tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post7001396587481596598..comments2024-03-17T10:11:46.952-04:00Comments on Film Experience Blog: Oscar Symposium Day 3: Big Finale RemixNATHANIEL Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-15964994000246693942010-03-01T21:40:11.129-05:002010-03-01T21:40:11.129-05:00"Well, I think the Symposium makes it quite c..."Well, I think the Symposium makes it quite clear that we're not all okay with that -- hence the discussion."<br /><br />You're right. I read the symposium stuff a while a go and can't remember everything, but I vague recall people disagreeing with "mental editing" and some people even defended Shankman's reality-tv analogy. <br /><br />I think what I was angry about was not that there was consensus on mental-editing mentality, but I got the vibe that there was consensus on poopoo-ing the scenes from basterds that involved the americans, as if the movie could have been better without them. Obviously, from my perspective, the american basterds are in important part of the movie so I got upset when people were dismissing it (although i do feel the american actors are less engaging).<br /><br />Also, fair point about british movies being technically foreign. (although it's impossible for me to tell the if the production is american or british, with all those british movie stars being in lots of hollywood movies). Anyways, I understand, you guys are writers and need to think about sentence flow and all that.poopoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-51729233832394397992010-03-01T14:40:21.406-05:002010-03-01T14:40:21.406-05:00"I'm shocked that these movie-obsessed pe..."I'm shocked that these movie-obsessed people feel it's ok to contemplate their favorite movies with "mental editing.""<br /><br />Well, I think the Symposium makes it quite clear that we're not all okay with that -- hence the discussion.<br /><br />Fair point about the subtitles in "Basterds" and "District 9." I avoid the word "foreign" because it doesn't relate specifically to language -- "An Education" is "foreign" to U.S. voters too -- but using "foreign-language" all the time can get a bit unwieldy. So you caught me, but I stand by my point.Guy Lodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06073912302467109996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-23204136536835934282010-03-01T14:33:50.364-05:002010-03-01T14:33:50.364-05:00You should get capital-lettered BOOOOOOs for that ...You should get capital-lettered BOOOOOOs for that awful defense of Adam Shenkman. Drink up his bathwater too while you're at it.XYZnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-62019787309270938852010-03-01T13:58:46.841-05:002010-03-01T13:58:46.841-05:00I apologize for the spelling errors, grammer error...I apologize for the spelling errors, grammer errors, and sentences that don't make sense in above post.poopoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-2570359604679062072010-03-01T13:55:39.208-05:002010-03-01T13:55:39.208-05:00Didn't read all of the comments, so maybe this...Didn't read all of the comments, so maybe this stuff is already mentioned but here goes anyways.<br /><br />First off, three cheers for this symposium. It's actually interesting to read.<br /><br />That being said, three boos for some of the thing said.<br /><br />First Boo: Hating on Shankman. Why is everybody hating on the guy? It seems like his crimes are as follows:<br />1. Making an astute observation of how the oscar campaign closely resembles competition-style reality TV (this is exactly how the oscar-obsessed experience the oscars).<br />2. Hiring dancers (some from SYTYCD) to dance during the oscars(This happened last year to with the "musical" number and it sucked but somehow the reason it's bad this year because he's hiring SYTYCD alums).<br />3. Getting movie stars that you guys don't like (from twilight) to attend (this is nothing new, I think this alwaysh happens, nothing to do with the new producers).<br />4. Getting rid of the biggest oxymoron of the ceremony: that the most inconsequential category (best song) get the most presentation time, and simultaneously eliminating guaranteed painfully awkward performances of mediocre songs, by getting rid of the "best song" permorances.<br />5. Getting rid of the awkward self-indulget 5 presenters per acting category deal (producers should be commended for this).