[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY8uUrl42Jo[/youtube]
The Carpetbagger ain’t buying the Wall-E hype for Best Picture. I agree that it’s a crazy long shot but I can also imagine voters putting it down as one of their favorites of the year. The impossible is always probable at this stage of the game, though, and all you’d need is a DGA nod for Andrew Stanton to start buying it. The Bagger is down on Dark Knight and Wall-E for Best Pic, but agrees that Slumdog, Frost/Nixon, Benjamin Button, and Milk are locked in. But there’s is that pesky fifth slot into which Doubt, Revolutionary Road, or The Reader could slip in. There ain’t a whole lot of strong choices once you remove those gigantic pieces of the pie taken up by Dark Knight and Wall-E. You’d have to be a very stubborn voting body to ignore either or both, as we’ve said over and over again. Still, they favor dramas, preferably period pieces. The Reader, Doubt and Revolutionary Road all fit that bill, as does Defiance.
Here’s a funny factoid for you. You have to go back to 2002 to find a year when there wasn’t at least one Independent Spirit feature nominee among the film nominees. The only two with the remotest shot would be Rachel Getting Married or The Wrestler. The latter has a shot at being the one. More than any other film, I keep hearing people talking about how much they loved that movie. It could mean something, it could mean nothing.
91 Responses for "Wall-E, Not Buying It"
I keep playing the scenario in my head: “What if ‘Dark Knight’ or ‘Wall-E” isn’t that fifth nominee? The only film that makes sense, that sounds right, is ‘Doubt’ — which would be a shame, because I don’t think it’s deserved.
It’s realy too bad if WALL-E misses out, as it’s the best film of the year, a sentiment that has been voiced by a number of the most prestigious film critics’ groups.
Something to consider: I believe the animation branch votes for animated but everyone votes for Best Picture so that, to my mind, ups Wall-E’s chances for a Best Pic nod because they don’t have the option of putting it down in the animated category. They have their branch and Best Pic.
That’s very encouraging news there Sasha!
If Let the Right One In was exactly the same film as it is now, but in English language and located in USA or UK, it would be one of the few frontrunners for best picture and eventually a sure nominee. Too bad this gem is Swedish and may not be nominated for foreign language film until 2010 Oscars. Should it get other nominations, this would be the year.
I have seen the film three times in quite a short period of time and it’s probably my favourite of 2008. At least, best DRAMA (yeah, it’s not horror, really).
Reminds me of City of God a few years back when things were vice versa in eligibility.
Are Benjamin Button and Frost/Nixon really such deadbolt locks? Button has been getting mixed reviews, and Frost/Nixon seems more admired than really loved. I could definitely see one of those two getting snubbed in favour of a film with a more passionate following (i.e. Wall*E or Dark Knight)
I’d hate to know anybody who passionately chose Frost/Nixon as their #1 movie of 2008. I’d be afraid to turn my back on them.
That’s the kind of wacko most normal people cross the street to avoid meeting face to face.
If Benji Button doesn’t make the final cut (and I think it’s very possible) then it’s a fight between The wrestler and the robot. It could go either way, but I think the odds might be steering in Wall-e’s favor. It will be very interesting to see how this turns out. (It would at least be more interesting than Benjamin Button)
And as for the television monitor’s *clears throat* “predictions”, Batman has no jurisdiction. He will end up in the final five, if the Academy really wants to boost viewership, which I’m sure it does.
P.S. Sam Juliano, I’ve heard what the critics think of Wall-e. But what do YOU think about Wall-e?
I’ve know squealers when I see them, and……
And by the way this nomination didn’t come cheap, you oughta know it, you bought it.
(A fun game).
Still getting a wide re-release?
Personally I do think Ben Button is probably locked in for a BP nod (its box-office is just the clincher), but I’m still not convinced that Frost/Nixon is locked in. I don’t have anything against F/N (haven’t seen it), and I still think it could very well make the Top 5, but to say it’s locked in doesn’t sound accurate to me. At least not quite yet.
