124 replies to this topic

[Dr00d]

I've always known the Academy Awards was mostly political, biased, and paid off in some way.
But the last straw was when they snubbed I think it was Ridley Scott for best Director for Gladiator (when they awarded Gladiator with best actor and best movie??) and Hans Zimmerman for best score for Gladiator in favor of the guy who directed Traffic and YoYo Ma for the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon score.

That was definately not right.

[Zorin Industries]

I am not going to fire too many soured grapes over the Academy's fence, but I do wonder why CHILDREN OF MEN and THE QUEEN gained so many craft award nominations when the former was a very slight film

I can't think of any area where Children of Men could be described as "slight"... especially not in terms of "craft", it really was beautifully made.

It may have been beautifully made, but it ran out of story in the last act and ended up being extremely episodic.

[zencat]

Sony did absolutely nothing to promote CR to Guild or Academy voters in any category (even technical). They let everyone involved in this film down badly.

[Zorin Industries]

I've always known the Academy Awards was mostly political, biased, and paid off in some way.
But the last straw was when they snubbed I think it was Ridley Scott for best Director for Gladiator (when they awarded Gladiator with best actor and best movie??) and Hans Zimmerman for best score for Gladiator in favor of the guy who directed Traffic and YoYo Ma for the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon score.

That was definately not right.

But Soderbergh's direction was far superior to Scott's efforts on GLADIATOR. I love the latter. It's a great mainstream film and one I own. But it is also a quasi remake of BRAVEHEART (which Mel Gibson then stole narrative from for his later PASSION OF THE CHRIST), which in turn was a rehash of SPARTACUS.

Soderbergh won that year because he did what very few directors do in a film and that's change the way films can be directed. If we had not had TRAFFIC, we would not have had the likes of BABEL, 21 GRAMS and SYRIANA.

Sony did absolutely nothing to promote CR to Guild or Academy voters in any category (even technical). They let everyone involved in this film down badly.

We don't know that. In fact, Sony did push CASINO ROYALE about - and still is. The problem lies in Hollywood's pecking order when it comes to the old boys school network that is the Oscars.

Edited by Zorin Industries, 23 January 2007 - 05:00 PM.

[bond_girl_double07]

Esquire provides some sweet revenge (ok nothing can help the sting of Borat getting the nod over CR but still..). I found this article in the January Esquire, and it's got a lovely insight (I think) into the ridiculousness of Oscar-time:

"EKTERS D'WIN' EKSENTS

THE COMPLAINT

Actors doing accents

EVERY YEAR, right around Christmas-time, I find myself indulging a grisly little fantasy triggered by trailers for Oscar-hungry films. Coming soon: Blood Diamond--and there's a goateed Leo gallivanting over the Sierra Leonean countryside, barking at poor Djimon Hounsou, "What if I helped you find your family?" Trouble is, I'm not thinking, Boy, this looks exciting! I'm asking myself, Did Leo just say "femlee"? And that's about when I start dreaming about performing a mass tracheotomy on every dialect coach in Hollywood.

Movie stars should never do accents. In theory, their purpose is to allow the actor to disappear into character. But when Scarlett Johansson pops up midway through The Prestige, her English lilt might as well be a giant red clown nose; you can't focus on anything else, because you're too conscious of the smoky, slightly bored timbre she's struggling to suppress. Even Meryl Streep, master of the semiforeign tongue, couldn't quite pull it off. She's won Oscars, sure, but she's also had difficulty shaking the perception that she's an actress of tremendous technique but little feeling.

The only people who care about foreign accents are the actors, who want to believe themselves chameleons. Audiences don't give a damn. Nobody minded when Sean Connery burred his way through The Hunt for Red October as a "Russian" submarine captain. More recently, the only cast member to escape the glottal train wreck that was All the King's Men was Anthony Hopkins, who refused to modulate his Welsh accent.

In its heyday, Hollywood was smart enough to recognize the futility of disguising the stars it had labored so mightily to brand. When the studios wanted a touch of exoticism, they imported a Charles Boyer or a Greta Garbo. Nobody demanded that Jimmy Stewart superimpose an Irish brogue onto his distinctive stammer/drawl. Movie stars didn't insist that we admire their versatility. We were allowed to dream, rather than being forced to marvel."

