So, why am I a dumb-ass you might ask (some of you may already know the answer, and I’m sure some of you could supply your own answer. But, this is my damn article and we’re going with my reason!) I’m a dumb-ass because up until this year I had never seen every Best Picture nominee in any single year. There were some years I had seen a few, but never all of them. So what year do I choose to reverse this trend? The friggin’ year they decide to expand to ten nominees. I’m an idiot. However, I gave myself a mountain to climb and I succeeded, with just under a week to go. Ten movies under my belt and I’m going to give you my thoughts and opinions on the nominees. I hope you enjoy.
The Movie: Avatar
The Good: It’s a special-effects, science-fiction epic that never feels it’s running time (just under 3 hours). In a year of superb science-fiction films, this one garnered the best reviews and currently stands as the highest grossing film of all time, when not adjusting for inflation. It’s James Cameron’s labor of love and his stamp is all over it: it’s broad, it’s epic, and filled with breathtaking scenery and flawless action sequences. The special-effects are seamless, that itself is a magical feat considering the majority of the movie is CG. A staggering amount of time and energy went into the making of this film, and it shows.
The Bad: Unoriginality. Acting. Dialogue. Folks, this film isn’t breaking any new ground in terms of story-telling. It’s a slap-on-your-3D-glasses-and-enjoy-the-ride assault on your senses. The plot is basically the John Smith meets Pocahontas tale, and even one of the subplots is something straight out of Cameron’s own Aliens (just flip Paul Reiser and Giovanni Ribisi. You know I’m right.) Notice the lack of Best Screenplay or a single acting nod. How good could this movie possibly be if the screenplay didn’t make the top-5 and not one actor even sniffed a nomination? Isn’t that why we go to the movies, to see good acting and a well-told story? This isn’t even the best science-fiction film of the year. I would put Moon, District 9, and Star Trek ahead of this movie in a heart-beat. But, Avatar made more money than this entire country did last year. Given its strong reviews and box office power, this one was a shoo-in.
Prediction: Unfortunately, this could walk away with the whole thing. It has won about half the critics awards it’s been nominated for and has the clout of having won the Golden Globe. It’s a slap in the face if it wins Best Picture or Best Director. But, there is a chance for a split in those categories. Load it up with special effects awards, but leave the heavy awards to the better films.
The Movie: The Blind Side
The Good: You leave the theater feeling all warm and fuzzy. It’s advertised as a feel-good sports movie, but it’s actually more than that. The film uses the sports scenes to define the characters, instead of the character moments filling in time between sports scenes. Sandra Bullock is, indeed, very good in the film as the philanthropic Southern rich woman. Despite the advertisements, the film doesn’t follow the normal cliché’s of the genre, which was refreshing considering the film could have gone down “Sappy Lane”. Got generally good reviews, mostly for Sandra Bullock, and made a splash at the box office as well.
The Bad: At no point did I feel any type of conflict or real tension in the story. There’s a back-story that’s brushed away quickly and a resolution in the third act that’s very unsatisfying. It’s a true story, so we all know how things end up, but the journey there needed to dig a little deeper and the conflict needed to be more fleshed out. I realize it’s not exactly the deepest, most thought-provoking film ever made, but I expect more of a Best Picture candidate.
Prediction: No chance for Best Picture. This one falls under The Dark Knight addendum. Its box office success and leading lady drove this film right into the mix. Bullock has a good chance for Best Actress, though I would even disagree with that.
The Movie: District 9
The Good: It’s original, epic story-telling on a shoe-string budget. The premise of this, based on writer/director Neill Blomkamp’s own upbringing in South Africa during Apartheid, is nothing short of genius. District 9 succeeds in originality where Avatar fails. Instead of throwing the special effects to the forefront, this film creates a world that is only enhanced by the effects, as stunning as they are considering the modest budget. Sharlto Copley was overlooked for his great work here. Managed to rack up some very respectable box office receipts along with a Best Adapted Screenplay nod.
The Bad: It’s the little brother to some other sci-fi film nominated in this category. There are a few scenarios that play out too predictably for a film this smart, but even those scenes are pretty well executed. The villain(s) are pretty much your standard run-of-the-mill type, complete with wicked father-in-law and evil military leader hell-bent on stopping our hero. No acting or directing nominations hurts.