<br />6. Being gay (haha, just kidding)<br />But seriously, I get the vibe that Shankman's biggest crime is that he's affiliated with a reality tv show, and the "reasons" mentioend for hating on him are justifications and not legitimate. <br /><br />Second Boo: Enjoying Inglourious Basterds "DVD" style<br /><br />Enjoying movies just for specific scenes is fine for low-brow comedy or action movies, but not for a tour-de-force like basterds! I'm shocked that these movie-obsessed people feel it's ok to contemplate their favorite movies with "mental editing." It's really a shame if you do that too, because you might miss out on some big picture ideas of the movie. If you mentally edit out all scenes with the bear jew, for instance, you miss out some of the ironic parrallels to scenes without the bear jew, and this makes the film less interesting (for me, anyways). I'm spefically referring to the ironic parallel of the bear jew gruesomely beating up the german captain (while fratboys cheer, if watching in movie theater) between the nazis cheering on as they watch the movie about the german sniper picking off american soldiers. Also, that first chapter/scene is fine on its own (where nazis brutally shoot up shoshana's family from above the floor) but it becomes more interesting when you realize is a mirror to the scene where bear jew and his friend brutally shoot up the helpless nazis in the move theatre from the balcony. I'm rambling here but I hope you get the point. This whole meta-mirror is lost of ignore scenes with americans in them, and thinking about the movie in this way diminishes it.<br /><br />Third Boo: Complaining about not enugh "subtitled" movies getting nominated. <br />Let's just cut the crap and called them foreign movies. At least three best picture nominees had quite a bit of subtitles (basterds, avatar, district 9) and all of them were popular. Subtitles have little to do with why foreign movies don't get seen or nominated, so let's stop pretending like it's true.<br /><br />3 boos: boo boo boopoopoonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-51060444196999097482010-03-01T11:55:07.242-05:002010-03-01T11:55:07.242-05:00No, I'm not Bullock's damn publicist. I ha...No, I'm not Bullock's damn publicist. I happen to like her performance and would be fine with her Oscar win (which I see her getting). And how is it the PC line to like all five nominees? Is that outside of your realm of acceptable thinking? I didn't resort to labeling you as a Meryl nutjob, so don't pull that crap for me in my views on Sandra Bullock.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-29059651071558294422010-03-01T07:02:35.256-05:002010-03-01T07:02:35.256-05:00@Anonymous : are you the publicist for Sandra Bull...@Anonymous : are you the publicist for Sandra Bullock's Oscar Campaign? *just kidding* :)<br /><br />But seriously, you seem to be echoing the politically correct campaign line: Sandra was great but all the nominees are wonderful too.<br /><br />Unfortunately not too many agree with you. :Pxixinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-40099915016184767152010-02-28T23:44:56.444-05:002010-02-28T23:44:56.444-05:00Brian I totally agree about the December thing. I ...Brian I totally agree about the December thing. I was thrileld about that. But i don' t think they'll learn from this... because CRAZY HEART and THE YOUNG VICTORIA and DR PARNASSUS which all waited it out and were barely released in 2009 all did pretty well using that old "hide your movie!" strategy that hates real moviegoers.<br /><br />boo.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-46285063070116883272010-02-28T18:46:07.807-05:002010-02-28T18:46:07.807-05:00Nathaniel,
What I did want to raise (and forgive...Nathaniel, <br /><br />What I did want to raise (and forgive me as I miss a few days here and there) is the fact that the 10 Best Pic Nominees seems to have put an end to the December tactic. Only 2 were December releases and the studios that waited it out to the final minute collapsed and failed - utterly.<br /><br />Could the 10 Best Pic nominee list finally alter Oscar film release campaigns?<br /><br />If so, I'll be very happy to have 10 nominees - even if I have to tolerate THE BLIND SIDE getting nominated.Brian Owenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13378093267499035302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-51755872182184274452010-02-28T18:42:08.221-05:002010-02-28T18:42:08.221-05:00I made myself see THE BLIND SIDE today; and I didn...I made myself see THE BLIND SIDE today; and I didn't hate it as much as I expected to. Didn't love it by any means...<br /><br />But - I was surprised by Bullock's performance in that I was expecting it to be over-the-top (since Oscar tends to go for that). It was actually subtle and - since I'm now a Tennessean - actually a realistic portrayal of that type of woman.<br /><br />I wouldn't be that pissed if she wins (whereas, I had already planned my indignation at the possibility).<br /><br />Now, if the movie wins (which it won't), I will go off...Brian Owenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13378093267499035302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-84686789182938403942010-02-28T16:39:46.982-05:002010-02-28T16:39:46.982-05:00For Best Actress...I think that Sandra's going...For Best Actress...I think that Sandra's going to take it...but I would prefer either Sidibe or Mulligan to win.<br /><br />For Re-Casting Couch: I so would like to have seen Ellen Page instead of Anna Kendrick in "UitA!"Bill_the_Bearnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-44208868941950553052010-02-28T12:15:27.610-05:002010-02-28T12:15:27.610-05:00Bullock's win wouldn't be an embarrassment...Bullock's win wouldn't be an embarrassment. Believe it or not, some people actually loved that performance and think it's completely worthy of the Oscar win, and gosh, I'm one of those people too. And before you ask, I've seen all five nominees, and they'd all make deserving winners in one way or another.