The Academy Jumps The Shark: Best Picture Noms at a Glance
By Ji-Un Kwon
So, it happened. 10 Nominations. Personally, I would have rather they finally made a comedy category. A girl can dream. Whatever, the whole things a frickin’ circus, and has been so for years, but one I dutifully take part in like a proper movie-lover should. So, I shall rave and rant with appropriate passion and outrage. Conspicuous by its absence is the obligatory Clint Eastwood/Invictus nomination, which may be even more conspicuous due to the inclusion of The Blind Side in its stead. Holy hell, what is going on??? Anyway… the list is as follows.
Inglourious Basterds
It’d be awesome if it was as much a shoe-in to win as it was getting nominated. The Academy likes to screw with QT a lot. But I lurve this movie and have now re-watched it about 4 times. It’s spectacular every single time.
The Hurt Locker
My personal pick. Bigelow’s such a rock star. On behalf of women everywhere, I thank you.
The Blind Side
Really??? I seriously feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Right on. This film is equally expected and a pleasant surprise. The Academy usually gets uncomfy with this kind of material. But with performances this daring and a narrative this brave, it’d be ridiculous for them to ignore it.
A Serious Man
The Coens rule!
An Education
Haven’t seen this yet. But I read good things.
Up
Surprising, but not offensive. This movie is delightful.
Up in the Air
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The Cloons turned in a reliably restrained and evocative performance. I’ve engaged in some private discussions regarding the ending, but overall I think it smells like roses.
District 9
Netflixed. But if fellow Tenner V-I-C-tor would like to weigh in, I’m all ears.
Avatar
Crash 2.0 — my brain has split open and my thinking-cells are attacking each other. Makeitstop, makeitstop!
District 9 – Is unbelievably good. It probably should win a nobel peace prize over an academy award.
Up in the Air – I bet gets best screenplay and advances Reitman into the ring of potential winners in the years ahead.
Hurt Locker – Nabs it. Where it missed in the Globes it will reign supreme here. It can’t get passed up twice.
Avatar – JESUS, I hope doesn’t win again.
I.B. – Agreed. This is just beautiful cinema. I think it has a place in fan culture more than an award in its future.
I can’t wait to see the Blind Side!
ha.
I’ll start by scolding myself for having not seen Inglourious Basterds, The Hurt Locker Or Up. Bad, Matt, bad!
District 9: Daring, violent, action-packed, thought provoking, gory, deeply moving, and filled with robots and aliens. When was the last time a movie managed to do all that at once? Simply an awesome movie, and one that deserves to break the long history of Academy sci-fi snubs (but probably won’t).
Avatar: As it grew in popularity, the film elitist in me was tempted to renounce it as brainless drivel fit only for the unwashed masses. The reality, though, is that I really enjoyed the flick, despite its hamfisted preachiness and less-than-complex plot. It’s kind of like Apple products, which, admittedly, I frequently loathe: simple, lacking advanced features, but beautiful and broadly accessible all the same. Maybe I’m less of a film elitist than I thought.