The 82nd Academy Awards & STAR TREK

[MvRojo]

92% now.

In any case, Avatar is new and has a lot of buzz because of that fact, which means it has a much greater likelihood of getting nominated than Trek, which came out 7 months ago and which Paramount isn't even holding any screenings for (and instead just telling people to rent/buy it).

 

[MvRojo]

Here's an excerpt from another article discussing the Best Picture race:

In June, months after the Oscar telecast registered its third-lowest ratings in history, the academy decided, for the first time since 1943, to expand to 10 best picture slots. Many thought it would be a game-changer, benefiting blockbusters like "The Dark Knight," the hugely popular and critically acclaimed Batman movie that was omitted from the best picture category last year. Viewership for the Oscar broadcast tends to increase when more moneymakers are in contention, and the academy earns the vast majority of its annual revenues from the telecast.

But at this point -- nominations are to be announced Feb. 2 -- many commercial films, such as the box office smash "Star Trek," the male-comedy sensation "The Hangover," the provocative sci-fi picture "District 9," and the action-adventure "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," aren't registering with a large number of Oscar voters. The biggest hit to generate Oscar buzz so far is the Disney-Pixar animated film "Up" -- a movie some experts say could have made the cut even if the academy had stuck with five slots.

The absence of tent-pole contenders can at least be partly attributed not only to voter reception but to studio strategizing.

"I think you can legitimately say that not many of the popcorn movies at this point have repositioned themselves as awards movies," said awards expert Cynthia Swartz of public relations firm 42West. She said she believed that at least one or two broadly commercial films would make the best picture list in the end.

I would agree that Paramount hasn't tried too hard pushing for any of its movies at this point. I haven't seen any "For Your Consideration" ads for them yet, as I have for other studios, even going back to Sept and Oct.

 

[JacksonArcher]

If Star Trek gets a Best Picture nom I'll gouge my eyes out with chopsticks, and put it on YouTube for all to see. Not that I don't want it too -- even though I do love my eyesight -- but I just think its chances are fairly slim. The Dark Knight didn't even get nominated, and yes, since you didn't ask, I'm still pissy about that.

Avatar probably has a better chance, and whilst even though I haven't seen the film [Avatar] yet, I really hope Moon gets a nom since I think it was probably the best film of the year so far, science-fiction or not.

 

[Kegg]

The lack of story in Phantom Menace is the reason it has a failing critical review; a "completely nonsensical one" is a lack of story.

I don't think you follow. I was saying even if we chose to define a lack of story as 'a completely nonsensical one', the Phantom Menace still doesn't apply.

Sorry, but that movie had a story. Not a good one, but a story. And a story poorly told with some great SFX? 60%-something tomatometer.

The Dark Knight didn't even get nominated,

Yeah, but that was before the nominations were upped to ten films. It's been speculated by some there's a direct cause and effect there. One can assume had there been ten nominees last time round Dark Knight would have got a nom.

The real competition for Star Trek's nom, then, is not arty or indie fare, but other blockbusters like Avatar. If Avatar is your token money-making sci-fi pic, what's the need for Kirk? But as MvRojo hints, they might say screw 'em all and give the nom to Up.

I really hope Moon gets a nom since I think it was probably the best film of the year so far, science-fiction or not.

Me too, but if that happens, I'd gouge my eyeballs out with an imaginary forklift (since I only promise to do things I'll hypothetically do). Nobody seems to be talking about the film's Oscar chances; and with three other sci-fi films with a higher priority and more name recognition...

 

[Gepard]

If Avatar is your token money-making sci-fi pic, what's the need for Kirk? But as MvRojo hints, they might say screw 'em all and give the nom to Up.

Is there seriously talk of Up being nominated in the regular (non-animated) film category, or am I misinterpreting?

 

[Kegg]

There is in the bit MvRojo quoted, yes.

I'd like to believe Pixar would gamble all, but truthfully even if they don't get Best Picture they'l get Best Animated Picture (I kinda wanted some Coraline recognition, but hopefully the movie will get a nod.)

