Topic: The Oscars

[Latenight Surfer]

Wasn't even there was he?

Probably a bit peeved he didn't get a nod for Interstellar.

Yeah.

He put in a lot work, I'll give that but it is in no way a contender and rightly so.

[just Riggins?]

Haven't seen Birdman.

I thought the best movie of the year was The Theory of Everything, and was hoping it would win but I don't think it ever had a chance.

Just happy Boyhood didn't win picture, and I thought it wasn't even worthy of being nominated.

Theory of Everything was a glorified TV movie with poor direction and a poor script bolstered by some fantastic performances.  Boyhood is a once in a decade film making achievement.

Opinions eh?

[killer-heels]

I hated 'Birdman' and I hate Eddie Redmayne, so meh.

Juilanne Moore and JK Simmons are class though.

Tangerines was the best foreign film but no surprise Ida won it.

[Bunter]

Surprise, surprise, bar Grand Budapest nearly every award went to the films all cynically released in the last month or so.

[cloggypop]

Boyhood reminded me of the Wonder Years. That was filmed over years as well and not much really happened.

[dave 5516]

Glad Ida won....easily the best...in the only category that matters..this proven by the fact that Moore wins an Oscar for a lesser performance than the one she gave in Maps...she was brilliant in maps...not even nod for that though...

[bigal]

Thought Birdman was clever, witty in parts but very cold and too much like a thesis of how to make a film appear to be clever. So I rather guessed it would win.

[Latenight Surfer]

Thought Birdman was clever, witty in parts but very cold and too much like a thesis of how to make a film appear to be clever. So I rather guessed it would win.

Whaaaaaaaat?

Birdman was pure class in the way it mocks mainstream cinema and itself and the background it chose to make that happen being theatre makes it even more special. If anything the last scene where Emma stones smiles in the end is all that takes to explain the tone of the film.

It wasn't trying to be clever to impress the judges, it was simply reflecting the false reflection that most mainstream films are projecting in today's cinema. Going by your logic I would say that the only thing that made Boyhood special is the fact that it was shot for 14 years when in reality you could do without it to explain the same thing.

Which I know would not do justice to what it was trying to show to the audience and the same goes with Birdman, which also happens to be explaining the current state of theatre arts in the country and in general.

[killer-heels]

Glad Ida won....easily the best...in the only category that matters..this proven by the fact that Moore wins an Oscar for a lesser performance than the one she gave in Maps...she was brilliant in maps...not even nod for that though...

Ida was very good but I preferred Tangerines, but its not really an Oscar winning film.

[Libertine]

Ugh, very disappointing. 

Haven't seen Birdman, I'm sure it's an impressive film, but I find Hollywood's obsession with itself and the acting profession / film-making really tedious. Is that three best movie winners now in recent years that are essentially about the industry itself?

I think Boyhood will have much more longevity and be viewed as a classic for years to come. Well done to the BAFTAs at least for the recognition.

[Pheeny]

Going to go against the grain here. I saw Boyhood yesterday and was thoroughly disappointed. It was just 3 hours of nothingness. The concept is groundbreaking but there is literally no story and no plot. It's basically a glorified documentary about a boy growing up. Nothing fascinating or engaging about the movie whatsoever. I struggled to finish it.

To me, I think it would be terrible if it won Best Picture. It's not even worthy of being nominated. Sorry, you may think it's great cinema, but I like a proper story. 

More or less what I said,to me it's more a Sunday afternoon TV Movie.

[Latenight Surfer]

Going to go against the grain here. I saw Boyhood yesterday and was thoroughly disappointed. It was just 3 hours of nothingness. The concept is groundbreaking but there is literally no story and no plot. It's basically a glorified documentary about a boy growing up. Nothing fascinating or engaging about the movie whatsoever. I struggled to finish it.

To me, I think it would be terrible if it won Best Picture. It's not even worthy of being nominated. Sorry, you may think it's great cinema, but I like a proper story.

I think the point of the movie exactly revolved around it in not having any plot mate.

Whatever was trying to be conveyed in that movie would have lost it's meaning if there was to be a plot in it.

[Redcap]

Disappointed for Boyhood, but Birdman was probably the movie I would have been happiest for the Academy to recognise if Boyhood wasn't made. They're both excellent movies, but only one will be remembered as a great movie.

I'll say this though - Birdman is probably the best (if not necessarily the most worthy) Best Picture winner since No Country for Old Men won it in 2007. Some pretty average movies have won it in the years between 2008 and 2014. The likes of The Hurt Locker, The Artist and Argo are all decent efforts, but already within less than 10 years they have lost a lot of their lustre. I think Birdman will be remembered for a lot longer, but will always be regarded as a mistake when it was made in the same year as Boyhood.

