source material seriously.

[The Chris]

Lol, and what exactly is a film w/o technical skill behind it?

What I'm saying is that Benjamin Button doesn't really have as much human/emotional skill as say a Slumdog Millionaire. If Slumdog or Dark Knight weren't as technically sound as they were, they would probably still be in my top 5 because their storytelling prowess is so strong, while I don't think benjamin button's is as strong.

Anyway, here is the american society of cinematographers nominees

Roger Deakins, Revolutionary Road and The Reader
Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire (PGA, SAG, ASC)
Chris Menges, The Reader
Claudio Miranda,The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (PGA, SAG, ASC)
Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight (PGA, ASC)

http://www.awardsdaily.com/?p=5621

[Anita18]

-spits out drink-

TDK got a WGA nomination, guys! :eek:

Wow, really wasn't expecting THAT....

[redfirebird2008]

-spits out drink-

TDK got a WGA nomination, guys! :eek:

Wow, really wasn't expecting THAT....

Cool. Now for the DGA...

[Anita18]

And here's the competition (but who cares, frankly the biggest hurdle was getting the nom to begin with!)

WGA AWARDS

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Screenplay by Eric Roth; Screen Story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord; Based on the Short Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures

The Dark Knight, Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan; Story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer; Based on Characters Appearing in Comic Books Published by DC Comics; Batman Created by Bob Kane, Warner Bros. Pictures

Doubt, Screenplay by John Patrick Shanley, Based on his Stage Play, Miramax Films

Frost/Nixon, Screenplay by Peter Morgan, Based on his Stage Play, Universal Pictures

Slumdog Millionaire, Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, Based on the Novel Q and A by Vikas Swarup, Fox Searchlight Pictures
I think a BP nom is in the bag, guys! :applaud

And honestly, a WGA nom was the toughest guild hurdle. DGA is in the bag as well.

[Kargo Warrior]

-spits out drink-

TDK got a WGA nomination, guys! :eek:

Wow, really wasn't expecting THAT....

Completelly freakin deserved!!:woot::woot::woot:

TDK is getting all the love it deserves... i cant wait for January 22th:word:

[redfirebird2008]

Completelly freakin deserved!!:woot::woot::woot:

TDK is getting all the love it deserves... i cant wait for January 22th:word:

That day doesn't exist. :woot: :hehe:

[Kargo Warrior]

Man...getting nominated for Best Adapted screenplay at the oscars would be huge...almost at the same level as getting a Best Pic nomination.

If it all goes well it can have a possible 11 nominations... (make-up,sfx,editing,sound editing,sound mixing,cinematography,supporting actor,director,adapted screenplay,score and best picture)
...though i'll be satisfied with anything over 9 :grin::woot:

[WVsax27]

this is big...really glad I was wrong. Oh, and a side note....this is Woody Allen's 19th WGA nomination.

[FlawlessVictory]

And here's the competition (but who cares, frankly the biggest hurdle was getting the nom to begin with!)

WGA AWARDS

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Screenplay by Eric Roth; Screen Story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord; Based on the Short Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures
The Dark Knight, Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan; Story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer; Based on Characters Appearing in Comic Books Published by DC Comics; Batman Created by Bob Kane, Warner Bros. Pictures
Doubt, Screenplay by John Patrick Shanley, Based on his Stage Play, Miramax Films
Frost/Nixon, Screenplay by Peter Morgan, Based on his Stage Play, Universal Pictures
Slumdog Millionaire, Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, Based on the Novel Q and A by Vikas Swarup, Fox Searchlight Pictures

I think a BP nom is in the bag, guys!:applaud

And honestly, a WGA nom was the toughest guild hurdle. DGA is in the bag as well.

:eek:

Awesome!

Has a movie ever been recognized by the PGA, WGA and DGA and not been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars?

[AEmovieguy]

Man...getting nominated for Best Adapted screenplay at the oscars would be huge...almost at the same level as getting a Best Pic nomination.

If it all goes well it can have a possible 11 nominations... (make-up,sfx,editing,sound editing,sound mixing,cinematography,supporting actor,director,adapted screenplay,score and best picture)
...though i'll be satisfied with anything over 9 :grin::woot:

Quick! Someone compose an original song for the re-release! :yay:

[Jokers_Wild]

:eek:

Awesome!

