An Actual Discussion of the 83rd Academy Awards

Eric Boellner

Eric Boellner

Well-known member
Not to be presumptuous, but I'd like to actually discuss the 83rd annual Academy Awards without having to wade through a page-and-a-half of trolling. For myself, I've watched the Oscars religiously since I got into filmmaking in 2007. It irritates me to read the too-cool-for-school comments from people who want to make sure that EVERYBODY knows how much they don't care... as if we gave a s..t.

Anyways, on to the relevant topic.

Best Picture - The King's Speech
This was an easy prediction (recently). I really think the film deserved its win here, and I'm glad to see Harvey Weinstein back at the top of his game (though TWC's slated releases for 2011 look like utter s..t - Hoodwinked Too? Really, Harvey?). I really think the film was great and incredibly well done.

But personally, my pick was Inception. I don't understand how such an enormous mind-f..k like this can be so ignored in the major categories. Some people make the claim that it's because the "emotional pull" of the story is lost in the complexity of the action pieces. But that's what makes it so great to watch over and over and over (I've watched it 7 times (4 in theaters) and am planning on watching it again on my day off this week).

The emotion isn't lost, it's hidden. You have to somehow get past the awe-inspiring set pieces and the mind-boggling narrative and look into what's going on.

<SPOILER!>

I mean, for God's sake, Cobb causes his wife to commit suicide and then loses his own bearing on reality, desperately longing to be with her, but simultaneously trying to return home to his children. This is his last chance to make things right, but he's got all of this burden, this guilt, this longing pulling him like the wailing Sirens of Homerian myth into an unending false reality/death-sleep.

Anyway, moving on...

Best Director - Tom Hooper
I was kind of surprised, but pleased with this. I thought Fincher would win. Had Nolan been nominated, I'd have voted for him, but as is I was split between Hooper and Aronofsky. Ultimately, I'm glad that Hooper won.

Best Actor - Colin Firth
Was expecting and hoping for this. His speech was outrageously cool and fun. He seems like he'd be a great guy to work with.

Best Actress - Natalie Portman
Same for this category. Also, as I said on Facebook: Portman thanking the 1st AD, two camera operators, makeup, hair and wardrobe people all by name during her acceptance speech? That was pure class.

Best Supporting Actor - Christian Bale
Another given, and another well-deserved. Couldn't be happier about this. Bale deserved an Oscar nod for several performances before. It's good to see him finally getting one.

Best Supporting Actress - Melissa Leo
Something of another given. I was sort of rooting for Bonham Carter, because I like her, but I do agree with the Academy voters on this one. I think Leo did a fantastic job in The Fighter. Her speech was... not quite there yet. I wish the censors wouldn't have caught the F-bomb in time, though. Would've been funnier. <grin>

Best Animated Feature - Toy Story 3
I know I'm one of very few, but I was thoroughly unimpressed with TS3. It was pretty much just a rehash of TS2. I was mildly amused by some jokes, but overall felt jipped when I left the theater. How To Train Your Dragon, on the other hand, was quite fantastic. A bit formulaic, but still great. I knew it wouldn't win, though, so I wasn't horribly disappointed.

Best Cinematography - Wally Pfister, Inception
Was hoping for Danny Cohen (The King's Speech) or Matthew Libatique (Black Swan) for this one, but it's good to see Pfister finally getting the award after three previous nominations, at least one of which should've been an easy win.

Best Adapted Screenplay - Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
A given, and well-deserved. Sorkin took his time with that speech though, haha.

Best Original Screenplay - David Seidler, The King's Speech
Hmm. I think it was a close call here between Seidler and Nolan. Ultimately, I think Nolan should have gotten it. But Nolan's also probably got a lot more time on his hands to win later, so I'm happy that Seidler got recognition for his work. It was a great script.

Best Editing - Kirk Baxter + Angus Wall, The Social Network
Kind of felt like Tariq Anwar deserved this, but I think if I watched The Social Network again I might think differently.

Best Original Score - Trent Reznor + Atticus Ross, The Social Network
What. The. F..k. Seriously? Reznor's three-note piano score trumps Zimmer's booming, majestic masterpiece? <sigh> This was the most disappointing moment of the evening for me. Call me an over-zealous film geek, but I walked out of the room. <grin>

What were your guys' favorite (and least-favorite) moments of the night? Did you feel like there were as many snubs as have been in the past? As many "bad calls?" Did you get most of your predictions right?

Michael
 
Michael Traven said:
Not to be presumptuous, but I'd like to actually discuss the 83rd annual Academy Awards without having to wade through a page-and-a-half of trolling. For myself, I've watched the Oscars religiously since I got into filmmaking in 2007. It irritates me to read the too-cool-for-school comments from people who want to make sure that EVERYBODY knows how much they don't care... as if we gave a s..t.
Click to expand...

The other thread is for people who want to make sure that EVERYBODY knows how much they don't care.

This thread is for people who want to make sure that EVERYBODY knows how much they do care.