It interesting enough a movie that the Academy can now feel nice and smug about how edgy and relevant they are, and go back to awarding nonsense like Crash for the next 5 years.

[johnsmithlfc]

I liked Birdman a lot, technically brilliant and beautifully shot.
But as films, as enjoyment and getting something out of them, both Boyhood & Whiplash did more for me.
Birdman was always going to win, the industry loves itself.
Chuffed for Keaton.

[Newman96]

Ugh, very disappointing. 

Haven't seen Birdman, I'm sure it's an impressive film, but I find Hollywood's obsession with itself and the acting profession / film-making really tedious. Is that three best movie winners now in recent years that are essentially about the industry itself?

I think Boyhood will have much more longevity and be viewed as a classic for years to come. Well done to the BAFTAs at least for the recognition.

Which do you have in mind? Birdman, The Artist and?

[rob1408]

Glad Ida won....easily the best...in the only category that matters..this proven by the fact that Moore wins an Oscar for a lesser performance than the one she gave in Maps...she was brilliant in maps...not even nod for that though...

Yeah, I can't imagine the academy being too eager to nominate a film that attacks the industry in the way Maps To The Stars did.  Julianne Moore's best performance of the year though.

Was Maps even eligible ?  Its only just gone on general release in the states.  I'm not sure limited (very, like one night) releases are eligible.

[Libertine]

Which do you have in mind? Birdman, The Artist and?

Argo. Slightly more to the storyline obviously, but still fairly self-congratulating.

[Yorkykopite]

I'd have gone for Grand Budapest Hotel. But it was a great year for films - Birdman, Boyhood, Foxcatcher and Whiplash were all excellent. As was Turner.

Leviathan ought to have won the foreign language film, but Ida was good too. 

[Redcap]

Which do you have in mind? Birdman, The Artist and?

Those are the only two. But the Academy is 2 for 2 in giving the award to nominees about the industry in recent years. It does appear to be a story that the Academy is pretty keen on. Keep your eye out for how movies like this do in the future. Perhaps the Strangers on a Train remake will get a look in.

I liked Birdman a lot. I really wish I could feel a little happier about it winning than I do.

[Redman0151]

Felt like more of a political rally this year rather than a film awards ceremony. Bit gutted for Linklater

[rob1408]

Felt like more of a political rally this year rather than a film awards ceremony. Bit gutted for Linklater

Linklater is such a fantastic filmmaker, he'll have plenty more opportunities. 

Boyhood would of been my pick, but I also enjoyed Birdman.

Linklater is making a 'spiritual sequel' to Dazed And Confused, can't wait for that.

[chilongooner]

Ugh, very disappointing. 

Haven't seen Birdman, I'm sure it's an impressive film, but I find Hollywood's obsession with itself and the acting profession / film-making really tedious. Is that three best movie winners now in recent years that are essentially about the industry itself?

I think Boyhood will have much more longevity and be viewed as a classic for years to come. Well done to the BAFTAs at least for the recognition.

Shakespeare in Love, Chicago, yeah  Hollywood does have a clear obsession with itself.

I thought Birdman was very good. But I personally rate Grand Budapest Hotel and Boyhood as superior works of cinematic art.

No way should Birdman have won Best Cinematography over Grand Budapest, that was a huge miscarriage of justice imo.

Linklater is such a fantastic filmmaker, he'll have plenty more opportunities. 

Boyhood would of been my pick, but I also enjoyed Birdman.

Linklater is making a 'spiritual sequel' to Dazed And Confused, can't wait for that.

That is awesome.

I thought in some conceptual ways Boyhood was the spiritual sequel to Slacker.

I liked Birdman a lot, technically brilliant and beautifully shot.
But as films, as enjoyment and getting something out of them, both Boyhood & Whiplash did more for me.
Birdman was always going to win, the industry loves itself.
Chuffed for Keaton.

Ironically Keaton didn't win Best Actor though

The likes of The Hurt Locker, The Artist and Argo are all decent efforts, but already within less than 10 years they have lost a lot of their lustre.

Agree about Hurt Locker (overrated IMO) and Artist but Argo I think is a timeless movie that will always have relevancy for anyone interested in that period of history.  Maybe its because I have some Iranian friends whose families fled Iran in 1979 but Argo is still one of my favorite movies of all time along with Grand Budapest and Boyhood from this year.

[Redcap]

Shakespeare in Love, Chicago, yeah  Hollywood does have a clear obsession with itself.

I forgot about Argo in recent years as well.

[chilongooner]

I forgot about Argo in recent years as well.

I rate Argo a bit differently because that was always a fascinating true story to me but like I said above maybe thats because I have old friends whose families had to flee Iran in 1979 so that movie is a bit more personally relevant to me.

[Number 7]

Keaton should have won, but not at all surprised.