 

[Eddie Roth]

If Avatar is your token money-making sci-fi pic, what's the need for Kirk? But as MvRojo hints, they might say screw 'em all and give the nom to Up.

Is there seriously talk of Up being nominated in the regular (non-animated) film category, or am I misinterpreting?

That is in fact what nearly everybody is expecting. But I remain skeptical. I still believe Academy voters will be tempted to put Up in the Animated category only to have a spot left on their Top Ten for a live-action film. And in this case, I fully agree with that strategy. Up was good, but no WALL-E.

 

[indranee]

just to be nominated would be great. just the announcement with the world watching... and I'd die of glee.

 

[Harvey]

There is in the bit MvRojo quoted, yes.

I'd like to believe Pixar would gamble all, but truthfully even if they don't get Best Picture they'l get Best Animated Picture (I kinda wanted some Coraline recognition, but hopefully the movie will get a nod.)

Fantastic Mr. Fox has been earning strong reviews this year, so it's sure to be nominated for Best Animated Picture. Up was better received, but Fantastic Mr. Fox was released much later in the year, so we'll see.

 

[indranee]

Why oh why is Michael Jackson suddenly everyone's hero? He used to be the biggest joke of the bloody planet, and just because he died, everyone thinks he was the greatest artist on Earth. That's annoying.

I never liked his music, never got the hype, and sure as hell don't get it now. So what if he died, happens to the best of us.

My condolences to his family- that is if they aren't too busy making money with his death.

it's because death -- especially a death like his -- makes you re-evaluate your own behavior. most people, even atheists, are scared shit of judgment day

and yes, I am a MJ fan. always have been. but he was messed up. poor guy couldn't help it with a life and childhood like that. still, it doesn't take away from the fact that he was a fantastic musician and dancer though.

as for TII, it can't get the nom for Best Documentary. too late for that. deadline's gone. it might get a nom for Best Picture and/or Best Direction. I wouldn't be surprised. it pulls at the heartstrings of most people, and the Oscars are always up for such stuff.

 

[chrisspringob]

If Avatar is your token money-making sci-fi pic, what's the need for Kirk? But as MvRojo hints, they might say screw 'em all and give the nom to Up.

Is there seriously talk of Up being nominated in the regular (non-animated) film category, or am I misinterpreting?

That is in fact what nearly everybody is expecting. But I remain skeptical. I still believe Academy voters will be tempted to put Up in the Animated category only to have a spot left on their Top Ten for a live-action film. And in this case, I fully agree with that strategy. Up was good, but no WALL-E.

Up will most likely be nominated both for Best Picture and Best Animated Picture. Avatar has a good shot at a best picture nom as well. Star Trek.....very very unlikely.

 

[MvRojo]

There is in the bit MvRojo quoted, yes.

I'd like to believe Pixar would gamble all, but truthfully even if they don't get Best Picture they'l get Best Animated Picture (I kinda wanted some Coraline recognition, but hopefully the movie will get a nod.)

Fantastic Mr. Fox has been earning strong reviews this year, so it's sure to be nominated for Best Animated Picture. Up was better received, but Fantastic Mr. Fox was released much later in the year, so we'll see.

I'm wondering about this. I'm a big fan of Wes Anderson's work, especially Bottle Rocket and The Royal Tenenbaums. I liked Fantastic Mr. Fox, but I didn't love it. It felt like something was missing. I did think the style fit him very well though.

 

[Kegg]

^
While by contrast I think Coraline may be Selick's best film to date. And I'm a trifle biased, I grew up on Nightmare before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach (ironically, also a Roald Dahl film). I thought it was pretty charming, personally.

Fantastic Mr. Fox has been earning strong reviews this year, so it's sure to be nominated for Best Animated Picture. Up was better received, but Fantastic Mr. Fox was released much later in the year, so we'll see.

