And the Nominees Are...

[itf cho]

snip

Well... actually the initial thrust of my original post has been lost. It's not that Expendables is better Scott Pilgrim. Like I said, I didn't bother to see either -- incidentally, it was Bob's review of Scott Pilgrim that convinced me not to bother to see it.

The Expendables only really enter into it, because Bob spent a lot of his review of that movie lambasting the viewing public that chose to see it, instead of Pilgrim. That doesn't make it a better film - just a more popular one.

But my original post was simply to say... Bob, it's a new year now. Seriously, it's time to give up the whining about Scott Pilgrim.

Jumping into this fray, I'd like to defend Bob's attention to Pilgrim by saying that, despite not being a perfect movie or (admittedly itf cho) a popular movie, it was an important movie. Future audiences, for action movies particularly, will become used to seeing faster cuts, comic book and video game iconography, unapologetic graphical embellishments and other flourishes that, either poorly or (for the most part) well, were tried first in Pilgrim. The people, including Bob, who are pumping this film up are both acknowledging the likely upcoming shift in the zeitgeist and, as fans, encouraging studios to start getting behind this trend sooner rather than later. I don't think of this as "whining"; it's active advocacy of the medium.

No arguments that Pilgrim could help expand the content that is brought to movies, and could affect stylistic choices as you mention. But you have to acknowledge that Bob's whining - indeed rant - right after Expendables trashed it at the box office was taken to ridiculous lengths.

 

[sosolidshoe]

-le snip-

Thank you for taking the time to respond Bob.

Regarding "Oscar Bait", my aim was to point out that, as far as I'm concerned, a film being "Oscar Bait", or marketed as such, has no bearing on whether or not it's a good film.

As far as your other comments, I believe this stems from a difference in the way we view movies. You appear to place great value on novelty in technique, which is understandable considering the amount of films you watch. Personally, I don't care, I watch the film and judge it by how much it managed to capture my attention throughout, and whether I found the story itself moving or at least interesting.

The reason I like The King's Speech more than TSN is, well, it's a better story, to my mind. I don't care that it doesn't break out of "Historical Biopic 101" because I generally don't watch biopics, as I find the stories of most celebrities and historical figures to actually be pretty dull, when you get right into them.

Finally, I wasn't actually taking a shot at you regarding TSN, that was the other chappy. I was taking a shot at YOU for liking Scott Pilgrim

 

[Jordi]

Is it just me, or does it seem like the committee watched only 10 movies last year, nominated them all for best picture and then decided that every other nominee for every other Oscar needed to be from one of those movies? I mean, I get that a good movie probably has good directing and actors and stuff (or it wouldn't be good), but it just seems a little absurd looking at this list.

 

[LogicNProportion]

...I think I'll mail Daft Punk my own, home-brewed awards considering the Academy seems to like being such douche-bags to talent. While they won't have any merit, perhaps it'll show them that we love them so.

Otherwise, good list. The lack of Tron and Scott Pilgrim makes my balls hurt...

 

[SCAFC Chimp]

Took one look at the trailer for TKS, and saw it as Oscar bait. Havent seen it, dont plan to. I hope Inception wins Best Pic, but it doesn't look likely. Or Toy Story 3, because almost every fan of Toy Story in general welled up.
Lack of Edgar Wright is painful. Is no one else annoyed at the lack of Inception actors nominated?

 

[2fish]

IT'S A REPUBLICAN!

GENTLEMEN, FFIIIIIRE!

Me no like King's Speech = Republican?

Sorry, good sir, this right here is one Democratic mothafucka.

EDIT: And would a republican have thought that Black Swan was a great movie? Didn't think so

A Republican could like Black Swan

A social Conservative probably wouldn't

Also if Portman doesn't win for Black Swan I am going to summon the internets to rage about it.

