The Oscar nominations have been released, and the speculation has started for what has proved a mildy interesting year in cinema.
The Academy choices for best film pit several wild fantasies against a couple more serious films.
“Beasts of the Southern Wild”, the tale of a poor girl in a swampy land that gets ravaged by a massive storm, puts a surreal spin on New Orleans culture and how Katrina affected it. Most of the actors, including several of the leads, were locals with no previous acting experience. A best-picture win for the relatively low-budget underdog would be a refreshing change.
“Lincoln” and “Life of Pi” are the biggest contenders in the category. The first takes a (almost) completely historically accurate look at Lincoln’s attempt to have the 13th amendment passed. But any historian will tell you that Frederick Douglas should have received some props somewhere in there. “Life of Pi” takes the viewer on a lost-at-sea voyage the likes of which hasn’t been seen since “Castaway”. Some may find the interaction between the stranded boy and tiger more interesting than the caveman and the volleyball.
The first installment of “The Hobbit” wasn’t on par with Jackson’s past works in the nomination department, only pulling a few measly nominations for design and make-up. Maybe his dramatic weight-loss since directing “Lord of the Rings” has disconnected him from his inner hobbit. On the other hand, the prequel book was never intended to be an epic. Meanwhile “The Avengers” was the only superhero movie to make the cut for any award this time (for visual effects, not the wonky plot). The Bat got stiffed without Ledger’s talents, leaving “Django Unchained” as the sole bang-em-up movie in the mix.
And then, there was “Les Miserables.” Anne Hathaway starved herself for this one and still managed to churn out more than one show-stopping number. It will be a tough one to outdo for drama, and it has added artsy-ness because it’s French.
Of course, this whole awards show is just based on the opinions of a group of old stiffs and it won’t change your opinions or movie taste. But there’s just something about watching those actors, actresses and old beardy directors start sobbing their eyes out.
