A bad year to expand to 10 Best Picture Noms
Posted by Matt on November 12, 2009 at 12:30 am
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REDDITAs discussed in an earlier post by Craig, this year’s Academy Awards will expand its nomination total to 10. What really gets me thinking is that could the Academy have picked a worse year to expand the nominations. Taking a look back on the movies that have come out this year, this has been a really bad year for movies.
When most years we see plenty of worthy movies being left off the Best Picture list, this year there might not be 5 worthy movies at all. To date, I believe the only movie to be worthy of a Best Picture nomination is “The Hurt Locker” starring Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie. In fact, Mackie could win for Best Supporting Actor as well. So if we just look at this from the perspective of 5 worthy movies, this year could be a real stretch. Well, with 10, there might be some problems.
Plenty of great movies came out this year; these movies however are wouldn’t what we call Best Picture worthy. One that comes to mind is J.J Abrams remake of “Star Trek.” This was one of the best movies of the summer, and a movie I will definitely get on DVD. However, worthy of a Best Picture nomination? Umm, I’m not so sure. In a year where there is a real shortage of quality films, “Star Trek” is more than likely to be up for the top prize.
Another movie that will likely be up for Best Picture is “UP.” “UP” was the CGI Summer smash hit that captured the hearts of adults and kids. Again, “UP” was great, but I would be skeptical to say it was as good as “Shrek.” Did “Shrek” get picked to race with the big boys, umm no, and neither should “UP.” However, because of the expansion, it will surely be up for Best Picture.
The final movie thus far this year that I think that will be selected as a Best Picture nomination is “Inglorious Basterds.” This movie was a big hit with a lot of people, especially Tarantino fans, with some even showering it with Best Picture hope. For me, I’m not so sure to jump on that band wagon. I enjoyed the movie but don’t think it’s Best Picture worthy. I leave the debate to you. However, I do believe it will get the nod only because of the need to fill 10 slots.
In year’s past plenty of incredible movies missed the boat on getting a Best Picture nod. One that comes to my mind last year was Gran Torino. That movie blew me away, and I thought it was the best movies of the year. Yet, somehow it missed the boat. Had the Academy expanded to 10 last year, the film would have surely been up for the award.
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In a move that should really be good for movies, reduce the debate on who got screwed, and shower more films with accolades, expanding the list to 10 is not a good idea for this year. Sure, we still have 2 more months of movies, but to date this year has been disappointing. We will see some mediocore films getting nom’s they don’t deserve.
What do you think?
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I agree. Not many movies are “blowing me away” this year.
Agree, I don’t know if I could think of 5, much less 10.
I disagree. I think that 2009 has been a great year for movies. A lot of my faves surely won’t be nominated (except for maybe Star Trek and definitely Up). My guess for the winner remains to be Up In The Air.
i agree. this has not been the greatest year for films. i love In The Loop, the hurt locker, a single man,precious, an education, 500 days of summer,we live in public and the cove but as for having a 10 nomination field im pretty sure just so that it seems fresh a popcorn film like star trek may slip in which i hope would not be the case. if that has to happen, here’s hoping district 9 will make it in instead.
i just really hope that In The Loop gets an original screenplay nomination along with best supporting for Peter Capaldi and that Kathryn Bigelow gets added to the short list of female oscar nominated directors.
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@Dan, I will have to check out “In the Loop.” I have not seen it. It’s too bad this year was a down year for films. Had it been a great year, the Oscar field expansion would have looked like a great idea.
i think you’ll love it if you get the chance to see it, matt. i know nick and i both love the film. its my personal fav film of the year…by far.
great post, by the way. lends it self to a big argument. i completely agree that it has not been a great year for films, regardless how my counterparts feel on the contrary.
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Honestly I think this has been a great year for movies, and we still have over a month Oscar season really just started.
Nick, Up in the Air is great, personally I don’t think it’s best picture material but the way critics are treating it so far it may very well nag a few Oscars maybe even best picture.
@Travis I disagree, with the strike in 07 a lot of movies were rushed to be put out this past year, especially the summer blockbusters. there were too many flops mediocre movies. Avatar is clearly the big one to still wait and see and Invictus in my mind. There are some few that leak out, but overall it’s been bad.
Oh, I just watched the trailer for “A Single Man” again, I think that will be in the mix for best picture.
Oh, I just watched the trailer for “A Single Man” again, I think that will be in the mix for best picture.
@Travis Agree, saw that trailer as well, looks like it has potential, but then again trailers are supposed to make a movie look great.