What I want to know is, where is the thread where I can make sure that EVERYBODY knows how I don't have much of an opinion either way?
 
Michael Traven said:
Best Picture - The King's Speech
This was an easy prediction (recently). I really think the film deserved its win here, and I'm glad to see Harvey Weinstein back at the top of his game (though TWC's slated releases for 2011 look like utter s..t - Hoodwinked Too? Really, Harvey?). I really think the film was great and incredibly well done.
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One out of the three films that moved me the most in the last year; the other two being The Fighter and True Grit. I'm glad it won.

Best Director - Tom Hooper
I was kind of surprised, but pleased with this. I thought Fincher would win. Had Nolan been nominated, I'd have voted for him, but as is I was split between Hooper and Aronofsky. Ultimately, I'm glad that Hooper won.
Click to expand...

I tend to judge this category on the overall level of the performances in each director's film (as I think it should be). Again, The Fighter, True Grit, and The King's Speech were the stand outs in this respect. So was Black Swan. Inception was a technical triumph on several levels, but I felt the performances were a bit stilted and took a back seat to the pacing and plot. Not a bad thing for a film of its nature, but not Best Director material to me.

Best Actor - Colin Firth
Was expecting and hoping for this. His speech was outrageously cool and fun. He seems like he'd be a great guy to work with.
Click to expand...

Really loved his and Jeff Bridges' performances.

Best Actress - Natalie Portman
Same for this category. Also, as I said on Facebook: Portman thanking the 1st AD, two camera operators, makeup, hair and wardrobe people all by name during her acceptance speech? That was pure class.
Click to expand...

I just saw this a few nights ago. I almost forgot what a talent Portman is. She deserved it, though if Hailee Steinfeld was in this category I would have given her the edge.

Best Supporting Actor - Christian Bale
Another given, and another well-deserved. Couldn't be happier about this. Bale deserved an Oscar nod for several performances before. It's good to see him finally getting one.
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No contest.

Best Original Score - Trent Reznor + Atticus Ross, The Social Network
What. The. F..k. Seriously? Reznor's three-note piano score trumps Zimmer's booming, majestic masterpiece? <sigh> This was the most disappointing moment of the evening for me. Call me an over-zealous film geek, but I walked out of the room. <grin>
Click to expand...

I loved Zimmer's score and thought it should win (I usually find his scores rather bland), but ever since seeing the original opening scenes of The Social Network when it was using an Elvis Costello tune, I've come to realize how much the score molded it into what it is. Seriously, it's a whole different film because of the music.
 
Wally Pfister well deserved his award. Deakins is owed an Oscar for being nominated about 10 times and winning 0... but not this year. Despite his amazing work and flawless execution of True Grit, it wasn't enough to warrant a win over Inception. Inception pushed boundaries of technical acheivement as well as artistic achievement, an excuse given to me to justify Mauro Fiore's win with Avatar last year (I still don't know how to feel about that). As explained in the cinematography thread of DVXuser:

I liked all nominees this year but Libatique was the anti-thesis of Pfister. One went 16mm, grainy, conflicted and rough... Pfister went 65mm (mainly photo-chemical!), surreal and polished... for lack of better terms. I'd rather it went to Pfister. I think both looks were appropriate for the films, but Pfister had the greater achievement (imo), if you know what I mean. (Think of the rotating sets, lighting cues, etc.)
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And I stand by that comment. Although Libatique's approach to the visuals were 100% right for the story and should be applauded, Wally's work was more of an achievement in cinematography in regards to technical and artistic work. I'm not advocating that technical difficulty be the leading factor of decision making in cinematography awards, nor do I wish to see films that warrant a less glossy or rougher aesthetic approach lose time and time to films that have more polished styles or looks, but Wally seemed to really conquer some great feats with Inception. I mainly support this idea with his use of 65mm cameras, complex sets, in camera special effects, photo-chemical finish, and etc. While Libatique sought to find the ugly in 16mm, Wally was finding the pristine in 65mm. I think both films were fantastic and both men served their story as true artists should.
 
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Great post, Ryan. <smile>

@vcassel, good point about the Director's category. I have a tendency to think of that similarly to the Best Picture category. I think, in light of the direction of the performances among other things, David O. Russel may have been my top choice. The performances in The Fighter were fantastic, as was Russel's vision in blending them (as I believe Bale said in his speech?).
 
Honestly, I was really unimpressed with the Kings speech and thought that Rabbit hole, Buried, the ghost writer, valhalla rising, I am love and animal kingdom all should have gotten nods before it
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
Wally Pfister well deserved his award. Deakins is owed an Oscar for being nominated about 10 times and winning 0... but not this year. Despite his amazing work and flawless execution of True Grit, it wasn't enough to warrant a win over Inception.
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Which is a shame. If anybody deserved an Oscar for cinematography, it´s Deakins IMHO.
Some folks get blinded by fancy spectacular effects, but the art lies within the more subtle and extremely effective way,
Deakins uses his camera to help the story.