Mr. Fox will probably get nominated for Best Animated Picture, but I'll bet Up will still win, unless for some reason the Academy has got sick of casting its votes for Pixar.

I suppose the momentum for Up as a Best Picture would have something to do with not just it being a good movie, but in recognition of Pixar's rather well-recieved work over the past over a decade.

 

[Jeri]

I don't think you follow. I was saying even if we chose to define a lack of story as 'a completely nonsensical one', the Phantom Menace still doesn't apply.Sorry, but that movie had a story. Not a good one, but a story. And a story poorly told with some great SFX? 60%-something tomatometer.

I don't think you follow; by "no story at all," I did not refer to a movie consisting entirely of footage from a bird cam sitting in the Pacific northwest somewhere. Not that bird cams can't be interesting. I refer to movies with stories so poor they pull technical triumphs down into critical failures. That was the context.

Avatar is up to 91% at rottentomatoes at the moment; so doing better, which is somewhat of a relief. But I still don't look forward to sitting through a movie where the story is annoying enough to bring unprecedented technical and artistic aspects down to the low 90%. It should be around 95%.

 

[JacksonArcher]

I think Up should only get a Best Animated Picture nom where it will likely win. That's leave other films that might not have a chance see the light of day. That is, after all, why they created the Best Animated Film category.

 

[MvRojo]

I think Up should only get a Best Animated Picture nom where it will likely win. That's leave other films that might not have a chance see the light of day. That is, after all, why they created the Best Animated Film category.

Actually, it was just created because there is a stigma against animated films and they weren't being recognized (except for Beauty and the Beast, which is the only animated film ever nominated for Best Picture).

The Best Picture award is much more prestigious, so if a film is good enough, I think it should be nominated in that category.

 

[Hyperspace05]

Star Trek's Oscar chances took a bit of hit today when the Golden Globe nominations were announced, and Star Trek received no nominations. ('Avatar', 'Hurt Locker', 'Inglorious Basterds', 'Precious', and 'Up in the Air' are the drama BP nominees)

The Hollywood Foreign Press (who run the Golden Globes) are usually more populist than the Oscars, so if a well-reviewed box office success does not get nominated, it is very unlikely it will make the Oscar cut for a best picture nomination. (but with 10 spots, the chance is still there)

In other news...
- 'Star Trek' has appeared on many critics top-10 lists for the year

- Quentin Tarantino picked 'Star Trek' as his #1 favorite film of the year in his preliminary list (although he mentions that he has not yet seen 'Avatar' and two other films)

 

[MvRojo]

Star Trek's Oscar chances took a bit of hit today when the Golden Globe nominations were announced, and Star Trek received no nominations. ('Avatar', 'Hurt Locker', 'Inglorious Basterds', 'Precious', and 'Up in the Air' are the drama BP nominees)

The Hollywood Foreign Press (who run the Golden Globes) are usually more populist than the Oscars, so if a well-reviewed box office success does not get nominated, it is very unlikely it will make the Oscar cut for a best picture nomination. (but with 10 spots, the chance is still there)

In other news...
- 'Star Trek' has appeared on many critics top-10 lists for the year

- Quentin Tarantino picked 'Star Trek' as his #1 favorite film of the year in his preliminary list (although he mentions that he has not yet seen 'Avatar' and two other films)

They're somewhat populist because they want celebs to show up at the awards, which is why people who have no shots at Oscar nods got GG nods (i.e. Julia Roberts, Tobey Maguire, Robert Downey Jr.), and which is why they're notoriously bad at picking those who'/what will go on to win Oscars.

While Trek's chances are quickly diminishing (missing out on a lot of critics lists this week), the HFP is made up of random people from the international marketplace, where Trek did poorly. So, the odds were stacked against it since most of 70+ members of the HFP probably didn't bother watching Trek.

 

[Phoenicianknight]

How about an Oscar for raping my childhood?

 

[MvRojo]

Trek's chances for a Best Picture nod are dropping more and more. The SAG nominations were announced and Trek didn't get anything besides a nod for "Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture".