Attention must be paid! Harry Potter gets a little muggle love. Will the film make the Best Pic cut?
Sizing up the Harry Potter franchise, dollar by dollar:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – $317,575,550
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – $261,988,482
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – $249,541,069
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – $290,013,036
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – $292,004,738
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – $301,959,197
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 – $295,001,070
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 – $381,011,219
Will the series go unrecognized by an insular Hollywood awards machine? Will voters not feel able to put this film in the number one spot because none of them are Potter fans? Oh maybe Dakota Fanning is. Can they not show appreciation for such a profitable series? It will be interesting to see if they do. With ten films, they probably could. The new voting system, the film has to hit at number one 60 or so times. After that it has to hit in the number 2 and 3 spots. Even though we know that it would make the Oscars a hundred times more appealing to whole generations to come, even though we know people would actually watch the Oscars for a chance, that still probably isn’t enough to shake up this stodgy group.
Entertainment Weekly is probably going to put, I’m gonna guess, War Horse on its Oscar issue. They should put The Artist there but that won’t sell magazines. Moneyball would be a rad and daring choice, as would The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – it could be The Descendants, come to that – they could do a Sexiest Men Alive cover with Clooney, Pitt, Damon, and should-be Gosling…but you know it’s gonna be War Horse.
Thank you, MIchelle. Totally agree. I think that is the majority opinion out there, but then fanboys and girls (which are totally different from fans of the books) get very vocal and defensive on sites like this.
Harry Potter may deserve a special achievement award for doing this whole serious with, for the most part, the same cast….but, the story is really nothing ground breaking, the movies are really nothing groundbreaking, I saw everyone of them, and they are very good young adult films….of course superior to Twilight. But, this film has no business being considered for Best Picture. Oh God no. Even the metacritic score, in my opnion, is so high because these films are judged on a different scale. They are good genre films…yet, no where close to the level of The Lord Of The Rings, for example.
@Tess: I read your comments from the WAFCA article, and, sadly, you used the same line “I already commented on this so I won’t here.” I cannot keep searching all of the comments sections for your arguments, so I’ll start with a specific question:
I am a huge fan of the books. I like the movies. Some parts I love, others I thought were poor choices. Explain to me your opinion of the final battle scenes (after Kings Cross, before the epilogue) and tell me if you think the director/screenwriter made good choices to deviate from the book in a huge way, and will non-book fans really have the same understanding of what is going on?
I really wasn’t a big fan of the Harry Potter movies in general, but to be so dismissive of Radcliffe’s acting talents seems mostly to come from irrational backlash. The first four movies didn’t give Radcliffe much to do at all – he was playing a character that was reactive, not proactive, who served largely as an audience surrogate into J.K. Rowling’s world. That doesn’t create much opportunity to deviate from blandness. In the later movies, however, as his character began to drive the action I think he showed some decent acting chops (David Yates’ consistent vision over the last few films helped as well, I assume).
And even if you disagree with my assessment of the last few films, it’s important to keep in mind that hardly any of us have seen Radcliffe in anything but the Harry Potter series. You can’t make a judgement on somebody’s true acting abilities based on what amounts to one project.
OK Tess…
My post clearly made you so upset that your tone was incredibly defensive and you felt inclined to post 3 times. To be very fair to you, I can understand if you posted responses many times before and are tired of repeating yourself. While I am a fan of this website and browse the comment sections somewhat frequently, do not get angry at me for not knowing that you have posted these responses before.
Secondly, do not take my opinion about HP8 as being an anti-campaign. It may seem that way, but I am not campaigning against the film, I am stating my opinion about the film and confusion as to why people are very adamant about campaigning for the film. I’m stating my opinion and I want a discussion, I want a debate. I want to hear why you and “intelligent” fans think the movie is good. Also, I take that as a slight, since you are assuming either I am not intelligent or because I don’t have a good reason why HP8 should be nominated that I haven’t talked to the “intelligent” people yet.
I’ll let that slide, as I’ll also let your emotional response slide. I’ll look your arguments up, and somehow get back to you.
