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[Zeliard]

I'd consider that more of a screenplay problem than a direction one, though. I think it's the screenplay's job to acknowledge that dreams are random and chaotic and not just explain everything away as if you're too simple and might get lost in all the ridiculousness of everything, not necessarily the direction.

The dreams in Inception were purposefully designed not to be random and chaotic like typical dreams because the subject has to think he's in the real world, and that's why you have architects and people specifically stationed at different dream layers, etc.

It's literally their jobs, so the dreams they invade/create can't by definition be all chaotic, because how could anyone hold a profession where they govern pure, random chaos? There's a very distinct process to the whole thing - the screenplay can't acknowledge something that would contradict it.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

And again, if you turn it into technological advances and nothing more, whoever spent the most money is going to win every single time.

If you look at the history of the award all the way back to the beginning, this has generally been the case. Elaborate special effects have generally meant bigger budgeted films even back in the early practical days. Like it or not, this particular category has usually focused on what's pushing the medium forward. Not surprisingly, most of the scientific/engineering Oscar awards end up relating to special effects as well.

(not that I really think it matters since those guys are probably laughing all the way to the bank as it is with how much that movie made)

Oh, that's a good one. The vfx industry isn't exactly the one to be in if your goal is to earn a lot of money.

 

[Pseudo_Sam]

Visually appealing is different than better animation to me. I love the look of both of them, but the suburban setting of TS3 was automatically more mundane than the fantasyland of Dragon.

I loved the animation of both of them and I'm a big defender of Dreamworks as the #2 animation house which says a lot.

But the animation details in TS3 were phenomonal, just not as fantastical.

I would argue HTTDY did have better animation. I'm not an expert, but I don't think it matters. If technically superior animation is somehow different than better looking animation, what's the point of even comparing them technically?

 

[crazy monkey]

This (along with pretty much every argument between the two movies in this thread) would be relevant if the Best Animated Feature had anything to do with having the best animation in a feature. Which it doesn't.

and that is why if anything other than TS3 can not win. It is already there is top 10.

 

[I AM JOHN!]

The dreams in Inception were purposefully designed not to be random and chaotic like typical dreams because the subject has to think he's in the real world, and that's why you have architects and people specifically stationed at different dream layers, etc.

It's literally their jobs, so the dreams they invade/create can't by definition be all chaotic, because how could anyone hold a profession where they govern pure, random chaos? There's a very distinct process to the whole thing - the screenplay can't acknowledge something that would contradict it.

But it's still why the movie felt completely hollow to me. Dreams, by their very nature, are chaotic and random; explaining everything away like that and having them be completely controlled violates the very nature of their being. If they found some way to acknowledge this, I think it would've been a far more interesting film, but then you obviously run the risk of losing the large audience. By everything being so easily explained - everything being "too perfect" - its interesting premise basically became nothing more than window dressing to a silly heist film and a convenient excuse to explain "Now we're in a posh hotel; now here's a car chase; NOW IT'S THAT LEVEL FROM MODERN WARFARE 2!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The point is, as fun and entertaining as it is, I don't feel like Inception could decide what it wanted to be: stupid big budget action film or more cerebral drama. And it did a disservice to both.

 

[ZoddGutts]

Inception better win.

Why would the weakest film on the list get the win?

Edit: Correction, I see TS3 is on the list. Making Inception the 2nd weakest film on the list.

 

[crazy monkey]

You do realise Dreamworks are gold sponsors right? They won every award against Wall-E with Kung Fu Panda if I recall correctly.

I would also say kung fu panda was better. Wall-E was amazing for first part and then humans came. Fuck that part. The movie was master piece until than. Kungfu panda was very enjoyable and had old school children movie wibe.

The Annies are incredibly biased towards their sponsors and it's noted in the industry.

http://www.annieawards.org/legacy.html


up won last year, before that ratatouille before that cars won,The Incredibles won Toy story 2 won, finding nemo won i can go on.


They are incrediably biased towards pixar if you go by that logic.

 

[BobTheFork]

The argument you're making is exactly why I hate the idea of these "whoever spent the most money wins" awards. Does it really matter which one has better animation? Which is the better movie?


This is exactly my problem with Inception. Like, practically verbatim. Wow.

I'd consider that more of a screenplay problem than a direction one, though. I think it's the screenplay's job to acknowledge that dreams are random and chaotic and not just explain everything away as if you're too simple and might get lost in all the ridiculousness of everything, not necessarily the direction.

Yeah, I think that kind of thing comes into the screenplay maybe more than the direction. It makes it weird because I'm a huge fan of Nolan but I feel like I'm not getting enough out of the movies I watch of his.

 

[GhaleonQ]

http://www.annieawards.org/legacy.html


up won last year, before that ratatouille before that cars won,The Incredibles won Toy story 2 won, finding nemo won i can go on.