Frank
 
Michael Traven said:
Best Supporting Actress - Melissa Leo
Something of another given. I was sort of rooting for Bonham Carter, because I like her, but I do agree with the Academy voters on this one. I think Leo did a fantastic job in The Fighter. Her speech was... not quite there yet. I wish the censors wouldn't have caught the F-bomb in time, though. Would've been funnier. <grin>
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Up here in Canada we heard it loud and clear!
 
Michael Traven said:
The emotion isn't lost, it's hidden. You have to somehow get past the awe-inspiring set pieces and the mind-boggling narrative and look into what's going on.

<SPOILER!>

I mean, for God's sake, Cobb causes his wife to commit suicide and then loses his own bearing on reality, desperately longing to be with her, but simultaneously trying to return home to his children. This is his last chance to make things right, but he's got all of this burden, this guilt, this longing pulling him like the wailing Sirens of Homerian myth into an unending false reality/death-sleep.
Click to expand...

I never understood that criticism much either. My only guess is that the constant barrage of exposition and disorientation makes it difficult for people to hook onto Cobb as a character. They aren't sure who to trust so their emotions are on guard. Also, maybe some people just don't identify with feelings of guilt. I think it's primarily the amount of exposition, which upon second viewing was much more laborious. Specifically the preparations for the heist is non stop info dump and the characters get a little lost there.
 
I have to go with Deakins over Pfister. Pfister's work has always been excellent, but I'm not the hugest fan of the yellow streetlamp look that's his signature. Actually I'm not a fan of the whole monochromatic look when it comes to cinematography in general, not that Pfister is the worst offender by any means. It's just my personal taste.
 
randomname said:
Honestly, I was really unimpressed with the Kings speech and thought that Rabbit hole, Buried, the ghost writer, valhalla rising, I am love and animal kingdom all should have gotten nods before it
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Buried and The Ghost Writer were both fantastic films. Unfortunately, even with the upgrade/downgrade to 10 Best Picture nominees, you still can't fit in every film that deserves recognition.

Honestly, Rabbit Hole looks boring as hell. <grin>

Batutta said:
I never understood that criticism much either. My only guess is that the constant barrage of exposition and disorientation makes it difficult for people to hook onto Cobb as a character. They aren't sure who to trust so their emotions are on guard.
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Yes, you may be onto something there. I had a similar problem with SALT. It was hard to really enjoy the film, because I didn't know which side Jolee was on. Honestly, I wouldn't have cared either way - she could be a legitimate Russian spy and her goal in the film is to kill the president, and I would have rooted for her within the film. Or vice-versa, and the same.

But where I didn't know, it was hard to root for her like I could with the obvious comparison, Bourne. Bourne, you always know he's the guy you're rooting for.

With Cobb, it's sort of similar, if not so extreme. He's holding back information from not just his team, but us as the audience, and it makes it hard to connect with him. He's distant as a character, so we're distant as an audience.
 
I went in to rabbit hole expecting to see Nicole Kidman crying for two hours but I was absolutely blown away by it. Every single actor in it gave one of the best performances of their career, it looked fantastic, and the script was great too.
 
The thing about Inception though is that it is truly one of the few movies that has really made me think in the recent past. Granted the movie is dialogue intensive and you have to really follow what's going on, pay attention to everything, because it is very easy to get lost. The concept was an awesomely fresh take on dreams, that translated well to a great story, great script, great special effects, and good acting. It was engaging, soundtrack was amazing, and I literally left the theater in awe of what I had just seen. Thought about it for a good 24 hours after. It's just a movie that left an impression for me and few movies fall into that category (for me).
 
Kit Hannah said:
The thing about Inception though is that it is truly one of the few movies that has really made me think in the recent past. Granted the movie is dialogue intensive and you have to really follow what's going on, pay attention to everything, because it is very easy to get lost. The concept was an awesomely fresh take on dreams, that translated well to a great story, great script, great special effects, and good acting. It was engaging, soundtrack was amazing, and I literally left the theater in awe of what I had just seen. Thought about it for a good 24 hours after. It's just a movie that left an impression for me and few movies fall into that category (for me).
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+1!
 
+2 on Inception.

The Oscars went almost exactly as I predicted they would. I think Social got one more then I thought it should (see above)... but aside from that... meh, Oscar distribution as expected.
 
Inception was entertaining and nail biting. I don't know how complicated it really is, though. Nolan has a knack for making things come off as seemingly more complex or intelligent than they really are. That's not an insult, BTW; that's why he's a great director--he anticipates audience perception incredibly well. That's why the ridiculous impossibilities in The Dark Knight's plot came across so seamlessly. I think at least part of the reason Inception did so well was because it made the common, Summer blockbuster moviegoer feel smart. Well, at least I did :)

Interesting tangent on its 'uniqueness'...this Uncle Scrooge comic from 2002 follows a nearly identical overall plot.
 
It was a no-surprise, no big-upset Oscar night. So glad I live in California it's the only award show I can watch LIVE.
 
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