Has a movie ever been recognized by the PGA, WGA and DGA and not been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars?


Amazing. That's a question! Where's Anita with the answer?

[jmc]

The Writers Guild nomination is a real surprise.

[jmc]

:eek:

Awesome!

Has a movie ever been recognized by the PGA, WGA and DGA and not been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars?

Yep, Almost Famous, Adaptation and Being John Malkovich are three, they were also recognized by the SAG, so it happens.

[FlawlessVictory]

Yep, Almost Famous, Adaptation and Being John Malkovich are three, they were also recognized by the SAG, so it happens.

Crap. :csad:

[dark_b]

have low expectations and everything will be fine.

[Kargo Warrior]

Crap. :csad:

Hahahaha you're always true to your pessimistic self,eh?

Just because 3 movies out of a 50 were snubbed doesn't mean anything for TDK...the movie is getting the Best Pic nomination,you can bet you superherohype credit card on it :woot:

[FlawlessVictory]

have low expectations and everything will be fine.

LOL, well that's why you won't find me saying the BP nomination is in the bag like our friend Anita has. :grin: I still expect Doubt to get it, just because TDK has Batman in it and Doubt has Streep and, that's just the pessimist in me.

[FlawlessVictory]

Hahahaha you're always true to your pessimistic self,eh?

Just because 3 movies out of a 50 were snubbed doesn't mean anything for TDK...the movie is getting the Best Pic nomination,you can bet you superherohype credit card on it :woot:

LOL, funny you should say that as I just mentioned that above. Just imagine how I am with my favorite sports teams. :hehe:

[FlawlessVictory]

the movie is getting the Best Pic nomination,you can bet you superherohype credit card on it :woot:

Hmm, I don't have one of those, I'll have to do make due with this:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u102/FlawlessVictory_photos/batmancreditcard.jpg


:woot:

[Kargo Warrior]

Hmm, I don't have one of those, I'll have to do make due with this:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u102/FlawlessVictory_photos/batmancreditcard.jpg


:woot:


:hehe::hehe::hehe: that should do!You wont be sorry...you'll get Uma Thurman along with the movie's nomination. :hehe:

[The Chris]

YES YES YES! i was so not expecting this, but hoping I was! YES!

[Boom]

Bumped to new page:

TODAY
- Writers Guild of America Awards - Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.
- People's Choice Awards - Winners announced
January 8th
- Directors Guild of America Awards - Nominees announced
- Critics' Choice Awards - Winners announced
January 11th
- Golden Globe Awards - Winners announced
January 22nd
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards - Nominees announced
January 24th
- Producers Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
January 25th
- Screen Actors Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
January 31st
- Directors Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
February 7th
- Writers Guild of America Awards - Winners announced
February 8th
- British Academy of Film and Television Awards - Winners announced
February 22nd
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards - Winners announced

[Anita18]

LOL, well that's why you won't find me saying the BP nomination is in the bag like our friend Anita has. :grin: I still expect Doubt to get it, just because TDK has Batman in it and Doubt has Streep and, that's just the pessimist in me.
Pessimist. :oldrazz:

If TDK is snubbed for an Oscar BP after a DGA nom, it will be, by far, the biggest movie to ever be snubbed like that. I don't believe it will happen.

And I'm still amused over how people want to point out exceptions. "PGA's have gotten only 4/5! PGA/WGA/DGA noms don't predict it all! Guilds don't mean anything! Oh wait, they do!" Of course, a BP nom isn't 100% guaranteed, but the likelihood of TDK getting one is closer every day. You can't deny that.

[Crook]

Let's remember though, The Dark Knight was more of a practical FX movie whilst Button was more your CGI stuff, so even though Button's use of CGI was second to none, TDK's mixture of both practical and CG could easily sway old school voters.
True, but the practical CG found in TDK wasn't anything really special. It was good for what it was. TCOBB, however, has pushed the bar even higher for SFX. That alone secures it's win.

What I'm saying is that Benjamin Button doesn't really have as much human/emotional skill as say a Slumdog Millionaire. If Slumdog or Dark Knight weren't as technically sound as they were, they would probably still be in my top 5 because their storytelling prowess is so strong, while I don't think benjamin button's is as strong.

