Best Picture Oscar this year

[icecube]

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

yikes, give me a break.
The Hurt Locker SUCKED

It was released in 2008 and nobody had it being so great. It's just an "Iraq movie without politics"
The movie itself was no better than the mini series on Showcase. It's trash.

If the "Hurt Locker" wins a nomination - then "Enemy at the Gates" better win for best movie "EVER"

Aren't you the guy who finds Jimmy Fallon funny?

[liamenator]

Put me in the "complete-disbelief bordering on utter-despair" category in response to the lavish praise being heaped on Avatar. Visually stunning it was, and a very important technological innovation for the medium, but as Ebert said, "Best Picture of the year? Give me a [expletive] break."

Wholeheartedly agree with the OP's top two choices - for my money, there were no more interesting films this year than The Hurt Locker and Moon. I'm very happy to see The Hurt Locker get a very underrated director in Bigelow some long-overdue kudos, while Duncan Jones seems to be a very strong new presence in film. Really looking forward to his follow-up to Moon.

Sadly, neither film has a chance against the bohemiath that is Pocahontas, errrr Fern Gully, errr Starship Troopers without the irony, errr..... Avatar.

[Flame Of Liberty]

District9 was the only 2009 movie I liked.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Wasn't the point of Avatar to advance film making technology?

I think it was wise to adapt a familiar story to remove some of the risk of the project. Turns out that it was the right way to go!

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by liamenator

Put me in the "complete-disbelief bordering on utter-despair" category in response to the lavish praise being heaped on Avatar. Visually stunning it was, and a very important technological innovation for the medium, but as Ebert said, "Best Picture of the year? Give me a [expletive] break."

Agree, Great Post!

The Academy Awards, Best Motion Picture:

The final result of the collaborative producing, directing, acting, and writing efforts put forth for a film.


Avatar doesn't fit All of the above criteria...

[Raoul Duke]

Originally Posted by icecube

Aren't you the guy who finds Jimmy Fallon funny?

Jimmy Fallon is infinitely more entertaining than the Hurt Locker.

Plus he was in Band of Brothers - which if you put the Hurt Locker in comparison to is complete trash for a war movie. I don't understand the hype, it's not a great movie. It's average, at best.

But people have to jump on some bandwagon I guess.

[Got Miikka?]

In the dedicated Avatar thread I suggested a few weeks ago that the movie would contend for and quite possibly/probably win Best Picture this year. Wasn't surprised to see it go on to take the Golden Globe, and I think I'd put my money on it for Best Picture as well.

My personal favorite of 2009 was Inglourious Basterds, but for a variety of reasons I don't think it has a sniff at winning, although it will likely get nominated. Could see it taking a screenwriting award and I think Christoph Waltz is the man to beat for supporting actor. Tarantino for direction, maybe some film editing/costume design/sound effects editing noms.

Up In The Air was my second favorite movie of 2009. I could see this taking best director and probably adapted screenplay. George Clooney is a shoo-in for a best actor nomination, but I am hedging on calling him the winner at this point. I'll get back to this when the nominees are announced.

I am wagering on Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side for Best Actress.

As for The Hurt Locker, because it was released in some countries in 2008, I managed to see it for one reason or another earlier in 2009, and I wasn't blown away. I really like Kathryn Bigelow, but I just don't think this movie has the buzz to make any noise.

My guess for the 10 Best Picture nominees before they are released this coming Tuesday:

Avatar
Up In The Air
It's Complicated
The Blind Side
Precious
The Hurt Locker
Invictus
An Education
Inglourious Basterds
Nine

I could be way off, of course... I have no idea what modifications to selection criteria are being made to allow for 5 more Picture nominations - maybe more comedies will (finally!) be considered? I'd sure like to see a movie like (500) Days of Summer get the recognition it deserves.

[Raoul Duke]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

I noticed you didn't offer up your pick? All you did was piss all over his. Scared we'll all laugh at your selection of Twilight: New Moon or something?

Inglorious Basterds.

And that's only because this year has been absolute garbage for movies. If we're talking the Hurt Locker vs. Avatar, what a disaster 2009 has been.

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by Got Miikka?

I have no idea what modifications to selection criteria are being made to allow for 5 more Picture nominations - maybe more comedies will (finally!) be considered?

Wouldn't that be refreshing!?

Although, My vote would go to "$5 A Day" with Cristopher Walken.

[BlackEleven]

Moon is probably my favourite from 2009, but it doesn't stand a chance for Best Picture.

I agree with others that said its been one of the weaker years for films.

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

Inglorious Basterds.