I continue to believe that if Milk and F/N do make the list, then Doubt won’t. A slate containing Milk/Doubt/and Frost Nixon is just too “issue” oriented. My Oscar instincts are screaming out, “No, no!”
That’s why I think TDK or even Wall-E could very well be the fifth nominee (or sure, The Wrestler too). They’re a different type of movie, appealing to a different type of voter. RR seems a longshot, at this point, and the chances of The Reader or Defiance making the list are slight indeed, IMHO.
I hope Sam Juliano won’t mind if I re-publish his feelings about WALL•E.
It’s one of my favorite reviews of the dozens he wrote all year.
i dont understand the insistence of frost/nixon.. im not doubting its a good film, but i dont hear resounding buzz, either… i think the nominees will be…
doubt – actors, actors, actors.
the reader – if harvey gets enough screeners out there, this potent drama will likely make the cut.. also, stephen daldry, kate.. AND anthony minghella and sydney pollack as producers
revolutionary road – sure, its depressing, but the academy likes depressing (babel, the hours, million dollar baby, etc)
kate and leo’s reunion has to be worth something… scott rudin will likely swamp ‘em with screeners..
slumdog millionaire – little miss sunshine, juno, the full monthy.. fox is great with “the little movie that could”… plus, several critic prizes too..
the fifth slot is up for grabs: the wrestler, frost/nixon, wall-e, dark knight, rachel getting married, benjamin buttons, milk..
I think its pretty naive to think that Frost/Nixon is a lock at this point. Only Slumdog, Ben Button and probably Milk are your closest locks at this point. And until we go down this interesting stretch of guilds this week, I still have both The Dark Knight and WALL-E in the four and five slots.
I think the only locks Frost/Nixon have right now are for Frank Langella and Adapted Screenplay. How much more is it going to get past that? Editing…possibly Ron Howard for Director?
Ryan Adams: I’d hate to be known by you if you’d turn your back on someone based on such a trivial matter. That’s quite pretentious.
I agree with The Carpetbagger’s locks, and I think the fifth spot could go to either Revolutionary Road, The Dark Knight, WALL-E or Doubt. All would be deserving.
Relax, Garrett. I’d hate to have to hang out with somebody who doesn’t get my tendency of verbal magnification for dramatic effect.
Erik, “Editing…”?
I’d have greater appreciation for the editing if the editors had edited F/N down to the only half-hour that any significance or impact on me. I’m looking forward to buying the 27-minute director’s cut on DVD.
I hope Revolutionary Road could be in before Frost/Nixon which is good but not great
TDK should be a lock by now
Ryan Adams: Yes, I suppose one can get quite bored if no one finds you funny.
I’d also like to mention one thing that Frost/Nixon definitely has on it’s side: it’s advertising. Variety seems to be covered in Frost/Nixon every time I see it.
And the Oscar for Best Advertising goes to…
Are you saying advertising doesn’t play a part in the Oscars?
Au contraire, Harvey Weinstein begs to differ.
What I mean is, with that amount of press, Frost/Nixon definitely has a higher chance at taking home Oscars.
Yeah, Ryan, editing. Think with your head and not your heart. If its in the running for Best Picture, it’s in the running for Editing.
I really don’t want to be complacent about what happens with Wall-E. When such a great film comes about, you really do have to champion it in every way. I mean, shouldn’t we champion the underdogs, the great films that get ignored, than fall into this rut of predicting which Oscar-porn-movie they’re going to fall for?
Same with TDK (I’m not a fan, but the fanboy lust is something to be admired).
Garrett, I’m saying advertising doesn’t play a part in whether I think a movie is good or bad.
I’ve never said Frost/Nixon won’t be nominated. But I’ve said it will be the weakest of the five Best Picture nominees if it is. It’ll be very sad for other more deserving films if advertising buys a bunch of nominations for a movie that may be a decent enough effort — but hardly one of the top 5 films of 2008.