Prediction: Not a winner. The Academy is too enamored with James Cameron’s blue cat-people for them to even consider this superior film. Blomkamp should have Cameron’s Best Director nomination, and sadly he probably won’t win for his terrific screenplay either. Sigh.
The Movie: An Education
The Good: Solid performances all around and a terrific script. It’s a small, character driven film that rests its success on the lead performances by Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard. Alfred Molina, as Mulligan’s father, also shines here. The young girl-older man Lolita story is nothing new, especially in today’s society, but it offers enough turns and roundabouts that it never feels stale or predictable.
The Bad: Tends to feel a bit slow at times, with little or no plot advancements occurring for many scenes at a time. The chemistry between the two, at least sexually, is a bit uncomfortable to watch at certain points, but perhaps that was the intention. It has a climax and a plot twist that could have been more satisfying, or at least a bit cleverer considering the intelligence of the rest of the story.
Prediction: Not for Best Picture, but I’d like to see Carey Mulligan walk off with the Best Actress statuette. Her work here is superior to Sandra Bullock’s turn in The Blind Side. Also has an outside chance to dethrone Up in the Air’s bid for Adapted Screenplay. I think it wins one of those two, just not sure which one.
The Movie: The Hurt Locker
The Good: The script, the acting, the plot….basically everything. There are taglines for films that call them “heart-pounding”, “intense”, “edge of your seat” and other such hyperboles. Well, this movie is all of those. There’s no filler, no montages, not a wasted moment that isn’t furthering the plot along or placing the characters in decisive situations of life-and-death. Jeremy Renner deserves a bright career after this movie. A tidal wave of nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actor (aside from technical achievements).
The Bad: The case against it? It’s a war movie, and an Iraq war movie, no less. Not exactly a popular topic for the majority of people, as the lack of box office numbers will tell you. In a year loaded with fantastical and science fiction films, this one feels almost too real to be entertainment. It’ll be interesting to see how a notoriously liberal Hollywood votes on a movie set during a war they fervently oppose.
Prediction: Winner. Winner. Winner. Winner. I demand it. It’s by far the best film of the year. I still fear Avatar and its box office earnings will crash the party in one of the categories. I feel a split in the Best Picture and Best Director races in the making, though The Hurt Locker deserves the sweep.
The Movie: Inglourious Basterds
The Good: Christoph Waltz and another bravely intelligent script from Quentin Tarantino. Without a doubt, the most recklessly creative film this year, centered on a war that’s been featured in films more than any other. The fact that Tarantino brought something this original to the screen based on WWII is worth serious commendation. Another big hitter in the major categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor.
The Bad: Never in my life have I watched so many back and forth scenes of garrulous dialogue, not a good thing considering it’s a war movie. It’s weighed down with words, at certain points the scenes that are supposed to be building tension manage to drag on just a bit too long. There are times when more is less, but QT loves the sound of his own dialogue to trim out too much. The graphic violence may turn some people off too.
Prediction: It’s the only movie I could see sneaking into the Best Picture race with Avatar and The Hurt Locker. Christoph Waltz wins in a landslide for Supporting Actor, and I think Tarantino wins the golden guy for his screenplay.
The Movie: Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push” by Sapphire
The Good: The acting is as good as it gets for my buck. Gabourney Sidibe (can’t wait to hear the presenter announce that name) and Mo’Nique push this film to a much higher level. The moments featuring both of them in one room are some of the most tense, nail-biting scenes you will ever watch. If that’s not good writing and good acting, then I don’t know what is. It takes quite a storyteller to bring a tear to my eye, and this film managed to do just that. Think this is too small of a film? Nominations include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. All the big ones.
The Bad: Well, how do I put this….it’s not the easiest material to absorb. There are many scenes of sheer discomfort that are very difficult to watch. Rape, incest, domestic violence, endangered children, teen pregnancy…not the most fun you’ll have at the movies this year. Not surprisingly, it’s pretty weak in the box office figures as well.
Prediction: Without question, Mo’Nique is the Best Supporting Actress of the year. Her attendance is a mere formality. The other nominees have an uphill battle. But, here’s a little secret: this is the only film that could beat The Hurt Locker for Best Picture and it wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.
