Is the Best Picture Oscar race really between “Milk” and “Slumdog Millionaire”? We’re kind of convinced it is, especially since finally seeing “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.” It’s bound to appeal to an older crowd, but it’s just too damn flawed for Best Picture in our minds. “Revolutionary Road” is solid, and we liked it better than “Milk,” but we’re not sure it’s got the legs or support, but if you have to count a third, it’s the one.
“Frost/Nixon” is a Best Picture nominee, but certainly, not a winner. “The Dark Knight” seems to be the dark horse and nothing else could possibly pentrate the final Oscar five, could it? “The Reader” earned itself a Best Picture nom for the Golden Globes, but U.S. critics are not feeling it (it currently has a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes).
As for ‘Benjamin Button’ Oscar chances? Multiple nominations for its ambition and scope (even though “Australia” and “Che” will be ignored for possessing those same qualities), but it’s chances don’t look great outside of a, “hey, he’s been apart of the industry for a long time” award for David Fincher, but that same kind of nod could go to Gus Van Sant. Danny Boyle being new to Oscar will presumably have to wait. Brad Pitt could earn a nomination, but that’s as close as he’ll get. Similarly, Cate Blanchett, could score a nom prize (even though she was tellingly snubbed by the Globes; she’s not that great), but she has no shot in that fiercely competitive category. Cinematography? Check. Make-up? Check? Art Direction, Check. Visual Effects? Check. Editing? Well, probably, but man, they really could have used a worthless edit. Don’t be surprised if Button’s two leads don’t get nominations though. It’ll take serious politicking to make those a lock. Taraj P. Henson is assured a nomination as Best Supporting Actress though, no question.
Our money says that right now, the final five is this:
“The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button”
“Milk”
“Slumdog Millionaire”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Revolutionary Road”
YAWN!
What a surprise, you found Benjamin Buttons flawed.
I would never have guessed that given all your writings prior to ever watching it.
Do you guys ever have a positive post regarding BB? Seriously, it’s always some complaint one way or another while ignoring everything else. Jesus this blog is hard to read sometimes.
It’d be one thing if he just dismissed it, but it is a fairly well-thought review that explains *why* he didn’t like it. And it’s not like he hated it, there’s been a lot harsher this year.
You guys, including me, haven’t even seen it, but it sounds like this Fincher guy would even a wet fart by the director. Kinda sad, actually.
First, I have seen it.
Second, believe it or not, and I know the guy who runs this blog doesn’t, i’m not some Fincher fanboy, i’m actually barely even a fan.
I’m just calling out this blogger on his outright hypocrisy regarding this film. When I first commented on his overt, and childish, attacks against the film he thereafter became increasingly intransient about it.
He often took subtle, and not so subtle, shots at me whenever he discussed the film. He even once accused me of making up a review, because it was positive — which offended him, I guess. When a number of excellent reviews came in, after the New York screenings, he picked up every negative comment (even minor ones) and tried to convince people the reviews were “mixed” when they most certainly were not.
He’s gotten to the point now where, I honestly believe, he attacks the film just to take shots at me and other people, like myself, who may have enjoyed it.
My point is that this blog has taken a very childish route and is no longer the slightest bit interested in presenting the film in a way that will bring its readers an idea of what the film is actually like (and what is ultimately happening regarding its reception).
Thus, I knew he wouldn’t like it before he ever reviewed it. Not because the movie is bad, mind you, but because he has a point to make now. This has become personal for him. He has hunkered down and can’t back away now without losing face.
This has nothing to do with the quality of the film anymore, you see, it’s all about a bloggers ego.
Every point in his “review” was just a regurgitation of minor quibbles taken from elsewhere all collected into a single rant against the movie. Consider it a greatest hits of critiques.
There isn’t A SINGLE ORIGINAL IDEA in that “review.”
Something to consider…
BTW, i’m not the anonymous poster at 3:17am, therefore I don’t seem to be the only person who feels this way.
(Let’s see if you print this message).
You know, maybe Button will be the shutout of the Oscars (like Into the Wild last year…I was pissed about that). It might not get the technical noms we assume. I already talked about how it might get disqualified from the makeup category somewhere else on this site, and I don’t know if it can really pull a visual effects nod with the likes of Iron Man and the Dark Knight in the running. Button’s score should get nomed in a weak music year, but I’ve listened to it a couple times, and don’t find it very memorable. I’ve heard editing is a problem with the film (or the lack thereof), so I wouldn’t expect that nom.
In fact, I think only cinematography is an absolute right now.
I think Danny Boyle actually has a good shot to get best director. Yes, it’s his first nom but that doesn’t hold as much water in the director category as say the actors. Sam Mendes won Best Director for American Beauty which was not only his first nom but his first film! And from what I hear, Danny Boyle is the star of Slumdog. What I mean is…some movies are still going to be good know matter who’s directing, but would Slumdog really be the same film, without Boyle doing his thing, or would it have been the straight to video release it almost was?
You guys aren’t serious, are you?
Since when have the critic awards been indicative of anything? How many films were darlings of these critics awards and turned up with only a handful of nominations and no wins at the Oscars. “Sideways” anyone?
I think “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” will get nominated for several awards at the Oscars. I’m not sure if they will win any, but it’ll definitely get nominated.
I seriously doubt that “Slumdog Millionaire” will win any Academy Awards (with the exception Best Adapted Screenplay).
Let’s wait until the guild nominations come in. Those are the true precursor to the Oscars.
I’ve always thought that it would be a contest between “Milk” and “Curious Case of Benjamin Button” in the end and I still think so.
I can’t get over how knee-jerk some people are about things.
you: “I think “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” will get nominated for several awards at the Oscars. I’m not sure if they will win any, but it’ll definitely get nominated.”
them: “As for ‘Benjamin Button’ Oscar chances? Multiple nominations for its ambition and scope”
you’re saying the same thing.
I agree about the Guild noms. Those almost certainly reflect the final Oscar picks.
I think ‘Ben Button’ will definitely get an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. I don’t think i said otherwise. They might get both leads too, but i’ve seen better performances this year. Taraj P. Henson will definitely get a nomination and its well deserved. Cinematography and Special Effects too and prolly Eric Roth for Best Adapted, though i wouldn’t personally nominate it.
I wouldn’t argue with wins for Henson, Cinematography, and Art Direction. As flawed as the make-up and effects can be at times, they’re also great at times. The inconsistencies however are distracting on a whole, but the achievements themselves are probably worth at least nominating.
I didn’t realize Slumdog Millionaire is credited to two directors. Besides Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan apparently was a director and handled the Indian connection of the film. The Academy has giving awards to two directors before for a film, but it still might make things a little interesting and maybe controversial.
True, but it’s not a real DGA credit I don’t think. Boyle told me (in the nicest way) that it was a generous credit.