RB: Of course! Great films like WALL-E and The Dark Knight should always be championed when their chances may seem low. However, when it comes to predicting the Oscars, we are sometimes forced to predict based on the politics of the Academy rather than our own preferences.
Ryan Adams: Sad, but very true. Advertising does play a part in how the Academy votes. Of course, I’d rank Frost/Nixon one of the best of the year, so I believe if it does get in, it will be because enough people agreed with me. I also never claimed you said Frost/Nixon wasn’t a possible nomination.
I can’t believe you guys actually believe that “The Dark Knight” has a better shot than “Wall-E.” Lets remember that an animated feature has been nominated for Best Picture before. Comic book adaptations and sequels where the original wasn’t nominated, have not.
Plus, “Wall-E” is the only comedy with a viable shot at a Best Picture nomination. And why is that important? Because the Academy almost always slips in at least one comedy/musical, and they do that to lighten the load.
All kidding aside, Erik, I think the lack of any editing flair is what blocks Frost/Nixon from being a player, even if it’s nominated for Best Picture on the basis of old-school narrative machinery. It’s edited like an episode of Perry Mason.
Wall-E deserves a nomination, and so does the Dark Knight. A audience favorite should be among the nominees this year, to get the ratings up in the telecast. Wall-E is a traditional animated love story, done so well. The Dark Knight is a fanatical based genre film but done so well.
Well said, Joe.
I truly seem to be the only human being ever to cross this site who wasn’t impressed by Wall-E. Really, I got bored after an hour.
VCB: Rethink your BP list! I worry for your performance in your Oscar office pool. Doubt, RR, AND The Reader making the Top 5? One of them may slip on, but all three?
Let’s take a look at these astonishing FYC ads for F/N. They’re every bit as visually thrilling as the film itself, aren’t they? What style! what creativity! They really capture the cinematic verve that’s a Ron Howard hallmark (hall of fame).
Ryan Adams: You seem to be missing the point. Sometimes it’s not how the ads look, but how many are showing up in the public’s hands.
Wall E is overrated. It does not deserve to be nominated.
The thought of Frost/Nixon or The Wrestler being nominated while Wall-E and TDK get shut out is utterly nauseating. It’s beginning to sound like the only worthy films being nominated are Slumdog and Milk. Heaven help us.
ok, Garrett. I see your point. The saturation pummeling that results in the “I give up!” effect. Sort of like waterboarding, right? You’re an effective proponent. I give up. For today.
Ryan Adams: Don’t be silly, there’s no need to throw in the towel. Just try better next time.
The Dark Knight will make the fifth slot. They will probably do it just for the fact that it will boost their ratings sky high.
I really don’t see Wall-E making it. I don’t think it deserves that nomination, anyway. It will win the animated category, and it’ll stay there. Nominating The Dark Knight would get a lot more viewers than Wall-E, and there are box office numbers to prove that.
Oh, I’m pulling for The Reader to get that fifth spot.
For the most part it was a great, great movie. I fell for the conceit of it. And Ralph Fiennes is one great actor.
ha, try better at what, Garrett? Try to get you to agree with me? That’s not my goal.
I’m not trying to do anything. I’m just saying I personally think Frost/Nixon is weak. I’m saying no amount of advertising pages showing Langella’s big head over and over is going to change my mind about that.
You enjoy the movie. That’s fine. I’m saying if Frost/Nixon is nominated over The Dark Knight, it’ll be a sad sick little day in Oscar history. You don’t have to agree with me. I’d just as soon we not agree about anything, ok?
Ryan Adams: That’s all great, but it isn’t your mind I was talking about, nor did I ask for you to agree with me, or ever imply that was my intent. Perhaps it is you that can’t take a joke. It’s the Oscar voters’ mind I was pointing to. The more of Langella’s head, the better his chances with them. Once again, I think you msised the point. Your personal opinion of the film does not bother me, as it was never the subject of what I was aiming at.
