Oscars 2016

[snoopy]

Add me to the Mad Max fans. I just saw it as a library loaner based on Oriental Plane's favorable opinions of the movie in the movie thread. I would have never bothered otherwise. And I agree with the positive comments made above. The visuals and the story really worked to create an impactful whole IMO.

 

[Buzz]

As usual I have not seen most of the movies nominated except for Mad Max, Steve Jobs, and Star Wars. And I am not crazy for the first two.

 

[vesperholly]

Ruffalo definitely was the best in Spotlight but I didn't think Rachel McAdams did all that much in the film. But I like her and I'm pleased she got a nomination.

I'm done with this fawning over JLaw too. After Winter's Bone, she just seems to play herself over and over again.

 

[Vash01]

You should read all the write-ups by people who have been championing the film if you're interested in knowing what people like about Mad Max. I thought it was pretty incredible from a pure film-making standpoint and I loved the themes. Even if one can debate the merits of it's stance, at least it actually goes there. I also liked that it was a movie whose antagonist keeps and rapes women for breeding and enjoyment without showing a single sex/rape scene.

Someone upthread mentioned why MM got nominated for Star Wars. Not going to lie, I felt Star Wars was a fun film as a fan and provided a lot of fan service, but it was a pretty ok movie overall. Don't think it being snubbed for Best Pic or Best Director was unwarranted.

I felt that Mad Max: Fury Road was brilliant in creating a unique world, every single shot had so much detail and the use of practical effects went a long way in making me feel the peril that the characters were in which is something that is very much absent from action movies today in my opinion. There were also critiques of patriarchal structures that are not present in a lot of mainstream films. It's not for everyone, but for me Mad Max was the most memorable film experience I have had in a long time.

Do you have to have seen the previous Mad Max movies to understand this? I don't really want to see the whole Mad Max universe.

If this kind of fictional world gets nominated (there have been others too, in the past), why do movies like the Hunger Games or Starwars get snubbed? They too portray a different universe/world, and they are well made movies. They don't even get the technical nominations. I am not just talking about this year's HG and SW movies. With the exception of the 1977 SW, none of those won any honors or nominations AFAIR

 

[Vash01]

I guess the Academy preferred to see a bear eating Leonardo DiCaprio over seeing dinosaurs eating extras (which they've gotten to see plenty of time in the all the other Jurassic Park movies).

This doesn't sound like my type of movie, but the academy seems to love gore, blood, etc. In any case, I will go see it. I may have to close my eyes from time to time.

 

[VGThuy]

Do you have to have seen the previous Mad Max movies to understand this? I don't really want to see the whole Mad Max universe.

No.

If this kind of fictional world gets nominated (there have been others too, in the past), why do movies like the Hunger Games or Starwars get snubbed? They too portray a different universe/world, and they are well made movies. They don't even get the technical nominations. I am not just talking about this year's HG and SW movies. With the exception of the 1977 SW, none of those won any honors or nominations AFAIR

Who knows. Timing, tastes evolving, etc. IMO, MM was way better than any Hunger Game film and better than Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

 

[allezfred]

I would have liked to see her get a nomination for one of the Hunger Games movies but the Oscar goes for traditional roles.

And for films where the scripts aren't complete shite.

 

[Xela M]

I sort of wish Vikander was nominated for Ex Machina rather than The Danish Girl just because the first film is a lot more off-beat and cooler choice for the Academy, but their list is crazy conservative compared to what they could have nominated (Tangerine for example). But I had no doubt she'd be nominated for Danish Girl (either for Lead or Supporting) because the old men of the Academy love it when females play supportive and loyal wives/partners who help their men with their journey (even if they struggle with staying that way). That explains Helena Bonham Carter's nomination for that non-role in The King's Speech and the love for Felicity Jones in The Theory of Everything and even, to a smaller extent, Keira Knightley's nomination for The Imitation Game.

Ouch, we have completely opposite film tastes it appears. Vikander in The Danish Girl was incredible. The whole film rests on Redmayne's and Vikander's amazing acting. I thought she even stole the scenes from him.

As for Helena Bonham Carter - she was great in The King's Speech (and in everything else I have seen her in) and Kiera Knightley's performance in the Imitation Game was brilliant.

