Balloon Up Front
I've decided to double-post the Oscar Balloon -- it's on the main page (ten items down from the top) as well as on its own page. Somehow it got un-designed as a result of the server switchover so it has no tint or flair or anything -- it looks awful right now. (But it'll be fixed this weekend. I hope.)
I've tried to prune out the stragglers and the good-but-not-good-enoughers. Josh Brolin's lead performance in W. is the the latest surge in the Best Actor category. Unless reports come in to the contrary, experience has taught me that anything to do with Ed Zwick (such as Defiance) is a non-starter. I think Angelina Jolie is looking good for Best Actress in Changeling, but I'm not so sure about the film or director Clint Eastwood in their respective categories. I obviously have some work to do on the Best Foreign Feature front.
Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 26, 2008 at 9:14 AM
comment #1
MartinBlank
says ...
Best Actor: Ben Burtt, WALL•E.
Seriously, the man broke my heart using, what, two or three words? Hell of a performance.
Posted by MartinBlank
at September 26, 2008 9:35 AM
comment #2
raygo
says ...
Wow, it looks like an impressive list so far. Seems more competitive and wide open than last year. I would hate to see some of them knocked out to get to the final five. Nice job.
Posted by raygo
at September 26, 2008 9:37 AM
comment #3
dixiedugan
says ...
Documentary - Shine A Light.
Posted by dixiedugan
at September 26, 2008 9:39 AM
comment #4
MikeSchaeferSF
says ...
How to Lose Friends... for Adapted Screenplay? really? Have you seen the trailer? I love Pegg, but it looks pretty low-rent to me.
Posted by MikeSchaeferSF
at September 26, 2008 9:49 AM
comment #5
LDKA0186
says ...
"How to Lose Friends... for Adapted Screenplay? really? Have you seen the trailer? I love Pegg, but it looks pretty low-rent to me."
You forget you're talking about a prediction from the "Lewis Black of Oscar Bloggers." Nonsensical, thoroughly unresearched claims like that are his bread and butter.
Posted by LDKA0186
at September 26, 2008 10:06 AM
comment #6
hcat
says ...
I'd put Amy Adams in the supporting actress bubble. If not for Doubt than for Ms. Pettigrew.
Posted by hcat
at September 26, 2008 10:08 AM
comment #7
actionman
says ...
I will jump for joy if The Fall gets a cinematography nomination. It deserves the win, but I could see it getting zero recognition.
I think it's the best film I have seen all year. Easily.
Posted by actionman
at September 26, 2008 10:34 AM
comment #8
scooterzz
says ...
w screens tomorrow so i guess we'll start hearing comments this week-end
Posted by scooterzz
at September 26, 2008 10:53 AM
comment #9
scooterzz
says ...
btw - saw 'body of lies' last night and dicaprio should pin his oscar hopes on 'revolutionary road' because i really doubt he'll get a nod for the scott film...
Posted by scooterzz
at September 26, 2008 10:57 AM
comment #10
dixiedugan
says ...
I'm with you Actionman - The Fall is in my top five for the year. Placement yet to be decided. I would hope that it will get some technical award nominations.
Posted by dixiedugan
at September 26, 2008 11:03 AM
comment #11
JohnCope
says ...
"I think it's the best film I have seen all year. Easily."
Wow. Why? I'll grant you that it's gorgeous but I could have given a shit less about anything that was happening on screen (at least in respect to its ultimate "meaning").
Posted by JohnCope
at September 26, 2008 11:16 AM
comment #12
actionman
says ...
scooterzz -- I am very anxious to see Body of Lies. Doesn't sound like you enjoyed it...what's the deal?
Posted by actionman
at September 26, 2008 11:17 AM
comment #13
actionman
says ...
JohnCope:
I was immediately swept up by the visuals and the narrative. I loved the little girl. Her performance was staggering. Tarsem has a visual sophistication that is second to none. I loved every single moment of the film. I thought it was sad, funny, exciting, and above all else -- fucking gorgeous. It bothers me that nobody has seen this film and that it will get completely overlooked at year's end. I loved how the film was telling multiple stories and how everything blended into one cohesive whole. I found it to be a singularly mesmerizing movie-going experience. Here's a link to my review if you care to read it:
http://actionman-nickspix.blogspot.com/2008/06/review-fall.html
Posted by actionman
at September 26, 2008 11:26 AM
comment #14
scooterzz
says ...
a few great scenes, a couple of wonderful performances but, on the whole, i was a little disappointed..... thought dicaprio wrong for the role (looked like a 14-year-old trying to grow a beard)...
that said, this might be the first 'sand' movie to make some scratch......
but, action, i've noticed that you and i don't usually share the same opinion so you might dig it.....
Posted by scooterzz
at September 26, 2008 11:31 AM
comment #15
deadre
says ...
And Seven Pounds is there because??? Will Smith for best actor? Gabrielle Muccino best director? Word of mouth must be great from the test screenings or this is there because Sony told you to put it there? Just an automatic pick because you love will smith?
Posted by deadre
at September 26, 2008 12:08 PM
comment #16
arturobandini2
says ...
I guess it's a long long shot, but I'd love to see Cesar-winner Francois Cluzet get some Oscar love for TELL NO ONE. His emotional collapse at the end is astonishing, following two hours of masterful restraint. The craftmanship is even more impressive on the second viewing.
Posted by arturobandini2
at September 26, 2008 1:44 PM
comment #17
drbob
says ...
Cyrstyal Skull does not deserve any nominations let alone 2 for best special effects.
Posted by drbob
at September 26, 2008 2:06 PM
comment #18
dinovelvet
says ...
So a WW2/Holocaust/true story drama from Ed Zwick, who got major nominations for his last two films, is a non-starter, but a Mickey Rourke movie about wrestling is up for the big prizes?
Posted by dinovelvet
at September 26, 2008 2:14 PM