The Official Oscar Buzz Topic

Sean P Kelly · 02-16-2010, 09:50 AM

For the first time since Casablanca won, there are ten Best Picture nominees. Even though this resulted in some interesting nominations (District 9 and Up) everyone is saying that Avatar is going the clean up.

Which is sad.

It's not that I don't like Avatar (it was in my top ten films from last year - at number 6), I just feel that it's overshadowing some films that are more deserving of the prize.

My favourite film from last year was Inglourious Basterds, though I would agree that it's a long shot to win. All the buzz is saying that The Hurt Locker is the top competition, which I plan on seeing at a second run theatre within the week.

The credibility of the Academy is iffy to begin with, but I believe it will really go down the toilet if Avatar wins, which would give the message that the Academy is willing to award a film based on box office performance (and possibly technical innovation), rather than actual storytelling (you have to agree that Avatar's story was already told in countless forms)

Bomby · 02-16-2010, 10:16 AM

If anything, the Oscars are way more credible than the Grammys. Does anyone even pay attention to those anymore?

The two front runners this year seem to be Avatar and The Hurt Locker, both of which I had mixed feelings about. I think in general between those two, I'd like to see the latter win. Of the nominees for best picture, I'd also take Inglourious Basterds over either, but it's simply not "serious" enough to win Best Picture. Goodbye Solo got completely ****ed, I guess.

I really would've liked to see Focus Features do some campaigning for Thirst, a Korean co-production they released last year. I mean, I knew it wasn't gonna happen, but it would've been totally awesome to see Kim Ok-bin get a nod for her performance in that film. Speaking of Korean films, I was also hoping that Mother would've been the first Korean film to get nominated for the Best Foreign Language film this year, which looked like a pretty good possibility due to the favorable reviews and good buzz it was getting. I'm disappointed, but I do find it rather interesting that two Latin American films got nods this year.

Anyway, I'm gonna ignore the Oscars for now and wait for the Independent Spirit Awards!

Sean P Kelly · 02-16-2010, 10:26 AM

I think White Ribbon is a sure thing to pick up Best Foreign Film. In fact, after seeing it a few weeks ago, I hope that it also wins Best Cinematography, because the camera-work was awesome.

Bomby · 02-16-2010, 10:37 AM

I haven't seen The White Ribbon yet, though I am impressed with Haneke from Cache. If The Hurt Locker wins for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing, I will punch a chicken.

Panfan · 02-17-2010, 03:30 PM

lets go Up

doubt it'll happen though

***Booyakasha*** · 02-17-2010, 03:51 PM

Wouldn't mind seeing 'Up' or 'District 9' win Best Picture. Liked them a damn sight more than 'Avatar' or IB.

I don't begrudge 'Avatar' technical awards, but it really didn't feel like Best Picture material.

I generally don't like supporting this that or the other when it's the only thing in a category I've seen, but, much as I didn't think IB was all that great, I can see Christopher Waltz getting an award for his performance.

It'd be cool to see 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' take Best Animated, but I guess that's kind of a longshot. Likewise with Best Score, now I think of it. (Granted, it's competing with 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Up', both of which had terrific music.)

'Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' seems like kind of a shoo-in for Art Direction, but what do I know.

***CaptHayfever*** · 03-07-2010, 12:40 PM

Yahoo's predictions
Is it weird if I find the writer's cynicism...refreshing?

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

Bomby · 03-09-2010, 11:32 AM

So The Hurt Locker won for best editing, but not best cinematography. Do I still have to punch a chicken?

Panfan · 03-09-2010, 03:33 PM

maybe just cut it in half and then punch one of the halves

02-16-2010, 09:50 AM	#1
Sean P Kelly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,789 Thanks: 19 Thanked 58 Times in 46 Posts	The Official Oscar Buzz Topic For the first time since Casablanca won, there are ten Best Picture nominees. Even though this resulted in some interesting nominations (District 9 and Up) everyone is saying that Avatar is going the clean up. Which is sad. It's not that I don't like Avatar (it was in my top ten films from last year - at number 6), I just feel that it's overshadowing some films that are more deserving of the prize. My favourite film from last year was Inglourious Basterds, though I would agree that it's a long shot to win. All the buzz is saying that The Hurt Locker is the top competition, which I plan on seeing at a second run theatre within the week. The credibility of the Academy is iffy to begin with, but I believe it will really go down the toilet if Avatar wins, which would give the message that the Academy is willing to award a film based on box office performance (and possibly technical innovation), rather than actual storytelling (you have to agree that Avatar's story was already told in countless forms)