They are incrediably biased towards pixar if you go by that logic.

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/comment-of-the-day/comment-of-the-day-annie-uproar.html

Pretty much. Note: this does not mean that I think Pixar or Dreamworks make good animated features.

Seriously, boo to the short nominees (even the longlist was subpar, even though the Academy's done brilliantly every year until 2010) and boo to the features (Summer Wars is self-apparently better as a movie, better animated, and much cleverer).

 

[WillyFive]

They are the pinnacle and everyone else is in second place except maybe Avatar if you want to count that which I don't.

James Cameron's Avatar isn't really animation in the traditional sense.

 

[LCfiner]

Consider me surprised that Inception isn't up for Best Editing. I thought the way they cut away from action at different rates within the different dreams to lend each one its own pace was pretty good. it helped me buy the idea that each dream had its own time-scale that was unique.

also, wtf, no Tron soundtrack nomination?

anyway, no biggie.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

I am rather irate about Tron getting snubbed for Original Score.

Whaaa that was the worst Daft Punk album since...hm. There is no worse Daft Punk album.

 

[WillyFive]

Consider me surprised that Inception isn't up for Best Editing. I thought the way they cut away from action at different rates within the different dreams to lend each one its own pace was pretty good. it helped me buy the idea that each dream had its own time-scale that was unique.

also, wtf, no Tron soundtrack nomination?

anyway, no biggie.

That was more part of the story than editing, I guess. Check it out in 'real time'.

Although irrelevant to this award show, Back to the Future was much better in this regard though, in my opinion.

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

Whaaa that was the worst Daft Punk album since...hm. There is no worse Daft Punk album.

It's a pretty lame duck DP album, but as far as fitting the movie goes, I hear it's probably the best part of the whole shebang.

 

[Dead]

Best editing this year was Scott Pilgrim, not a surprise that it wasn't nominated though.

 

[AlternativeUlster]

Hooray for Exit through the Gift Shop for Best Documentary and Dogtooth for Best Foreign Film I guess...

 

[LCfiner]

Whaaa that was the worst Daft Punk album since...hm. There is no worse Daft Punk album.

kinda funny as it's the only Daft Punk album that I can stand.


lol, taste and such.


edit: and nice links, Willy. watched them both. very cool

 

[mr stroke]

why is everyone cock riding Scott Pilgrim for visual effects? While the movie its self was awesome its no where close to being nominated for visual effects. Its a bunch of goofy CG with pop up signs every 10 mins.

 

[ultron87]

why is everyone cock riding Scott Pilgrim for visual effects? While the movie its self was awesome its no where close to being nominated for visual effects. Its a bunch of goofy CG with pop up signs every 10 mins.

It had a fairly unique look to it at least.

If anything it should've been up for editing. That movie is put together really really well.

 

[(._.)]

LOL at the first post nailing it. the 10 nominees for best picture is so retarded

far better list than last year. what else were you expecting to get a nomination?

 

[big ander]

why is everyone cock riding Scott Pilgrim for visual effects? While the movie its self was awesome its no where close to being nominated for visual effects. Its a bunch of goofy CG with pop up signs every 10 mins.

You'd be surprised at how much of that movie is digitally created. Entire areas were created and stitched together, backgrounds were changed, sets were painstakingly recreated, etc.

 

[LCfiner]

It had a fairly unique look to it at least.

If anything it should've been up for editing. That movie is put together really really well.

The obvious reshot ending kinda ruins the editing for me. the tone shifts are too great for me to ignore. I don't think it was handled that well.

 

[jett]

Scott Pilgrim looked like it was shot on the cheap(I know it has a modest budget but you're not supposed to notice ). The VFX work in that movie doesn't deserve recognition.

A surprise nominee that I'm glad about however is John Powell for this work on How To Train Your Dragon. Fantastic score.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

You'd be surprised at how much of that movie is digitally created. Entire areas were created and stitched together, backgrounds were changed, sets were painstakingly recreated, etc.

Which is why it made the semi-final list for the bakeoff. The vfx arm of the Academy knows all of that as it surely would've been part of the SP bakeoff reel.

 

[big ander]

Which is why it made the semi-final list for the bakeoff. The vfx arm of the Academy knows all of that as it surely would've been part of the SP bakeoff reel.

I know about the bake off and SP being on the 7 film short list and there being a reel sent it. I was informing another poster of what was done.

 

[(._.)]

Here are my predictions for the top awards.

Best Film - The Social Network
This one I think is pretty obvious. It is sweeping all the other awards, is a solid film, and has a story that is highly relevant to modern times.

Best Director - David Fincher (The Social Network)
Pretty much same as above. He made a great movie and several in the past.

Best Actor - Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
I have yet to see this movie but its subject matter is one that tends to win often and he is respected by everybody in the industry.

