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Oscar Nominations

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 08:26:25 AM EST
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Here they are. J will almost certainly have more thoughts on them. I have no thoughts on them.

This is an Open Thread.

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    Oscar Nominations | 53 comments (53 topical)

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    Mickey Rourke (5.00 / 0) (#1)
    by eric on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 08:30:51 AM EST
    should win best actor.

    Benjamin Button?

    Well (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by Steve M on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:03:08 AM EST
    You've read all about the designer of Michelle's dress, surely you want to know more about Aretha's hat!

    LOL... (5.00 / 3) (#8)
    by vml68 on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:48:09 AM EST
    that hat was over the top and I loved it!
    I swear that bow could have covered half of me...:-)

    Parent
    Little Egypt (none / 0) (#54)
    by weltec2 on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:52:26 PM EST
    Maybe that's the bow she wore.

    Parent
    Jeez... (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by desertswine on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:19:24 AM EST
    I haven't seen any of those movies. I need to get out more.

    Heh. (none / 0) (#6)
    by liminal on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:28:04 AM EST
    Me neither!

    Though, in my defense, I'm pretty sure that our local theater is running My Bloody Valentine 3-D on all sixteen screens and therefore has no room for any of these movies.

    Oh - wait!  Sorry.  It was Twilight on 8 screens, and the other one on the other 8.   Of the Best Picture nominees, only Benjamin Button played locally to date.  However, I just checked the schedule, and both Frost/Nixon AND Slumdog Millionaire open here Friday. I may have to go to the movies.

    Parent

    Go see Slumdog Millionaire. (none / 0) (#12)
    by Joelarama on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:56:48 AM EST
    It isn't perfect, but some moments are unforgettable.

    Parent
    Absolutely. (none / 0) (#43)
    by Crosby Kid on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 01:37:44 PM EST
    Cinematography was excellent.

    And I can't wait to see the on stage performance of Jai Ho for best song.

    Parent

    I've had Jai Ho practically (none / 0) (#44)
    by Joelarama on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 01:57:06 PM EST
    on a loop on the iPod since last week.

    Since I can't speak Hindi, I've even made up my own words, which I'm sure makes the people at the gym think I'm losing my marbles.

    Parent

    I'm sure... (none / 0) (#49)
    by Crosby Kid on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 02:37:14 PM EST
    it sounds no worse than the teen girls at Budokan singing along to Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me".

    How's that for encouragement?

    Parent

    Laziest nominations ever (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by abdiel on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:03:35 AM EST
    All of the films nominated for best picture were released in November or December and are still in theaters.  The same ten films got nominated for everything, which gives me the sneaking suspicion that this list was cast from a quick trip to the cinema last week.  

    Sorry, abdiel (none / 0) (#18)
    by Spamlet on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:14:04 AM EST
    Slip of the finger . . . meant to rate your comment a 5, not a 1. Good thing ratings don't matter anyway.

    Parent
    you can change the (none / 0) (#20)
    by eric on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:15:43 AM EST
    rating.

    Parent
    How? (none / 0) (#31)
    by cal1942 on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:57:55 AM EST
    Is it simply by entering a rating for the second time?

    Parent
    yep (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by eric on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:59:18 AM EST


    Parent
    Done--thanks n/t (none / 0) (#46)
    by Spamlet on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 02:21:18 PM EST


    Parent
    The trend (none / 0) (#19)
    by eric on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:15:06 AM EST
    has always been there, but this is the worst that I have seen it.  It has gotten to the point where, if you want the nomination, you have to release it this time of year.

    An interesting story - I heard a film critic on the radio explain this, and he got it totally backwards.  Instead of admitting that this practice is merely "trolling for Oscars", he said that all of the other movies are released at other times in the year because they couldn't compete with the "quality" movies.  As in, if you release a movie in July, you are admitting you can't compete with Benjamin Button.

    Parent

    Film talking heads (5.00 / 3) (#25)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:25:58 AM EST
    are about as silly as their political brethren. It is the fact that people like him will say things like 'they are releasing this in June because it can't compete in December' that contributes to that problem.
     

    Parent
    Short term memories! (none / 0) (#24)
    by mmc9431 on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:22:14 AM EST
    Too many American's suffer from this. Just look at history and politics!

    Parent
    Saving grace (s) (5.00 / 0) (#39)
    by shoephone on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 11:36:29 AM EST
    Richard Jenkins for the Visitor
    and
    Melissa Leo for Frozen River

    Frozen River was the most compelling movie I saw this last year and Melissa Leo deserves the award. I haven't seen Anjelina Jolie in the Changeling but I can say with certainty she does not belong on the list, not next to M. Leo's name.

