It's such a circle-jerk. The Academy nominates manipulative Oscar bait, so studios make manipulative Oscar bait, and it was getting to be that that was ALL they were making. The Artist broke out of that mold, and regardless of my personal feelings on the movie, even giving Bridesmaids some legitimacy seems to herald the dawn of a new, more diverse and daring Oscar field.
If we're talking the Susan Lucci of the Oscars, Glenn Close has never won. Ever. She's been nominated FIVE times and never, ever, once took it home. Yes, I know that Streep is a perennial nominee, but she's also a two-time winner. She's also fucking sublime and I've never seen her turn in a bad performance (and have even seen her rescue movies that would have been unwatchable minus her presence), but I'd like to see Close FINALLY honored for an extraordinary body of work
( ... )
Glenn Close has been nominated five times, but Meryl's been nominated seventeen times. And as much as I would love to see Glenn Close win for Albert Nobbs for SO many reasons, I think it's going to go to Meryl. Good news is, if Close can turn in even a halfway decent film this year, I think she'll be a shoo-in for next year's Awards. The Academy tends to reward people on a delay.
I agree that Viola Davis deserves all the props in the world; she and Octavia Spencer were easily the best parts in that steaming problematic pile of a movie. Michelle Williams needs to GTFO forever. Her publicity team must just be fucking epic at their jobs.
Yeah, honestly you could have taken a couple Muppets songs, the Sinead/Glenn Close lullaby, that song from Rio (that'll probably win), and Mary J, and hey presto! You've got yourself five performances! What the hell, people. What the hell.
For all the things nominated in any category, I think the only film I've seen is Bridesmaids. and Muppets, which is up for best song. That's it. I haven't seen ANYTHING else. And I saw a lot of movies this year! I am so shocked Jealous of the Birds didn't get a nod for best documentary. You'd think Holocaust survivors would be a shoo in--and it was good, too.
Clearly this is a demonstration once again that what Hollywood values in film is not at all what I value. But I think this is the first time I haven't seen a single one of the best picture noms.
Jealous of the Birds wasn't even short-listed. I think there was some confusion over the new eligibility time frame, because it did change for documentary feature this year. Page One wasn't short-listed either, and I thought that would get a nod. But the glaring omission of Pedro Almodovar's The Skin I Live In for Foreign Language Film suggests that maybe the Academy really does just have their heads that far up their asses.
If you would like to see The Artist, I am fully willing to organize an outing. That movie is magical, and makes me believe in love and music and Hollywood again. A lot of the other noms I have on DVD screeners. For reasons. So if there's anything you're curious about seeing, let me know.
I don't know if it's because I've seen so few "good" movies this year (or at least Oscar-caliber movies), but this is the least I've actually cared about the Academy Awards, like ever. Usually I do tune in and try and see all the best picture nominees, at least, but...I mean I saw The Help because I'd read the book and wanted to see if they were able to improve on some deeply problematic material (they did, but not enough to merit Best Picture, in my opinion, unless the rest of those really sucked, which I wouldn't know, because I haven't seen them). Oh wait I did see Midnight in Paris. Eh, maybe it is better than The Help, but still not best picture worthy. But yeah, I just...really do not care that much this year.
I'm also surprised to see this much attention to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. The book was iffy as hell and all the reviews I read were scathing, so who even knows.
The Help was like the crap of a dog that has eaten glitter: sparkling bits, but it's still shit. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer were excellent, but that's not enough to make up for... everything else. Midnight in Paris was all right. Moneyball was quite good, Hugo was nice, but as far as I'm concerned, the only movie listed up there deserving of the title Best Picture is The Artist. It was nostalgic and revolutionary all at once, and beautifully and lovingly made.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is manipulative, exploitative Oscar bait, and I am disappointed and offended that the Academy bought it. I'm not surprised, mind, but I am disappointed and offended.
Oh god, I can't even get into it. I just can't. I'm so fucking angry.
Did you read The Help? I kind of compare it to seeing the Twilight movies after reading the books; they're not good movies, and you know it, but compared to the books, there is so much they could have done worse, you're super-relieved they didn't go there. Plus yeah, Viola Davis is amazing, as is Octavia Spencer. I've been interested in seeing The Artist, but I may just hold off a bit.
Warrior was really good, dude. I don't know how it didn't get nominated for more awards.
I'm going to make a list when I get home, of all of the films on this list that I have screener copies of. Then, if there is sufficient interest, maybe some kind of viewing gathering can be arranged.
Here are the ones I know I have, off the top of my head: The Help Midnight in Paris Moneyball Beginners Bridesmaids The Ides of March Warrior
I think I have Margin Call somewhere around, and I might be able to get a hold of War Horse in the next couple weeks
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I hope.
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I agree that Viola Davis deserves all the props in the world; she and Octavia Spencer were easily the best parts in that steaming problematic pile of a movie. Michelle Williams needs to GTFO forever. Her publicity team must just be fucking epic at their jobs.
Yeah, honestly you could have taken a couple Muppets songs, the Sinead/Glenn Close lullaby, that song from Rio (that'll probably win), and Mary J, and hey presto! You've got yourself five performances! What the hell, people. What the hell.
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Clearly this is a demonstration once again that what Hollywood values in film is not at all what I value. But I think this is the first time I haven't seen a single one of the best picture noms.
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If you would like to see The Artist, I am fully willing to organize an outing. That movie is magical, and makes me believe in love and music and Hollywood again. A lot of the other noms I have on DVD screeners. For reasons. So if there's anything you're curious about seeing, let me know.
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I'm also surprised to see this much attention to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. The book was iffy as hell and all the reviews I read were scathing, so who even knows.
I'm sorry your computer is still screwed :(
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Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is manipulative, exploitative Oscar bait, and I am disappointed and offended that the Academy bought it. I'm not surprised, mind, but I am disappointed and offended.
Oh god, I can't even get into it. I just can't. I'm so fucking angry.
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The Artist should start playing in wider release almost immediately. I understand holding off until the furor dies down, but I do really recommend it.
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I'm going to make a list when I get home, of all of the films on this list that I have screener copies of. Then, if there is sufficient interest, maybe some kind of viewing gathering can be arranged.
Here are the ones I know I have, off the top of my head:
The Help
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
Beginners
Bridesmaids
The Ides of March
Warrior
I think I have Margin Call somewhere around, and I might be able to get a hold of War Horse in the next couple weeks
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