THE 86th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS

[Jet]

Please post your reviews and comments here. For the complete list of 2013 nominees, visit: http://oscar.go.com/nominees

(1 of 7 introductory posts)

[Jet]

For the complete list of nominees, please visit: http://oscar.go.com/nominees

(2 of 7 introductory posts)

[Jet]

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For the complete list of nominees, visit: http://oscar.go.com/nominees

(3 and 4 of 7 introductory posts)

[Jet]

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For the complete list of nominees, visit: http://oscar.go.com/nominees

(5 and 6 of introductory posts)

[Jet]

For the complete list of nominees in all categories, visit: http://oscar.go.com/nominees


(Final introductory post of nominees)

[Jet]

I have seen most of the nominees and I don't agree. For one, I don't feel Gravity is worth 10 nominations. I admire Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, but I'm not a fan of this film—in fact, it's one of the worst films I saw this past year. George Clooney isn't featured in the film that much and there really isn't much more to this space-thriller. With me, it crash-landed.

[Soon]

Originally Posted by Jet

I have seen most of the nominees and I don't agree. For one, I don't feel Gravity is worth 10 nominations. I admire Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, but I'm not a fan of this film—in fact, it's one of the worst films I saw this past year. George Clooney isn't featured in the film that much and there really isn't much more to this space-thriller. With me, it crash-landed.

I haven't seen the movie, but I don't see Clooney nominated, so I'm curious as to your point about him not being "featured in the film that much." What does him not being in the film much have to do with this film's nominations?

[Jet]

I would vote for veterans, Bruce Dern or Robert Redford. Robert Redford and Bruce Dern have never won the Best Actor nods. (Robert Redford has won the Best Director Oscar.) Redford, now in his 70s, took on a physically demanding role that is unique, and I feel he deserved a Best Actor Oscar consideration as one of Hollywood's most enduring and formidable actors. The movie is a single actor-action film. But the Academy snubbed Redford's performance.

The Academy has also overlooked Tom Hanks in two performances for Captain Phillips and Saving Mr. Banks. Tom Hanks is very good in Captain Phillips. But.... the docu-film angered me because it's the true story of a US vessel taken by Somali pirates. Serious subject matter and painful. From an acting standpoint, excellent. From a historical standpoint, bitter and hard to take. It drives home the critical compromise the US has had to face in dangerous piracy.

Other considerations overlooked:
The Butler (excellent film, but doesn't surprise me that it's passed by for Oscar consideration)

[Soon]

So far, I've seen August: Osage County--yep. great movie. Acting was brilliant all round.

American Hustle--really liked it!

Also, saw Inside Llewyn Davis--meh.


This weekend, we plan on seeing one more--either Nebraska, Her, or The Wolf of Wall Street.

I found this year's film selections really strong.

[Jet]

I saw August: Osage County as well. Strong stuff from writer Tracy Letts. But from an Academy-political standpoint, I don't think they'll win. And personally, as much as I like and appreciate the performances of some of my favorite actors in this movie...it was a depressing film to watch based on subject matter (IMBO)

Originally Posted by Soon

So far, I've seen August: Osage County--yep. great movie. Acting was brilliant all round.

American Hustle--really liked it!

Also, saw Inside Llewyn Davis--meh.


This weekend, we plan on seeing one more--either Nebraska, Her, or The Wolf of Wall Street.

I found this year's film selections really strong.

[Soon]

Originally Posted by Jet

I saw August: Osage County as well. Strong stuff from writer Tracy Letts. But from an Academy-political standpoint, I don't think they'll win. And personally, as much as I like and appreciate the performances of some of my favorite actors in this movie...it was a depressing film to watch based on subject matter (IMBO)

Yep. Super depressing. Made my family look like The Waltons.

I have to gear up to see 12 Years a Slave. I don't think I can see it the theatre and will wait for DVD. I can watch family or personal drama/anguish/dysfunction no problem, but massive injustice and inhumanity on a social/political scale is hard for me to watch.

[Jet]

Originally Posted by Soon

Yep. Super depressing. Made my family look like The Waltons.

I have to gear up to see 12 Years a Slave. I don't think I can see it the theatre and will wait for DVD. I can watch family or personal drama/anguish/dysfunction no problem, but massive injustice and inhumanity on a social/political scale is hard for me to watch.

It's hard to take, I understand. Hollywood brings realism as far as realism goes. I appreciate your comment, Soon. I try to look at performances only, but the film industry has taken us into the depths of stories.

To answer your question on Gravity, Hollywood gives audiences a "buildup" and casts major stars in the genres we like: Action, romance, comedies etc. I anticipated a great story, performances and beginning and an end in this film. It didn't happen. George Clooney is featured very little. The plot is slight with Sandra Bullock, literally hanging in mid-air. All I can say, is that there's not much more to this film that deserves 10 nominations.