What about the women of The Help on an Oscar issue cover? It’s a blockbuster hit, so it has plenty of fans, plus the controversy of the choice would help sell magazines.
Another possibility: Spielberg and Scorcese and Allen themselves?
thinking twice, I’m all up for Rupert Grint starring in a movie adaptation of “Stranger in a Strange Land”. Valentine Michael Smith is a role that probably would suit him perfectly.
He’s grown up as an actor, he certainly delivers most of the time in the last film in his most difficult scenes.
But this should be a shared cover with Watson and Grint. Both are better actors than he is, and both “learnt” earlier. Watson started shinning in Azkhaban, Grint is a natural scene-stealer since Stone. I can see both of them winning an Oscar some time in the next decade… Daniel will probaly struggle to keep his status, Watson will easily improve it, and Grint will depend on luck, it’s more difficult due to his looks, probably… suggestion: go the Oliver Reed route (but skip alcoholism!)
I changed my mind.
Actually, I made the choice not to re-post past comments. I am tired of doing that. Do your own research and investigation throughout this site and other blogs. Ask any intelligent HP fan and you will receive a response. This franchise is qualified in every category to be nominated. You chose to cite the weakest arguments against the support of the film as to why many people feel it should be honored by some real selective editing. The idea of going into battle again with some posters again does not sound appealing and I have other things to do.
I am already tired of this battle. Why can’t people support and root for these films in peace? It is mentioned constantly because this is award season and the buzz helps especially with the screwed-up early timing. People get provoked and the fans get blamed everytime. Tired of defending Potter and everything associated with it.
Congratulations Daniel Radcliffe. He is a worthy upcoming talent. He is much better than hacks like Lautner and most of his age group which lacking in real acting ability. He is passionate, driven, talented, has shown range in other mediums, and I wish him the best. He brought Harry to life in an amazing way and I respect him for that. I know he will try his best to maintain a decent career and integrity. Good for him. I am eagerly anticipating The Woman in Black and his other work. Daniel, Emma, and Rupert with the rest of the cast have plenty of good will towards them for good reason.
I am going to re-post some comments. There have been also past entries specifically devoted to HP. Browse those entries. You can see how Drive is well-made but not HP at all?! Really, because I feel the opposite about Drive but that is another debate. I am also fed up with people comparing HP absurdly to other films that bear no direct comparison. People loved the idea of The Dark Knight, Inception, Rise of the Planet of the Apes being nominated but they seriously cannot comprehend why people feel the HP franchise is Oscar-worthy?!
Okay, I knew people would be hating on Daniel Radcliffe. I seriously don’t understand why some people are planting the bad actor label on him in such a broad statement. He was great playing Harry Potter and managed to carry these films with a great deal of heart & soul. No, the studios couldn’t just pick any other random child actor to play Potter. The franchise would become very different and might have fallen apart with the wrong actor. He was a splendid foundation and would grow as an actor with every movie.
I personally think Daniel Radcliffe is a good actor and he was solid in all of the Potter films. He has impressed me with his maturation as a performer along with the Potter character and his emotional range. His acting was quite strong in the final film and he lived up to expectations for me and many people who respect the series.
I thought he was fine when compared to the rest of the cast which has some of Britain’s finest. The poor kid is just breaking out outside the franchise and people are trying to unfairly pin the bad actor on him. He embodied Harry perfectly for me and should be proud of his accomplisments. He is a rising star and earned his respect.
He was also good in David Copperfield, Eqqus, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He was excellent in his latest Broadway venture and I felt he got robbed out of a Tony nomination.
He has been fine in everything he has been in. I can see him becoming a diverse and accomplished film & theater actor. He is only 23, for pete’s sake. He is just starting to refine his chops and it will take him awhile to prove his range outside of Potter. He has really come into his own, good for him.
For the love of God, would people quit provoking this same old tirade and anti-campaign? I know everybody is sick of this.