Rock on Leo.. way to do a ty Rhodesian eksent and get the nod.. CR at least should have gotten props for costume or soundtrack, it's aggravating that films that are trying waaaay to hard to be big oscar contenders (instead of just good films) keep actually achieving their goal

[VisualStatic]

Personally, I find the Oscars a disappointment. They are rarely about any merit in a movie and more about the political wranglings that go on in Hollywierd, and bascially shows that its more about kissing a certain body part then anything else.

[kneelbeforezod]

But Soderbergh's direction was far superior to Scott's efforts on GLADIATOR. I love the latter. It's a great mainstream film and one I own. But it is also a quasi remake of BRAVEHEART (which Mel Gibson then stole narrative from for his later PASSION OF THE CHRIST), which in turn was a rehash of SPARTACUS.

Soderbergh won that year because he did what very few directors do in a film and that's change the way films can be directed. If we had not had TRAFFIC, we would not have had the likes of BABEL, 21 GRAMS and SYRIANA.

Hmmm... I don't think Traffic led to Babel and 21 Grams... Amores Perros led to those films, and didn't that come out before Traffic?

I would say Gladiator and Traffic are both brilliantly directed.

[zencat]

Sony did absolutely nothing to promote CR to Guild or Academy voters in any category (even technical). They let everyone involved in this film down badly.

We don't know that. In fact, Sony did push CASINO ROYALE about - and still is. The problem lies in Hollywood's pecking order when it comes to the old boys school network that is the Oscars.

I think I do know that. How did they push it? The Guilds are the ones that put films forward for nomination. I'm in the Writers Guild so I get all the Oscar promotions and swag sent out by the studios. I'm sitting here with a pile of free DVD screeners of movies that are nominated. I didn't get a CR screener. I watched all my mailings from Sony and there was never a screening of CR (but there were screenings of "Click" and, surprise, surprise, it's nominated...for makeup?) I tried to use my Guild card to see CR (at Oscar time, Guild cards admit free to most movies). CR was not eligible for Guild admission. I watched the trades and there was never an ad run by Sony promoting CR for an award (unless I missed it). I know what movies where pushed...and those are the movies on the list this morning. Again, I say this from first hand experience, Sony did nothing to promote CR for an Oscar. They didn't even do what was normal for any movie.

[bond_girl_double07]

I think I do know that. How did they push it? The Guilds are the ones that put films forward for nomination. I'm in the Writers Guild so I get all the Oscar promotions and swag sent out by the studios. I'm sitting here with a pile of free DVD screeners of movies that are nominated. I didn't get a CR screener. I watched all my mailings from Sony and there was never a screening of CR (but there were screenings of "Click" and, surprise, surprise, it's nominated...for makeup?) I tried to use my Guild card to see CR (at Oscar time, Guild cards admit free to most movies). CR was not eligible for free Guild admission. I watched the trades and there was never an ad run by Sony promoting CR for an award (unless I missed it). I know what movies where pushed...and those are the movies on the list this morning. Again, I say this from first hand experience, Sony did nothing to promote CR for an Oscar. They didn't even do what was normal for any movie.

Ugh, how disappointing! Knowing the ins and outs of the thing makes it so much worse somehow.. Despite the fact that they've revamped the series and made one of the best films (Bond or Not) I saw last year, it sounds like they treated it like just another Bond film in the end

[zencat]

I think I do know that. How did they push it? The Guilds are the ones that put films forward for nomination. I'm in the Writers Guild so I get all the Oscar promotions and swag sent out by the studios. I'm sitting here with a pile of free DVD screeners of movies that are nominated. I didn't get a CR screener. I watched all my mailings from Sony and there was never a screening of CR (but there were screenings of "Click" and, surprise, surprise, it's nominated...for makeup?) I tried to use my Guild card to see CR (at Oscar time, Guild cards admit free to most movies). CR was not eligible for free Guild admission. I watched the trades and there was never an ad run by Sony promoting CR for an award (unless I missed it). I know what movies where pushed...and those are the movies on the list this morning. Again, I say this from first hand experience, Sony did nothing to promote CR for an Oscar. They didn't even do what was normal for any movie.