 

[Xela M]

Mad Max Fury Road, which I was forced to sit through at the IMAX (which made it that much worse) by a client of mine - was the worst movie experience I have ever had.

It's completely unwatchable trash. But then I absolutely loathe this whole nonsensical genre.

 

[VGThuy]

Ouch, we have completely opposite film tastes it appears.

That's clear from our conversation regarding the merits of the film version of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

 

[Allskate]

Poor Charlie Brown. He never gets any respect.

I haven't seen "The Revenant," "Room," or "Spotlight," but have seen the other best film nominees. I do want to see Spotlight. I'm not sure about The Revenant or The Room.

Of the other nominated films, I liked "Bridge of Spies," "The Martian," and "The Big Short."

I thought that "Mad Max" dragged. It bored me. I can see giving it the technical nominations, but I definitely would not have nominated it for best feature film.

I think Saoirse Ronan is an excellent actress and I was happy to see her nominated, but the film as a whole didn't work for me. The "plot twist" was stupid and the last third of the movie just seemed nonsensical to me.

It seems Jennifer Lawrence is the new Meryl Streep. If she appears on the screen, she gets nominated.

Meryl did not get nominated for "Ricki and the Flash." I've learned not to go see Jennifer Lawrence in David O. Russell movies. I never like her performances in those movies, and I don't like those movies either.

 

[PeterG]

Also, really shocked no Ridley Scott nomination. I thought he was supposed to win this year.

There hasn't been enough time for Hollywood to forgive Scott for "Exodus: Gods and Kings".

I am surprised Straight outta comptom received a nomination(original screenplay)

Why is that? Did you feel it was a poorly written movie?

Irish-born and bred. Naturalised Canadian (dual national). You really can't claim too much credit for this one.

Why not? It took Donoghue escaping Ireland to accomplish anything.

 

[Jenny]

Here's something fun with some good trivia for your Oscar parties Records broken and potentially broken at this year's Oscars

 

[peibeck]

If this kind of fictional world gets nominated (there have been others too, in the past), why do movies like the Hunger Games or Starwars get snubbed? They too portray a different universe/world, and they are well made movies.

The original "Star Wars" trilogy all received Oscar nominations, albeit after the original only in technical categories. "The Lord of the Rings" movies were nominated and won a ton of Oscars. "Avatar" scored tons of Oscar nominations/wins as well, so it isn't like sci-fi/fantasy movies never get accolades.

I haven't thought any of "The Hunger Games" movies were all that amazing as far as scripts/acting, etc. The new "Star Wars" (yes, it's two words ) is basically a redux of "Star Wars" of 1977, so why would it deserve anything besides technical praise?

 

[allezfred]

Why not? It took Donoghue escaping Ireland to accomplish anything.

Irish people like to go out into the world and give ourselves to the less fortunate. We've been doing it for centuries.

Thanks for the money Canada though.

 

[Artemis@BC]

I think we could see a "lifetime achievement" Oscar this year.

For Charlotte Rampling? I seriously doubt it. Her lifetime of work has just been too non-Hollywood to be recognized by the Academy. She could win based on this performance alone, but I doubt many of the voters have seen enough of her previous works to factor that in.

I'm thrilled she got the nomination though. I haven't seen 45 Years yet but I've never been disappointed in a performance from her so I have no doubt she's excellent in it.

Odd that Tom Courtenay didn't get a nomination too, but that field is a little denser -- the only one he might have bumped would be Michael Fassbender.

 

[Seerek]

Ruffalo definitely was the best in Spotlight but I didn't think Rachel McAdams did all that much in the film. But I like her and I'm pleased she got a nomination.

It would interesting to know whether or not Michael Keaton was campaigned for lead actor (he did take some critics awards at the end of the year).

In the previous movie thread, I had commented that this was an ensemble piece throughout (no apparent leads), so anybody that was to be nominated in the acting categories should be nominated in the supporting category (IMO).

 

[VGThuy]

Odd that Tom Courtenay didn't get a nomination too, but that field is a little denser -- the only one he might have bumped would be Michael Fassbender.

Kind of like how Julie Christie was winning awards left and right while Gordon Pinsent didn't get any recognition from American awards or critics for his equally good performance in Away from Her.

