OSCARS 2013

Here's a preview of what we can expect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=_BdiS_WmAM4

all your EW charts and Jeff Wells blog summaries go here

Morbs was especially excited for me to share this one:

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/11/16/oscar-race-prize-fighter-lincoln-argo-silver-linings-life-of-pi/

Kris Tapley keeps murmuring about Jessica Chastain inevitably assuming the front-runner position once people see 0D30.

There's a major vacuum at the top of that category, so if she's even remotely good, she'll be a frontrunner.

I have to say, I don't completely understand how Beasts of the Southern Wild is an Oscar contender. I haven't seen it yet, but it just seems so far removed from Hollywood. It reminds me of something like George Washington: tiny budget, no-name cast w/kids in big roles, regional color, critical acclaim. Is the difference between the two simply that Beasts is a Fox Searchlight release? (NB: I'm not saying I don't think it deserves its buzz; I just wouldn't have predicted it.)

Haven't forced myself to watch it yet, either, but I'm guessing it's closer to Slumdog Millionaire than George Washington?

OK, that's a useful analogy, but still: Danny Boyle.

George Washington had limited release + budget of 42,000
Beasts had a pretty wide release, huge Sundance buzz, budget of over a million, (almost 2 it looks like)--seemed like an Oscar lock from the get-go

excuse me, seemed like a lock for contention

Also seems like a functional amalgamation of elements that, in isolation, were too specific for Oscar voters but in this combination (When the Levees Broke + George Washington + Where the Wild Things Are + I dunno Pedro Costa?) work.

I hadn't realized it played in 300+ theatres. So that makes a bit more sense. The only other films to have as big (or bigger) of a release and a Metascore of 85+ are Lincoln, Argo, and The Master.

Ebert always throws a weird film or two that nobody else is discussing into his Oscar predix. This time he's musing on the prospect of End of Watch for Picture and Richard Gere (in Arbitrage) for Actor.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2012/11/and_the_nominees_are.html

BOTSW got wide release in South Florida (I saw it at a multiplex, packed screening) in July, which we don't see often for "small" films.

Among the contenders I have seen, the most warmly-loved by moviegoers seems to be Ang Lee's "Life of Pi." In many seasons as a critic, I can't remember a film more universally applauded. I wrote a blog entry about it, and my often dubious readers embraced it all but unanimously.

this looked like a piece of shit

I watched it. SOOOOOOOO much god stuff.

gere was widely liked in 'trage wasnt he?

i was already sick of Life o pi after having to endure the trailer/commercials 9001 times. no way am i seeing that

There are tons of animals in it, and as a cuteoverloadist that helped me make it through

The trailer reminded me of

http://images.mylot.com/userImages/images/postphotos/509246.jpg

gere was widely liked in 'trage wasnt he?

Yeah, he got good notices for sure, but he's not getting a nomination over Day-Lewis, Phoenix, Washington, Hawkes, Jackman, and Cooper unless he starts winning crix awards.

Kind of feel like Life of Pi has the Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close slot sewn up.

haha yeah

I don't remember thinking Extremely...Close would've been improved much by smoking up beforehand.

A supporting nod could go to William H. Macy, as his parish priest.

This ... is almost boring enough to actually happen.

god is bradley cooper really gonna get a nom

Maybe. I don't think Phoenix is nearly the lock everyone else does.

he's gotta get a nom nom nom

Yes. He's fat.

Kind of feel like Life of Pi has the Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close slot sewn up.

― Sax Blatterday (jaymc), Tuesday, November 27, 2012 11:12 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark

Wait for The Impossible

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 85th Academy Awards®.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

“The Amazing Spider-Man”
“Cloud Atlas”
“The Dark Knight Rises”
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
“John Carter”
“Life of Pi”
“Marvel’s The Avengers”
“Prometheus”
“Skyfall”
“Snow White and the Huntsman”

Figured The Impossible would get in there a la Hereafter.

guessing life of pi will win that one (haven't seen it but the teaser was impressive)

In my opinion the best visual effects are those that you don't notice, and Life of Pi had several effects that looked pretty bad to me. Would go with Prometheus or Skyfall or TDKR or Avengers over it.

Whatever blocks The Hobbit.

s'alright
s'alright

is samsara not going to get any noms

104 eligible Original Scores (nix to Moonrise Kingdom)

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/academy-reveals-104-eligible-original-scores-for-2012-oscar-race

http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/rules/reminderlist.html

"Lawless," Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, composers

Oh and

West of Memphis," Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, composers

Foreign Shortlist:

Austria, "Amour," Michael Haneke, director
Canada, "War Witch," Kim Nguyen, director
Chile, "No," Pablo Larraín, director
Denmark, "A Royal Affair," Nikolaj Arcel, director
France, "The Intouchables," Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, directors
Iceland, "The Deep," Baltasar Kormákur, director
Norway, "Kon-Tiki," Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, directors
Romania, "Beyond the Hills," Cristian Mungiu, director
Switzerland, "Sister," Ursula Meier, director

wow i've been saying for years someone should do a film about the Kon-Tiki-- is it playing in the US anywhere?

It has to!

no info on imdb

looks like a US release is planned for sometime next year

http://www.deadline.com/2012/11/weinstein-company-acquires-rights-to-kon-tiki/

e-voting broken lolz

http://www.salon.com/2013/01/02/concerns_over_e_voting_push_oscar_nomination_deadline_back_by_24_hours/

Yeah, I've got my fingers crossed that the computerized system leads to more than a few octogenarian voters begging off voting this year.

I thought you wanted Lincoln to win? despite your sight-unseen love for my least fave Amerikan propaganda vessel.

The oldies can submit paper ballots.

at first I was like "gimme a break Downey" but God, Krishnan is such a terrible fucking interviewer.