On the other hand, Bob Redford and so many other film makers have turned in incredible work and yet, are overlooked. I'm tired of those in control—who have questionable judgement— in the film industry. Politics, money, influence are heavily figured in voting with biases. This is my observation and opinion after following the film industry for years.
'

[Soon]

Originally Posted by Jet

It's hard to take, I understand. Hollywood brings realism as far as realism goes. I appreciate your comment, Soon. I try to look at performances only, but the film industry has taken us into the depths of stories.

To answer your question on Gravity, Hollywood gives audiences a "buildup" and casts major stars in the genres we like: Action, romance, comedies etc. I anticipated a great story, performances and beginning and an end in this film. It didn't happen. George Clooney is featured very little. The plot is slight with Sandra Bullock, literally hanging in mid-air. All I can say, is that there's not much more to this film that deserves 10 nominations.

On the other hand, Bob Redford and so many other film makers have turned in incredible work and yet, are overlooked. I'm tired of those in control—who have questionable judgement— in the film industry. Politics, money, influence are heavily figured in voting with biases. This is my observation and opinion after following the film industry for years.
'

Thanks for answering my question. I just think that who cares that he's not featured very much, as Bullock's character (from what I understand) is supposed to be the focus.

Happy Oscar Watching!

[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by Jet

I have seen most of the nominees and I don't agree. For one, I don't feel Gravity is worth 10 nominations. I admire Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, but I'm not a fan of this film—in fact, it's one of the worst films I saw this past year. George Clooney isn't featured in the film that much and there really isn't much more to this space-thriller. With me, it crash-landed.

I agree with you about this film!

I could not, do not, understand the hoopla about it.

Boring in a word, so boring.

Great special effects but not much more than that.

[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by Soon

So far, I've seen August: Osage County--yep. great movie. Acting was brilliant all round.

American Hustle--really liked it!

Also, saw Inside Llewyn Davis--meh.


This weekend, we plan on seeing one more--either Nebraska, Her, or The Wolf of Wall Street.

I found this year's film selections really strong.

Loved, loved American Hustle.

Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and Christian Bale were so good!

Enjoyed The Wolf of Wall Street but a really long movie.

Leo is a terrific actor.

[Jet]

Best Direction by Martin Scorsese, writing from Terence Hill, acting from Leo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill. It's an obnoxious, edgy, hard-core movie about Wall Street. It's not my favorite. But on the flip side, it was produced by my favorite collaborative team of Martin Scorsese and Terence Hill who wrote and produced the chic and violent "Boardwalk Empire" for HBO. Brilliant? Yes, but it's over the top. (My favorite about Wall Street is Oliver Stone's Wall Street2 with Michael Douglas.) This is a no-holds barred film from the Scorsese-Hill collaboration about hard-core sex, drugs, and financial manipulation.

I'm not a DiCaprio fan other than his performance in J. Edgar. It's interesting to note that Scorsese has brought together talent that are locked horns in Hollywood. For one thing, it's a known fact that Mark Wahlberg and Leo DiCaprio are enemies in real life. Yet, Wahlberg is the executive producer for Boardwalk Empire along with Scorsese. Scorsese has produced The Wolf of Wall Street with DiCaprio without any fences against his power and influence. What can I say? He's a formidable, influential producer and director.

I don't know whether The Wolf of Wall Street deserves Best Picture. The writing by Terence Hill and direction by Martin Scorsese are great, but I'm not a fan of Leo DiCaprio in the title role.

[C0LLETTE]

Possibly interesting, possibly true" fact":
"American Hustle" and "Her" are both produced by Megan Ellison, the fabulously wealthy "bi",daughter of Larry Ellison (Oracle ).

[Jet]

Originally Posted by C0LLETTE

Possibly interesting, possibly true" fact":
"American Hustle" and "Her" are both produced by Megan Ellison, the fabulously wealthy "bi",daughter of Larry Ellison (Oracle ).

Hi Collette,
Your research and knowledge are appreciated in this thread. Thank you for your contribution.

[Jet]

Two come to mind in the way of fine performances:

The Butler (Forrest Whittaker and Oprah Winfrey's efforts to bring a true story of courage to light— snubbed by the Academy) I viewed this film in the summer and found it historically and artistically interesting and valuable as an account of the Civil Rights movement in the US.)

My other vote for Best Actor:
Up and comer : Chiwetel Ejiofor

I have seen this young man's performances in the series Dancing on The Edge for BBC and 12 Years a Slave. Fine actor.

[Jet]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

I agree with you about this film!

I could not, do not, understand the hoopla about it.

Boring in a word, so boring.

Great special effects but not much more than that.

Hollywood attempts to do many things in film making: It "kings" technology"; rules and influences social thinking; and cashes in on its efforts. It isn't the system that was once in existence under the old "studio system"...to entertain with a profit at the box office. Hollywood is a powerful influence globally and socially which garners billions of dollars annually. It can serve good or bad depending on its targets and objectives. I feel there are politics involved in a complicated and sophisticated industry. To be nominated for an Oscar guarantees a tremendous boost in salaries. Also, I've read where nominees "campaign" for votes to assure salaries and future roles. This is a treadmill. At the summit of political, artistic endeavors is Oscar...worth more than his weight in gold.