Hatrack River Forum: Oscars - what were they thinking?

This is topic Oscars - what were they thinking? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :

Actually, I just wanted to open up discussion on the Oscars that didn't revolve around a caps-lock debate.

So, yeah. How about my guilty Classics pleasure getting a costume nod? I'd much prefer the lack-of-costume nomination, but I suppose even people who cover up beautiful men deserve credit somewhere.

And I'm very pleased at the nods for Eternal Sunshine - the Best Actress was unexpected.

Predictions?

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

I hear that Neverland got several nominations. I have not seen it, but a fellow co-worker says I should..

Farmgirl

Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :

I loved Neverland. As a result of Hatrack, I'm annoyed that Million Dollar Baby got so many.

I have seen almost none of the other movies nominated, except for the fabulous Eternal Sunshine. I need to fix that.

I'm sad that Jim Carrey wasn't nominated for Eternal Sunshine. They are never going to forgive him for Ace Ventura, are they? He deserved to be - he did an outstanding, incredible job in that movie.

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

Carrey was very good, but this year was a pretty tough field. There's a strong case for him (probably replacing Depp), but it's not like there's any real question of who will win. Foxx has this one sewn up.

Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :

I need to see Ray. I heard he practically channeled Ray Charles in a role where he couldn't use his eyes. I hope it's also a good movie.

Yeah, it's a tough field. I wouldn't take Johnny Depp, and I didn't see the other movies so I shouldn't vote. Still, Carrey was amazing. I was more than half in love with him myself by the end of the movie; at least, I would have been if I hadn't dated someone exactly like that once. Unlike Clem, I had no desire to repeat the experience.

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

kat, Ray is incredible. If Jamie Foxx doesn't win the Oscar, he will have been robbed, IMO. 'course, I haven't yet seen any of the other films on the Best Actor list, but still... [Smile]

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

Well of course you were in love with him, you were seeing him through the distorted lense of his own memories, can you get closer to the first person in a movie [Razz]

I actually haven't seen all of the movies nominated either, I hadn't even heard of Hotel Rwanda until now. So, in that sense, maybe I shouldn't be voting either [Wink]

But yes, you must go and see Ray. And don't buy the large pop, the movie is 2 1/2 hours long and a large pop is larger than the average human's bladder. You won't be able to make it through the film [Wink]

Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :

*laugh* I'll keep that in mind. [Smile]

Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :

It's a good thing we never dated kat, because I am totally like that character. [Wink]

And my husband is not unlike Clementine. Once you get to know him.

Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :

I think part of the reason I loved that movie so much is that I've been both characters. I've been the mainstream, fairly-boring, adrift person who fell in love with someone who seemed to me to be exciting and adventurous and full of theories and life, and I've been Clem - the savior girl who opened up the world of somebody but then couldn't take the constant pressure of having to be fascinating. I just loved that movie for showing why both roles are so appealing, but unlike the characters, I wouldn't repeat either experience.

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

Wow. I guess I don't consume enough popular culture. I've only seen three of the movies nominated for anything -- Incredibles, Shreck 2, and Harry Potter.

Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :

quote:
but then couldn't take the constant pressure of having to be fascinating.

Amen. This has been a problem for me before... since I am usually an "up," happy, funny person I've been in situations where people expect me to be that way all the time, and don't understand that everyone is going to have their down times, or quiet times. And in a relationship, you can't be "on" all the time. It just doesn't work that way. And I've felt pressure to do so, and ended up resenting the person because of it.

Obviously, communication is important in situations like this, but sometimes you're just talking past each other and no matter how much you realize it you can't get past it.

Um, yeah. I liked Neverland. Haven't seen Eternal Sunshine. Maybe I will.

Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :

ElJay, you'll love it. [Smile]

It was painful with recognition. Just like great art should be.

Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :

Well let's see how Eternal Sunshine fits into the Starship Enterprise Personality Rubric(TM). Clem is definitely the Kirk/Riker/Neelix. I can't remember the Jim Carrey character's name. But he was more Picard/everyone on DS9/Chakotay. Sort of a Spock character, in one of the (surprisingly frequent) episodes where he has emotions. So who are Patrick and Mary?

Posted by whiskysunrise (Member # 6819) on :

I've seen 5 movies that have been nominated Harry Potter, Incredibles, Spiderman 2, Shrek 2, and I, Robot. Some of the movies I had never heard of.

Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :

I have Eternal Sunshine on DVD, ElJay. We can watch it together if you'd like.

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

I noticed a couple nominations for The Passion, somehow though it doesn't really seem appropriate, giving The Passion an award for makeup... I don't know. I wonder what Mel Gibson will do about it. Probably just accept it and move on with his life, huh? [Dont Know]

Eternal Sunshine was unexpected for best actress indeed! Personally though I think the important award for that film is orginal screenplay.

Hobbes [Smile]

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

Ohh, and it's interesting to note that Mr. Foxx has two nominations, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor (the latter for COLLATERAL).

Hobbes [Smile]

Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :

Cool, I3. I note that you wisely don't offer to loan it to me. [Big Grin]

Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :

I will lose all faith in the system if Incredibles doesn't win for animated feature. :/

And also, since when is "Accidentally In Love" a good enough song to win an Oscar!?

