One more group conversation, then it's Oscar weekend. Then it's a new film year! [Commence rejoicing]. And the world goes round. It's time for the 4th annual Film Experience Oscar Symposium. I'm very pleased to welcome a brand spanking new lineup of writers joining me for this (the roster changes each year). The participants are, in alpha order- Timothy Brayton, Antagonie & Ecstasy
- Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
- Karina Longworth, Spout
- Erik Lundegaard, Eriklundegaard.com
- Kris Tapley, In Contention
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16 comments:
This is a particularly impressive line-up, Nat. I look forward to erudite analysis--and take-downs.
I'm still a bit baffled by Ed's positive feelings toward "Slumdog Millionaire," however. Hopefully he'll elucidate a bit further on his thoughts, since he usually has a very incisive, sharp eye for culturally obtuse movies that qualify as soft-pedaling, middlebrow filmmaking.
The antidote to a ho-hum Oscar season: a rad Oscar Symposium participant list!
Ed Gonzalez talking Oscar is one of my favourite things on the internet every year. Bring on the symposium
May I just say, Nathaniel, that you are so cute x_x
Looks like a great lineup! If only the BP race was that exciting...
Oh, and I was so excited about reading this discussion...
Yes, it is a great line-up, but as an unwavering fan of Benjamin Button I can already see that I will probably be avoiding any discussion of the film during the Symposium (my blood pressure).
And reading this was only a minor consolation:
"Last year it felt as if I was the only person in the world that disliked Zodiac, and now I feel like the only person in the world - at least in my critical circle - willing to rally behind the flawed but enthralling The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," blogs Ed Gonzalez.
http://daily.greencine.com/archives/007224.html
Ed Gonzalez is great!
Cool line-up! Can't wait.
Is this going to be on iTunes ?
When does the whole thing end up on there ?
I'm away for a couple of days until Saturday - and it'd be fun to have more oscar chatter on my iPod whilst I'm away !
Yay for Kris Tapley!
I'm still a bit baffled by Ed's positive feelings toward "Slumdog Millionaire," however. Hopefully he'll elucidate a bit further on his thoughts, since he usually has a very incisive, sharp eye for culturally obtuse movies that qualify as soft-pedaling, middlebrow filmmaking.
"Slumdog Millionaire" was none of those things, and liking the film and thinking it's exceptional doesn't make you obtuse or middlebrow.
adam awww. thanks. *blushes*
rob -- it's not a podcast. it's an email conversation (like in previous years)
anon -- you sure SLUMDOG is not culturally obtuse? Because even if one likes it which is fine -- it does have recommendable elements -- I very much doubt that cultural sensitivity or depth of portrayal are among them, you know?
I think we have quite a few Slumdog fans on the panel though so this won't be a bash session as I'm sure some of you feared.
I know Arkaan keeps worrying about that.
That's exactly why Slumdog Millionaire rubbed me the wrong way. It came off to me as begging for credit for showing "the real, unvarnished India that other films won't let you see". Otherwise it was very entertaining and impressively made.
Nathaniel says:
"I think we have quite a few Slumdog fans on the panel though so this won't be a bash session as I'm sure some of you feared."
Now I fear even more for the Button....
Whether the symposium occasionally veers into a territory that could be described as a "bash-session" or a "love-fest," I'm sure the panelists will have very fair, intelligent opinions regarding the status of the Academy-chosen films and how they reflect this year in culture, politics and cinema.
I, for one, can absolutely not wait. I'm looking forward to Ed, Karina and Erik's thoughts, in particular.
you sure SLUMDOG is not culturally obtuse? Because even if one likes it which is fine -- it does have recommendable elements -- I very much doubt that cultural sensitivity or depth of portrayal are among them, you know?
The film is not "culturally obtuse" in my view, which is all that I can attest to. I'm not Indian, and neither are you. I think that the filmmakers did the best that they could to tell their story as sensitively as they could. I take the film as a fairy tale of sorts, so I wasn't looking for any grand statements on India or "depth" on the plight of slumdwellers and the downtrodden. For that, I'll watch the news or the like.
Oh God Nate ! Say it isn't so!
Tell me there will be another podcast before Sunday!
I can't cope. I need a podcast! I have withdrawal symptoms.
Will you be live blogging, for those of us unfortunate not to be seeing the show ?
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