    Frost Nixon was very good and Langella was exceptional! But I thought the movie itself was flawed (full disclosure: I'm not a big Ron Howard fan).

    Have yet to see Slumdog Millionaire -- maybe this weekend.

    Frozen River (none / 0) (#52)
    by sher on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 05:35:18 PM EST
    and Melissa Leo were outstanding!

    Parent
    I saw Rachel Getting Married (none / 0) (#2)
    by dk on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 08:57:39 AM EST
    over the weekend, and Anne Hathaway was great.  You'd never know she would have it in her to give a performance like that.

    She really was good (none / 0) (#26)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:29:58 AM EST
    So was Debra Winger - where's her nomination?

    i had my problems witht he movie as a whole, but I'm sorry to see those performances not mentioned.

    Parent

    I agree on Debra Winger! (none / 0) (#40)
    by Democratic Cat on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 11:46:00 AM EST
    What a beautiful, subtle performance.  She said all the right things that a loving mother would say to her daughters, but there was a look in her eyes that conveyed how dead she was inside. Simply fabulous work.

    Parent
    I'm glad the Best Director Noms (none / 0) (#3)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:02:31 AM EST
    sync up with the Best Picture noms. My world gets thrown into disarray when they don't.

    Not sure why Benj. Button is in there, but it sure shouldn't win.

    Brad Pitt nominated over Ralph Fiennes in 'The Duchess'? That's just wrong. But I'll be hoping for Sean Penn in any event.

    I love Kate Winslet, and I'm glad she only got the one nomination. No split voting!  Also frees up Best Supporting Actress for Penelope Cruz. However  loved Meryl Streep in 'Doubt', so I will be torn. I'll see 'The Reader' this weekend so I can make an informed decision ;-)  Like it matters.

    Best picture (none / 0) (#7)
    by Spamlet on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:44:26 AM EST
    Revolutionary Road.

    (Benjamin Button????)

    Surprising (none / 0) (#9)
    by Democratic Cat on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:48:17 AM EST
    that Revolutionary Road was almost completely shut out.  I love Kate Winslet but Anne Hathaway gave the performance of a lifetime in Rachel Getting Married.

    Parent
    Revolutionary road (none / 0) (#34)
    by samtaylor2 on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 11:12:00 AM EST
    Is too real for the American family to take.  Kate Winslet was amazing.  

    I personally think Milk is an important movie, not only because of who it is about, but it is one of the first "gay" movies, where the relationships focus on love vs. sex.

    Parent

    Agree about Milk (none / 0) (#51)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 03:15:35 PM EST
    that was my reaction too - that the love relationships were so realistically and touchingly portrayed. Better than any of the hetero love stories this year that I saw.

    Parent
    We won't be going this year "sniffle" (none / 0) (#10)
    by SOS on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:48:50 AM EST
    Microsoft to slash 5,000 jobs, misses on 2Q profit AP

    Lot of good a sea of entertainment (none / 0) (#11)
    by SOS on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:53:16 AM EST
    being pumped into our brains 24/7 has done for the economy huh?

    Parent
    This is not (none / 0) (#13)
    by SOS on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:57:41 AM EST
    a good development at all.

    Parent
    right there with you SOS (none / 0) (#36)
    by addy on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 11:16:31 AM EST
    This will be a very nervous day for us. Make it, a nervous year.
    Hope it goes well for you.

    Parent
    more info request (none / 0) (#38)
    by DFLer on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 11:33:10 AM EST
    Hey sos

    I read in the Times article that over 1,400 layoffs today, the rest over the next 18 months. But from where? All US jobs? Do you have any further info?

    Parent

    More info being released on the net (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 02:32:57 PM EST
    Ballmer said the software maker planned to cut about 5,000 jobs over the next 18 months, including 1,400 immediately. Those cuts effective Thursday will include 872 people in the Puget Sound area where the company is headquartered, spokesman Lou Gellos said.

    Still, Ballmer noted that the company also plans to add jobs in areas where executives see the potential for growth, such as Internet search. Microsoft has spent years trying to make itself into a formidable competitor to search engine giant Google, including considering a partnership with or takeover of competitor Yahoo Inc.

    In all, Ballmer said the company expects to see its staff shrink by 2,000 to 3,000 people.

    Microsoft employs thousands of temps. If they cut those people, they won't be included in the total number of people who lose their jobs at Microsoft.