I will never understand that critique of TCOBB. It was one of the most emotional movies I've seen, albeit subtle. Was it a tearjerker of massive proportions? No, but certain plot points certainly pull at your heart.

LOL, well that's why you won't find me saying the BP nomination is in the bag like our friend Anita has. :grin: I still expect Doubt to get it, just because TDK has Batman in it and Doubt has Streep and, that's just the pessimist in me.
I'm almost positive Doubt will not get it over TDK, if it's really down to those two. As has been said already, not only is it more of an acting film, but it comes off more of a play than it is a cinematic adaptation of one. It was a very good flick, but it's most definitely not more deserving than TDK.

[magicangel1989]

so what exactly are the Dark Knight's Chances of getting a BP nomination?

[Anita18]

so what exactly are the Dark Knight's Chances of getting a BP nomination?
Nobody knows "exactly," but it's looking very possible.

[TheVileOne]

It will get a best picture nomination. Very likely.

Also very likely nominations for Nolan, Pfister, and Ledger. Winning on the other hand ;) .

Basically a lot of the big budget movies are going to rule the roost this year instead of the more artier films.

[The Chris]

I will never understand that critique of TCOBB. It was one of the most emotional movies I've seen, albeit subtle. Was it a tearjerker of massive proportions? No, but certain plot points certainly pull at your heart.



I think it's a valid critique if you don't use it to try to destroy the film. I think it's a flaw, not enough to hate on of course because it is number 3. There are just some points where people die and there is really not much of a reaction.His father I understand because he barely knew him, but there should have been a little more reaction to queenie's death. I know Ben's a passive person, and he is so used to death around him, but I think there should have been a little more. Not massive crying, but something like Bruce's mourning of Rachel in TDK. Controlled yet still there. However someone on another site mentions something Brad did with his eyes for that scene so I want to check that out on DVD.

Let's just say that I was personally affected more emotionally by say Harvey's rise and fall, Rachel's letter, and Batman's sacrifice, and also the things the lead character of Slumdog goes through than the stuff in Benjamin Button.

[TheVileOne]

Not that I care but Pfister should basically win just for the simple fact that he shot the movie with IMAX cameras.

No one's undertook the type of cinematography the Dark Knight has for a narrative feature before.

[CristiMAN]

so what exactly are the Dark Knight's Chances of getting a BP nomination?

At this time I guess it's really possible. Winning it I guess almost impossible. But who knows, right? I guess the academy might feel that it's a now or never oportunity. The only oportunity a comic book movie is good enough. And in the past years they have been rewarding these: musical film (Chicago), fantasy (Return Of The King), western (Unforgiven) and so on. No talking about the quality of these. But they kind are usually left out of the oscars. Who knows? In a few months nobody even dreamed how important a Batman film could be... It's a cliche but: Batman has no limits.

[Kud-Dukan]

I honestly can' believe TDK is this close to getting a Best Picture nomination. I mean, despite how amazing I thought the movie was, I never believed it would get recognized, and now it's looking more and more likely everyday. I mean seriously, it's a Batman movie, and it's looking at a possible Best Picture nomination! This is huge!

I'm standing by my early predictions that it'll be Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk, Frost/Nixon, and the Dark Knight fighting for Best Picture. I think Slumdog is going to grab the win, but that doesn't matter. A nomination for TDK would be a win IMO. Frankly, as long as Heath wins Best Supporting Actor, I'll take just nominations.

[Captain Planet!]

The People's choice awards are tonight at 9.

[Jokers_Wild]

I honestly can' believe TDK is this close to getting a Best Picture nomination. I mean, despite how amazing I thought the movie was, I never believed it would get recognized, and now it's looking more and more likely everyday. I mean seriously, it's a Batman movie, and it's looking at a possible Best Picture nomination! This is huge!

I'm standing by my early predictions that it'll be Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk, Frost/Nixon, and the Dark Knight fighting for Best Picture. I think Slumdog is going to grab the win, but that doesn't matter. A nomination for TDK would be a win IMO. Frankly, as long as Heath wins Best Supporting Actor, I'll take just nominations.

