Good morning, everyone! Thanks for stopping by this Oscar chat. What's your favorite possible nominee?
The Avengers was the biggest box-office hit of the year but isn't getting much Oscar buzz. In fact, when you look at the biggest box-office hits of 2012 -- Avengers, Dark Knightr Rises, Hunger Games, Skyall and the last Twilight -- the Oscars could be looking elsewhere.
That was especially true with the previous Dark Knight, which I thought one of the best films of that year. But you can be a good action film and drama, as Dark Knight showed.
Do you consider Siliver Linings Playbook a comedy? That would appear to be the best bet.
No. And I wouldn't want that. I am not even a fan of the Golden Globes splitting between dramas and comedies/musicals. It just seems a way to give out more awards. The best picture should be the best picture, period.
I am a big fan of The Hurt Locker, for one.
And here we go ... Saw Emma Stone in "Gangster Squad" this week. What a waste of a talented actress.
Nothing that shocked me particularly. And, as Stone noted, all previous Oscar winners.
She's very good. That's two noms for The Master, directed by Cleveland-connected Paul Thomas Anderson (son of Ghoulardi).
Surprised to see Anne Hathaway in supporting actress category. Expected her in best actress.
Directing nominations have some surprises.
Nine best picture nominees, including Beasts of the Southern Wild (a fine, fine movie), which also got a best-director and best-acfress nod. Meanwhile, K Bigelow and B Affleck shut out for best director.
It was an attempt to get some of the bigger box-office films into the category -- and by extension to bring more commercial clout to the Oscars telecast.
I was surprised that Kathryn Bigelow was overlooked; she's a previous winner as director and the movie is quite good. Ben Aflleck was thought to be a best-director lock for Argo, which is up for best picture.
Savannah, you may want to check out Beasts of the Southern Wild, which is on DVD and Blu-ray. Interesting pic, and something of an Oscar surprise. Which of the nominees have you seen?
Ernie "Ghoulardi" Anderson was a late-night movie host in Cleveland in the '60s and a touchstone for a generatioon. He later moved to LA and became a major voice -- for ABC promos and in commercials.
Tarantino is divisive. I am not a huge fan either, mainly because I believe a movie should let you escape iinto another world, and Tarantino constantly says, "HEY, this is a movie! I'm really clever! Do you like the way I jsut threw in a completely anachronistic song -- because I can!" And if you look at the reviews, there's a lot of "that's so Quentin" in the praise.
I very much like Argo, Beasts, Silver Linings Playbook and Zero Dark Thirty among the best picture nominees. As I said, not big on Django. Life of Pi, I think, is admired more as a 3D movie than just a movie. I don't know Amour. But Lincoln and Les Miz look like major Oscar bait.
Thanks,.Movie fan, and everyone else.
This concludes our chat. Thanks to all who participated and special thanks to Rich Heldenfels for moderating!
