They are precisely the kinds of movies hardly ever nominated for the best-picture Oscar -- a tear-jerker sports film, a space-alien thriller and an animated feature with a flying house and talking dogs -- but the populist pleasures "The Blind Side," "District 9" and "Up" all made the final cut for the top Academy Award.RTWT at the link.
Concerned that a steady stream of challenging, often little-seen art movies were dominating the Oscars and deflating TV ratings, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences doubled this year's best-picture race to 10 contestants, and the results Tuesday were exactly as intended: the inclusion of movies that have sold a boatload of tickets.
The nominations for the 82nd annual Academy Awards were led by the presumptive best-picture favorites -- "Avatar" and "The Hurt Locker," which each scored in nine categories. The two movies represent opposite extremes of audience recognition, as "Avatar" has generated almost 50 times more domestic revenue than "The Hurt Locker."
But to the delight of the March 7 ceremony's producers, four movies besides "Avatar" that have grossed more than $100 million made the best-picture competition: "Up" ($293 million), "The Blind Side" ($237.9 million), " Inglourious Basterds" ($120.5 million) and "District 9" ($115.6 million).
When last year's statuettes were presented, only one of the five best-picture finalists -- "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" -- had grossed more than $100 million.
"The fact that 'The Blind Side' made it in made me happier than anything," said Sandra Bullock, who also was nominated for lead actress. "The greatest thing the academy could have done is to make it 10 movies."
Also, "The Cheat Sheet: Academy Awards."
I've seen two of the ten films nominated: "Hurt Locker" and "Precious." I wrote previously on "Precious," ("Seeing. Feeling. 'Precious'"). But for some reason I skipped a review of "Hurt Locker." I'll try to correct that later ...
I saw "Blindside" and "Avatar". I enjoyed both. I think they belong in the awards this year. Both were standouts IMHO.
ReplyDeleteI have quit watching the Awards shows because all they do is throw their Political Mantra into all their speeches.
ReplyDeleteI will rely on you to keep me informed :-)
I have not seen Hurt Locker, but am going to. Loved "Up"! Very good movie
ReplyDeletehttp://www.conservativeflix.com/2009/11/up-2009-disney.html
District 9 I thought was disappointing, and unfortunately I am in the minority with this view.
Have not seen Blindside yet, but have heard great things about it.
District 9 was a fresh take on the Alien Nation idea back from the nearly 90s. I like the personality they gave to the main alien. Up was great. I haven't seen Avatar or any of the others except The Hurt Locker, and that has to be one of the best information-era war movies I've seen. It wasn't political like Platoon, Stop Loss, etc, or condescending like Jarhead. It was about the soldiers and their experiences and mindsets like Hamburger Hill. It should win Best Picture over the blue cats of Avatar, but Hollywood hasn't had its head on for a while now.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Jordan. Hurt Locker was the first great current, war story I have seen. No pushed agenda, just good realistic human interaction, with appropriate level of blood and pyrotechnics creating suspense. Ralph Finnes was a nice surprise in the film.
ReplyDeleteAgain, the previous post was mine, not my wife, Kel. Her gmail must have been open at the time of posting...not that she wouldn't comment. She is one of the hotter American conservatives (on most issues)!
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