Ugh, how disappointing! Knowing the ins and outs of the thing makes it so much worse somehow.. Despite the fact that they've revamped the series and made one of the best films (Bond or Not) I saw last year, it sounds like they treated it like just another Bond film in the end

All I can think of is maybe the studios and producers share the cost of an Oscar promotion (which has gotta be expensive), and maybe Eon opted out. So maybe it's not fair that I'm blaming Sony. Maybe Eon just doesn't want to get into the Oscar contest/game. It's not like Bond movies need an Oscar. But I do feel this Bond was worthy.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

ALL THE ACADEMY DIRECTIVES !!!

Sorry for talking like that, But I can't accept that they NEVER recognize Bond fils as the films deserve.

I'm very dissappointed. I was hoping to see Daniel getting an Oscar !!

I never saw Bond getting an Academy award or nomination (the last film nominee was FYEO, I think, and the last award was for Thunderball) because I was born in 1990.


Dammit !

I think i'm going to say all Pam Bouvier's mouthfouls.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

Not entirely surprised by Bond's lack of Oscar recognition this year; CR is indeed one of the best Bond flicks of the last few decades, but it is the Academy.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the nominations this year (Abigail Breslin for Little Miss Sunshine, Greengrass for United 93, and Ryan Gosling for Half Nelson), but I'm also beginning to question why they chose Mark Wahlberg over Jack Nicholson for The Departed as Supporting Actor.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Bond getting an Oscar for a non song/score category? Comon people...Just enjoy the international success that CR has had...Bond 22 will be a huge event film.

[DamnCoffee]

at least we have the BAFTA's too look forward to.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Were other Bond films nominated for the BAFTA ???

[bond_girl_double07]

I absolutely didn't expect CR to actually win any Oscars, but a nod from the academy would have been nice.. It's more aggravating to me that they recognized utter films (Click??? Click!) over Cr..

[Bryce (003)]

Well, while it is always lovely to wake up to Salma Hayek *sighs*, I really didn't expect anything more.

Their loss. Not ours. We know better.

What was the most anticipated film of 2006? Casino Royale

What film did you see the night it opened? Casino Royale

What film did you make an effort to see again after it opened? Casino Royale

What film had half of London shut down and the Queen attending the premire? Casino Royale

Who kicked butt as the new James Bond? Daniel Craig

Just another year at the Oscars.

Thank God for BAFTA - They get it.

[K1Bond007]

Hate to say I told you so. It's Bond and it's classified as an action movie. Action movies are dirty.

I'm not surprised. Not one bit. Though I still hoped it would have gotten something.. if only technical.

[rogermoore007]

Ah well, screw the academy, unfortunately the best actor from the best picture will once again only be a presenter

[trs007]

I refuse to watch this year. Between no CR nominations and Ellen "gag me" DeGenerate hosting the program, I've no desire to see any of it. I'm sure Craig's stint will be on YouTube the next day.

These "awards" programs are just a bunch of high-handed -kissing, anyway.

[Scottlee]

Well, no nominations this time probably means no more nominations for a Bond movie ever again. You're not going to get a 007 flick too much better than CR. The snub seems typically snobbish really, and not wholly unexpected. It's been about 7 or 8 years since I last bothered to watch the Oscars anyway.

[rogermoore007]

I refuse to watch this year. Between no CR nominations and Ellen "gag me" DeGenerate hosting the program, I've no desire to see any of it. I'm sure Craig's stint will be on YouTube the next day.

These "awards" programs are just a bunch of high-handed -kissing, anyway.

Ditto

[Zorin Industries]

Sony did absolutely nothing to promote CR to Guild or Academy voters in any category (even technical). They let everyone involved in this film down badly.

We don't know that. In fact, Sony did push CASINO ROYALE about - and still is. The problem lies in Hollywood's pecking order when it comes to the old boys school network that is the Oscars.