Defiance, Rachel Getting Married, and The Reader have no chance.
Its interesting that both the Carpetbagger and the Oscar blogger at THR see TDK as having almost no shot at a BP Oscar nomination.They both see RR, Doubt even The Reader as being more likely BP nominees.
That’s fine too, Garrett. It’s just that day after day, I get weary of worrying about the “Oscar voter’s minds” and all I really care about is my own mind. My own opinion and the movies I love. Oscars voters will do as they wish. I’ve discovered I’m able to survive whatever silliness they dish out.
I think most people who come here to discuss movies are a lot more interested in their own personal preferences than those of Ernest Borgnine, or whomever. Maybe you’re different, but you’re not alone.
Lily, it’s funny because none of us knows. I think i remember people were saying that Martin Scorsese was going to be nominated but that The Departed wouldn’t be nominated either. It’s hard to remember back that far but I think I recall it. At any rate, I like all of the movies in the mix so for me it’s a win-win. I must confess to a passionate fondness for The Dark Knight (I know, shocking!).
Ryan Adams: I believe we’re trying to predict the Oscars here. Actually, I believe this site is used for and mainly revolves around exactly that. It is certainly the subject at hand. Therefore it is much wiser to worry about “the “Oscar voter’s” minds” rather than our own. It would be naive to not take into the account the buzz and politics of the Academy and only go on our own preferences. If you worry too much about there opinion, perhaps you shouldn’t be predicting the Oscars. I think you missed the mark again, and this time came out far too dramatic and totally off subject.
If Dark Knight or Wall-E get in, they suddenly stand a great chance of winning just because of the unexpected nature of the nomination. It’s called the “Marcia Gay Harden” or “Braveheart” phenomenon.
Sasha, I don’t remember anyone saying The Departed wouldn’t be nominated for BP.I recall people saying Marty would win BD and the film not win BP.Some of those same people said Dreamgirls was a sure thing to win BP until it got snubbed for a nom. As far as percursors The Departed got a GG best picture nomination and a SAG ensemble nom. Two precursors TDK missed.
I agree, Lily. I can’t recall anyone ever omitting The Departed, but it’s Best Picture chances were certainly in question.
I would personally love to see Wall•E or The Dark Knight to get in. Because if you put either up against Button (which I am vehemently opposed to), it’s hard to vote for Button.
“I believe we’re trying to predict the Oscars here.”
And good luck with that. But when the discussion veers too far from the best movies of the year and begins to focus on how many pages of ads Universal bought, my attention starts to drift really quickly.
Of course I recognize mind-numbing repetition in advertising has an effect. But I can’t pretend that it makes me a little sick and sad to think that’s the “awards” are that easy to sway. It sort of makes them meaningless doesn’t it? It really does become what I jokingly said above: “And the Oscar for Best Advertising goes to…”
Is that what AMPAS wants to be? If so, there’s nothing I can say or do to change it. But it’s about the farthest thing from integrity I can think of, and it does not interest me. I’m interested in the movies and talented filmmakers I think are worthy of being called “Best.”
You’re the one who brought up the ads as “something Frost/Nixon has going for it” Garrett. Sorry if my reaction of “whoop-dee-doo” doesn’t fit your expectations of Oscar predicting. The number of ad pages are not going to mean much to anyone 10 or 20 years from now (or even a month from now) when they see F/N annointed as a BP nominee and WALL-E or TDK edged out because they don’t fit some kind of antiquated mold. If that happens, it’ll be a farce. But it won’t be the first or last farce AMPAS ever perpetrated.
So nope, I’m not so concerned with “predicting” as I am with “observing.” Anyone who’s read anything I’ve written here for months knows that. I’m as interested in what our readers think are the “Best” as I am what a bunch of strangers think — especially if they’re voting based on how many damn ads they saw in Variety.
Bring me a good movie; I’ll support it. I’m not here to help Universal shill for a movie I do not care for.