And that's only because this year has been absolute garbage for movies. If we're talking the Hurt Locker vs. Avatar, what a disaster 2009 has been.

Couldn't agree more. There were some great pics nominated over the last 5 years. This year leaves much to be desired.





2008: My vote went to the Reader

Slumdog Millionaire (Winner)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Ther Reader



2007: The Voters got it right!

No Counrty for Old Men (Wiiner)
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
There Will Be Blood


2006: Great Movie, awfully close w/ Little Miss Sunshine

The Departed (Winner)
Babel
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen


2005: Again, The Voters got it right!

Crash (Winner)
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Good Night, and Good Luck.
Munich


2004: Hated the way the winning movie ended, was hoping for Aviator

Million Dollar Baby (Winner)
The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Ray
Sideways


2003: Mystic River was a Far Better Movie

The Lord of the Rings: return of the king (Winner)
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by icarus

Hmmm, it wasn't a bad movie. Not a particularly good 'romantic' movie as it is advertised considering the way it ends (i.e. don't take your date to it). But I would happily watch it again (99% thanks to Zooey Deschanel! )

In all fairness, the movie was very upfront about not being a love story. Also it also ends with hope. That the concept of "True Love" does exist, and is real. It just wasn't meant to be for Tom and Summer.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Netskot

The Road should win Best Picture, imo. If not, Viggo deserves Best Actor for it for sure.

Let's wait for the noms though. Avatar will most likely win.

Looking forward to see this. Couldn't get anyone to go to the theater with me.

[Netskot]

Originally Posted by Methanolic

Couldn't agree more. There were some great pics nominated over the last 5 years. This year leaves much to be desired.





2008: My vote went to the Reader

Slumdog Millionaire (Winner)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Ther Reader



2007: The Voters got it right!

No Counrty for Old Men (Wiiner)
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
There Will Be Blood


2006: Great Movie, awfully close w/ Little Miss Sunshine

The Departed (Winner)
Babel
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen


2005: Again, The Voters got it right!

Crash (Winner)
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Good Night, and Good Luck.
Munich


2004: Hated the way the winning movie ended, was hoping for Aviator

Million Dollar Baby (Winner)
The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Ray
Sideways


2003: Mystic River was a Far Better Movie

The Lord of the Rings: return of the king (Winner)
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Every movie in 2003 was better than LOTR, especially Seabiscuit. Crash was not better than Brokeback Mountain. I thought Michael Clayton was better than NCFOM.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

In all fairness, the movie was very upfront about not being a love story. Also it also ends with hope. That the concept of "True Love" does exist, and is real. It just wasn't meant to be for Tom and Summer.

Indeed.

It stirred some emotions in me that I hadn't felt in a very long time. When a film does something that rare it is worthy of great accolades.

[liamenator]

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

Jimmy Fallon is infinitely more entertaining than the Hurt Locker.

Plus he was in Band of Brothers - which if you put the Hurt Locker in comparison to is complete trash for a war movie. I don't understand the hype, it's not a great movie. It's average, at best.

But people have to jump on some bandwagon I guess.

You can't possibly compare a 2-hour independent feature, The Hurt Locker, with an epic 10-hour miniseries, Band of Brothers, that had all the luxuries that go along with the backing of the Spielberg/Hanks machine.

Not to mention making a miniseries about a series of events that we've all had 70 years to ruminate, investigate, and reflect upon is a far different undertaking than making a film about events which we are only just beginning to be able to contextualize in some sort of historical or cultural way.

[d_phaneuf]

The Oscars lost their credibility in 1994 when Shawshank didn't win BP

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Methanolic

Couldn't agree more. There were some great pics nominated over the last 5 years. This year leaves much to be desired.

You know, I think last year was pretty weak as well. But I'd take any of the nominees I've seen from 05, 06, or 07 over any of the likely nominees that I've seen this year, except for Juno. And despite Juno, 2007 was a remarkably good year: each of There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, and Michael Clayton were absolutely brilliant films that deserve to be considered among the best of the decade.

[d_phaneuf]

but for this year I think it comes down to Avatar vs Up in the Air

I think Hurt Locker was the best film but the Oscars are usually the award for which film has the biggest momentum at that time, I think Up in the Air had it up until the Globes, and Avatar took it then.

I would be fine with Up in the Air winning, I would have it in a top 4 with Hurt Locker, 500 days of summer and Inglourious Basterds

Avatar shouldn't win just for its special effects, there is a reason why they have an award for special effects all by itself

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

The Oscars lost their credibility in 1994 when Shawshank didn't win BP

Yeah, because Forrest Gump sucked so much.