Thoughts on Oscar Nominations 2014
The Oscar nominations were announced today. Here are my initial thoughts.
1) While I am a movie buff, I do not go out of my way to see many movies in the theater anymore. High prices, limited time, and the wellspring of instant access entertainment (Netflix, excellent TV, Redbox) has made this very hard. If I do go to the theater, it would be either for children’s entertainment (two six year olds this year), or for a film I _really want to see_.
2) My choice to not see a lot of these nominees was predicated that most of these films contained subject matter that I felt had a “been-there/done-that” variety. If I spend money in the theater, I want to see something I’d never seen before.
3) The only movie in the final listing I had seen was “Gravity.” Gravity will not win. It is a spectacular accomplishment, worthy of every rave out there, but… the story (it’s essentially a full-length singular action sequence in real time) is far too slight. Sandra Bullock carries the movie (she HAS to), but if I was hanging on wires and being pushed and pulled in every direction, I’d be giving that quality of performance too.
That said, Gravity will win best director, along with every technical award it’s up for.
4) As a general rule, even though there are ten nominees, the picture will go to a nominee that is nominated for Best Director (and coincidentally, Best Editing). That makes three front-runners: Gravity, American Hustle, and 12 Years A Slave. American Hustle is a comedy, so that immediately disqualifies it. The film to beat will be _12 Years A Slave_.
5) Right now there’s a serious human trafficking issue where under-aged girls are stolen from their families and forced into prostitution, even in the United States. Had 12 Years a Slave be about this, a current issue, an issue that demands a response, an issue that could very well change society for the better, then I would be first in line. Instead, it’s about rehashing an issue–horrible as it was–that is no longer an issue in the United States, in 35 mm, with long, tortuous scenes.
6) I take issue that Slavery is the great sin of the United States. There are worse sins. Abortion, for example.
7) Another dead issue: the state of the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. “Philomena”–a film that indicts the entire Catholic religion based on a horrible incident that happened to a very few–was nominated for Best Picture, along with Best Actress, screenplay and score. Watch for the real Philomena to have her moment on Oscar night.
8) Two “shoo-ins” for Best Supporting Actor were no-shows. Where’s “42’s” Harrison Ford? Where’s “Nebraska”‘s Will Forte? Does Jonah Hill get nominated for every serious role he gets cast for?
9) My favorite movie of last year–no joke–was “Pacific Rim.” (Not the BEST MOVIE of the year–just fan-boy favorite). But, sheesh, they lost out of all categories? Best Visual Effects to… THE LONE RANGER?!?
10) No doubt I will catch up with these nominees as soon as they become available via Netflix or Redbox. When I saw “Silver Linings Playbook”, I immediately loved it, and consider that a “miracle movie.” Last year I took advantage of owning a slew of Best Pic-nominated DVDs on Black Friday, and will catch up with them this year. No doubt, I will do the same for “Her”, “Nebraska”, “Capt Phillips”, “Hustle”, and “12 Years”. No desire to see “Wolf of Wall Street”. No desire to see “Philomena”. Curious to see why critical-favorite “Inside Llewyn Davis” was cut from the short-list.
What are your impressions? Share below!
Have you checked out my latest podcast, where I share my plans for this year?
