Mmm, media. Nom.
As we wrap up the Olympics, the next big television event approaches next weekend: the Academy Awards. I know, awards are meaningless, it's all rigged, campaigns manipulate voters, blah blah whatevercakes. You know you're going to watch anyway. :-P
In advance of next week, I have a few things to say about some of the nominations. The list, for reference.
Best Picture
I like the increase to ten nominees this year. It helps with the problem of the would-be sixth nominee that just missed the cut. Omission doesn't seem quite so harsh when you're an eleventh candidate; I know some people who are upset about things like Star Trek not making it, but it's hard to argue that that should actually win Best Picture.
The expansion also means I've seen half of the nominees. If it were just my vote, I'd probably choose District 9, but I have zero expectations for that actually winning, not even as a surprise upset as some people are starting to point at Inglourious Basterds potentially becoming. I wouldn't be upset with that decision, either.
Animated Feature Film
I did really well on this category in 2009! The Secret of Kells is the only one I didn't see, and I am far from alone in that (though it sounds really cool and I would love to get a chance). It's pretty much a given that Up will win - it's been sweeping the category - but while I liked it a lot, I kind of wish it hadn't been released this year to give Coraline a chance to take one. Up wasn't so dominating a Pixar film (unlike Wall-E for example) that I can shake that regret.
Actress in a Supporting Role
Again, this one's fairly certain as Mo'Nique's been winning everything. I'm just irritated that Anna Kendrick is nominated. She did a fine job, but hardly a standout one, and when Mélanie Laurent was somehow not included in this category for IB, Kendrick's presence becomes a sore on it.
Music (Original Song)
Anytime there's a Disney musical, you know you're going to see one or more songs from it on this list. I liked The Princess and the Frog a lot, but as I said in my review, the songs were not great, and they're definitely not up to par with previous standout winners. Of course, I don't really have replacement suggestions, and I haven't heard the other nominations. If one of the Newman songs actually wins, I hope it's because the other nominees were terrible.
Directing
I have, perhaps, been reading too much of the Women and Hollywood blog (which is interesting more for featured interviews than the blog's author's rants, however passionate she is), but I am rooting for Kathryn Bigelow hard-frakkin'-core.
Cinematography
I don't have a strong opinion on this one. I just wanted to talk about my coworker who is outrageously offended that Avatar is nominated in this category. He's a still photographer and has a blanket objection to anything that's mostly CG being put up in this category. I disagree; you need to "shoot" a CG story as much as you do a live action one.
In advance of next week, I have a few things to say about some of the nominations. The list, for reference.
Best Picture
I like the increase to ten nominees this year. It helps with the problem of the would-be sixth nominee that just missed the cut. Omission doesn't seem quite so harsh when you're an eleventh candidate; I know some people who are upset about things like Star Trek not making it, but it's hard to argue that that should actually win Best Picture.
The expansion also means I've seen half of the nominees. If it were just my vote, I'd probably choose District 9, but I have zero expectations for that actually winning, not even as a surprise upset as some people are starting to point at Inglourious Basterds potentially becoming. I wouldn't be upset with that decision, either.
Animated Feature Film
I did really well on this category in 2009! The Secret of Kells is the only one I didn't see, and I am far from alone in that (though it sounds really cool and I would love to get a chance). It's pretty much a given that Up will win - it's been sweeping the category - but while I liked it a lot, I kind of wish it hadn't been released this year to give Coraline a chance to take one. Up wasn't so dominating a Pixar film (unlike Wall-E for example) that I can shake that regret.
Actress in a Supporting Role
Again, this one's fairly certain as Mo'Nique's been winning everything. I'm just irritated that Anna Kendrick is nominated. She did a fine job, but hardly a standout one, and when Mélanie Laurent was somehow not included in this category for IB, Kendrick's presence becomes a sore on it.
Music (Original Song)
Anytime there's a Disney musical, you know you're going to see one or more songs from it on this list. I liked The Princess and the Frog a lot, but as I said in my review, the songs were not great, and they're definitely not up to par with previous standout winners. Of course, I don't really have replacement suggestions, and I haven't heard the other nominations. If one of the Newman songs actually wins, I hope it's because the other nominees were terrible.
Directing
I have, perhaps, been reading too much of the Women and Hollywood blog (which is interesting more for featured interviews than the blog's author's rants, however passionate she is), but I am rooting for Kathryn Bigelow hard-frakkin'-core.
Cinematography
I don't have a strong opinion on this one. I just wanted to talk about my coworker who is outrageously offended that Avatar is nominated in this category. He's a still photographer and has a blanket objection to anything that's mostly CG being put up in this category. I disagree; you need to "shoot" a CG story as much as you do a live action one.