Not sure about that mate. Redmayne's performance is brilliant. He has to act with his eyes as well as body language and dialogue. Portraying that amount of emotion through your eyes, and just letting the viewer enter the feelings of the character through that medium was truly extraordinary. In many parts of the movie he just conveying his emotions and feelings, and essentially talking through this eyes.

Absolutely wonderful performance, and fully deserved.

[aggerdid]

i thought interstellar would win best original score. very memorable soundtrack that has made its way onto tv programmes i've noticed. like the bbc did an f1 end of season review and used that soundtrack

[lionel_messias]

Which do you have in mind? Birdman, The Artist and?

Argo. Crash. Others I cannot think of right now.

[Redcap]

Argo. Crash. Others I cannot think of right now.

Crash is not about the industry.. is it?

[chilongooner]

Crash is not about the industry.. is it?

I thought it was about car crash sex fetishes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_%281996_film%29

[rob1408]

I thought it was about car crash sex fetishes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_%281996_film%29

That's the good Crash, they're on about that 'oh, so worthy' piece of shit Haggis film.

Cronenberg's film is a masterpiece.

[Skidder.]

As a film, Crash does talk to you like you're in Pre-school though. It is a film that will keep Sociology teachers in a lesson in-lieu for generations.

I despised how it plucked a theme employed from the brilliant Magnolia, nearly a decade before; I despise the guilt it tried to force upon you as a member of the human race and I despise the vastly overrated Terrence Howard; who ironically, should have had the Vaudeville Hook, hook him off of the stage when he broke into soul mode.

[rob1408]

In all fairness, Magnolia lifted wholesale from Altman's Short Cuts, both structurally and thematically, and that was released in 93 (and also starred Julianne Moore as a cheating wife).  Short Cuts is the better film in my opinion, both tower over Crash (Haggis not Cronenberg) which has to be one of the worst films to win best picture.

I detest that film.

[Redcap]

I love how any mention of Crash (Haggis, 2004) sends almost every film lover into either:

A. A diatribe about what tosh it was,
B. A reference about the Cronenberg Crash, or
C. Both of the above

It's the Voldemort of movies.

[rob1408]

I love how any mention of Crash (Haggis, 2004) sends almost every film lover into either:

A. A diatribe about what tosh it was,
B. A reference about the Cronenberg Crash, or
C. Both of the above

It's the Voldemort of movies.

Kidder is right, it's probably the most condescending film I've ever sat through.  I thought Matt Dillon and Sandra Bullock were good though.

[Redcap]

Kidder is right, it's probably the most condescending film I've ever sat through.  I thought Matt Dillon and Sandra Bullock were good though.

Oh I agree. I don't remember much of Dillon's or Bullock's performances though.

[Trada]

Chris Rock to host the next Oscars.

That will be interesting.

[elsewhere]

Come on Leo, bring it home!

[Flinstone]

When's it on? Is Rock the only non-White person in the room?

[Redcap]

Come on Leo, bring it home!

Eh. It's a lock. Have you seen Michael Fassbender's Steve Jobs? It's very good. Won't win, but since when were the Oscars about rewarding the best in the business?

My picks for the main categories, with what should have won in brackets

Best Picture: The Revenant (Carol - I know it wasn't nominated)
Best Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu (George Miller)
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio (Michael Fassbender)
Best Actress Brie Larson (Brie Larson OR Cate Blanchett)
Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone (Tom Hardy)
Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander (Alicia Vikander)
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Big Short (Carol)
Best Original Screenplay: Spotlight (Ex Machina)
Best Foreign Picture: Son of Saul (Dunno, haven't seen the majority of nominees. Surprised Clouds of Sils Maria wasn't mentioned though)
Best Cinematography: The Revenant (The Revenant - although Sicario is very good, and Roger Deakins deserves a statuette at some point, surely)

[Fiasco]

Eh. It's a lock. Have you seen Michael Fassbender's Steve Jobs? It's very good. Won't win, but since when were the Oscars about rewarding the best in the business?

My picks for the main categories, with what should have won in brackets

Best Picture: The Revenant (Carol - I know it wasn't nominated)
Best Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu (George Miller)
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio (Michael Fassbender)
Best Actress Brie Larson (Brie Larson OR Cate Blanchett)
Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone (Tom Hardy)
Best Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander (Alicia Vikander)
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Big Short (Carol)
Best Original Screenplay: Spotlight (Ex Machina)
Best Foreign Picture: Son of Saul (Dunno, haven't seen the majority of nominees. Surprised Clouds of Sils Maria wasn't mentioned though)
Best Cinematography: The Revenant (The Revenant - although Sicario is very good, and Roger Deakins deserves a statuette at some point, surely)

Nah, Di Caprio deserves it. His performance is wonderful.