I think I do know that. How did they push it? The Guilds are the ones that put films forward for nomination. I'm in the Writers Guild so I get all the Oscar promotions and swag sent out by the studios. I'm sitting here with a pile of free DVD screeners of movies that are nominated. I didn't get a CR screener. I watched all my mailings from Sony and there was never a screening of CR (but there were screenings of "Click" and, surprise, surprise, it's nominated...for makeup?) I tried to use my Guild card to see CR (at Oscar time, Guild cards admit free to most movies). CR was not eligible for Guild admission. I watched the trades and there was never an ad run by Sony promoting CR for an award (unless I missed it). I know what movies where pushed...and those are the movies on the list this morning. Again, I say this from first hand experience, Sony did nothing to promote CR for an Oscar. They didn't even do what was normal for any movie.

That's interesting. I say that as BAFTA voters in the UK have been given CASINO ROYALE DVD's - which might though explain why this film HAS done well at the UK's homegrown awards. To be honest, the film did emerge as an award contender quite late in the day did it not. I too work in the UK industry and have seen quite a few trade paper double spreads pushing the film - but maybe it was a case of too little too late.

[Safari Suit]

"The Queen" up for Best Picture, eh? Congratulations America, you've decided to honour our most useless institution with yours!

[JCRendle]

Feeling some negative vibes with that last post...

[Johnboy007]

I'm not really surprised, but I'm still not happy.

MAIN NOMINATIONS
Best Leading Actor
Will Smith - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS as “Christopher Gardner”

Best Leading Actress
Helen Mirren - THE QUEEN as “Queen Elizabeth II”

These two will probably win. The Academy enjoys snubbing fictional characters these days. They instead hand out Oscars to "actors" playing historical characters that just about anyone could easily imitate/don't actually care about.

[Vauxhall]

Agreed with that Johnboy, but I think that the Best Actor will probably go to Forest Whitaker for THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND (also playing a non-fictional character). Despite my personal preference for Will Smith, who I found to be outstanding in THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, all the awards seem to be going in Whitaker's direction right now.

[bond_girl_double07]

"The Queen" up for Best Picture, eh? Congratulations America, you've decided to honour our most useless institution with yours!

Yeah, I'm not watching this year either.. I wanted to see if Philip Seymour Hoffman would win for Capote last year (great film, great actor), but really CR was one of the few good films I saw this year and if they aren't nominated, why bother..

Alternately, the Black Dahlia was the worst film I've seen in AGES, and it got a nomination, so go figure

[Doctor Shatterhand]

All I can think of is maybe the studios and producers share the cost of an Oscar promotion (which has gotta be expensive), and maybe Eon opted out. So maybe it's not fair that I'm blaming Sony. Maybe Eon just doesn't want to get into the Oscar contest/game. It's not like Bond movies need an Oscar. But I do feel this Bond was worthy.

Folks, it's only a stupid statue! Who cares how many awards Streep has or if Leo gets the award or not. I for one will not waste my time watching the Oscars just so that I can hear the vanity spoken and the political insults thrown towards any political leader.

The show is long and boring. If you really want to send a message to the people who run the awards - boycott it and then start a website called www.irefusetowatchoscarsbecauseofcasinoroyalesnub.com

As far as I'm concern Daniel Craig and the Bond team have already won by receiving a boat load of nominations from BAFTA.

The Oscars is primarily about patting their own on the back with a few exceptions. People such as Martin Scorsese who has been nominated so many times and has never won.

Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant never won Oscars.

Peter O'Toole has never won but was given an honorary one two years ago.

Sean Connery and Michael Caine only get the supporting actor category. Give me a freakin break!

And of course, Cubby Broccoli. He put together the longest running movie series ever and only gets the Thalberg award.

No really, just boycott the show and then listen for the results on the radio the next morning. Not only will you get a goodnight sleep, you'll feel justified as well.

[dodge]

Quoting Schofield:
Owen is so absolutely lightweight (in all respects) that to compare him to Mitchum and Chandler's creation is just [color="#DDA0DD"]absurd.

I respect your right to disagree. But my respect ends when you start throwing around loaded words like absurd. You can make your point without flipping the bird at another member. So why leave home strapped for cash in the currency of courtesy?

Have a wonderful day.