Today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a surprise revert back to old Hollywood. They are expanding the nomination list for "Best Picture" from five to ten. Is it a good move? Well, maybe a mixed blessing.
The advocates voice that the larger nomination list gives indies and non-narrative films a chance against the big boys. However, even with only five nominations, it is clear that the most hyped film will win. And who knows if the move would boost the ratings of the bombing ceremony. Let's just say if the Oscars were a series, it would be cancelled mid-season along with Cavemen.
The rest of the article is here.
Happy Filmmaking.
Showing posts with label oscars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oscars. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Hooray for Slumdog Millionaire
The Oscars are now old news and we shall rejoice once more that a very deserving film got all the recognition it needed. Slumdog Millionaire won a total of eight awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film will probably spark a new interest in Bollywood cinema that was waned in the past few years.
Other recognized indies that won Oscars:
The Reader (Weinstein Company)
Milk (Focus Features)
Man on Wire (Magnolia Pictures)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Weinstein Company)
Departures (Regent Releasing)
Toyland (Mephisto Films)
If you are like me, you have some serious film watching to do! The rest of the winners are here.
Happy Filmmaking!
Other recognized indies that won Oscars:
The Reader (Weinstein Company)
Milk (Focus Features)
Man on Wire (Magnolia Pictures)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Weinstein Company)
Departures (Regent Releasing)
Toyland (Mephisto Films)
If you are like me, you have some serious film watching to do! The rest of the winners are here.
Happy Filmmaking!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
SAG Winners Announced...
Even though SAG is still considering an industry-wide strike, the awards must go on. There were few upsets. Meryl Streep won best motion picture actress for her role in Doubt, and surprise, surprise, Heath Ledger wins another award for his role as Joker.
Surprisingly enough, The Case of Benjamin Button seems to be snubbed in the SAG awards. Although the film has 13 nominations for the Oscars, the film went home empty-handed at SAG. Maybe its luck will change in February. However, I think most indie lovers are pulling for Slumdog Millionaire. We sure love those "rags to riches" stories.
The rest of the winners are here.
Happy Filmmaking
Surprisingly enough, The Case of Benjamin Button seems to be snubbed in the SAG awards. Although the film has 13 nominations for the Oscars, the film went home empty-handed at SAG. Maybe its luck will change in February. However, I think most indie lovers are pulling for Slumdog Millionaire. We sure love those "rags to riches" stories.
The rest of the winners are here.
Happy Filmmaking
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Oscars: for they for real?
It's January, which means its time for film awards. Film awards, depending on whom you ask are either hokey popularity shows or prestigious lifetime achievements. Although some awards ceremonies have gone downhill as more Americans tire of all the unnecessary glitz and glamour, Hollywood still holds on this tradition like a small child holds on to his mother's pants leg. Award shows are Hollywood's pats on the back.
There is one American statue, however, that seems to hold more weight than, say, your average Golden Globe: The Oscar.
It's art deco design demands a classical respect from whomever cannot get their hands on one. Holding one is a common fantasy of all filmmakers, Hollywood or Indie. Nevertheless, Oscars are reserved for those who have achieved rare cinematic prestige, or at least those who have received the most press.
Enter Heath Ledger. One year ago, the electrifying actor was found with a lethal cocktail of legal drugs in his system. He was the main topic of discussion at Sundance 2008. This year, as everyone knows, he is up for Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Hollywood loves young tragedy, so of course, he will receive this award. While Ledger's Joker makes Jack Nicholson's Joker look like a clown at a six-year-old's birthday party, one must one's self: would Ledger be a contender for this Oscar if he were alive?
Also enter Martin Scorsese. Last year, Marty finally won an Oscar for The Departed after being passed over too many times. Not wanting to make the same mistake as with Hitchcock, the Academy essentially granted him his Oscar for his past work.
Oscar also seems to follow this particular formula: Major awards go to arthouse films almost no one saw, and technical Oscars (sound mixing, art direction, special FX) go to those who do it best: Hollywood blockbusters. While people cry and moan over Dark Knights' "oscar snub," I wonder, "why did people expect this film to be an Oscar contender?" Oscar likes to avoid blockbusters in an attempt to appear to look classy. But with the scandals Hollywood places itself into these days, doesn't it almost seems hypocritical?
Whatever. Cinema is always a business and awards are good advertising. Enjoy the Oscar nominees. I'm sure all the nominees will enjoy their moment. I wish them luck.
Happy Filmmaking.
There is one American statue, however, that seems to hold more weight than, say, your average Golden Globe: The Oscar.
It's art deco design demands a classical respect from whomever cannot get their hands on one. Holding one is a common fantasy of all filmmakers, Hollywood or Indie. Nevertheless, Oscars are reserved for those who have achieved rare cinematic prestige, or at least those who have received the most press.
Enter Heath Ledger. One year ago, the electrifying actor was found with a lethal cocktail of legal drugs in his system. He was the main topic of discussion at Sundance 2008. This year, as everyone knows, he is up for Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Hollywood loves young tragedy, so of course, he will receive this award. While Ledger's Joker makes Jack Nicholson's Joker look like a clown at a six-year-old's birthday party, one must one's self: would Ledger be a contender for this Oscar if he were alive?
Also enter Martin Scorsese. Last year, Marty finally won an Oscar for The Departed after being passed over too many times. Not wanting to make the same mistake as with Hitchcock, the Academy essentially granted him his Oscar for his past work.
Oscar also seems to follow this particular formula: Major awards go to arthouse films almost no one saw, and technical Oscars (sound mixing, art direction, special FX) go to those who do it best: Hollywood blockbusters. While people cry and moan over Dark Knights' "oscar snub," I wonder, "why did people expect this film to be an Oscar contender?" Oscar likes to avoid blockbusters in an attempt to appear to look classy. But with the scandals Hollywood places itself into these days, doesn't it almost seems hypocritical?
Whatever. Cinema is always a business and awards are good advertising. Enjoy the Oscar nominees. I'm sure all the nominees will enjoy their moment. I wish them luck.
Happy Filmmaking.
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