2010 Oscar Nominations for Best Picture
This is the first year in recent history that the Academy has nominated ten movies for Best Picture. I saw eight and a half of the ten Best Picture Nominations this year. And I saw eight at the theater. I did not see Blind Side because my husband and I have a joint aversion to bio-pics where the subject is portrayed narrowly and without the shading that makes him/her fully human. I saw Inglorious Basterds ON DEMAND, and only made it through half of it.
But the other eight nominations were all credible selections, amazing in the first year where the field of nominees was doubled.
With the two exceptions mentioned above, I think a case can be made for an Oscar for any of these movies.
Avatar was an amazing achievement technologically and just as remarkable in terms of its audience appeal. The story lacked the originality of other elements of the production but it was more than serviceable.
District Nine provided more substance than almost any recent science fiction movie-it satisfied its core group of devotees in terms of its portrayal of an alternate world, but also allowed character growth in its protagonist and left the audience yearning for a sequel.
An Education can claim two incredible performances. It also managed to be surprising time after time. Unpredictability is so rare in a big studio film. And what a breakout performance by Cary Mulligan. Peter Sarsgaard didn’t shy away from being the charming villain of the piece.
The Hurt Locker–it’s hard to think of a better war movie about the current conflict especially in its down and dirty depiction of the battleground. Character trumped action in the end and that’s a feat because Bigelow puts you square on the field with the soldiers. There is no relief from the agony these men experience.
Precious-one of the most moving movies of the year and again some terrific performances. It’s admittedly not always easy to watch, but it’s even more impossible to look away. I think many reviews failed to recognize that Precious wasn’t saved by the white world. She saved herself.
A Serious Man, the Cohn Brothers finally go home to Minnesota and make a movie that seems to reflect their own life. How rare the film about good and evil and the precarious nature of fate.
Up was moving, technologically splendid, and the first animated film to be treated as a serious Oscar best picture contender. I think Coraline, another animated film this year, was equally good.
Up in the Air-managed to entertain and inform the viewer in equal doses. It also had two intelligent women holding their own with George Clooney. Again, we see character growth without didacticism. Clooney amazes us with his willingness to take on roles that put him in a bad light or leave him the fool.
The best pictures nominees this year all managed to surprise me in some important way.
This is a first-rate group of films. I think Avatar or The Blind Locker will win. But any of the eight films I saw would be good choice.
Patti
I haven't seen Avatar and frankly have no desire to do so. (I've really started to dislike films which so ham-handedly try to shove any moralisms down your throat.) Hurt Locker was very good, but I honestly hope neither of these win.
If I were on the academy, Up in the Air and Up would get my votes. Both were highly originally and poignant without being preachy. True pieces of art.
It has to be the Bastards!
Sorry you didn't like Basterds-my favorite after The Hurt Locker. Avatar was visually impressive but I was bored by the end. Trite story. I also did not see Blindside. I could tell from the previews that I have seen this film many tims before. I actually feel that there was no one film that stood out this year as a classic. I was more impressed with both Shutter Island and The Ghost Writer so far this year.
I think you're right, Patti. Either AVATAR or THE HURT LOCKER should win BEST PICTURE. I'm leaning towards AVATAR.
Excellent reviews, many thanks!
I couldn't get interested in Inglorious either. Crappy from the sounds of it.
The rest, right on. I go for Hurt Locker for best film and/or director. looks very good. Must get around to checking it out.
I'd be disappointed if AVATAR wins best picture. I liked it, but it doesn't have the gravitas I think a "best picture" should have. Between the two, I think DISTRICT 9 has a better story and was an overall better movie. Both fall down with the standard action movie fare toward the end, which was disappointing. DISTRICT 9 in particular really didn't need to end in a big shootout with robots and blasters and all that (and I love robots and blasters!).
That said, if any SciFi movie should have a shot at best picture, my vote is for MOON. I'm bummed it didn't even get nominated. I thought that was a fantastic movie.
I'd be satisfied if THE HURT LOCKER wins, but again, I think the better of war-related movies isn't even in the running. My vote would be for THE MESSENGER, which I would happily see walk away with a best picture, were it nominated.
What else? INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS was a movie I enjoyed very much, but don't think it deserves best picture. UP I liked over the first 15 minutes, but the rest descended into typical Pixar shlock, in my opinion. As animated films go, I thought FANTASTIC MR. FOX crushed it. FOX is one of my favorite movies of the year.
Didn't see AN EDUCATION and really know nothing about it. If it wins, I'll watch it.
THE BLIND SIDE never came close to interesting me enough to see it, in this life or any yet to come. Even if it wins, I won't see it. It is impossible for me to imagine Sandra Bullock turning in an Oscar-worthy performance. I'm actively rooting against this movie.
I didn't see PRECIOUS, but from what I've heard it is great. I think it would depress me too much to see it. I'll be happy if it wins, but I don't know that I will see it even then.
I didn't see A SERIOUS MAN either, but probably will. In fact I'm sure I will, regardless of whether or not it wins (on a related note, I'm stoked at the news the Coens are taking on TRUE GRIT).
I thought UP IN THE AIR was a great movie. I would happily see it win. In fact, I would be most pleased if either this film, PRECIOUS, THE HURT LOCKER or DISTRICT 9 win, in that order.
Sadly, I didn't see any of the nominees yet, though even the devotees of DISTRICT 9 I've discussed it with point out that certain aspects, such as the ending Chris cites, are disappointing (I'm still wondering about the alien super-substance)…and some are amused that AVATAR and DISTRICT 9 are rather similar in many story and stucture particulars. (I did see MOON, and seem to be one of the least enchanted with it among its audience.)
Interesting, particularly for this site, that except for PRECIOUS, which stressed other aspects apparently, that none of them is particularly a crime drama, though a number deal directly or indirectly warfare and its horrors. Or does A SERIOUS MAN edge over into CD?
I liked UP IN THE AIR a lot because it was about a real problem but still managed to charm. Every day people are losing their jobs to this method or worse.
I'm happy for Bigelow and The Hurt Locker. Of course now I have to live in a world where Sandra Bullock supposedly handed in the best female performance of the year, in a movie that I can't possibly imagine can achieve more than flatout suckitude.
Talk about swallowing a little bitter with the sweet.