Big Picture Big Sound

This year's Oscar nominations display nothing more than what a weak year it was at the movies. But even with the slim crop of films from which to choose, the Motion Picture Academy once again proves itself to be asleep at the switch with some mind-boggling inclusions and omissions.

The award for most glaring snub goes, sadly, to "The Dark Knight", easily one of the most indelible films of the year. The Academy saw fit to bestow the requisite "technical" awards on Christopher Nolan's brooding masterpiece (Art direction, Sound editing, etc), as well as a posthumous and well-deserved nod for Heath Ledger's unforgettable turn as The Joker. But what about the film itself? Or its director? This guy shot six breathtaking action sequences in IMAX, for crying out loud. What other director on this list is pushing the boundaries of the medium?

And yet, the Academy chooses to recognize the dubious achievement of Stephen Daldry for "The Reader", that sagging study in obviousness.  I can take some solace (a quantum, perhaps) in the fact that the Academy all but ignored that screeching slugfest "Revolutionary Road". But this year the Academy is pushing "The Reader" hard. Make no mistake, ladies and gents, each year you are told which films you should like. And if the plot involves The Holocaust, so much the better.

Then, of course, there's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", another blatant piece of Oscar bait being stubbornly thrown at you. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'll follow David Fincher anywhere. But "Button" is slow and too long by half, and the script (yes, also nominated) is pointless. The ending isn't revelatory, it's obvious. And it gets thirteen nominations. Thirteen! That's almost one Oscar for each hour of the film's running time. Stephen Colbert said it best: "Congratulations to 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' on its thirteen Oscar nominations. See? Americans do support torture."

And speaking of politics, we have a new administration in the Oval Office. Maybe it's time for a new set of Academy voters as well - ones that might not overlook gems like "Gran Torino" or "Let the right one in". As is typical, this year's Oscars will come down to a race between the big budget overblown, over-long Oscar bait ("Button") and the little indie that could ("Slumdog Millionaire"). If you can stomach it, let's take a look in more detail. My picks are in italics…

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"
Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
Sean Penn, "Milk"
Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler"

This is the one category in which there is actual competition. It's nice to see Richard Jenkins up there, but it would have been nicer to see Clint for his (final?) performance in " Torino". I guess he'll have to settle for the inevitable lifetime achievement award. Pitt was passable in "Button", but his internalized, subtle-to-the-point-of-stasis performance is not Oscar-worthy. You'll be surprised to know I would have accepted Leonardo DiCaprio, the one shining spot in " Revolutionary Road", over Pitt. Langella was fantastic as Nixon, but he can't compete with Penn and Rourke. The Academy voters are suckers for actors playing gay, and the Golden Globe already went to Rourke, so Penn has a leg up. But Penn has been to the stage before (and probably will be again), so give it to Mickey.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Josh Brolin, "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"
Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road"

Um. Duh? Expect a collective gasp come Oscar night if this one doesn't go to Ledger. Brolin and Hoffman did fine work, but nothing particularly Oscar-caliber. Likewise, Shannon is a fine actor, but his role in "Road" was expository to the point of ridiculousness. Yes, he sold it, but that doesn't make it an Oscar performance. Which brings us to Downey, who's having a heck of a year. I might have nominated him for "Iron Man" as well, but his turn in "Tropic Thunder" was a truly brilliant tightrope walk. For those of you signed into the BigPictureBigSound Forum there's a great topic in here: did the Academy just nominate an actor in blackface? With Obama (finally!) in the White House, let the dialogue begin. Discuss.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
Kate Winslet, "The Reader"

Zzzz.....Huh? What? Oh, right. There are more awards to give out. Let's see. Is it possible to just keep this award and give two away next year? No? Oh, ok. Maybe eenie-meeny? Sigh. Alright. Let's start from the bottom. I was thoroughly appalled by Winslet's Globes two-fer (I'm a big fan of the actress, but her choices this year were way off), so I must insist she gets nothing here. Meryl Streep could have done that role in her sleep, so no. Melissa Leo gave a fierce performance this year, but this is an honor-just-to-be-nominated moment for her. The chances that the Academy voters even watched " Frozen River" are slim. And speaking of slim, Angelina looks scarily thin in "Changeling". Her performance was fine, but one-note. Which brings us to Anne Hathaway. I know many people are touting her performance in "Rachel". I wasn't a fan of the film, nor did I think she was particularly brilliant in it. But out of these choices, I'd give it to her. I'll pretend it's for "Becoming Jane".

