And The Oscar Goes To......

[amara]

I think this has been a great year for acting, and for movies in general. Just the fact that this late in the year, so many categories are uncertain, speaks to how many contenders are out there. There are going to be a ton of performances this year that aren't going to be nominated. And while on one hand, that sucks, on the other, it shows how deep the field is. Between No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood, Assassination of Jesse James, Zodiac, 3:10 to Yuma, Eastern Promises, Juno, Michael Clayton, Into the Wild, Bourne Ultimatum, Sweeney Todd, that's a whole lot of great films that came out this year. Even the ones I'm not fond of like Atonement and American Gangster are better than what we get a lot of years. Then on the womens' side, you have weaker films, but some really great performances from Cate, Nicole, Angie, Laura Linney, Amy Ryan, Keri Russell, Marion Cotillard, Julie Christie. And women like Amy Adams and Ellen Page carrying critically acclaimed films. It's a whole lot better than the last couple of years where it feels like we were scraping the bottom of the barrel to come up with 5 nominees.

[happypenguin]

No love at the Globes for Nicole for either Margot at the Wedding or the Golden Compass, and the box office of the latter will probably mean no Supporting nod, which is a shame as she was awesome as Mrs Coulter.

[avadementia]

happypenguin said:

No love at the Globes for Nicole for either Margot at the Wedding or the Golden Compass, and the box office of the latter will probably mean no Supporting nod, which is a shame as she was awesome as Mrs Coulter.

That's too bad. I thought she was very good as Mrs. Coulter as well.

[canuckcutie]

I'm just wondering whether the globes & oscars are going to be able to go ahead this year. The WGA turned down the globes request to use WGA writers to pen material for the show as well as not giving the oscars permission to use clips of nominated films. The oscars haven't asked to use WGA writers yet but sounds like if and when they do they will also get turned down.

If the WGA sets up picket lines at the globes & oscars are any stars going to want to cross them?

[Binky]

I can see the Globes getting torpedoed. But honestly, crippling the Oscars seems like it would damage the WGA's image more than anything else. Regardless of whether or not people agree with them/understand the fight/know anything about the strike, the Oscars are a cultural event and interfering with that is going to land the WGA seriously bad press.

[Deleted]

I support the WGA so don't take this the wrong way.

But I actually think the Oscars might be better without all those monologues and introductions. Very rarely are the monologues funny, in fact they usually come off as flat not simply because of the writing but because it's quite obvious that the writers/hosts are limited in what they're allowed to joke about, and the host usually seems nervous or off in some way. One joke that works is usually followed by five that don't.

And those introductions the presenters are made to read off the teleprompter, that are boring or messed up because celebrities either can't read or memorize lines properly, just take up time. Plus you have to suffer through the awkward embarassment when a celebrity barely makes it through(e.g. Lauren Bacall) A simple "The nominees are..." and "The winner is" is enough IMO. Then they can give more time to the acceptance speeches instead of shooing the winner off the stage.

And think of how much shorter the ceremony will be without all that filler.

I'm not saying elminate all jokes or bits. But limit it more so that the celebs that are actually comfortable and good at getting up in front of a crowd and beeing funny or witty can do their thing. But don't make me listen to Fishstick give some long pre written speech about cinematography or whatever it is she's presenting.

And while I'm at it can we please see fewer female presenters like Jennifer Aniston or Jessica Biel and see more of the always witty and entertaining Emma Thompson and Meryl Streep.

[Deleted]

I totally agree with you nusan. I do support the writers but without them the Oscars will be much shorter and a lot less boring, the witty folks can be witty all on their own and the non-witty ones can just go on about their business. I will miss the montages and the clips though. I used to have fun trying to guess which clips they would use in the acting categories.

[Deleted]

It's not the writers that makes the Oscars borings. It's the producers insisting those kinds of jokes be there that does the sucking.

[canuckcutie]

Oh I can do without all the crappy award show banter that makes the shows drag on for 3-4 hrs. I have read reports that the WGA is going to put up picket lines at the globes & oscars so I think even if they are writer-less, they won't be able to go ahead with the show.

I think during the last big strike the globes got cancelled because everyone refused to cross the picket lines - except for 1 actor who basically killed his career for showing up.

from deadlinehollywooddaily.com

"A source just told me: "People’s Choice Awards ceremony is cancelled. They are trying to tape winners giving 'Thank you's with clips to air January 8th on CBS. No press allowed. No red carpet."

[huntergrayson]

So, based on this update, the latest is that it seems like the WGA will try to negotiate with the Oscars & Globes if they act as independent producers -- so, they're willing to cut the same kind of deal as they just did with Letterman, et al.

Just don't hire Bruce Vilanch. Ever again.

Actors are in a tough position because they've been so visible on the picket lines (presumably to show solidarity, with the idea that the WGA will do the same if/when SAG strikes) and so if they cross them, it'll be kinda admitting that that was all for show.