Oscar nominations for 2009 films

[tamizharasan]

Somehow not at all excited about this year's award shows. Vayasaana ippadithanoo?

same feelings

Like(Kamal) subramanya raju says in MMKR. Award dislikinga naan kooda romba romba award disliker. Dislike dislike same same.

[kid-glove]

I think this year's nominations give a good starting point to watch films. Even if some films might be missing.

As I said to Groucho, oscar, and any American award for that matter has been a bit underwhelming past decade.

The only time I was interested was PT Anderson vs Coens, TWBB vs NCFOM.

[AravindMano]

Foreign Language Film
“Ajami” Israel
“El Secreto de Sus Ojos” Argentina
“The Milk of Sorrow” Peru
“Un Prophète” France
“The White Ribbon” Germany

Are these films available for download? Could get the other three.

Ellaathaiyum paakka pOREn.

[anbu_kathir]

And it's perhaps a bit biographical with Jewish lineage, and in mid-western unnamed setting, reminiscent of their childhood. A lot more than say Barton Fink, which was a gothic representation of Jew protagonist confounding with "Hollywood studio system" to write a script, adapt into establishment. In fact, there are no life lessons to be taken at all by the protagonist in "A Serious man". It's like how the second rabbi in the philum would say "who cares?!", or maybe to some others, how the first rabbi would say "with the right perspective, you can see Hashem"

I thought it was a damn funny take on the Book of Job.

[kid-glove]

And it's perhaps a bit biographical with Jewish lineage, and in mid-western unnamed setting, reminiscent of their childhood. A lot more than say Barton Fink, which was a gothic representation of Jew protagonist confounding with "Hollywood studio system" to write a script, adapt into establishment. In fact, there are no life lessons to be taken at all by the protagonist in "A Serious man". It's like how the second rabbi in the philum would say "who cares?!", or maybe to some others, how the first rabbi would say "with the right perspective, you can see Hashem"

I thought it was a damn funny take on the Book of Job.

Partly. Interesting how the Coens set up that prologue as precursor for the unanswered, the crisis (of the protagonist) and the ending of the film. The opening Rashi quote "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." is a nice way to rub in to Larry. Besides, much unlike Book of Job, the film doesn't really bludgeon the audience into exegesis and call for life lessons, in fact it's quite opposite. Through both the Gopniks, it's a forewarning/spoof of sorts. OF course, like the contradicting foreword and closing of Fargo. "No Jews were harmed in the making of this movie" here is

It wasn't damn funny in a rigid sense. It wasn't all-out farce, and surely Coens aren't Marx Brothers or Woody allen, as exponents of farce. It has its funny moments through character's plight and conscious setting up by Coens. It's not screwball or gag humor either.

[kid-glove]

Foreign Language Film
“Ajami” Israel
“El Secreto de Sus Ojos” Argentina
“The Milk of Sorrow” Peru
“Un Prophète” France
“The White Ribbon” Germany

Are these films available for download? Could get the other three.

Ellaathaiyum paakka pOREn.

Isohunt

[AravindMano]

Thanks kid-glove

[kid-glove]

Having watched the nominated films, I'd like to predict the likely winners (my preference in italics or * if it coincides with my prediction):

Direction: Bigelow QT
Film: Avatar Inglorious basterds
Foreign: White Ribbon* (Prophet could be dark-horse)
Actors: Bridges*, Bullock, Waltz* and Monique*
Animated: Up*

Acting:
I don't know if it's just me, but "The Last Station" has some of the tedious acting done by Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer. As much as a fan I am, of DDL, I'd understand why he missed it for playing the Italian director in "Nine" (I also thought Cotillard deserved it better than Penelope). But for similar reasons, English theater legends trying to be highbrow Russian (literary) figures, is a FAIL !

And they are not alone in failing to play historical figures, Freeman gets the customary nod for playing himself (with "Gravitas" :P ), yet again. I'd rather have fresh faces like Sharlto Copley from District 9 or Peter Capaldi from "In the loop". The character, originally made for TV, is a cultural phenomenon in Britain, lot of positive improv done by Capaldi to the wonderful script, which btw was published by Iannucci, and comedy is much underrated in "Acting" categories.

Direction:
Reitman is fast becoming a lovechild to the academy. Not that I hated his film, or Clooney's performance. They are alright. But seeing personal favorites like Coen brothers would have lightened me up.

I don't think Lee Daniels is up there by merit. They basically picked an operatic melodrama, but it fails even at its manipulations. There might also be a case made on sexual orientation and race, as a cause for making the list. God bless him.

On a grand scale, I'm miffed at the negligence to truly cinematic genres. "District 9" is my favorite Sci-Fi film of the year, and it's not nominated in this category. A sci-fi franchise film revamped with great success, in "Star trek" ( I watched it after QT's recommend), is worth recognition. A modern times TV specialist (creator of "lost") J J Abrams does a truly great job. It lacked a formulaic mushy romance and a name like James Cameron to make the cut. But it deserves to be mentioned.

I'd also argue for cathartic horror movie that Von Trier managed to make in "Antichrist", and if reactions are to be believed, Sam Riami for "Drag me to hell" deserves recognition than Lee Daniels. Maybe in parallel universe.

Being in line with realities and understanding of Oscar, I'd assume Bigelow will win. James Cameron would just lose out to her. But come to think of it, JC's direction does possess an uniform vision, taste and perfection in what he sets out to do. It is somewhat groundbreaking in visual depth and providing a cinematic "ride", like a role-playing game does (in a positive sense). Bigelow's direction is alright. If you like her older films, "The hurt locker" seems methodical and less challenging (apart from going to Jordan and shoot it). The shaky handheld camera set up on different geographical spots, is nothing new. Handheld cameras serves the purpose of being up-close, shaky, always edging towards lose of control, going off any moment, embodying the very essence of "bombs". On the other hand, a diff kind of action choreography would have suited the calm and composed skill-set required to put on the suit. Now that would be a challenging proposition. And any way, action (in Scifi, horror, war, etc) is medium-defining. For all the brickbats, One's got to respect the academy to have evolved to this level, at least. Even if they got to do more IMO :P

Unpredictable award(s):
Writing (original): QT*Reitman
Writing (adapted): Iannucci*/Hornby ( British connection ! )

I wouldn't mind if Up, District 9 and A serious man won, but unlikely I think.

[kid-glove]

Best cinematography: Avatar The white ribbon
Best song: The Weary Kind*
Best score: Up* (IB's soundtrack is the best assorted, naturally. but don't think there's a category for it no more)

Avatar should win awards for technical excellence. Star trek, IB and District 9 are equally great in produced effect !

[anbu_kathir]

Best score: Up*

Haven't heard Up. On another note, whatever happened to Zimmer's Angels and Demons? They nominated his Sherlock Holmes (which I thought was a spin-off from the Dark Knight score). I enjoyed A&D much more than SH