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams, "Doubt"
Penélope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Viola Davis, "Doubt"
Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler"

I'm a fan of Amy Adams, but her work in "Doubt" is nothing to write home about. She has better performances in her future. Marisa Tomei already has one questionable Oscar, so let's not compound the problem. I'm happy to see "Vicky Cristina" get some love at the big game, after being snubbed in other categories (not even a writing award? Come on!). Viola Davis' small amount of screentime gave "Doubt" the jolt it so sorely needed but, while I know Oscar is fond of giving awards for performances that last only a few minutes (Judi Dench, I'm looking in your direction), Ms. Davis can't compare with Taraji P. Henson's turn in "Button". As the maternal presence who ages a lifetime (in the right direction), she gives the film its emotional core. Give it to her.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
"Bolt", Chris Williams and Byron Howard
"Kung Fu Panda", John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
"WALL-E", Andrew Stanton

Like "The Incredibles", "WALL-E" will have to be satisfied winning the Animated Feature award even though it should be in the running for Best Motion Picture.

ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Duchess"
"Revolutionary Road"

These next two come down to "Knight" and "Button". I'll give this one to "Knight" and the next to "Button.

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Duchess"
"Revolutionary Road"

See above.

ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
"Australia"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Duchess"
"Milk"
"Revolutionary Road"

Is there any chance the Academy will award something to Baz Luhrmann's epic flop? Look people, there's nothing wrong with " Australia" that isn't also wrong with "Benjamin Button". Seriously. Think about it. Regardless, this will probably go to " Revolutionary Road".

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
"The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)"
"Encounters at the End of the World"
"The Garden"
"Man on Wire"
"Trouble the Water"

This one comes down to the Frenchman vs. the German. If the voters are feeling sentimental, they'll probably give it to "Man on Wire". But as engaging as that movie was, Werner Herzog's beautiful "Encounters" deserves this one.

ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

I'd give this to "The Dark Knight", but that final near-incomprehensible sequence in the abandoned building still gives me a headache. Let's make this the first for "Slumdog".

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
"The Baader Meinhof Complex"
"The Class"
"Departures"
"Revanche"
"Waltz with Bashir"

"Bashir" waltzes away with this one.

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army"

While Cate Blanchett's age makeup was amazing, pound-for-pound you're not going to find a film more deserving of this award than "Hellboy II".

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Defiance"
"Milk"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL-E"

The swelling strings of "Button" may lure Academy voters, but let's not forget that the first half of "WALL-E" was all music. Give it to the 'bot.

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES
(ORIGINAL SONG)
"Down to Earth" from "WALL-E"
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire"
"O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire"

Ever since "Say Anything..." I've been a sucker for a Peter Gabriel soundtrack, but I have the "Slumdog" soundtrack on repeat. If I had to pick one, the infectious, joyous "Jai Ho" edges out "O Saya".

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL-E"
"Wanted"

"Wanted"? Really? Sigh. This one's actually a toss-up. "Iron Man" and "Dark Knight" had a ton of sound to work with - but then how can you not give "WALL-E" the sound awards? I'm going with the "Knight".

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"WALL-E"
"Wanted"

Again with "Wanted"? Who paid-off who here? Let's give this one to "WALL-E".

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"

Ok, ok, there's no denying the visual effects in "Button". It can have this one.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", Screenplay by Eric Roth
"Doubt", Written by John Patrick Shanley
"Frost/Nixon", Screenplay by Peter Morgan
"The Reader", Screenplay by David Hare
"Slumdog Millionaire", Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

I'm going to play the Academy Politics game here. Typically, the Screenplay award goes to the film that should've won Best Picture. Which means they might give this to "Slumdog" and (gasp!) Best Picture to "Button". But please, please, please no. I'm going to hope for "Slumdog" for Best Picture (see below) and give this one to "Frost/Nixon", which was a heck of an adaptation considering the play is about two people sitting and talking to each other.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
"Frozen River", Written by Courtney Hunt
"Happy-Go-Lucky", Written by Mike Leigh
"In Bruges", Written by Martin McDonagh
"Milk", Written by Dustin Lance Black
"WALL-E", Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon

Ordinarily, I'd say this should go to "WALL-E", but "In Bruges" was an overlooked gem this year so let's give it something.

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", David Fincher
"Frost/Nixon", Ron Howard
"Milk", Gus Van Sant
"The Reader", Stephen Daldry
"Slumdog Millionaire", Danny Boyle

Of the films in this list (and this year), there was only one that made me ask: "Wow, who directed this?". That, my friends, was "Slumdog Millionaire". Give this to Danny.

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Sad that I have to little to say here (that I haven't said already). Normally, this would be a paragraph worth of debate. But there's only one way I want to see this go. "Slumdog".