Indeed that's what I mean. The Hurt Locker told everything that it showed.
As opposed to Avatar?
Oh heck no, but you have to admit that's a pretty low bar. I should say that I haven't seen Avatar, but in my defense, I have seen Dances With Wolves.
You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with until you understand who's in ruttin' command here.
Jayne ,'The Train Job'
Buffista Movies 7: Brides for 7 Samurai
A place to talk about movies--old and new, good and bad, high art and high cheese. It's the place to place your kittens on the award winners, gossip about upcoming fims and discuss DVD releases and extras. Spoiler policy: White font all plot-related discussion until a movie's been in wide release two weeks, and keep the major HSQ in white font until two weeks after the video/DVD release.
Hayden - Feb 02, 2010 9:32:40 am PST #6618 of 30000
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
Jessica - Feb 02, 2010 9:39:58 am PST #6619 of 30000
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
As opposed to Avatar?
Avatar isn't up for a screenplay award, though. The BP nom there is strictly on a Cinema! As! Spectacle! level, which I think is a valid lens through which to judge a film.
§ ita § - Feb 02, 2010 9:46:46 am PST #6620 of 30000
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
a Cinema! As! Spectacle! level, which I think is a valid lens through which to judge a film.
Isn't that what Cinematography is for? Visual Effects to a lesser degree?
Jessica - Feb 02, 2010 9:59:21 am PST #6621 of 30000
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
No, I think there's more to it than that. It's a combination of factors that all have to fall into place, and I think old-fashioned escapist epics have their place and can be recognized (and rewarded) for what they are. It's rare that the best picture also has the best individual elements in every category, even if that's how the awards are handed out - it's about how those elements add up to the total experience.
(I actually get pretty cranky when Cinematography = Whatever Was Shot In IMAX and Editing = Whatever Had The Most Shots. Each of those is also an art with many varied ways of being "the best" - when spectacle is all that's rewarded, the categories become meaningless.)
(Yeah, I'm still a little bitter about Gosford Park not winning more technical categories.)
Jon B. - Feb 02, 2010 12:01:59 pm PST #6622 of 30000
A turkey in every toilet -- only in America!
I actually get pretty cranky when Cinematography = Whatever Was Shot In IMAX and Editing = Whatever Had The Most Shots.
Or Make-up = lots of crazy monsters and aliens.
Scrappy - Feb 02, 2010 12:06:21 pm PST #6623 of 30000
Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
A screenwriter friend just sent me this comment on the best picture noms:
In my District, 9, oh sorry, 10! nominees is still five too many. If you got any Education, this is an Inglourious list, you Basterds. The film that got Blind Sided this year is The Messenger – I’m Serious, Man – it’s a Precious, excellent, understated movie. My prediction: Kathryn Bigelow will win best director, but she’ll get Hurt by her ex, so Locker away. Sad to say, Avatar will end Up Up In The Air.
Kathy A - Feb 02, 2010 12:23:13 pm PST #6624 of 30000
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil
Michael Phillips, the Tribune's movie critic, has a breakdown of the Oscar noms and potential wins here. I like what he said about Carey Mulligan:
Who should win best actress? -- Carey Mulligan for "An Education." She has everything it takes to rival Kate Winslet or Helen Mirren in a decade or two.
Daisy Jane - Feb 02, 2010 12:33:25 pm PST #6625 of 30000
"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."
I hope Avatar doesn't win Best Picture. Had a great time at it, and it was pretty, but so not "best." I also don't really like the comparisons (I hear around work) about it to Titanic, both big BO hits, but Titanic got some solid Oscar nominated performances while Avatar has none. I didn't think Titanic was all that either.
Maybe I'm just being cranky because OTT coworker is "OMG so sure that is going to win."
megan walker - Feb 02, 2010 12:35:41 pm PST #6626 of 30000
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
I don't think it has a shot, but of all the nominations, An Education is what I would pick if I were voting.
megan walker - Feb 02, 2010 12:38:37 pm PST #6627 of 30000
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
Michael Phillips, the Tribune's movie critic, has a breakdown of the Oscar noms and potential wins here. I like what he said about Carey Mulligan
I love this comment:
Who should win best actor?
Three-way tie, courtesy of the Oscar ceremony currently taking place in my head, between Jeremy Renner; Colin Firth; and Bridges.