The American Film Institute released the winners of its AFI Awards on Sunday, including its annual top 10 list. The list is an interesting mix of mainstream (“Wall-E,” “The Dark Knight”) and indie films, “Frozen River,” “Wendy & Lucy”), but curiously enough, “Slumdog Millionaire” was snubbed. We wonder if it’s because it’s technically not an “American” film. Don’t get too excited fans of “Iron Man,” this AFI group also put “The Devil Wears Prada” on their list two years ago, and yeah, it didn’t penetrate Oscar in the slightest (aside from Streep, but duh). Btw, it’s in alphabetical order, not in any 1-10 ranking.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Frozen River”
“Gran Torino”
“Iron Man”
“Milk”
“WALL-E”
“Wendy and Lucy”
“The Wrestler”
“Slumdog Millionaire,” and “The Dark Knight” lead the list of Chicago Critics nominees. Both are up for Best Director and Best Picture and have earned themselves six nominations each. [InContention]
The Boston Society of Film Critics have given out their awards and “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Wall-E” have tied for Best Picture. Best director went to Gus Van Sant for “Milk” and “Paranoid Park.” Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke tied for Best Actor. [BSFC]
The Associated Press has given out their Top 10 list as well. AP Movie Critic Christy Lemire picked “The Wrestler” as her #1 and AP Movie Writer David Germain picked, “Happy Go-Lucky” as his. The full lists are here. [Awards Daily]
The New York Film Critics Online have given the Best Picture award to “Slumdog Millionaire.” The film also topped the list with five awards. [New Blaze]
“Slumdog Millionaire” was named best motion picture drama and “Happy-Go-Lucky” best comedy or musical picture at the 13th annual Satellite Awards on Sunday. [Reuters]
The Academy Award’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee have shortlisted 15 films to compete for the Special Effects category of the Oscars. A lot of the usual suspects are there, “The Dark Knight,” “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” and “Hancock.” The only two Oscar-bait films that made the cut are “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Australia.” [AwardsDaily]
Because people seem to underplay The Wrestler, I must remind them it still has a 100% on RT with 31 reviews! Now, I know that only about 1/3 the number of reviews it will end up with and it is bound to get some negative ones once it released wider, but still, even most “great” films have had 1 or 2 by that time. Is anyone expecting this to do more at the Oscars beyond Rourke and Springsteen? I know Tomei has gotten some buzz, but what about the director or the screenplay? Or even Picture?
Revolutionary Road is the only other 100% as of yet with only 14 reviews thus far.
If you’re trying to say ‘The Wrestler’ is going to get a Best Picture nod, let me assure you, it won’t. But yes, it is good and very solid.
Tomei has a good shot at Best Supporting, but there’s gotta be better out there, no? Maybe its cause it’s a weak year.