Ryan Adams:
I think you’re trying to beat around the bush here. The topic of discussion was which films will be nominated for Best Picture. The advertising from the studios definitely play a part in trying to decide that. One is completely related to the other. You seem somewhat surprised that the Academy could do something so unethical as be swayed by who has the most money or who campaigns the best, but it has most certainly happened before. Should I remind you of Shakespeare in Love? That is most certainly always a topic of discussion, yes, even ten years later. For those who disagreed with this decision, it has definitely left a lasting impression on them, as most upsets do. I’m not saying I agree with it, but it’s a reality that is too obvious to naively try to ignore. Even good films play dirty.
Also, notice I never commented on what movies you liked or what films you thought would make the cut, but instead made the point of the powers that interfere with these choices, so it would be wise to not get defensive. I never said one film was better over the other. That ball has stayed in your court.
You have also made many predictions, some even on this topic. There is nothing wrong with what others think is the best film of the year, but that wasn’t what I was referring to, so perhaps you should figure out who to direct your comments at.
Your indie: The Wrestler
Your frontrunner – everything the AMPAS loves: Benjamin Buttom
Your critical darling: Slumdog Millionaire
Your blockbuster: The Dark Knight
Your “prestige”- costume movie: Frost / Nixon or Revolutionary Road or Milk or Doubt. Most likely at this point, Frost/Nixon.
I think this year is becoming less problematic than others. I’d say that there are 10 movies with chances. And that’s about it… add to this name the longshot of Wall·E and Happy-go-lucky and that’s it.
RE: The (fourth and) fifth slot(s)
I can’t believe how people are scoffing at the idea of The Wrestler, Rachel Getting Married, Happy-Go-Lucky or Defiance getting in, given the volatile nature of this year’s race. Sure, we will probaly have a much better sense of things by Friday, but at this point WALL*E and The Dark Knight are question marks.
And then there’s the problem raised by Slumdog Millionaire: some voters will view it as this year’s indie success, others will see it as a foreign film and still others will regard as it as a modern Brit epic. And they will accordingly look to other films to fill the requisite spots on their dance cards.
“You seem somewhat surprised that the Academy could do something so unethical”
What did I say to make you think it surprises me, Garrett? I’m not the least surprised. Not ignoring it, either. Just bored and somewhat disgusted by it.
Gee though, thanks for the history lesson reminder about Shakespeare in Love. Never would’ve known about all that. Not like it wasn’t the biggest “oh my goodness! psst psst psst!” in the past 10 years or anything.
So what? It doesn’t make such tactics any less repugnant, or represent any reason less lazy in marking one’s ballot for nominations.
Good job attempting to equate Shakespeare in Love with F/N though. Keep spreading that meme, ok? Please.
Ryan Adams:
“What did I say to make you think it surprises me Garrett? I’m not the least surprised. Just bored and somewhat disgusted by it. ”
Perhaps it was this: “But I can’t pretend that it makes me a little sick and sad to think that’s the “awards” are that easy to sway.”
But they are indeed easy to sway.
No, it doesn’t make the actions any less repugnant, and I most certainly don’t agree with them, but simply bringing up the subject is not the same thing as justifying it.
If your going to fault Frost/Nixon for it’s advertising, perhaps you should remember that all films, including your favorites, are at fault here. But on some level, I think that some voters really do vote with their heart. If only the majority of the Academy was like this, perhaps it would be a lot more fun watching and predicting the Oscars.
Until now, I never brought up the ethical side of this tactic, only that it exists, so you seem to be agreeing with me now that these actions most certainly have an effect on the race, and that they should be taken into consideration when predicting the Oscars whether we like it or not. Otherwise, what exactly have you been arguing this whole time?
Good god, Garrett, can we drop it? How much more clear can I make it?