Best Actress - Annette Bening (The Kids are all right)
I have a feeling Portman will be snubbed for the win like Mickey was for The Wrestler. I am actually pretty sure this will happen but we will see.

Best Supporting Actor - Christian Bale (The Fighter)
This one I think is set in stone but I have a feeling there could be another winner.

Best Supporting Actress - Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
This was a harder one too seeing as I haven't seen many of the films that several of these actresses are nominated for. I'm going with this since it is somewhat of a safe bet.

Best Adapted Screenplay - The Social Network (Aaron Sorkin)
The writing to this movie was sharp and clever. Really one of the more engaging stories adapted for the screen. Went back and watched several scenes just for the dialog. I think this one is set in stone also for the same reasons as David Fincher's respected category. I could see Winter's Bone having a super slim chance of taking this also.

Best Original Screenplay - The Kids are Alll Right (Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg)
Not fully sure for this award. This movie was noted for having a well written story with some emotional turns. I saw this movie and enjoyed it quite a bit.

 

[Koodo]

Shouldn't Harry Potter have been nominated for Best Cinematography? Because damn, that movie was eye popping throughout.


CONFIRMED FLOP AWARD: ORIGINAL SCORE (for excluding Tron).

 

[06nbarnhill]

Shouldn't Harry Potter have been nominated for Best Cinematography? Because damn, that movie was eye popping throughout.


CONFIRMED FLOP AWARD: ORIGINAL SCORE (for excluding Tron).

Don't blame the Academy. Blame the directors who made such a crappy movie that it tarnished the score.

 

[Kevtones]

Disappointed Inception got nominated for screenplay.

 

[JGS]

James Cameron's Avatar isn't really animation in the traditional sense.

Agreed but just in case some took issue with it.

I would argue HTTDY did have better animation. I'm not an expert, but I don't think it matters. If technically superior animation is somehow different than better looking animation, what's the point of even comparing them technically?

I would not agree about the better animation but I do agree that the technical does not matter too much. Watching either of these movies, I never once thought the animation was bad.

I also don't have a problem with someone thinking the animation in Dragon was better, but much, much better than TS3? That's crazy talk.

 

[Pseudo_Sam]

I also don't have a problem with someone thinking the animation in Dragon was better, but much, much better than TS3? That's crazy talk.

Agreed, both were fantastic visual pieces. I'm excited to see where cgi animation goes from here.

 

[JGS]

This (along with pretty much every argument between the two movies in this thread) would be relevant if the Best Animated Feature had anything to do with having the best animation in a feature. Which it doesn't.

Well, I wasn't addressing the Best Animated feature which will go to TS3 anyway.

 

[npm0925]

If any actor from True Grit deserves a nomination, it's Matt Damon. Jeff Bridges was awesome as Rooster, but Damon's LaBoeuf stole the show.

 

[Lebron]

After the Jesse James score got shafted I was no longer surprised with their music nominating shenanigans.

 

[Zeliard]

Damon was really fun in True Grit. He needs to play more character actor-type roles. He's an effective leading man, certainly, but he's got some quirk to him that works really well for more unorthodox characters. Brad Pitt is much the same way, actually.

 

[Helmholtz]

If any actor from True Grit deserves a nomination, it's Matt Damon. Jeff Bridges was awesome as Rooster, but Damon's LaBoeuf stole the show.

Agreed, Damon was the best part. Very surprising.

 

[BowieZ]

Anyone else think now that BP has opened up to 10 nominees, that "Best Animated Feature" should be changed to "Best Animation," so that the award can be about the ART of animation, and the actual best feature film that is made of animation can be legitimately nominated in the best picture category without seeming like it's unfairly double dipping?

What is "Rabbit Hole" about and is it worth anyone's time?

It's the only film in the major categories I've heard nothing about.

It's got three great acting performances in it, and the second half is quite moving. But if that's not really your thing, avoid it.

 

[BertramCooper]

Anyone else think now that BP has opened up to 10 nominees, that "Best Animated Feature" should be changed to "Best Animation," so that the award can be about the ART of animation, and the actual best feature film that is made of animation can be legitimately nominated in the best picture category without seeming like it's unfairly double dipping?

They should just get rid of the Animated Feature Oscar entirely.

All it is an excuse for the Academy to relegate animated films to their own special kids' table.

As long as it exists, an animated film will never seriously compete for Best Picture.

 

[AkuMifune]

Disappointed Inception got nominated for screenplay.

Then you'll really be disappointed when it wins.

 

[JGS]

Anyone else think now that BP has opened up to 10 nominees, that "Best Animated Feature" should be changed to "Best Animation," so that the award can be about the ART of animation, and the actual best feature film that is made of animation can be legitimately nominated in the best picture category without seeming like it's unfairly double dipping?

