28 replies to this topic

[S K Y F A L L]

The 88th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on February 28, 2016.

 

Nominations https://en.m.wikiped...rds#Nominations

 

 

I really enjoyed

 

THE BIG SHORT

Bridge of Spies

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Sicario

 

still want to see

 

CAROL

SPOTLIGHT

 

didnt much care for

 

 

The Revenant

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Martian

[tdalton]

Good to see Mad Max: Fury Road get a nomination for the top prize.  Certainly well-deserving of a Best Picture nod.  Looks like a strange year for me, where I actually want to see most of the Best Picture nominees.  The Revenant, Room, and Bridge of Spies (as well as The Martian, to a lesser extent) are all films I'm interested in checking out before the Oscars.

[S K Y F A L L]

I just read Will Smith is boycotting the Oscars... should we boycott it?

[tdalton]

He was never going to get nominated for an Oscar.  Los Angeles and the NFL are tied at the hip now, and have known they would be for some time now.  No way they were going to nominate a film that attacks an industry that's about to bring billions upon billions of dollars to the area.  

[Professor Pi]

He was never going to get nominated for an Oscar.  Los Angeles and the NFL are tied at the hip now, and have known they would be for some time now.  No way they were going to nominate a film that attacks an industry that's about to bring billions upon billions of dollars to the area.  

 

That's a good point.  I tried to see this movie last weekend, but it was only playing at one theater within a 40 mile radius.

 

That being said, the Academy is 91% white and 74% male.  It's not a government entity bound to equal opportunity employment laws.  The "whiteness" of their nominees isn't surprising or illegal, albeit disappointing.  I didn't see Straight Out of Compton, but it's clear there should have been some nominations for African-Americans out of that (its writers are white.)  Ditto Creed.  Sly didn't even thank Ryan Coogler or Michael B. Jordan at his Golden Globes acceptance.  I think Coogler had written the script, so that was sort of surprising.  I thought it was Stallone's best acting job ever, and I'm glad he's nominated, but some proper dues given would have been in order.

 

As for SPECTRE, its nominations don't deserve the same level that Skyfall got.  As for the title song, even bad Bond is better than the rest of the field.

[SecretAgentFan]

I just read Will Smith is boycotting the Oscars... should we boycott it?

 

No.  

 

What Smith´s wife has started is not about diversity or equality - just about entitlement.

 

And the Oscars are just a popularity contest.  When there is a movie that hits the zeitgeist or is loved by all critics - "12 years a slave" - the Oscars will be all over that.  Last year there was no film like that starring afro-americans.  Hence, no nominations.  

 

Also, the majority of voters do not watch every movie out there.  They never have.  No nomination for Idris Elba for "Beasts of no nation" does not mean racism - it´s just a film that has not been watched by many (even the general audience did not go to see that) because the subject matter is so hard to stomach.  

 

And "Straight outta Compton" - well, not everyone´s taste.  And, frankly, not a superior film to the others which got nominated.  Same applies to Smith in "Concussion".

 

Also, Will Smith has lost lots of goodwill, audience-wise AND within the Academy.  The way he has tried to turn his kids into stars has angered many within the industry.  Right now, he is just not loved by voters.  And instead of turning that around by drawing the race card he and his wife should think about how many great artists never were nominated.

 

Once again: the Oscars are not a fair competition that awards only excellency.  Most of the greatest actors, directors and movie classics did not get any Oscars.  Not due to a lack of diversity.  Just part of the fickle game that awards - ALL awards - are.

[tdalton]

I think that they do have a point.  All of the major nominees for two years in a row (20 acting nominations, 5 directors for a total of 25 nominations per year, so 50 in total) are all white.  That's not to take away anything from those that are nominated, but you can't tell me that there wasn't a single non-white actor, actress, or director over the past two years that was deserving of a nod over some of the people nominated.

 

It's also not just about the Oscars, but about the climate in the U.S. right now.  There's a lot of anger, very justified anger, about the treatment of minority groups by the establishment.  Sadly, given the public discourse and the rhetoric coming from certain people with the spotlight shining very brightly on them at the moment, things are only going to, unfortunately, get worse before they get better.  The Oscars going in this direction two years in a row is just another issue in the larger scope of the climate in the U.S. at the moment.  

 

That said, Will Smith and his wife are not the proper spokespeople for this, for reasons already mentioned.

Edited by tdalton, 22 January 2016 - 06:02 AM.

[SecretAgentFan]

I agree that there is a problem within the U.S. - and, frankly, within most countries, Germany included.

 

But really, that problem can not be solved by nominating more ethnically.  Everybody forgets who wins and loses so quickly.  Do you still remember who won or got nominated last year?  The year before?

 

Ricky Gervais was absolutely right: awards don´t mean a thing.   This is just about millionaires handing over gold statuettes to another.

 

And if Smith alone had been nominated - would he still have boycotted the Oscars?

 

In 2001 (I had to look it up) Denzel Washington and Halle Berry won the best actor Oscars.  The same members who voted now.  And really: which "diversity film" deserved to be nominated this year but did not get any attention?  "Beasts of no nation" - yes, I would have agreed there.  "Tangerine" - well, not my cup of tea, but maybe.  However, both - IMHO - are not better than other films that did not get any nomination.  "The Gift" by Joel Edgerton, for instance, was an absolutely fabulous film, featuring a dynamite performance by Jason Bateman.  Did not get any attention at all.  Because I was the only one to like it?  Not at all.  Great reviews all around.  But no studio behind it that threw money at the awards race.

 

In the last two years there surely were films that should have been nominated for something but weren´t.  But if I think about examples for "diversity films" that got snubbed?  I can´t.  Can anybody?

[tdalton]

I don't blame anyone one bit for being angry at the Academy, and I hope they picket the hell out of them.  

 

The bigger problem, rather than lack of acknowledgment for worthy films, is a lack of opportunities in movies for people who are not white men.  I think that's ultimately where the anger really lies, and rightfully so.  If there were more opportunities for women, minority groups, and so on in movies, then it wouldn't be as outrageous when certain films are overlooked.  The fact that we have to look at some of these snubbed films as "diversity films" is a symptom of the problem, IMO.  

 

The number of roles in quality films, and I think it was George Clooney who made this point earlier in the week, is the real issue.  You can only count on getting a quality role in a quality film if you're a white male actor.  Outside of that small, select group, good luck to you.  There are plenty of stories, interesting and entertaining stories, that could be told for the screen that don't feature white men, yet they don't get told.  Is that a problem?  Yes, I think it is.  

[SecretAgentFan]

But that is a problem of society, which is reflected in the industry and afterwards in the movies that get produced.   Awards cannot change that.

 

Even Oscar recognition for white male superstars will not translate into a great longterm career.  Almost the opposite, actually.  (The "Oscar curse" has stalled many careers, due to actors asking for more money, turning down roles that they don´t consider worthy anymore or audiences just getting tired of the overexposed star).  And those who did have a great career afterwards would have had it anyway.

 

And really, although it might be the politically correct thing to do now for every big actor to talk about the lack of diversity - that is not the core problem in Hollywood.  Because in the end, Hollywood is only about one thing: money.  What sells tickets.  How can you get people to be interested in your product.  If more films or roles for ethnic actors were successful enough you can be sure that Hollywood would plaster their schedules with them, just as they do with comic book heroes now.  Remember the "blaxplotation"-wave during the 70s?

 

And it is only half true when Clooney says: You can only count on getting a quality role in a quality film if you´re a white male actor.

 

The whole truth is: only a handful of white male actors can count on that - the current A-list.  Anybody else is scrambling by.  Or waiting tables.

 

Once again, there is racism in society, and it is still a huge problem.  And this problem gets reflected in movies, too.  But it would be too easy to pick out Hollywood as the patsy here.  As if changing Hollywood or the greenlighting of films would change society or eradicate racism.  Which of course it would not.

 

But it seems easier for people to blame Hollywood then to look at their own behaviour.

[tdalton]

I'm not going to debate the point anymore because all these debates do on this forum is go round and round in circles.  Suffice to say, I hope the Oscars are picketed, and I hope they are loud and ruin Hollywood's night.  The racists in the US are not going to change their behavior on their own, just as the bigots that discriminate against other groups won't change on their own.  Hollywood led the charge against LGBT discrimination and were a large part of the reason why that cause moved a light speed towards where it currently is today, partly because there were more roles and characters.  People most likely saw that and wonder why Hollywood, which is supposed to be a bastion of liberalism, won't go to the mat for them as well.  That is worth being angry over.  

 

This will be my last post on the subject.  Maybe my last post in general.  

[SecretAgentFan]

This will be my last post on the subject.  Maybe my last post in general.  

 

 

Why, tdalton?  I hope I did not offend you - and I certainly did not address my criticism at you.  I was speaking in general.   If I did not make that clear enough, I apologize.

[S K Y F A L L]

I guess the academy is trying to save face

 

#OscarsSoWhite controversy prompts changes to film academy

http://www.cbc.ca/ne...anges-1.3416075

 

I wonder if Chris Rock will make a joke about it....

[Professor Pi]

I'm not going to debate the point anymore because all these debates do on this forum is go round and round in circles.  Suffice to say, I hope the Oscars are picketed, and I hope they are loud and ruin Hollywood's night.  The racists in the US are not going to change their behavior on their own, just as the bigots that discriminate against other groups won't change on their own.  Hollywood led the charge against LGBT discrimination and were a large part of the reason why that cause moved a light speed towards where it currently is today, partly because there were more roles and characters.  People most likely saw that and wonder why Hollywood, which is supposed to be a bastion of liberalism, won't go to the mat for them as well.  That is worth being angry over.  

 

That is a really good point.  LGBT, Caitlyn Jenner, climate change even fracking, campaign and financial reform are taken up by Hollywood A-listers, but diversity? 

 

And, tdalton, what you say about Will Smith resonates too.  After Earth could disqualify almost any actor from future Academy nominations!  Some are making the argument that Academy members just don't see these films--Selma, Concussion, Straight Outta Compton. I didn't see those films either, but if I were an academy member I would feel its my duty to see them.