Once more: You’re saying that F/N has all this advertising “going for it” as if that’s something I should respect. Here’s what I’m saying: If you’re going to harp on ads in Variety as the primary reason a movie gets a Best Picture nomination, then why should anybody give a damn about the Oscars?
Simplest terms: Ads do not make me like a movie more or less, and they would absolutely not affect my vote if I had a ballot. It saddens me that anybody with an Oscar ballot would make a decision or be “swayed” by the sheer number of ads they get hit over the head with.
It represents the worst of the Oscar season. I’d rather talk about more relevant factors — in hopes that our talking about the actual movie instead of the ads might raise the standard by which ballots are cast.
Ryan Adams:
Frost/Nixon does have the ads going for it. It has lots of things going for it. I never said you had to respect it. It’s the truth. However, advertising is indeed a trump card for many films. If you’re going to ask a question like “why should anybody give a damn”, perhaps you should also answer that question, because this is quite the reality, yet you still give a damn about the Oscars.
Again, you try to justify why this is wrong, why ads have no effect on you and why they wouldn’t effect your vote, but like I have already said, you are not the Oscar voter who makes such decisions, nor were you the topic. This wasn’t my point; in fact, I agree with you. This is not what the Oscars is about. I never justified it, but simply outed it for what it can do. It saddens you, I get it – it saddens me too, yet you already admitted to it being true, so you haven’t argued my point at all.
If you’d rather talk about something else, that is fine, but if that was simply the case perhaps you shouldn’t have replied to my post in the first place? Again, the topic at hand was about the Best Picture chances of certain films, and my post was completely relevant to that. Maybe you should find a different topic.
Good God, Garrett, would you STFU!
I say we just ignore him from now on. Ignoring an instigator like this will really drive him crazy…
Robert:
How silly. If you’re complaining about the flood of post, it would probably be wise to realize that I did not instigate them, nor did I argue Ryan’s opinion, but simply justified my original post throughout. For flooding, I suppose we are both at fault, but perhaps you should actually try reading some of these posts, or add to the conversation. Otherwise, you really look quite foolish for picking and choosing.
5th slot??…the reader.
I think Frost/Nixon is a lock… gives off a “Michael Clayton” vibe like last year – a populist going against the man, with wide critical respect but not a critical darling. Its dramatic without being too provacative. It’s just what the Academy likes.
By this Friday I think it’ll shape up to be:
Slumdog Millionaire
Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Frost/Nixon
Dark Knight OR an Indie favourite (The Wrestler or Happy Go Lucky)
You matched my predictions exactly, Matt.
Nah, Garrett I agree wholeheartedly with Robert, you need to stop. Even Ryan said it, and you’re basically saying the same thing over and over again. We all got that you think advertising plays a part and Ryan tried numerous times to just tell you he doesn’t care about that because he is talking about HIS own opinion. Your point was made 30 posts ago, now post about something else.
Regarding to the other stuff, I did quite liked F/N but like Ryan think it will be the weak point of the 5, and one that doesn’t hold any possibility of winning and would just be filler. At the moment if you nominate Milk, Button (which I would prefer not to be nominated either), The Dark Knight, and Slumdog Millionaire all have chances of winning, thru politics or just achievements. Wall*E would have a perfect chance of winning just for the surprise… but if you prefer to give the fifth spot to a live-action movie I would give it to “The Wrestler”. Far better film and it’s gaining a lot of momentum while F/N is losing it fast.
Can I just end this Garrett-Ryan debate? The two of you are talking about two separate things, which can be pared down fairly simply:
Garrett: These films are going to be nominated! Here’s why!
Ryan: These films should be nominated! Here’s why!
“Going to be” and “should be” are the operative terms here. You’re not talking about the same thing. Now stop fighting before you both bore the rest of us any further.
Nelson:
If Ryan didn’t care about my topic, then I must question why he choose to constantly question it, replying over and over with rebuttal, especially since I agreed with him wholeheartedly. If he was trying to make a different point, then he certainly shouldn’t have tried to make relevance to my own point.
