Comments on: Oscars Expand Best Picture Nominations

By: Tellthatstupidmickhejustmademylistofthingstodotoday

Tellthatstupidmickhejustmademylistofthingstodotoday — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:28:38 +0000

Though the decision has met with mixed reviews:http://www.newsy.com/videos/oscars_and_then_there_were_ten
(as you pointed out) I think it will be good for ghettoized genres like Animated feature and documentary. But I wish they would not put a limit on the number and just require movies to reach a set threshold of votes, however many make it will be up for nomination.

By: drbenway

drbenway — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:42:52 +0000

I agree with that. The Academy, at best, is behind the curve. Not winning is a badge of honor. Maybe that’s why Anderson didn’t win for Tenenbaums, but what’s-his-name won for Little Miss Sunshine. I just find it distressing that the “keepers of cinema” can be so hypocritical.

By: Loraxaeon

Loraxaeon — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:50:56 +0000

I see you what you mean. Quentin Tarantino said something about Cannes that I think applies here too, that that only list more prestigious than the winners (and nominees) is the list of filmmakers who didn’t win. Kubrick got one Oscar, and that was technical, Hitchcock got none, and Scorsese only just got one a few years ago.

By: drbenway

drbenway — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:49:27 +0000

Hi Loraxeon,

I should have been more specific–I was talking exclusively about the awards those films won, which was for writing. I knew of Dayton’s and Faris’s previous work, and I was happy to see them find some success in feature films. And I liked Juno too, and am (so far) a fan of Reitman, but I think Juno would have been a disaster in a less capable filmmaker’s hands. Reitman definitely dialed down the “quirk” factor–Cody has said so expressly.

My point was that the Academy and critical establishment condemn Wes Anderson for writing like Wes Anderson, but they reward at the highest level writers producing pale (very pale, in the case of Little Miss Sunshine) imitations of his past work. It boggles my mind.

By: Loraxaeon

Loraxaeon — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:07:27 +0000

While I do think it’s unfortunate that Wes’ films have been neglected while films that show his influence have consistently been praised, I don’t neccesarily think those filmmakers are hacks. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, the directors of Little Miss Sunshine have been directing for over 15 years in music videos and advertising and have an innovative streak and distinc style of their own, and I happen to quite like Juno.

Anyway there’s always the comfort that Wes is making great, unusual films exactly the way he wants to.

By: drbenway

drbenway — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:51:47 +0000

Hopefully they can find a nomination for him again, instead of ignoring his work while hi-lighting that of his inferior hack imitators (Little Miss Sunshine and Juno).