@AJC: I will probably go insane if I have to defend the Harry Potter franchise again on this site. My friends and I have done it on this site for the past year or so, literally hundreds of times. People start the anti-campaign and the fans have to be bullied on every entry. It is Oscar-worthy for a variety of reasons which I have already discussed in great length as well as dozens of other people.
It is not just a fantasy film franchise for children but a vast achievement in storytelling, technical prowess, and the coming-of-age story that was expertly crafted for over a decade with a great deal of respect to the novels with all of its complexities & nuances.
Please browse through past entries and the archives ( though half of December is missing). The entry about the WAFCA winners had many debates and discussions about this. There have been many posts discussing the actual merits of the film franchise and you know perfectly well there have been much stronger arguments that what you have cited in your post. I am tired of the anti-campaigning that people keep trying to ignite repeatedly. I haven’t seen this reaction for any other film this year to such an extreme extent. Ten years of well-made iconic films that have had critical acclaim and have mastered a legacy with the strong aspects of film-making and a cast of a high pedigree should not be rejected. It has just as much merit as LOR, Avatar, Hugo, and I personally feel much more so than The Artist.
Yeah, you know this year is not a great one when it comes to good movies (I know, there are several to choose from) when Fast Five is making Top 10s AND HP:8 is seriously being considered an Oscar film. And so far, the most consistent argument is “honor the franchise.” Arguments like “there are many friends who will vote for it” doesn’t really do anything for me (it may be true, but let’s talk about the merit of the film).
I need to hear better reasons why HP8 is considered worthy. I don’t PERSONALLY agree with Drive being one of the best films of the year, but I appreciate how well made it is and the bold choices it made. I get it. But with HP8, it doesn’t make sense to me. Someone explain.
No love for Emma Watson? She’s looking to have a good career herself. I’m looking forward to Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Well, I couldn’t find a bus, but while I was out I was thinking that my remark earlier was a bit much and I apologize if anyone took offense. I had visions of Armageddon and overreacted and didn’t mean to insult anybody (Fincher-haters or drag queens).
But I must say one thing – Fast Five? – Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson? – really? Out of all the films released this year? Wow – did not see that coming.
I think there are many members of the Academy (especially those in the technical branches) who will vote for this film.
Best Picture nomination? Assured!
I also think the jauggernaut Weinstein machine will start pushing “Coriolanus” into the fracas once it has been released nationally.
It could be a dark horse in some categories.
Spielberg has just been on the cover so I doubt War Horse will be.
Dragon Tattoo was the cover of the Movie Preview issue just a couple of weeks ago.
I could see a cover with Clooney and Pitt both, but I think The Artist is going to make it on the cover.
Radcliffe may not be a very good actor, but several of the Harry Potter films are very good. Some have been significantly better than Best Picture-nominated films from their respective years.
We always talk about the British vote. HP could benefit from this, and for general goodwill for the franchise from more generous or daring voters. Sure, Sorcerer’s Stone was nominated for the PGA, remember? If BAFTA show Deathly Hallows Part 2 some serious love, it could be a sign of things to come with Oscar.
I’m sorry, but the Harry Potter films would have made this money with any kid in the lead. Daniel Radcliffe is not a good actor! (Though he seems like a lovely guy, actually) IMHO
HA! I love the Travers reference in the first line. Brilliant, brilliant Sasha.
Yuck! Why not just give it to twilight???
Radcliffe is probably the worst actor in the Potter series along with the girl who plays Ginny.
Say what you want about the series, but Daniel Radcliffe is one of the good eggs. Glad that with his fame and wealth, he still seems relatively humble and ever hardworking. Hoping for the best for him now that Harry Potter is done.
Well Potter could make it in on the friendship vote. You know there are tons of Academy members who don’t even watch the movies and just vote for their friends. The number of people who worked on HP who are either in or connected to the Academy is probably large. We should take that into account.
My god, Fast Five makes two “best” lists, Ryan getting attacked by drag queen Fincher-haters, now this. Excuse me, but I have to throw myself under a bus.
Well good for him. He made the successful transition to grown up Broadway actor. And he sailed the HP ship in to dock quite nicely. 🙂 I love that cover too. It’s a keeper.