Hulk:
You are absolutely correct, which is what I said earlier, except that Ryan was trying to explain why it was bad. I wasn’t. I think we should remember that at the least Ryan and I both have high respect for the Academy and disagree with such antics.
Garrett:
Because you were bombing him directly time and time again. For example, this is very alike trying to get with a girl or boy by harassing them constantly even after they say no. And serioulsy, don’t even reply to this, let it go.
To everyone else:
Not having The Dark Knight nominated would be up there with giving Crash the win.
Nelson:
Like I said, I was only defending my original post. In fact, I would even argue that I was the one being bombed. It was certainly Ryan who questioned my own post in the beginning. I never tried to get Ryan to agree with me, I think he was trying to present a different point and I was trying to get him to understand that I was talking about something totally different, although I respect and agree with Ryan’s POV.
I’m also gonna have to go with the sentiment that although I like the idea of the Academy voting in Wall-E (really, keeping animated films in the “Best Animated Feature” ghetto is a terrible idea), I don’t think it honestly deserves it. The first 40 minutes of the film were amazing indeed, but the space sections felt like a mess–I became almost completely emotionally disengaged. I also found the presence of Fred Willard incredibly distracting.
I really think The Wrestler deserves to be in there. Honestly, it felt to me like something that could be viewed as a classic in the future. Rourke’s performance, at least, will be remembered for a long time, whether you like him or not. I think he deserves it way more than Penn, who was admittedly great, but not towering like Rourke.
I also agree with Tero above: if Let the Right One In had somehow been marketed and released to a mass audience and hence gotten a lot of people to see it, I really think it would be considered by most to be a frontrunner for best pic. This is a film that stands right up there with, or above, horror films like Silence of the Lambs and The Exorcist.
I really hope it doesn’t get forgotten when the remake inevitably f’s it up.
The inevitable remake, inevitably starring Elle Fanning.
“Not having The Dark Knight nominated would be up there with giving Crash the win.”
Please, don’t just throw around a statement like that without further elaborating.
Can we stop hating on Garrett? He’s made some really good points. If we are trying to predict who the Academy is going to nominate, then we have to factor in things like ads, politics, etc. We shouldn’t obsess over the Academy any way. Their nominations don’t validate the overall quality of a film. A film is good because it’s good, not because the Academy gives it a nomination. It’s fun to predict, but I won’t go crazy. It’s not worth that much. Besides, times are already rough. Let’s celebrate film, and stop bitching.
Ryan, the remake is in the works, supposedly for 2010 release.
I’d like to remind everyone of something that happened last yeaqr called “Into the Wild”.
7 BFCA Nominations including BP (the most noms in its year)
DGA
SAG Cast and another 3 nominations
Editor’s Guild
Sound Guild
Costumes Guild
* No PGA Nomination
* Strongly snubbed at the Golden Globes
The obvious idea would be that this is what would happen to Milk this year as it has Sean Penn and was greatly snubbed at the Globes… However, I think Milk has more supporters that will put it in #1 than Into the Wild.
Into the Wild was a respected movie, but it was not loved. This makes me think of Frost/Nixon…
“Not having The Dark Knight nominated would be up there with giving Crash the win.”
Please, don’t just throw around a statement like that without further elaborating.
Not much need for further elaboration. Economy is a virtue, especially when the meaning is clear. Nelson obviously feels that Crash’s win was scandalous (or ridiculous) and that snubbing TDK would be the same.
I agree with Nelson. And Keith, let’s not blow things out of porportion. (I’m sorry, I’m done making jokes referencing The Dark Knight.
)
And Ryan, thanks for posting the review. But San Juliano, did you think Wall-e was perfect? Because I thought the last half hour approached parody (Everything Auto said became a lame line you would hear from Snidley Whiplash, not to mention the incredibely cheesey ending.) and thus cannot garner the title of a great film from me.
A simple question… It’s Che consider from 2008 anymore? I think it was never released…
David Carr needs a talkshow on IFC or something.