02-17-2010, 03:51 PM	#6
*Booyakasha* SuperMod of War Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wisconsinland Gender: Posts: 9,945 Thanks: 157 Thanked 1,481 Times in 763 Posts	Wouldn't mind seeing 'Up' or 'District 9' win Best Picture. Liked them a damn sight more than 'Avatar' or IB. I don't begrudge 'Avatar' technical awards, but it really didn't feel like Best Picture material. I generally don't like supporting this that or the other when it's the only thing in a category I've seen, but, much as I didn't think IB was all that great, I can see Christopher Waltz getting an award for his performance. It'd be cool to see 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' take Best Animated, but I guess that's kind of a longshot. Likewise with Best Score, now I think of it. (Granted, it's competing with 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Up', both of which had terrific music.) 'Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' seems like kind of a shoo-in for Art Direction, but what do I know. Last edited by Booyakasha; 02-17-2010 at 03:58 PM.

02-16-2010, 10:16 AM	#2
Bomby You just freaking blew Joe Biden's mind! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: WHAT?house Gender: Posts: 19,491 Thanks: 513 Thanked 1,449 Times in 849 Posts Blog Entries: 5	If anything, the Oscars are way more credible than the Grammys. Does anyone even pay attention to those anymore? The two front runners this year seem to be Avatar and The Hurt Locker, both of which I had mixed feelings about. I think in general between those two, I'd like to see the latter win. Of the nominees for best picture, I'd also take Inglourious Basterds over either, but it's simply not "serious" enough to win Best Picture. Goodbye Solo got completely ***ed, I guess. I really would've liked to see Focus Features do some campaigning for Thirst, a Korean co-production they released last year. I mean, I knew it wasn't gonna happen, but it would've been totally awesome to see Kim Ok-bin get a nod for her performance in that film. Speaking of Korean films, I was also hoping that Mother* would've been the first Korean film to get nominated for the Best Foreign Language film this year, which looked like a pretty good possibility due to the favorable reviews and good buzz it was getting. I'm disappointed, but I do find it rather interesting that two Latin American films got nods this year. Anyway, I'm gonna ignore the Oscars for now and wait for the Independent Spirit Awards!

02-16-2010, 10:26 AM	#3
Sean P Kelly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Gender: Posts: 3,789 Thanks: 19 Thanked 58 Times in 46 Posts	I think White Ribbon is a sure thing to pick up Best Foreign Film. In fact, after seeing it a few weeks ago, I hope that it also wins Best Cinematography, because the camera-work was awesome.

02-16-2010, 10:37 AM	#4
Bomby You just freaking blew Joe Biden's mind! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: WHAT?house Gender: Posts: 19,491 Thanks: 513 Thanked 1,449 Times in 849 Posts Blog Entries: 5	I haven't seen The White Ribbon yet, though I am impressed with Haneke from Cache. If The Hurt Locker wins for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing, I will punch a chicken.

02-17-2010, 03:30 PM	#5
Panfan AND HE PRAYS Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grayskull Gender: Posts: 18,806 Thanks: 1,405 Thanked 2,249 Times in 1,338 Posts Blog Entries: 15	lets go Up doubt it'll happen though

03-07-2010, 12:40 PM	#7
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,659 Thanks: 1,991 Thanked 2,486 Times in 1,513 Posts	Yahoo's predictions Is it weird if I find the writer's cynicism...refreshing? And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

03-09-2010, 11:32 AM	#8
Bomby You just freaking blew Joe Biden's mind! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: WHAT?house Gender: Posts: 19,491 Thanks: 513 Thanked 1,449 Times in 849 Posts Blog Entries: 5	So The Hurt Locker won for best editing, but not best cinematography. Do I still have to punch a chicken?

03-09-2010, 03:33 PM	#9
Panfan AND HE PRAYS Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grayskull Gender: Posts: 18,806 Thanks: 1,405 Thanked 2,249 Times in 1,338 Posts Blog Entries: 15	maybe just cut it in half and then punch one of the halves