All About Oscar

  As a fellow movie-goer and an industry insider, I felt it was about time to weigh-in on this year’s noms...

Best Picture

Everyone is so upset about Dreamgirls and to be honest, I just don’t understand what the fuss is about. Unless you’d like to replace The Queen with Dreamgirls, I’m perfectly happy with the nominations. Especially with the nomination of Little Miss Sunshine, which – whether or not it wins – is a fantastic contender. While it may not be the most profound, or most socially conscious movie, it is the only movie all year that a. everyone loved (don’t lie – you loved it, your spouse loved it, your children loved it, your parents loved it…) and b. maintained its Oscar buzz since January. No joke, folks, at least in Hollywood, people have been talking about this film since Sundance ’06 which is no small feat. It was one of those movies that makes you remember why you love movies, and made me remember why I want to make them.  I have much more to say about this category so please post comments – I’m looking forward to a discussion.

Actor

And the winner goes to….Ryan Gosling. No, probably not, but I’m glad he was nominated. Will Smith – while I do love him – I’m not sure he belongs in the race this year. Forest was the obvious one, and his portrayal of Idi Amin was particularly moving and stunning, so I will not be upset if he wins. Personally, although I am torn between Forest and Leo, I’d pick the latter because both of his performances this year were so stand-out brilliant, I would have a hard time not giving him a statue.  I used to think he was an overrated teenage heartthrob, but Leo – you have proven me wrong.

Actress

I agree with Selma Hayek – YES!! for Penelope Cruz. I know people think she’s a homewrecker, but honestly, who cares? We’re not judging her people skills here, and even if we were I think people take media spin too seriously. She’s fantastic.

Supporting Actor

Please let this go to Alan Arkin. Djimon Hounsou was fantastic – but honestly, it’s not like he hasn’t played the good, smart, righteous, morally intact African before, and as important as his character in Blood Diamond is, Arkin had a bigger challenge – and a bigger triumph. Although if Marky Mark wins this one, I’ll be okay with that, too.

Supporting Actress

We had to give two noms to Babel and not one to Toni Collette? (I swear to you, I’m not totally obsessed with Little Miss…I actually thought Pan’s Labyrinth was the best of the year). I know little Breslin got a nod but honestly – she played a kid. Not that she wasn’t great, she obviously was, but why her and not Toni who is just amazing?  And Rinko – umm….if we’re going to give Oscars for flashing some, you know, why don’t we just nominate Brittany Spears?

Directing

I haven’t said much about Babel until now. What I will say is that I thought that structurally, it was majorly flawed (as in, it shot up to climax level tension right away and stayed there for over 2 hours, which was exhausting and not necessary). However, if you look at individual scenes – it has been a very long time since I’ve been so moved and affected. So, while I wouldn’t have put Babel into the Best Picture category…I believe Innuritu belongs in this one. That said, the movie was flawed, and Scorsese needs to pick this one up. But then, if he didn’t get an Oscar for Goodfellas, I don’t know when he will…

Foreign Language Film

Pan’s Labyrinth. Enough said. If that film doesn’t win, I will cry. I will post pictures of my tears.

Adapted Screenplay

Okay, I was on the Borat train, and I am – I think it was smart. I would never watch it again – I thought it was a bit heavy handed, but I am glad they got a nod from the Academy. It’s been a while since a big comedy was recognized. I think I’m torn between Children of Men and Notes on a Scandal. I wouldn’t be upset if the Departed wins either. Tom Perrotta is a great writer – but Little Children shouldn’t win it. He’ll get a statue one of these years.

Original Screenplay

After Clint Eastwood’s speech at the Globes saying “nobody thought this script was anything on paper,” I’m glad Iris was nominated because she’s a great writer, and he didn’t mean that the way it came out. But again, I’m going to have to say I’m voting for Guillermo del Toro. I just can’t say enough about Pan’s Labyrinth. It was the most near-perfect movie I’ve seen in years.

As for the other nominations…well, I’ll leave them for another day. I wanted to make sure I covered the big ones first.

Look for my weekly column on movie industry news, Sunset Blvd, starting Friday, February 2nd!