Deleted Scenes 06.25.09: Looking Ahead - July
Posted by Robert Sullivan on 06.25.2009
And looking way ahead to early next year, where 10 films will become 2009's Best Picture Oscar nominees. Come on in.
Hey, everybody. I'm Rob, this is Deleted Scenes, and welcome back to another edition. Before we get started on all the frivolity, how's about you make 411mania.com YOUR official homepage and just after doing that visit some of our fine Twitter pages right here -
A U.S. governor disappears for 5 days and confesses to having a mistress in Argentina, the United States defeats Spain at soccer, and AMPAS votes to expand the slate of Best Picture Oscar nominees to 10.
What an interesting, fucked up day.
Considering the focus of my column, let's go ahead and just focus on the latter, the Academy's attempt to drive up miserable ratings of late by freeing themselves up to nominate...just about anything popular, it seems.
Frankly, people, this sucks.
There's nothing wrong with the Best Picture category that can't be fixed by voters (particularly those of the more decrepit flavor) simply looking at films with a more open mind. That's it. All this does is nominate films that still won't have any chance of winning just to 1) increase ratings and 2) be able to have something to point to when someone like me points out that films currently nominated for that category are rather typical.
Furthermore, the reactions to this decision seem pretty sure that this doesn't even mean that the field will be widened, but only that even more Holocaust dramas will find their way to the yearly highlight reel. Basically, those vocalizing such an opinion just aren't thinking nefariously. Outside of the ratings issue, that is the whole point of this - pretend to be giving all films a chance when in fact they're not. Up will probably get a nomination, sure. Just shutting up the "you're incredibly closeminded!" outcry seems to be the objective here, that and the ratings.
In the end? Get ready for Apatow's bullshit to find its way to the big category. These are not good times for those who want the Oscars to actually mean anything. With that in mind, knowing that there will be 10 nominees come next year, this issue of Looking Ahead finds a new tradition - How Likely a Nomination? Let's take a look.
July 1st
How Likely a Nomination?: Fairly likely.
Directed by Michael Mann, starring an Oscar winner, nominee, and will-be-eventually, Public Enemies looks to be a very exciting look at the race to capture John Dillinger by the FBI. This film's been swimming in prestige from the announcement of its very greenlight, and considering how high the grosses will be, if Public Enemies rises above mere popcorn to something a little higher quality, it stands a shot at glory. Of a sort, anyway.
July 10th
How Likely a Nomination?: Not very likely.
In fact, too bad for Sacha Baron Cohen that AMPAS didn't expand the acting categories to 10, or else they might have to find a place for him. Given how the themes and meanings of The Dark Knight were ignored by the Academy earlier this year, it's hard to see that voters will realize that Bruno is more than a two-hour-long gay joke and instead stands as a work holding up a mirror to homophobia in America. In case you're wondering, no, I don't think Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan could've made it either with the expanded category, for the same reason.
That said, Bruno looks like it's going to be hilarious, both to people who get the joke and sadly people who don't. I've been sold ever since I heard about the failed seduction of the leader of the Paultards, and am eagerly awaiting the footage of Ron Paul going insane. Insaner, as it were.
How Likely a Nomination?: Not if the field were 20.
No, I don't think we have to worry about I Love You, Beth Cooper getting a nod even if it grosses $200 million, but that's all right. The film appears to be a pleasant diversion and while it apparently freely indulges in You Too Can Fuck a Hot Girl Syndrome, hopefully the laughs will be plentiful enough that I won't be too steamed about it.
How Likely a Nomination?: Like you even have to ask.
Sundance sensation Humpday will be finding its way to limited theaters this July, and the hype's been sufficient enough to peak my interest to the point where I will be willing to go to a ticket booth and actually say the words "one for Humpday, please" to another living person. If nothing else, kudos for that, Magnolia Pictures marketing department.
July 17th
How Likely a Nomination?: Hmmm...
...maybe. If it receives enough buzz from critics and a solid enough gross from regular Americans like you and me, perhaps (500) Days of Summer can make the leap. It's easy enough to see an Academy looking to prove itself "hip" and "with it" enough to give it a token nod and then immediately ignore it, after all, if there's enough "this year's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind!" buzz attached. We'll see how that goes, but as a film to look forward to, I've been there for a long while now. Very excited to give this one a chance, no matter how much twee is clearly coming out of its cinematic ears. Hopefully Zooey Deschanel will retire this character on a truly winning note.
July 24th
Already talked about The Answer Man last week, so suffice to say I'm going to see it and no, I don't think it'll grab the Academy brass ring.
July 31st
How Likely a Nomination?: Oh, America, PLEASE don't do this to me.
Remember the column from a while ago talking about what's at stake here? With this news of a 10-film Best Picture category, boy. If only I knew. Double what I said before. Triple what I said before. If there are enough glowing reviews about how "real" and "touching" this next Apatowian opus to getting married and being fruitful is, and America does its part by going in droves, you can bet your ass "Best Picture nominee Funny People" will be a phrase you'll be hearing very soon.
Don't do it. Stop it, America.
Yeah, this is where I'd do the usual "Yeaaaaaaaahno" joke, but the Academy went and made shit grave.
So people are still whining about The Dark Night not getting nominated for best picture? Whaaa. It had no shot at winning so why even bother nominating it? To appease whiny fanboys? Apparently the academy gives two shits about them. I will laugh my bloated ass off if Funny People gets nominated for best pic. Don't get me wrong, I loved The Dark Night, but get over it already America.
Posted By: Get Over It (Guest) on June 25, 2009 at 06:14 AM
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