Not to be a wet blanket about this, really, I don’t mean to be, but why are people still pushing Defiance as a legitimate BP shot? It doesn’t have the reviews, it doesn’t have the GG or BFCA recognition, it doesn’t have the oh-wow-that-looks-new-and-innovative feel to it. I just don’t get why people have been and continue mentionining it like it’s going to get nominated. I don’t even know that the sound and score tech noms are assured.
Nobody’s pushing Defiance, it’s just being mentioned as a longshot in an unusual race. As is Revolutionary Road, which has several GG nods. As far as BFCA goes, both films have a healthy 81 rating.
K. Tapley of incontention.com wrote 12/9/08:
I didn’t think about this at the time this morning, because of course, I do the diligence of going to the screenings. But DVDs of “Revolutionary Road” and “Defiance” did not arrive on our doorsteps until late last week, in some cases, as late as Friday. Even though the voting deadline was Sunday, I’m sure most of the members across the country had already voted without seeing the film.
Damn, this drunk guy in the video is not working for the New York Times, is he…??!
THE DARK KNIGHT ALL THE WAY. WALL E IS ALL READY GOING TO WIN THE ANIMATED AWARD.COME ON MAN THAT IS NOT FAIR.
Hey Sasha,
Here’s an interesting article from Gold Derby from September of 2006. It showed the doubt for The Departed in the Best Picture race and the fact that it will be shut out.
http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2006/09/come_on_is_depa.html
Interesting, Jilda. Thanks.
Warners:
ha, love that. “organically becomes a legitimate contender” — organically grown, instead of the usual “overly fertilized BS with processed additives and preservatives, please keep refrigerated, best if used by January, please discard unwanted portions in recycle bin, if accidentally ingested contact local poison control center immediately” sort of contenders that aren’t allowed to sprout and flourish organically.
If only Hollywood had more faith in all-natural ingredients with whole-grain goodness, we wouldn’t have so much seasonal indigestion.
That’s Warner Bros. For You. They have produced or co-produced so many contenders this year. The Dark Knight, Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button…HMMM
I think WB’s connection with Slumdog Millionaire is on the distribution end only. They came onboard after the movie was completed. But point taken, Jilda. WB executive decisions, acquisition maneuvers and their brilliant marketing strategies are absolutely first-rate.
They all may very well get the nomination and for some reason I keep forgetting about Universal and keep thinking Frost/Nixon is WB film but I think that’s mostly because the FYC ads remind of The Departed.
[...] While everybody is wondering which movie will grab that No. 5 five slot, here’s Sasha Stone flying off the top rope and saying, well, how about “The Wrestler?” [...]
Sumdog Millionaire – lock
CCBB – lock
Frost/Nixon – Im a fan of this movie, I think its intelligent like Good Night and Good Luck so I hope it will be in.
Milk – I don’t think so, I have serious issues with this film and that statement is coming from a gay guy.
Rev Road – I hope it will be in, I like depressing movies.
Happy Go Lucky – Maybe the Almost Famous for this year.
TDK – no, not a chance. But I hope Nolan’s team will make the next Batman movie as challenging and stunning as the two predecessor.
Wall E – Who says that this movie is GREAT? Come on ask your children! And seriously, did you even see a kid elated after watching it. NO! Because its a downer. But I like its futuristic/apocalyptic appeal. This movie is not for kids nor the adults. ITS LUKEWARM.
I dunno, my gf two sisters love Wall*E. I work at a friendly’s and during the summer all the kids were making the sounds and coming with Wall*E birthdays. And you can see by the amount of love in here, outside and everywhere that adults love it too. Wall*E might be the most universally love movie of the year.
“Revolutionary Road” all the way!!! Pretty please?
“The Wrestler,” should be nominated for best pic, and Rourke should get a best actor nod. It is an excellent film! I don’t think I will even watch The Academy Awards if this does not happen.
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