 

Still, how does one miss Oscar Isaac for Ex Machina?!  His performance was great!

[Jim]

I am confident these "academics" will sort something out.

[dtuba]

It is an issue that is not a black and white one.

 

I speak literally here- there needs to be more good roles for people of Asian, Native American, and especially Latino descent. ( for example: I really like Michael Pena as an actor, but he is quickly becoming the go-to guy when Hollywood wants to cast the "token Mexican". ) This would accurately reflect what Americans actually look like.

[S K Y F A L L]

Watched SPOTLIGHT and STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON this week and really enjoyed them both. Still want to see ROOM.

 

 

My Top Picks 

 

SPOTLIGHT

THE BIG SHORT

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS

BRIDGE OF SPIES

[DaveBond21]

The Oscar-winning SPECTRE!

[thecasinoroyale]

Haha....Oscar winning 'SPECTRE'...and even for THAT theme song, says a lot!

 

I don't see how 'Mad Max' won like 5/6 awards....I mean, it's good fun but Oscar worthy? Hmmm....I dunno.

[SecretAgentFan]

THE REVENANT winning best director is a perfect comment on how little people remember.

 

Check out the video on youtube which juxtaposes scenes from the REVENANT with scenes from Andrei Tarkowski´s films, replicating its compositions in detail - yet, no major critic has mentioned this copying, and people celebrate THE REVENANT for its originality.

 

When it actually is at best a hommage - if not outright stealing ideas of a legendary film director whose work seems to already be forgotten.

[The Dove]

Absolutely ZERO awards for The Martian...what a freakin joke!!   But congrats to Sam Smith on the win for "Writings On The Wall"...Great stuff!! Oh and I was very happy to see Mark Rylance win Best Supporting Actor.. thought he was GREAT in Bridge of Spies!

[tdalton]

I didn't realize how enjoyable boycotting the "White BET Awards" could be.  Might never watch again, considering I didn't have to watch mediocre films (and horrible songs) win awards they weren't deserving of.  I hope the actual, organized boycott of the evening was successful.  The overnight ratings tend to suggest that it made something of an impact, but sadly it will still end up as the most-watched non-sports event of the year.  

[Joe Bond]

Thought Sam Smith was off key in his performance and absolutely hated Sara Silverman's intro to the song. Clearly she doesn't understand the mass appeal of Bond and it seemed more like awkward ramblings than jokes. Almost as big of a fail as the awkward Stacey Dash cameo. Should of boycotted and will in the future.

[SecretAgentFan]

Everybody can, of course, boycott whatever they want.  But why would one want to boycott something they have not seen yet?

 

If you don´t like the past Bond films would it make sense to boycott any future films?

[tdalton]

If you watch it, then you can't boycott it.  You've already given them what they want.  

 

This effort needs to continue past this year.  The ratings numbers need to continue to go down due to an organized, and growing boycott.  Hollywood doesn't care until you start hitting them where it hurts the most: their wallet.

[coco1997]

An interesting quote I heard the morning after the Oscars...

 

"Hollywood's true diversity problem is that everyone thinks alike, talks alike, and votes alike."

[Turn]

Anybody else bothered by the Sara Silverman presentation. I don't mind poking fun at Bond, but be funny instead of just desperate in an attempt to be shocking and non-mainstream. "He has four cell phones." What does that even mean in any context?

 

And didn't it seem like there were a lot of presenters like her who aren't really movie stars but they got called because nobody else was available? Amy Schumer, who's the biggest female comedian out there now, would've been a better choice. How about Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who wasn't even invited. Trotting out the stars of the network's own series is just cheap promotion and far from what the event is supposed to be about.

[S K Y F A L L]

Anybody else bothered by the Sara Silverman presentation. I don't mind poking fun at Bond, but be funny instead of just desperate in an attempt to be shocking and non-mainstream. "He has four cell phones." What does that even mean in any context?

 

And didn't it seem like there were a lot of presenters like her who aren't really movie stars but they got called because nobody else was available? Amy Schumer, who's the biggest female comedian out there now, would've been a better choice. How about Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who wasn't even invited. Trotting out the stars of the network's own series is just cheap promotion and far from what the event is supposed to be about.

I loved Sarah Silverman's old tv show but not much of her other work and I didn't get her 4 phone joke either, should have been watches or something.

 

Tina Fey was their. Seen on the red carpet and see presented something with Steve Carrell.

[S K Y F A L L]

Haha....Oscar winning 'SPECTRE'...and even for THAT theme song, says a lot!

 

I don't see how 'Mad Max' won like 5/6 awards....I mean, it's good fun but Oscar worthy? Hmmm....I dunno.

 

 I never saw it coming and was really surprised. Didn't think it was all that special.

 

 It won six Academy Awards:

Best Costume Design,

Best Production Design,

Best Makeup and Hairstyling,

Best Film Editing,

Best Sound Editing,

Best Sound Mixing.

I didn't think the editing was that great, there are moments in the film when they speed up the film like during the ice palace car chase in DAD.

I don't know if that is editng though, just don't like it.