The Movie: A Serious Man
The Good: The best thing about a Coen Brother’s film is always the Coen Brother’s. It’s darkly comical and well written, two staples of their work. It’s two Jewish brothers making a film about growing up in a Jewish suburb in Minnesota, much like their own upbringing. The many subplots (the TV antenna never working, a lunatic brother, a bevy of not-so-helpful Rabbi’s, etc) make for a deliriously bleak and funny experience. Scored two major nominations: Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. Michael Stuhlbarg deserves some credit for his frantic performance.
The Bad: Sadly, it’s not the Coen Brother’s finest work. But, the fact that even their lesser efforts snag two nominations says something about their level of talent and respect within the industry. The film? It lacks a really cohesive narrative. All those subplots jumble together to make misery for Stuhlbarg’s beaten professor, but little else. The problem is they never really add up to anything, they are just meant to pile and pile and pile, until you eventually expect him to break. This one drummed up almost no box office at all. Definitely the least financially successful of all the nominees.
Prediction: I can’t see this winning anything at all. There’s an outside chance of an Original Screenplay win, but I doubt it. This one feels more like a nod to the Coen’s. Like they’ve reached a "Martin Scorcese - Meryl Streep Zone" where they’ll get nominated even for lesser work just to acknowledge their talent, which is superior to 99% of Hollywood anyway.
The Movie: Up
The Good: It’s an animated movie about an old codger who moves his house via balloons filled with helium. Sounds crazy, but it works. There’s something about Pixar films, they just know how to tell good stories. They infused more heart into this movie than just about every nominee on this list combined. It’s the first animated film to get a Best Picture nomination since The Lion King, and I’m not sure it wouldn’t have been nominated even if there were only five candidates. The use of montage at the beginning of the film is beautiful and heartbreaking, one of the finest uses of montage you’ll ever see. It takes a certain skill to make an audience emotionally invest in an animated character, which is a testament to the writers. Scored big at the box office along with two major nods, Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.
The Bad: Well, there will always be a slight amount of emotional detachment with animation, given that the audience can’t see a physical actor going through the motions of the story. Humans empathize with other humans, something animation can not provide. That being said, this film does pretty well with grabbing the audience early on. But the first act felt a bit rushed compared to the rest of it. It’s a kid-friendly film that adults can enjoy as well; hence there are several points of predictability and a little sappiness in the plot. But, I’m just nitpicking on some of those points. I can’t put my finger on it, but this film just didn’t feel big enough for its premise.
Prediction: It won’t win any of the majors, but Animated Feature is a definite considering the Best Picture nomination. It’s going to take a tough nut to crack a victory in the Best Picture category in animation. This just isn’t the one.
The Movie: Up in the Air
The Good: The screenplay and a charismatic leading man are the fuel for this picture. George Clooney plays, basically, George Clooney. It’s not easy to be likable when your character is responsible for mass downsizings in large companies, but old George pulls it off pretty easily. The dialogue is snappy and hysterical throughout and delivers on an interesting premise. The female leads are to be commended as well, especially Anna Kendrick. Her and Clooney work beautifully together. Scored fairly decent box office for a non-event picture. A host of major nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and two for Best Supporting Actress.
The Bad: Leaves a bad, empty taste in your mouth. There’s a build-up of sorts for Clooney’s character that is never fully released during the third act. It’s just not satisfying. The movie drags a bit when Anna Kendrick disappears for a length of time, leaving Clooney and Vera Farmiga to play off each other. I know Farmiga got the majority of the praise between the two females, but I much preferred Anna Kendrick’s performance as the upstart young professional.
Prediction: Once considered a frontrunner for Best Picture, now its best chance is in the Best Adapted Screenplay category, where I think it will win. Also, Clooney is the only person I could see upsetting Jeff Bridges for Best Actor. But, I think maybe the Academy throws Jason Reitman a bone in the writing category to acknowledge the great script and that’s it.
Ok, if anyone actually read that whole thing you’ll be my friend forever. Undoubtedly, not many will read my closing statements. Here’s my final picks:
Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Best Director: James Cameron – Avatar
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart
Best Actress: Carey Mulligan – An Education
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique – Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino – Inglourious Basterds
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner – Up in the Air
Before I go, just a few gripes: (500) Days of Summer, Star Trek, and Moon deserve some kind of recognition. They were overlooked in all major categories and it's a shame. So I commend the fine people who made these terrific films. You deserve better.
That’s all, folks! Tune in here on Sunday, March 7th at 8:00 PM for my live Academy Awards Show blog!
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