    Parent

    1,400 Today (none / 0) (#41)
    by Inspector Gadget on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 12:19:27 PM EST
    the remaining 3,600 jobs will go away over the next couple of years to reach that 5,000 number.  The future job cuts will most likely be handled through normal attrition.

    Any idea the total number of people employed at Microsoft (not including the thousands of temps, which don't have to be mentioned as layoffs when they are let go...)?

    Parent

    Slumdog Millionaire. (none / 0) (#14)
    by Joelarama on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 09:58:13 AM EST
    It isn't Citizen Kane, but parts of that film moved me more than anything I have seen in many years.

    Well there's always (none / 0) (#15)
    by SOS on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:03:29 AM EST
    TV and the Big Screen to keep the people "entertained".

    Could be worse I suppose.

    Brangelina could sweep the (none / 0) (#17)
    by Anne on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:07:57 AM EST
    best Actor/Actress catergories!

    Oh, the intrigue...

    Rome crumbled when (none / 0) (#21)
    by SOS on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:19:01 AM EST
    entertainment (bread and circus) became the sole concern of the people to the exclusion of everything else more important.

    Fallacy. (none / 0) (#33)
    by Joelarama on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:59:32 AM EST
    Bread and Circus were the norm since the Republic, and Rome was obsessed with bemoaning its own decadence from that time forward, as well.  The final fall was a series of military defeats as much as anything.

    Parent
    The begining of the end came when they (4.00 / 1) (#35)
    by tigercourse on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 11:15:35 AM EST
    couldn't subdue the Germanic tribes after the battle/massacre in Teutoburg Forrest.

    Parent
    The empire kept going for (none / 0) (#45)
    by Joelarama on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 02:08:21 PM EST
    four hundred years after that.

    Parent
    It did. But 9 AD was still the turning point. (none / 0) (#50)
    by tigercourse on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 03:00:37 PM EST
    From then on, Germanic tribes began to consolidate and increase their power. If they had been defeated here, or in campaigns soon after, the Empire might have faced a different fate.

    Parent
    I've seen all the best picture noms ... (none / 0) (#22)
    by Robot Porter on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:20:01 AM EST
    except for THE READER (which I will see this week), and they're all worth seeing.

    SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is a bit over praised, and engages in its share of "poverty porn."  But it's still an engaging film and well worth seeing.

    FROST/NIXON.  Ron Howard's best film since APOLLO 13.  Peter Morgan clever adapts his play, keeping all the power, but making it more cinematic. And Langella and Michael Sheen effectively reprise their stage roles.

    MILK.  A surprisingly conventional biopic from director Van Zant.  But the performances by Penn and Brolin, and the subject matter, keep it riveting.  Also features an interesting score from Danny Elfman.

    BENJAMIN BUTTON is the weakest of the films.  I'm a huge David Fincher fan, but this film didn't really work for me.  Screenwriter Eric Roth drastically changed Fitzgerald's story, and replaced it with ideas he'd already used in FORREST GUMP. But the scope of the film, and the effects, still make it worth a trip to the multiplex.

    Forrest Gump (none / 0) (#28)
    by eric on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:42:00 AM EST
    indeed.  Check out this video that shows the similarities between Gump and Button.  Yikes.

    LINK

    Parent
    A friend sent that to me ... (none / 0) (#29)
    by Robot Porter on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:43:37 AM EST
    the other day after I'd made the same list.

    Parent
    At the time I saw Button I did not (none / 0) (#30)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:51:18 AM EST
    realize it was the same writer. I thought the Gump writer should sue.

    I thought it could have been much better than it was. It was way too long.

    Parent

    Well back to my own movie (none / 0) (#23)
    by SOS on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:22:11 AM EST
    Have a nice one

    Things I don't understand (none / 0) (#27)
    by ruffian on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 10:34:24 AM EST
    How is Phillip Seymour Hoffman nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 'Doubt' when he is the main male character in the film?

    Oh Oscar, Oscar, you confuse me.

    I thought Wall-E was the best movie of the year (none / 0) (#37)
    by samtaylor2 on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 11:18:06 AM EST


    If they hadn't created the ... (none / 0) (#42)
    by Robot Porter on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 01:25:50 PM EST
    feature animation category, I bet WALL-E would have gotten a best picture nom.

    I think it's a shoo-in in it's category though.

    Parent

    Weirdest thing, (none / 0) (#47)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 02:24:35 PM EST
    this is the industry and town I work in. People I know and have worked with (ok, a couple anyway) are nominees. Yet the only nominated pics I've seen are Bolt and Kung Fu Panda.

    See what having kids'll do to ya?

    Oscar Nominations | 53 comments (53 topical)

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