I was really big into the Academy Awards in my late teenage and early twenties years. In recent years though, I've lost interest somewhat. I still follow who wins, but I've become bored with a plethora of nominees and winners that I have no interest in seeing. So many filmmakers are way too impressed with their pretentious, cynical views of the world. Where are the uplifting, positive films? Where are the films that don't fill your mind with scum?
And then the Academy broadened the Best Picture category to up to 10 slots. It's probably an attention seeking, and therefore, moneymaking ploy. The masses can be interested in the Oscars again because their tastes are represented a bit more. What results is, from an artistic standpoint, a watered down list. And you know what? I'm okay with that. Good, solid films that probably won't go down in history are at least recognized for being good, solid films. There are plenty of Best Picture winners through film history that wouldn't be remembered otherwise. Who watches Gigi anymore? Or Lawrence Olivier's Hamlet, or The Greatest Show on Earth? All are decent films that worked for audiences of their time, but none is Casablanca (course, nothing is Casablanca but Casablanca).
The Academy Awards have taken a turn recently. First was with the win of Slumdog Millionaire in 2009--a film that is gritty and difficult to watch, but ultimately uplifting and celebratory. The next year was when the slots were increased, and since then I've been interested in at least half of the nominees. My suspicion is that the economic downturn has influenced the Hollywood powers-that-be to give us some entertainment to be happy about--and feel good about appreciating happy entertainment.
This year's nominees, which were just announced today, particularly excite me. First of all, all but one is family-appropriate (it's no secret that I don't watch rated R movies unless they are edited). One. Can it be believed? That hasn't happened in a very long time. Here's a rundown of the major categories:
BEST PICTURE
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse
I've seen four of these and The Tree of Life is my favorite so far, but responses were too polar for it to win. Frankly, I would be happy if almost any of these won, but my money is on The Artist (which I desperately want to see, along with Hugo). I am surprised not to see Drive nominated, as that had a lot of buzz.
BEST ACTOR
Demián Bichir - A Better Life
George Clooney - The Descendants
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt - Moneyball
No opinion, as Brad Pitt's is the only of these performances I've seen, but I'm overjoyed to see chameleon Gary Oldman nominated. I'm sure my sister will be disappointed not to see Michael Fassbender, but he's on his way to superstardom, so there are plenty of years ahead for him.
BEST ACTRESS
Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis - The Help
Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams - My Week with Marilyn
Again, I've only seen one performance. Viola Davis was superb in The Help, and I will probably cry if she wins, because she made me cry in the film.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh - My Week with Marilyn
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Nick Nolte - Warrior
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Max von Sydow - Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
I doubt he'll win, but I adored Jonah Hill in Moneyball. I'm so glad to see him nominated partially because it's refreshing to see a major character who looks and acts like a normal person, and otherwise because he was fantastic.
SUPPORTNG ACTRESS
Bérénice Bejo - The Artist
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer - The Help
Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain should almost have been nominated together because of how much their performances depended on how they played off one another. The two had fantastic chemistry, and I wouldn't be sorry to see either win.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse
Cinematography is one area where I dare to hope that The Tree of Life will win, but it looks like a competitive year for the award. I haven't even seen War Horse, but the cinematography in the trailer alone is awe-inspiring.
DIRECTING
The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants - Alexander Payne
Hugo - Martin Scorsese
Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen
The Tree of Life - Terrence Malick
I have no opinion but that these are all the Best Picture front runners (except for ToL of course, but I'm soooo glad Malick was nominated).
Other observations: Only 2 nominees for Best Song. I guess this just wasn't a great year for movie songs. Original Score (Tintin, The Artist, Hugo, Tinker Tailor, and War Horse): I haven't heard any of them--must listen asap! The two screenplay awards show nothing unexpected. Any thoughts or opinions from my faithful readers?
And then the Academy broadened the Best Picture category to up to 10 slots. It's probably an attention seeking, and therefore, moneymaking ploy. The masses can be interested in the Oscars again because their tastes are represented a bit more. What results is, from an artistic standpoint, a watered down list. And you know what? I'm okay with that. Good, solid films that probably won't go down in history are at least recognized for being good, solid films. There are plenty of Best Picture winners through film history that wouldn't be remembered otherwise. Who watches Gigi anymore? Or Lawrence Olivier's Hamlet, or The Greatest Show on Earth? All are decent films that worked for audiences of their time, but none is Casablanca (course, nothing is Casablanca but Casablanca).
The Academy Awards have taken a turn recently. First was with the win of Slumdog Millionaire in 2009--a film that is gritty and difficult to watch, but ultimately uplifting and celebratory. The next year was when the slots were increased, and since then I've been interested in at least half of the nominees. My suspicion is that the economic downturn has influenced the Hollywood powers-that-be to give us some entertainment to be happy about--and feel good about appreciating happy entertainment.
This year's nominees, which were just announced today, particularly excite me. First of all, all but one is family-appropriate (it's no secret that I don't watch rated R movies unless they are edited). One. Can it be believed? That hasn't happened in a very long time. Here's a rundown of the major categories:
BEST PICTURE
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse
I've seen four of these and The Tree of Life is my favorite so far, but responses were too polar for it to win. Frankly, I would be happy if almost any of these won, but my money is on The Artist (which I desperately want to see, along with Hugo). I am surprised not to see Drive nominated, as that had a lot of buzz.
BEST ACTOR
Demián Bichir - A Better Life
George Clooney - The Descendants
Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt - Moneyball
No opinion, as Brad Pitt's is the only of these performances I've seen, but I'm overjoyed to see chameleon Gary Oldman nominated. I'm sure my sister will be disappointed not to see Michael Fassbender, but he's on his way to superstardom, so there are plenty of years ahead for him.
BEST ACTRESS
Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis - The Help
Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams - My Week with Marilyn
Again, I've only seen one performance. Viola Davis was superb in The Help, and I will probably cry if she wins, because she made me cry in the film.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh - My Week with Marilyn
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Nick Nolte - Warrior
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Max von Sydow - Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
I doubt he'll win, but I adored Jonah Hill in Moneyball. I'm so glad to see him nominated partially because it's refreshing to see a major character who looks and acts like a normal person, and otherwise because he was fantastic.
SUPPORTNG ACTRESS
Bérénice Bejo - The Artist
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer - The Help
Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain should almost have been nominated together because of how much their performances depended on how they played off one another. The two had fantastic chemistry, and I wouldn't be sorry to see either win.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse
Cinematography is one area where I dare to hope that The Tree of Life will win, but it looks like a competitive year for the award. I haven't even seen War Horse, but the cinematography in the trailer alone is awe-inspiring.
DIRECTING
The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants - Alexander Payne
Hugo - Martin Scorsese
Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen
The Tree of Life - Terrence Malick
I have no opinion but that these are all the Best Picture front runners (except for ToL of course, but I'm soooo glad Malick was nominated).
Other observations: Only 2 nominees for Best Song. I guess this just wasn't a great year for movie songs. Original Score (Tintin, The Artist, Hugo, Tinker Tailor, and War Horse): I haven't heard any of them--must listen asap! The two screenplay awards show nothing unexpected. Any thoughts or opinions from my faithful readers?
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