(sorry but your conversation was a great starting point for my pointless emotions)

 

[MB202]

I was so excited to hear that Inception and Toy Story 3 were nominated, but this one person I know felt that Toy Story 3 should just stick with other animated movies and no be nominated for best picture at all. Her reasoning is that you can express and/or convey a number of different expressions and emotions through animation that you can't with real-life actors, and I guess that makes sense, but I just feel that, if the movie is good and worthy of best picture, then it doesn't matter if it's animated or not, it should be nominated, and even win if it's good enough.

...Although it looks like, despite the nomination, Toy Story 3 won't win best picture, obviously. Oh well, it was my favorite movie of the year.

 

[ObsessiveSketch]

Tron gets snubbed in every category they had a shot in? ESPECIALLY score?! Nolan gets no nod for Inception; what the crap, Academy?!

 

[Squarez]

And may this be the last time we have to hear Bob lament over Scott Pilgrim. For crying out loud, Marmaduke made more money than that clunker. It was way too much of niche movie to ever have any real success.

So, Bob... get past it, and move on. Thank you.

Ticket sales = how good the movie is. Logic.

 

[Jaranja]

I dont think CHristopher Nolan deserved Best Director. The movie lacked ay real emotion and i dont remember a lot of character development, just a ton of cool shots and ideas.

You see, to me, I thought that was the point. I thought they didn't develop any characters other than Cobb because it wanted you to wonder if the whole thing was a dream or not. If none of the characters had depth, they could've well been projections.

Just my thoughts on the issue.

 

[DSQ]

Just to put in a word for The Illusionist if it wins (which it won't) it would deserve it. It was a brilliant film with a touching story and perfect animated depiction of Edinburgh. Y'know that pawn shop in the film with the ventriloquist dummy in the window. That is a real shop that is still in edinburgh. Apart from maybe The Prime of Miss Jean Broide, i have never seen a more faithful showing of edinburgh. And yes i am from edinburgh. I saw the premiare of The Illusionist at the edinburgh film festival.

You should con the Escapist in to letting you cover EIFF, it is really good. Okay maybe not as good as Sundance (i love skiing and inde movies that won't even get DVD distrabution) but it' pretty close.

Also it is sad to see people dismiss TKS as Oscar bait, as much as the marketing is for the Oscar the film is good on it's own terms without being made for an award...... :\

Now 500 Days of Summer, THAT was Oscar bait (not that it got any). Such a pretentious movie......

 

[eljawa]

I dont think CHristopher Nolan deserved Best Director. The movie lacked ay real emotion and i dont remember a lot of character development, just a ton of cool shots and ideas.

You see, to me, I thought that was the point. I thought they didn't develop any characters other than Cobb because it wanted you to wonder if the whole thing was a dream or not. If none of the characters had depth, they could've well been projections.

Just my thoughts on the issue.

Even cobb though...I mean, i dislike Dicaprio anyways so maybe im prejudice, but he was essentially a flat character

 

[Zing]

I have to agree on The King's Speech, the thing that drives it to be an exceptional movie is the performances. Firth and Rush(who is Australian by the way) carry the movie entirely, and I did get teary-eyed at the end. However, I can see that movie it's self was pretty formulaic(I want to say predictable, but that just seems stupid considering that it is a biopic).

Colin Firth is basically a lock, but Geoffrey Rush was the best part of the movie for me. I really didn't believe there was a better performance by a supporting actor this year, but then again I haven't seen The Fighter yet, maybe I will put aside my distaste for cheesy rags-to-riches/overcoming the odds boxing stories if Bale is that good..

Also there is no way you can even suggest Chloe Moretz delivered a performance on the same level as Hailee Steinfeld, who managed to carry a movie with Jeff fucking Bridges(who was also brilliant).

edit: also the social network/fincher should win picture/director imo.

 

[Jaranja]

I dont think CHristopher Nolan deserved Best Director. The movie lacked ay real emotion and i dont remember a lot of character development, just a ton of cool shots and ideas.

You see, to me, I thought that was the point. I thought they didn't develop any characters other than Cobb because it wanted you to wonder if the whole thing was a dream or not. If none of the characters had depth, they could've well been projections.

Just my thoughts on the issue.

