Oscars tonight

Umar Kazmi

New member
When it comes to realism are we such an automated society that even art (film) must be depicted in such a defined and definite manner? Or does this say more about the viewer and observer who fails to accept art as a depiction of life where anything can happen.

If you don't believe anything can happen, you don't understand film.

The moment in the film you highlight is reasonably executed and the character is expressed reasonably in his actions and we are given a clear understanding as to why this all occurs especially in light of the nature of the film and the characters.

Basically, if you miss it, you miss it. If you don't; then you realise why it wins best oscar.
 
My daughter, who is a self-professed expert :) ( who ever thought that 'film-studies' could earn you a degree ? ! ) says that Avatar is a shoo-in for best film, and that Sandra Bullock is an equal dead cert for best Actress.

Do you agree ? ... and what other predictions are there before the red carpet is trod ...
 
Agree completely about Waltz, that was a great performance.

I really wasn't expecting much from Clooney, I'm not a very big fan really, but he was fantastic in Up In the Air, and if he wins it I'd be very happy to see the award go to him (though I suspect Bridges or Firth will win.)
 
Probably right about Sandra, but there seems to be a backlash developing about Avatar, and a lot of the critics are saying The Hurt Locker may get Best Picture. Directed by James Cameron's ex-wife - ouch !
 
Exactly.

The way they expressed the main character in the grip of war was fantastic because they covered all bases in terms of his conflict outside and inside. The sense of humanity was brilliantly executed.

So glad it won and that crap Avatar didn't.
 
Oi ... that's my princess you're dismissing !

Let's wait till tonight shall we ... then we can say who was right or wrong in their predictions

Until then, it's anybody's guess :)
 
I watched The Hurt Locker this afternoon, as i wanted to see what all the fuss is about....

Now i know

and i think it deserves to win

Not because i don't rate Avatar - i do

Not because it's directed by a woman - frankly that demeans the movie and suggests it wouldn't be (as) noteworthy if it were directed by a man - it most certainly would imo.

The reason it will win is because it simply is a better work of Cinema -

(incase any reading this hasn't seen the film i have used spoiler tags - as to give my reasons it is necessary to reveal certain plot points and the ending)

The journey of the lead character is enthralling and gripping, Jeremy Renner is more than worthy of his nomination, the theme of bomb disposal as never been depicted like this before, and what makes it such a fine film, is it does not lose touch with the human cost - the opening, the dvd kid, the desert shoot-out, and most disturbing of all the failure to save the anything-but-suicide bomber at the end.

Avatar is good entertainment but The Hurt Locker is more than just entertainment.
 
I'm doing Film Studies too (2nd year) and while i loved Avatar i reckon it will be either The Hurt Locker or Up In The Air that snags it (they would both deserve it too. Excellent films). I also think that Kathryn Bigelow will get Best Director seeing as the Oscars are trying to get high TV ratings this year (as evidenced by the increase to 10 BP noms) and her winning would be fairly special seeing as no woman has ever won Best Director.
 
This is the one reason I'm watching this tonight. (well that and Barbra Streisand presenting an award!!)

His performance was mesmerising. I've never remembered an acting performance like I remembered his performance in that film. Perfection.

He's won every other award going for this role, so will be a bit odd if he doesn't get the Oscar!
 
If Avatar wins, it will be a joke of an Oscars. I really really want to see a woman win the Best Director Oscar. Fingers crossed.



I hope that was not a dig at Film Studies as a choice of degree...
 
It's Slumdog all over again .

I mean - Hurt Locker like Slumdog was a good film but not anywhere near best of the year level .

I'd've given it to District 9 or Up!
 
The way I see it is that Avatar is the best spectacle of 2009 whilst The hurt Locker was the best film.

Bigalow is probs a shoe in for best director though, her direction on that film is immense.

Colin firth should win best actor but Hollywood face Jeff Bridges seems set to win this one.

Also why do no foreign language movies ever get nominated for best picture? Surely A Prophet is better than most the other films on the list?
 
I don't claim to be a 'film buff' as such, but I do watch and enjoy a lot of different types of films and do consider myself to have fair, genuine objective opinions when it comes to discussing them.

So basically, I'm surprised the Hurt Locker won so many Oscars last night because, I found it really boring and a real chore to watch. I didn't like it at all. Apart from all the hi-def bits, I thought it was a pretty average 'war' film where 'nothing really happened'- which is how a lot of people described Jarhead...which I actually liked tbh.

Aside from all the impressive hi-def bits, The Hurt Locker also seemed to have masses of tension and suspense, to attempt to keep you on the edge of your seat. Lots of bits without any dialogue to give this kind of empty, dusty and dangerous atmospheric feel. Kind of similar to all the silent bits in No Country For Old Men, that gave you the sense that the lead character Anton Chigurh was one effed up individual. But with The Hurt Locker, I found I didn't get the same sense of emotion..I just found myself sighing and looking at my watch.

I guess I'm just a little miffed that Inglourious BasterRAB didn't get more wins. I'm not a particular Quentin Tarantino fan, but I thought that film was brilliant, especially compared to The Hurt Locker (even though they're two very different films)

But I will have to give The Hurt Locker another go, as there seriously must have been something I missed as it has won all these Oscars and is often described as "a near perfect film"...amongst other exaggerated descriptions.

What do others think of the wins, last night?

P.S. If there is already a thread on this, someone please direct me to it as I couldn't find one.

EDIT: Just requested for this to be put in the 3 page The Oscars Tonight thread.
 
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