I know what you mean. I thought TDK was terrific...but I never thought it would be recognized in the industry to this level. I remember thinking how amazing it would be for Ledger just to be nominated...back when people were buzzing about his performance...but now TDK is a serious contender for a BEST PIC NOM! It's crazy awesome! :woot:

[jmc]

I know what you mean. I thought TDK was terrific...but I never thought it would be recognized in the industry to this level. I remember thinking how amazing it would be for Ledger just to be nominated...back when people were buzzing about his performance...but now TDK is a serious contender for a BEST PIC NOM! It's crazy awesome! :woot:

So true, I called it after I saw TDK for the first time that it would be an Oscar contender, I got laughed at and was dismissed as a rabid fanboy, bet those folks ain't laughing now!

[Illstreet]

I just saw Christopher Nolan sitting in the audience at the Peoples Choice Awards(CBS), and usually if the person is there, that means they won and were told to be there...

So look for "The Dark Knight" to win best film...

[The Chris]

I just saw Christopher Nolan sitting in the audience at the Peoples Choice Awards(CBS), and usually if the person is there, that means they won and were told to be there...

So look for "The Dark Knight" to win best film...

And they keep teasing it. "How big a night will this be for the dark knight?" Well it better damn well win best movie that's all I know!

[RKO]

Lmao - They keep teasing on how many awards TDK will win.

I think their core viewers depend on bat fanboys at the moment.

[redfirebird2008]

Kate Hudson is either drunk or lit. Not sure which.

[The Chris]

Only the people's choice would have those three against each other for best drama (and I like Eagle Eye)

[Great1]

Kate Hudson is either drunk or lit. Not sure which.

Maybe she's both?

[NickyTea]

I'm finally getting around to watching all of the "contenders."
I really enjoyed Frost/Nixon ... much more than I anticipated. It was able to shake it's stage roots and become a whole film. Very solid. Characters worked very well.

Slumdog was interesting for me. I certainly enjoyed it. However, I really felt that very little of the payoff at the end was earned by the movie that preceded it. There were a handful of powerful images at the film's end that felt separate from the whole, making the overall picture feel like an amalgam of disparate parts that only barely fit. Structurally sloppy, I'll say. I see why people love the characters, and the sensational third world setting, but it didn't deliver, for me, as fully as many other movies this year.

[redfirebird2008]

Only the people's choice would have those three against each other for best drama (and I like Eagle Eye)

Eagle Eye is an action movie but they threw it into the Drama category since it wasn't popular enough to be nominated for Best Action Movie or Best Movie. And honestly, I can't believe Indy 4 was popular enough to be nominated for Best Movie. Its DVD sales were horrible.

[RKO]

The categories are dreadful. And the show is a complete bore-fest...aside from Robin Williams here and there.

[redfirebird2008]

The categories are dreadful. And the show is a complete bore-fest...aside from Robin Williams here and there.

Robin Williams sucked too. The whole thing is terrible. Seems like a vast majority of the "on-screen" awards being given are for women's categories. I'm going to guess that the only people who bothered voting in this thing were 14-15 year old white girls and that's why there were a bunch of non-female categories announced in one fell swoop. For crying out loud, Brad Pitt won Favorite Leading Man and Will Smith won Favorite Action Star and they didn't even show the nominees. Just announced them as the winners really quick so they could get back to handing out another "favorite female" blah blah blah blah blah.

[redfirebird2008]

Oh and the nominees for Favorite Comedy didn't even include the likes of Sarah Marshall or Pineapple Express. Instead, you have 27 Dresses and Mamma Mia. That pretty much says it all right there.

[RKO]

True. Tonight was the first time i even heard of 27 Dresses. :dry:

[Anita18]

True. Tonight was the first time i even heard of 27 Dresses. :dry:
Ugh, when it came out on DVD there were banners for 27 Dresses ALL over the mall. And it was just for the DVD release - not even for the theatrical release!

[Great1]

Just saw Aaron Eckhart in the audience.

[Illstreet]

Just saw Aaron Eckhart in the audience.

Christian Bale was sitting right behind him...

[Anita18]

Why are we discussing the tripe that is the People's Choice Awards in the Oscar push thread? :o

The next big thing I want to read here are the DGA nominations!

[redfirebird2008]

The Mentalist won. Cool. That show is great.

[RKO]

Christian Bale was sitting right behind him...

He got the scruffy beard look going.


BTW..How many TV shows can you nominate in one night?

This is ridiculous.


And by Anita's request. DGA here we come whoooo!