Even cobb though...I mean, i dislike Dicaprio anyways so maybe im prejudice, but he was essentially a flat character

I didn't find that to be the case. Why dislike Dicaprio? He was good in Departed and Shutter Island.

 

[cerebus23]

Does anyone give a rats ass about what the oscars do anymore? The oscars are as politically motivated and commercially twisted as out and out politics. Often the bestr does not win or is snubbed even for a nomination if it is too edgy and daring, aka hit girl this year being left out, pulp fiction losing to fing forest gump.

Oscars are a waste of time and energy to devote even a single article to it less your going to flame it for all that is wrong with it.

 

[eljawa]

I dont think CHristopher Nolan deserved Best Director. The movie lacked ay real emotion and i dont remember a lot of character development, just a ton of cool shots and ideas.

You see, to me, I thought that was the point. I thought they didn't develop any characters other than Cobb because it wanted you to wonder if the whole thing was a dream or not. If none of the characters had depth, they could've well been projections.

Just my thoughts on the issue.

Even cobb though...I mean, i dislike Dicaprio anyways so maybe im prejudice, but he was essentially a flat character

I didn't find that to be the case. Why dislike Dicaprio? He was good in Departed and Shutter Island.

he was good in the departed...but i feel that was an anomoly. somethign in his voice...idk

i didnt feel him to have a ton of depth in his character, idk

Does anyone give a rats ass about what the oscars do anymore? The oscars are as politically motivated and commercially twisted as out and out politics. Often the bestr does not win or is snubbed even for a nomination if it is too edgy and daring, aka hit girl this year being left out, pulp fiction losing to fing forest gump.

Oscars are a waste of time and energy to devote even a single article to it less your going to flame it for all that is wrong with it.

held in higher regard than any other award in USA for film. and if you dont care, isnt it counterproductive to post azbout it? lol

 

[FROGGEman2]

Maybe it's because I'm Australian and patriotic 'n' shit, but Jacki Weaver hooray.

Animal Kingdom was fucking great, and Jacki just dominated that film. She was awesome.

A high recommendation on my part.

Also, what was that you said about Splice being nominated, Bob? olololololololo

EDIT: Oh Escapist, how the great have fallen. The amount of hurrdurr in these comments is off the charts.

(PRESUMABLY MY OPINION BUT I WILL NOT WRITE "imo" BECAUSE IT LOOKS SILLY)

 

[Moeez]

Really enjoyed your insight in the article, never knew that the Awards were just damage control for celebs.

It won't be worth watching the Oscars, because you're always going to be disappointed, and there's always that audience/Academy disconnect. I'll give it to the movies, 127 Hours and Black Swan were really great to look at from art direction compared to the other Oscar Bait movies.

 

[Hatchet90]

The King's Speech or The Social Network are the major contenders at this year's Oscars. Pick your poison, both were excellent movies well deserving of the Best Picture Oscar.

What I Think Should Win: (Even though it won't)
1. Black Swan
2. 127 Hours
3. Inception
4. The Social Network
5. The King's Speech
6. True Grit
7. Toy Story 3
8. The Fighter
9. Winter's Bone
10. The Kids Are All Right

If you must know, my money is on The King's Speech.

 

[PlasmaCow]

I am literally stunned that Tron Legacy got precisely zero nominations. It's just ludicrous.

Actually, it got one nomination, for sound editing. I don't see why this is so ludicrous anyways. Besides decent special effects what category should it be nominated in?

None of the actors really stood out, the screen play was pretty sloppy, the direction was terrible (tons of quick cuts and close ups, give me a light cycle fight with a wide angle where you can see all the action) and the movie itself was moderately entertaining.


EDIT: It did deserve a soundtrack nomination. That I am upset about.

Well, like you say, soundtrack, but not just that. It was more than deserving of being at least shortlisted for costume design, production design and special effects. I never had any expectations of it getting into best movie/writing/director/actor type categories, I agree it is an enjoyable movie, made visually and audioally (what would be the real word to use there?) stunning by the production design and Daft Punks amazing soundtrack.