They should add a category as I thing Best Animated feature is below foreign films in regards to respect. There should be a technical award and a feature award imo. I don't think an animated film will ever have a shot at Best Picture since all guilds are represented and they aren't going to give up a picture to a toon.

However, a caveat to that is the better looking animations are almost always tied to the budget which is why Dreamworks & PIXAR films often look much better than the other guys. They spend more. This isn't necessarily the case with the effects category.

 

[SteveMeister]

They should just get rid of the Animated Feature Oscar entirely.

All it is an excuse for the Academy to relegate animated films to their own special kids' table.

As long as it exists, an animated film will never seriously compete for Best Picture.

It's better than not recognizing animated films at all, which was the case before they added the category.

Glad to see How To Train Your Dragon nominated for Best Animated and Original Score. It should also have been nominated for Adapted Screenplay, because DeBloise and Sanders made a cute but trite book into something very special. I hope the movie wins where it is nominated.

I fail to see how Toy Story 3 qualifies for Adapted Screenplay, but whatever.

 

[JGS]

I fail to see how Toy Story 3 qualifies for Adapted Screenplay, but whatever.

Good question, but I assumed all sequels were adapted. I guess we don't see it too often.

 

[boredofcanada]

How the hell did Tron not get nominated for best visual effects?????

 

[Macmanus]

Then you'll really be disappointed when it wins.

In bizarro universe? One where four other superior screen plays aren't nominated?

Also why are people surprised at Scott Pilgrim and Tron not receiving any nods? Think of the core demographic for those films, and think of the core demographic of of the Academy voters. Unless the film makes truck loads of cash money, they wont even look at it.

Spoiler

Also neither film really deserved a nomination for anything, though I was pleasantly surprised by SP.

 

[Xater]

Late response, but that's what I'm getting from the latest news. It really seems that the main fight for the Best Picture is between TSN and TKS. Black Swan might be third, but I don't think it has a shot at getting the award.

Also, just got back from The King's Speech. Sure, a fantastic movie, but it really lacked something for me. I also found both TSN and TKS kind of... well, kind of similar. Maybe it's my age, but TSN really resonated with me. Much more so than TKS did. And while I really liked TKS, I did prefer TSN over it. Still, if I had to choose right now I'm guessing The King's Speech will win Best Picture.
Even if it somehow doesn't, if Colin Firth doesn't win Best Leading Actor then the Oscars become even more of a joke. Too bad it seems Rush will lose to Bale (but then again, The Fighter doesn't open here until march so I don't really have comparison until then... but I loved Rush's performance in TKS).

I am not old either. I am 26 but TKS worked better for me.

Jeffrey Rush was great but let me tell you that Bale was fantastic in The Fighter. He pretty much stole the show in that film. It's Bale at his best when he goes completely into his method acting zone.

 

[WillyFive]

Don't blame the Academy. Blame the directors who made such a crappy movie that it tarnished the score.

Yep, felt the same way for The Last Airbender.

 

[Skiptastic]

Let's see:

• No visual effects or editing nomination for Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World (which, say what you will about everything else about the movie, it completely and utterly deserves, far more than shit like Iron Man 2 and Tim Burton's latest shitfest).
• No visual effects or score (how is this even possible?!) nomination for Tron: Legacy.
• No director nomination for Nolan for Inception (which would be something that it actually deserves over screenplay and best picture).

And this is why the Oscars are useless and will continue to be useless from now until the end of time.

The one devastating thing about these exceptions from the Oscars is that they are nominated by visual effects people, editors, musicians, and directors for their individual area. So, that means editors didn't think Scott Pilgrim's editing was as good as the others, visual effects people didn't think it's visuals were good as the others, etc.

I'm plenty fine with the fact that I believe Scott Pilgrim will be a cult classic for years to come and be a strong influence on young filmmakers going forward. Pulp Fiction got beat by Forrest Gump, but which one do you think had more influence on the medium?

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Pulp Fiction got beat by Forrest Gump, but which one do you think had more influence on the medium?

From a visual effects standpoint, Gump easily.

 

[JGS]

Not too many coycats of Pulp Fiction except by Tarentino.

Gump should have won, but it's understandable if ones think Fiction did more for the art even if not as influential.

 

[Skiptastic]

Not too many coycats of Pulp Fiction except by Tarentino.

What?

Pulp Fiction - Influence and Reputation

And its impact was even broader than that. It has been described as a "major cultural event", an "international phenomenon" that influenced television, music, literature, and advertising.[113][120] Not long after its release, it was identified as a significant focus of attention within the growing community of Internet users.[121] Adding Pulp Fiction to his roster of "Great Movies" in 2001, Roger Ebert called it "the most influential film of the decade".[122] Four years later, Time's Corliss wrote much the same: "(unquestionably) the most influential American movie of the 90s".[123]