Oh, Get Over It
Too bad for them, and let it be the decision that invites the scorn they already surely deserve (for the record: much as I like the film, I'm savoring this moment, not only in that it opens an opportunity to put a stake through the heart of the Academy, but also because every asshole fanboy's head just about exploded simultaneously; hopefully more levelheaded fans are taking the news well). Here are my thoughts on today's announcements, and save for my eventual predictions on the winners themselves, let that be the end of it.
Surprise
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army scoring a nom for makeup, an amazingly tasteful recognition of poetry on the part of the Academy ("I'm not a baby, I'm a tumor"). Shit, who am I kidding - taste is incidental at this point.
- Sally Hawkins snubbed for Happy-Go-Lucky. Possibly the best performance of the year, this move is inept at best, odious at worst.
- The Reader for Best Picture. Here I was optimistic enough to think that Oscar might see through this shallow brigade of fakey emotions (seriously, once Katey started bawling her eyes out to "The Odyssey", I was done), but now I'm thinking that the fact that Dreamgirls got the boot two years ago was little more than a happy accident. Turns out Oscar still takes it like a whore, complete with a big smile on its face. On the same note is...
- ...Kate Winslet nominated for The Reader over Revolutionary Road. At this point, I'm not sure which film I dislike more, but at least Kate manages to salvage some respect in the latter. I'm sorry, but shitty aging makeup, croaky vocal fakery and - spoilers ahead - an exploitatively rendered, off-screen death do not a good performance make.
- The Dark Knight and WALL·E snubbed for Best Picture. Oscar had a chance to be a uniter; instead they pulled a George Bush. Get a clue, you nimrods.
- Ron Howard nominated for Best Director, and concurrently, Frost/Nixon for Best Picture. I've yet to see the film (I'm planning a screening tomorrow afternoon before a date with my lovely), but the fact that the former Happy Days star hasn't made a remotely worthwhile film since Apollo 13 doesn't bode well. Once again, how foolish was I to think that Oscar might've learned something lately? Turns out these hacks can still squeeze out a link into the Academy's open and waiting mouth.
- Michelle Williams snubbed for Wendy and Lucy. Maybe not the best performance of the year (though I'll certainly step up to bat for it as such), but certainly my favorite. Subtlety just ain't the Academy's thing, but at least I can sleep well at night knowing that Reichardt didn't sell out her film with an awards-baiting rape scene.
UPDATE: Sorry, I just can't help myself. Jump to the 3 minute mark and watch the most important cinematic confession of the year.
Cynical much? LOL.
Seriously, I scanned over the noms today and to quote that misunderstood tennis genius John McEnroe, "You cannot be SERIOUS!?!"
There's nothing here. Certainly nothing to drive cinephiles or casual Academy viewers to their televisions. Prediction: Another ratings catastrophe.
Why not throw a well-deserved bone to "The Dark Knight" or "Wall-E" for best pic? And how can "Dark Knight" not get a best original score nom - even after the "they're in, they're out, they're in" dust up?
What a sterile, vapid lot. Awards should recognize risk taking and genuine achievement. The only reason to tune in is to see if the Academy honors Heath's memory and if Mickey Rourke drops his pants, prances around the stage and clucks like a lunatic chicken.
Posted by
paul |
4:33 PM
Yeah, I'll be watching the ceremony as usual. It's a good reason to party, and there are always some memorably moments (usually more because of their Wicker Man remake-esque "I can't believe they DID that" ineptitude than genuine quality worth, but memorable nevertheless).
I will, however, be excited to see if/when Mickey Rourke wins. I'm behind him all the way this season. And as long as neither The Reader or Nixon wins the big awards, I won't have to crap my pants on the spot.
By and large, I'm happy to say I've found that place inside where these things just don't matter that much (it also helps that the OFCS awards turned out as well as they did).
Posted by
rob humanick |
8:31 PM
I get the sense the momentum will build behind "Slumdog Millionaire." It's got that little-movie-that-could vibe. Still stunned that "Button" got 13 noms. Umm...OK. Whatever. Yawn.
Don't be too hard on Kate. I loved that "Extras" episode and her willingness to step out there in a satirical way. Not sure of how many of the Hollywood types would be gutsy enough, let alone permitted, to do that. Given the lot presented, I would rather see Hathaway get recognized, however. Kate can win when she approaches Susan Lucci territory in about 15 years.
And who knows, Rob, maybe Oscar night will feature another Rob Lowe-meets-Snow White show-stopper. It's been 20 years since that fiasco, so how about a reunion performance!!!
Posted by
paul |
9:27 PM
XD
WTF. Nothing 'great' happens to be 'half-baked' if you have a real appreciation for film as an art form. I'm not even an aspiring film critic, nor have I even watched The Dark Knight yet (lynch me), and I know that's some serious self-undermining bullshit right there even if say, your taste can slump into fickle at times, and/or your criticism runs in an unfortunately 'half-baked' vein itself.......
Posted by
Anonymous |
3:26 PM