What Just Happened?
With ballots due back in exactly 24 hours, maybe now’s a good time to take a breath and glance back at the devastation and debris left in the wake of Oscar Season 2008. Rather than focus on everything we feel went wrong (as we seem to be doing nonstop since January 22) let’s take a moment to talk about the things that went right.
For me, scanning the Oscar nominee horizon and seeing not a single nod for W. and Gran Torino gives this year’s Oscars a glimmer of redemption that even Walt Kowalski in all his Christ-like death throes couldn’t cough up.
How about you, wise readers? What gifts of the current Oscar cycle lift your spirits the most?
MarkyMark says:
Monday, February 16, 2009 at 11:24pm
haroldsmaude
I like the way you think! You’re spot on – Hugh Jackman is UNDOUBTEDLY another place where oscars got it right!
I can’t wait to see how he does! It kind of was a genius hail mary pass on the part of the academy’s producers….
kind of like
sarah palin:john mccain’s desperately pathetic campaign
-as-
hugh jackman:the desperately sinking oscar ratings
….well, except the difference is hugh jackman is intelligent, articulate, witty, competent and not remotely insane – and this hail mary pass will actually be caught.
bring it home, hugh!
Ryan Adams says:
Monday, February 16, 2009 at 11:33pm
“kind of like sarah palin:john mccain’s desperately pathetic campaign… well, except the difference is hugh jackman is intelligent, articulate, witty, competent and not remotely insane – and this hail mary pass will actually be caught.”
cheers, chin-chin, touché
Lonnie says:
Monday, February 16, 2009 at 11:39pm
Zach: The fact that neither Kate Winslet nor Leo DiCaprio will be winning Oscars for Revolutionary Road feels like justice.
Usually I take the time for sophisticated responses. But I’ve got nothing to say here except, “you are an idiot.”
Alfredo - Often Imitated Never Duplicated says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 12:07am
“There’s virtually no way that I can be disappointed in this year’s Best Picture winner. I adore four of the nominees.”
Cut To: And the Oscar for Best Picture goes to…Frost/Nixon
Ryan Adams says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 12:16am
Cut To: Ryan stacking books in his cell. He climbs on top… kicks…
Wall-E says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 12:29am
Frank Langella for best actor–the best performance of the year.
Tim H says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 12:44am
I’m delighted that Milk and The Reader scored best picture nominations.
I’m pretty happy that all of the acting categories had more than five deserving nominees (this means I’m sad for Hawkins, DiCaprio, DeWitt, Franco, Fiennes, Olin, et al, but at least mean I won’t be throwing anything at the tv screen, no matter who wins).
DruggyBear says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 2:18am
have to agree with the hate for “Rev. Rd.”, I’ve seen films before that make me want to slit my wrists after watching them…. but never any wanting me to take my spouse with me!/
that said, I loved loved loved Mick in the Wrestler. Hope he wins!
HBK says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 3:35am
Slumdog nominated for best picture .
Sean Penn
Mickey Rourke
Anne Hathaway
Angelina Jolie , Melissa Leo .
Amy Adams .
MILK Getting 8 nominations , including Dustin Lance Black .
Heath Ledger Getting nominated .
Pretty happy about these .
Only thing a bit unhappy about : Dark Knight not considered to be as good as the Reader .
Eduardo says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 6:28am
Werner Herzog finally recieved an overdue nomination
ryan says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 6:33am
1. 8 nominations for The Dark Knight (though I believe it’s missing four)
2. Heath Ledger nomination (called it when the first trailer came out… don’t tell my friends, I kinda made the call to be an ass, haha)
3. Josh Brolin nomination (The Young Riders was my favorite show when I was a kid)
4. no nominations for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
5. 6 nominations for Wall-E and hoping it wins 4: Animated Feature, Score, Song, Sound Editing (and also happy about Presto, loved that short)
Paddy M says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 7:27am
8 noms for Milk
6 noms for WALL-E, a record for an animated film
2 noms for Frozen River
Supporting Actor, for Ledger and Shannon, if nothing else
Original Screnplay, even without Rachel Getting Married
Leonius Maximus says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 7:37am
Oscar gifts? My spirits were hoisted aloft thusly on noms morning:
- MILK not missing a Best Pic nom (it WAS looking a touch shaky)
- RICHARD JENKINS getting his deserved dues
- MELISSA LEO, likewise
- MICHAEL SHANNON, likewise again
- IN BRUGES for screenplay (not typically a safe AMPAS bet…)
- MILK for its superb editing
- WALLY PFISTER for his fucking incredible work on TDK
- THOMAS NEWMAN landing another 2 certificates for his wall; and
- KATE WINSLET getting her chance to win the big girls’ statuette!
brainypirate says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 10:36am
#33: “Let the Right One In (will they remember it when eligible next year??)”
Will they have even seen it by the end of next year?
Sean says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 10:44am
“The Wrestler” NOT getting a best song nod.
No lies, on January 22nd, 2008 when I heard that Heath Ledger had died, after the absolute shock subsided(and I’m rarely truly shocked) I said to myself, “He’s gonna get an Oscar this year.”
So, Heath Ledger getting a nomination goes on my list.
As does Robert Downey Jr., and his nod.
brainypirate says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 10:54am
> “when I heard that Heath Ledger had died, after the absolute shock subsided(and I’m rarely truly shocked) I said to myself, “He’s gonna get an Oscar this year.”
Ah, but you were wrong. It was one year later…..
michael says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 12:22pm
Melissa Leo (I was shocked and delighted) and the FR screenplay nod – I hope it really makes people watch the dvd.
brainypirate says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 3:28pm
> “With ballots due back in exactly 24 hours…”
It’s basically over. The ballots are either in or on their way. There’s no more campaigning to be done. All we can do is wait out the results….
Patrick says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 4:41pm
Dustin Lance Black…all else is gravy.
Sean says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 6:19pm
>Ah, but you were wrong. It was one year later…..
I’m not “shocked” you misunderstood me.
I know its hard to form ideas of your own, just keep trying.
Kitch_man says:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 6:21pm
“Eduardo:
Werner Herzog finally recieved an overdue nomination.”
Very true.