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-21842608631460301952010-02-28T12:09:57.269-05:002010-02-28T12:09:57.269-05:00@Colin Low thanks for clarifying. i understand you...@Colin Low thanks for clarifying. i understand your point better now. <br /><br />I too would support a win by Gabby Sidibe as it is a worthy performance that has emotional impact. <br /><br />As for Streep, I do believe that the standard for her has probably been set at a superhuman level. <br /><br />Every time she is nominated, the argument is either that she has been better before or that she can do better in the future. And thus 27 years have gone by since she last won. <br /><br />The truth is she has been more consistently excellent than most other actresses. Unfortunately, consistent greatness does not back for an exciting Oscar narrative as opposed to "surprisingly brilliant" or "box office queen turned 'real' actress.xixinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-77306407954706345182010-02-28T11:57:54.794-05:002010-02-28T11:57:54.794-05:00i disagree that Best Actress has always been a pop...i disagree that Best Actress has always been a popularity contest. sometimes Oscar actually gets it right and rewards merit/art. a Bullock win would be an embarrassment.brandznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-27526574601422882942010-02-28T11:39:28.133-05:002010-02-28T11:39:28.133-05:00Lead actress has always been a popularity contest....Lead actress has always been a popularity contest. Catch up already.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-47381509983331837892010-02-28T10:56:12.457-05:002010-02-28T10:56:12.457-05:00i agree that J&J is a light-weight movie. how...i agree that J&J is a light-weight movie. however, Meryl Streep's performance as Julia Child is another case entirely. Streep absolutely captured the heart and soul of Julia Child. her performance was nuanced and layered, joyful and touching. i cannot see any other actress doing what Meryl Streep did with that role. i'd be most satisfied if she won Oscar again, finally. that being said, i'd be least happy and frankly embarrassed if Bullock wins. of the 5 nominees, any win would be fine except Bullock because we should not reward mediocrity with an Oscar. this should not be a popularity contest and it looks like that is what is happening. shameful!brandznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-69625375362498859022010-02-28T04:49:01.711-05:002010-02-28T04:49:01.711-05:00@xixi: See, the thing is, I don't think Bulloc...@xixi: See, the thing is, I don't think Bullock "deserves" the Oscar in any sense of the word. If I thought the Oscar should go to the most deserving performance, I'd love it if it ends up in Sidibe's hands. However, if the horserace is really as prognosticators are calling it, I would rather give it to Bullock than to Streep. I actually think either choice would be an instance of "celebrating mediocrity", but in such a scenario I wouldn't want the Oscar to "validate" Streep's performance in any way when she could do better, whereas I assume (I might be wrong) that a win wouldn't affect Bullock's future career choices as much.<br /><br />In other words, I don't have sufficient respect for the institutional judgement of the Academy to care if it embarrasses itself in choosing a winner in Bullock; I care more for what a win would do for the Oscar winner. And in this case, I'm much more invested in Streep pushing harder and finding riskier roles than I am in Bullock, and I don't want her to think that <em>J&J</em> is "worthy" enough that she doesn't need to try for more each time around, for the rest of her career.Colin Lowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05486791544755794423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-21841255669996534322010-02-28T04:37:14.756-05:002010-02-28T04:37:14.756-05:00@Colin Low I don't really follow your logic. ...@Colin Low I don't really follow your logic. Like many others, you are giving a free pass to Sandra Bullock even though she may well 'go back to comedies and not have to stretch herself" again but insists that Meryl Streep has to top Sophie's Choice.<br /><br />Talk about double standards. I echo Nathaniel -- this kind of logic drives me crazy too. <br /><br />Same too with people saying that she should win for a weightier role in a drama like August Osage County that a) may never be made given the unpredictable nature of development process b) even if it gets made, Streep may not get the lead role. <br /><br />Meryl Streep does not need anyone or anything to make sure she keeps stretching herself. She will certainly not become lazy if she wins her 3rd Oscar.