Oscar 2010
Barry Nelson
ChicagoPosts: 1,508MI6 Agent
Since we are only a week from the Oscar gala, I thought I would post my thoughts on this year’s nominees for Best Picture. I have seen seven of the 10 nominees, only missing Precious, An Education and A Serious Man. In years past on this forum we have had an ongoing discussion about the merits of the Best Picture nominees, some members felt not enough attention was given to more audience popular/ large box office receipts pictures. They felt the academy tried to reward the art pictures that few see. I was on the opposite side of that argument, stating that because of Oscar nominations, some pictures that the public may have initially missed, were now receiving the public’s attention and were being enjoyed. Well this year, we don’t have to have that argument because the 10 nominees are made up of a fair share of audience favorites, like Avatar, The Blind Side, Inglorious Bastards and Up. So this year we should have something for everyone.
Personally, I do not think this year’s list of nominees is of the same quality as past years as none of the films have that extra something special that makes a film a classic. Avatar visually takes film a step forward, but the story was not terribly original. In reviewing all the films I saw I had a hard time deciding what picture I would vote for, if I had a vote. As previously stated, I loved Avatar, but the story was not original enough, Hurt Locker was cinematically well shot, but I had issues with the accuracy of the story, Inglorious Bastards was entertaining, but at times seemed to jump styles, The Blind Side was far more enjoyable than I expected, but it really is a fairly simple story and cinematically nothing special, District 9 I know many people enjoyed, but I never had any sympathy for any of the characters until the last act which by then, I no longer cared, Up in the Air I really enjoyed and can find little to fault, the same with UP . So for me it came down to Up in the Air, or Up. Both films had messages far deeper than what may be seen on the surface and both were well crafted. Since I believe Up will win as Best Animated Film, I would vote for Up in the Air. A film that really told the story of today’s society and the difficulty men and women are having trying to find their place in the world, as well examining the way humans communicate in modern society. So for me, Up in the Air, is the Best Picture.
Personally, I do not think this year’s list of nominees is of the same quality as past years as none of the films have that extra something special that makes a film a classic. Avatar visually takes film a step forward, but the story was not terribly original. In reviewing all the films I saw I had a hard time deciding what picture I would vote for, if I had a vote. As previously stated, I loved Avatar, but the story was not original enough, Hurt Locker was cinematically well shot, but I had issues with the accuracy of the story, Inglorious Bastards was entertaining, but at times seemed to jump styles, The Blind Side was far more enjoyable than I expected, but it really is a fairly simple story and cinematically nothing special, District 9 I know many people enjoyed, but I never had any sympathy for any of the characters until the last act which by then, I no longer cared, Up in the Air I really enjoyed and can find little to fault, the same with UP . So for me it came down to Up in the Air, or Up. Both films had messages far deeper than what may be seen on the surface and both were well crafted. Since I believe Up will win as Best Animated Film, I would vote for Up in the Air. A film that really told the story of today’s society and the difficulty men and women are having trying to find their place in the world, as well examining the way humans communicate in modern society. So for me, Up in the Air, is the Best Picture.
Comments
As has been the case every year for as long as I can remember, none of the candidates for best picture interest me in the slightest. Most of the films are in genres that I don't care for at all and are typical "oscar bait" entries that wouldn't get within a mile of my TV. This year's inclusion of two "hard sci-fi" entries strike a similar tone of indifference with me. Avatar is typical James Cameron: a visually striking but derivatively unoriginal story with largely forgettable performances. District 9 fares a little better but its allegories to apartheid are so obvious and forced as to be distracting to me. When it comes to genre films, Star Trek was more entertaining than either of them (also had better overall ratings and reviews) and Watchmen would have been my choice for token sci-fi/fantasy/comic book movie that won't win anyway.
I honestly could care less what wins; same goes for all the other "major" categories.
Totally expect Cristoph Waltz to win for Supporting Actor in IB...the best villain of the year, IMRO...
As is usually the case with Oscar time, I don't see the films until after the ceremonies...via DVD rental...but I tend to enjoy the technical awards as much as the major categories.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
So far I have not seen A Single Man, An Education, Precious, Up in the Air, Up or The Blind Side.
Avatar was one of the worst films I have ever seen. Inglourious Basterds was as mad as a kitten trapped inside a spin dryer and had plenty of movie references to keep me occupied but I wouldn't put it in my top ten list for 2009.
Like Barry I was bored with District 9 and think nobody would have gone to see it if Peter Jackson's name wasn't attached to it. So I'll go with The Hurt Locker.
Nonetheless, I hope the great Jeff Bridges finally gets the best actor award and I assumed The Hurt Locker would get best picture before one of the producers broke academy rules by writing a letter urging them to give the award to his film rather than Avatar.
By the way isn't Avatar a rip-off of the unacclaimed Surrogates starring Bruce Willis?