And I think "Million Dollar Baby" might just be there to pad it out, like The Last Samurai was. It probably won't win anything.

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

Sadly Ryuko, I think Fiding Neverland is playing that role this year: the film, the director, Johnny Depp and the score now hold Golden Globe, Bafta and Oscar nominations, and it has not yet won anything.

Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :

quote:
Cool, I3. I note that you wisely don't offer to loan it to me.

Well, uh, yeah. Hehe. You have had Magnolia for a while.

I always am looking for more excuses to get together with my friends, too. [Smile]

[Edit: Splelnig]

[ January 25, 2005, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: Intelligence3 ]

Posted by the_Somalian (Member # 6688) on :

Count on Scorsese winning the Oscar this time.

Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :

Nope, I think Clint Eastwood'll win Director. The Academy has a tradition of giving cumulative Oscars, and with his duo of Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, he's got a very very real chance at it. Scorcese... well... he's just got cruddy luck.

Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :

Didn't OSC use best makeup as a hypothetical crap Oscar that The Passion might get?

Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :

Teshi, I totally agree with you about Neverland being the padding nomination. I'm sad about that, it's such a moving and beautiful piece of work. It can't stand up to the glitz and 'message' of the others. Just like Jonny Depp's fantastic and understated performance can't stand up to the "yowza!" transformation that Foxx had to go through for Ray. I'm not saying that Foxx doesn't deserve it, think he's fabulous, but I don't think he's the better actor. [Frown]

It's just the roles and films and stories, stacked up next to each other...and some just attract more attention than others do. (I feel the same way about Kate Winslet's performance...I don't think she'll win, but wow. What an actress. She's consistently dynamite.)

The Academy has done well with the best score nominations and wins in the past and I"m happy to see both James Newton Howard on the list for "The Village" and Thomas Newman for "Series of Unfortunate Events." Two, amazing scores that perfectly catch the spirit of their respective films.

Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :

I really want Johnny Depp to win just this one time. He has never won and oscar ever and that is unfair.

Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :

Finding Neverland was a great movie and I hope it gets as many oscars as it can hold. I really want Depp to get one, seeing as how he was gypped last year for PotC.

I haven't seen Ray, but everyone I know (and some I don't) say it's a deeply awesome movie. I'm afraid that if I see it before the Academy Awards, it'll sway my loyalties for Best Actor.

[ January 25, 2005, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: sarcasticmuppet ]

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

Ray was completely amazing, both from an informational standpoint....I had no idea who Ray Charles was before seeing that, beyond that old blind guy behind the piano....and from an acting standpoint.

He looked more Ray Charles then Ray Charles did.
[Big Grin]

Kwea

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

quote:
I really want Johnny Depp to win just this one time. He has never won and oscar ever and that is unfair.

The thing with JD is that every movie he makes exemplifies great acting. How to choose which one(s) deserve/s an award?

I also want to see him get an Award for something truly stunning. PotC I think was stunning, Finding Neverland was great, but not mindblowing.

Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :

I haven't been around, so I haven't seen the Million Dollar Baby thread. However, I thought it was a decidedly mediocre effort. Eternal Sunshine, in my opinion, was should be in its place. It's Almost Famous all over again.

I wonder where Boundin' is. Maybe they didn't submit it because they thought they wouldn't get both Animated Feature and Short Film (Animated).

Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :

Give him an award for everything. JD doesn't get any props and that isn't fair. He's my favourite.

Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :

The awards according to Nathan (a dude who likes movies, but hasn't seen every one nominated)

Best Actor:

Who Will Win: Jamie Foxx.

Phenomenal Job. With the exception of Hotel Rwanda, I've seen the other movies, and while Depp and DiCaprio put up a decent fight for the title, Foxx's preformance demands the award.

Animated film:

Who will win: Hard to say.

It's very possible Shrek 2 might win this, however The Incredibles is infinately better.

Directing:

Scorcese.

Make up:

Passion of the Christ

Music:

Finding Neverland.

Best Picture:

I want Finding Neverland to, but I doubt it will. For me it was the best picture, but the award is going to go to The Aviator.

Visual Effects:

Spiderman 2

Writing (adapted screenplay):

Sideways

Writing (original):

I'd like to see Eternal Sunshine get this, but it will probably go to Aviator.

Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :

Sadly, being nominated in both categories could mean no Oscar.

Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :

Best Picture might go to Sideways, Nathan. It's at the top of quite a few critics' lists this year.

I still think it should go to Eternal Sunshine.

[ January 26, 2005, 01:02 AM: Message edited by: narrativium ]

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Did anyone catch Foxx's Golden Globe acceptance speech? It was all like 'Yeah, boyeeee. A big shout-out to my homey, blah, blah, blah.' I mean, jebus, man, represent a little better, k?

Posted by Lady Jane (Member # 7249) on :

quote:
For her part, Staunton measured her delight by saying, ''On a scale of one to a million, it's nearer the latter.'' Asked if the Oscar nomination for Best Actress would change her life, the petite 49-year-old said, ''Oh yes, I won't be doing any cooking. I'm going to get servants and slaves, and I'm going to get very tall. That's my ambition.''

Heh. That's Imelda Staunton's reaction to being nominated for Vera Drake.

Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :

[ROFL]

I like that woman already. Now I guess I have to go see Vera Drake.