<br />She has 16 Oscar nominations for a reason! <br /><br />To award someone like Bullock because her performance is merely 'better than expected' and then turn around and say that someone who is consistently excellent like Streep can only win for a mind-blowing performance is to celebrate mediocrity. <br /><br />I rest my case.xixinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-61631057022075842362010-02-28T02:18:41.154-05:002010-02-28T02:18:41.154-05:00Since I'm the one who mentioned it, I'm no...Since I'm the one who mentioned it, I'm not rewarding Streep already for "August: Osage County." All I said was that I think that's the kind of role that she should be winning a third for, not "Julie & Julia." I know that the casting hasn't happened yet, and as far as we know, the film itself might not even be made, or it could be made and be awful, Streep might not get the lead role, or she does and someone else with more momentum swoops in and beats her yet again. Plenty of intangibles there. I was just thinking out loud. But no, I wouldn't want to reward Streep for something mediocre like "J&J" and then "see what happens" with "A: OC" later on.Donovannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-45995935893196834902010-02-28T00:22:47.954-05:002010-02-28T00:22:47.954-05:00"Why does Streep have to do something as good..."Why does Streep have to do something as good as Sophie's Choice again to deserve a win but Bullock only has to do something as good as the Blind Side?"<br /><br />The same reason why Gabby Sidibe and Carey Mulligan will be waiting for their Oscars--because the Oscar is more than just an award for a year's best performance, it's the industry's top accolade for a certified "marker" within an actor's career. Giving an Oscar to Meryl Streep for <em>J&J</em> is telling her that she never has to reach for anything as good as <em>Sophie's Choice</em> again. And that's a sadder scenario than Sandra Bullock comfortably going back to her comedies and never having to worry about stretching her dramatic limits in Oscar bait again. How's that for a Sophie's choice?Colin Lowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05486791544755794423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-70015601591556345302010-02-27T22:40:06.274-05:002010-02-27T22:40:06.274-05:00if Bullock wins I will never forgive Oscar. it...if Bullock wins I will never forgive Oscar. it's so embarrassing. it's the fucking Oscar for chr*** sake! I'm having a very difficult time working that out in my brain, as you can tell.<br /><br />August: Osage County has not even been cast yet, to my knowledge, and people are already rewarding Streep for something that hasn't happened. i say reward her now, while we can, cast her in Osage and see what happens.brandznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-89927220907747499982010-02-27T20:21:53.479-05:002010-02-27T20:21:53.479-05:00I thought that Meryl was quite good in J&J, bu...I thought that Meryl was quite good in J&J, but I agree with some of the people above who believe that Carey and Gabby are way above her.<br /><br />One thing that's strange is this: if (we can assume) no one will be voting for Mirren or Freeman, why are they there? In an ideal world, wouldn't each nominee have a huge and devoted fanbase, and wouldn't all of the performances be amazing in their own right? Very rarely is there one performance in a year that stands above all of the rest and deserves all of the votes... so why nominate actors who "don't have a chance"? If that's the case, then why are they there?<br /><br />P.S.--This is all very idealistic. I'm aware that the Oscars aren't going to change their voting habits because of me :)Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-66034874419174398632010-02-27T20:03:24.287-05:002010-02-27T20:03:24.287-05:00Sidibe or Mulligan would probably have a decent sh...Sidibe or Mulligan would probably have a decent shot but I have a feeling they might be cancelling each other outBurning Reelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240650652319642523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-89796907474683508242010-02-27T16:45:44.456-05:002010-02-27T16:45:44.456-05:00Nat, as much as I myself didn't care for Brigh...Nat, as much as I myself didn't care for <i>Bright Star</i>, I'll agree that it deserved at least several technical nominations. Giving the film only one mention was a cheap move.<br /><br />For what it's worth, I much preferred Tucci in <i>The Lovely Bones</i> than in <i>Julie and Julia</i>. I really had no opinion of him in the latter. As much as I am on the fence for whether or not I actually liked <i>The Lovely Bones</i> (and it's been over a month!), I thought that Tucci was fantastic, as was Ronan - much better than she was in <i>Atonement</i>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05723441382492805800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-16161288005812763522010-02-27T15:42:35.611-05:002010-02-27T15:42:35.611-05:00This is totally unrelated, but, I love perfume alm...This is totally unrelated, but, I love perfume almost as much as I love movies and wanted to alert people to something. Niche fragrance house Etat Libre d'Orange released a fragrance some time ago which they created with Rossy dePalma, now they have e new fragrnace coming out... Like This created in collaboration with TILDA SWINTON! Check out what we know so far here: http://www.nstperfume.com/2010/02/27/etat-libre-dorange-tilda-swinton-like-this-new-fragrance/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com