 

[Jenny]

For Charlotte Rampling? I seriously doubt it. Her lifetime of work has just been too non-Hollywood to be recognized by the Academy. She could win based on this performance alone, but I doubt many of the voters have seen enough of her previous works to factor that in.

I guess it depends on how the voters feel about her. She wouldn't be the first who has mostly worked outside Hollywood to get a win, and she's been picking up a few nominations and wins from various American film critic groups. And she got nominated for the Oscar in the first place, which could mean that she's higher on the radar than we might think.

She might also benefit from a cool factor - some might like her non-Hollywood independent vibe and diverse body of work, and I imagine that some older actresses might prefer to award her than JLaw, again.

Who do you think is going to win the category?

 

[cygnus]

I notice that "Going Clear" wasn't nominated for best documentary. Shut out by the power of Scientology in Hollywood?

 

[manhn]

It's quite unfair for actors like Mark Ruffalo that there are so many good roles for men and so few for women.

 

[Artemis@BC]

Kind of like how Julie Christie was winning awards left and right while Gordon Pinsent didn't get any recognition from American awards or critics for his equally good performance in Away from Her.

True: but in that case Christie's nomination was more Oscar-obvious, because they just love someone playing a disability or illness. Pinsent, oth, was just playing a "normal man."

Plus Christie is English, and the Academy loves those Brits. Poor Pinsent is just a lowly Canadian.

 

[jenny12]

Do you have to have seen the previous Mad Max movies to understand this? I don't really want to see the whole Mad Max universe.

If this kind of fictional world gets nominated (there have been others too, in the past), why do movies like the Hunger Games or Starwars get snubbed? They too portray a different universe/world, and they are well made movies. They don't even get the technical nominations. I am not just talking about this year's HG and SW movies. With the exception of the 1977 SW, none of those won any honors or nominations AFAIR

IMO, the Hunger Games and Star Wars were nowhere near Mad Max in terms of the technicality. Yes, the story was at his core a chase movie (although with dystopian and feminist themes which added another dimension to it) but the the practical effects and imagery of the film far surpassed anything in Hunger Games or Star Wars. I don't think you have to see the other films to get the latest Mad Max.

 

[overedge]

Liev Schreiber got jobbed for "Spotlight". He completely captured that shy but tenacious quality of good reporters/editors.

And if anyone in "Spotlight" was going to get nominated for a supporting actor award, it should have been Brian d'Arcy James. Mark Ruffalo's and Rachel McAdams's characters were far more central to the story than his was.

 

[topaz]

Why is that? Did you feel it was a poorly written movie?

No I didn't. I enjoyed the movie very much. I just didn't think that a conversial rap group biopic movie would get a nomination. I am pleasantly surprised by this.

 

[Allskate]

It's quite unfair for actors like Mark Ruffalo that there are so many good roles for men and so few for women.

I can't feel too bad for him. He got a good role and an Oscar nomination. There are lots of very talented women and people of color who can't even get good roles.

 

[peibeck]

Who do you think is going to win the category?

Brie Larson is likely to win. Picking up additional nominations for Picture and Director show how much Academy voters respected "Room." Rampling and Ronan are the dark horses. Blanchett and Lawrence stand probably no chance of winning.

 

[PeterG]

I notice that "Going Clear" wasn't nominated for best documentary. Shut out by the power of Scientology in Hollywood?

And once again, Johnny (box office giant that he is) goes throwing his weight around. Classic Travolta!!!

 

[screech]

I'm predicting that after Leo (probably) finally wins this year, Matt Damon will become the 'new' Leo. This is his 3rd acting nomination (previously nominated for Good Will Hunting and Invictus) and 4th overall (win for writing GWH, shared with youngest ever screenwriting winner Ben Affleck). This is Leo's 5th acting nomination and 6th nomination overall (he was also nominated for producing Wolf of Wall Street). Pretty soon people will be saying it's time to give an acting award to Matt. After Leo wins we'll need a new Susan Lucci of the Oscars.

Anyone else you think could be the next never-win at the Oscars?

 

[LilJen]

For me "Mad Max" is a head scratcher. If I'm involved with "Carol" or "Straight Outta Compton" or "Star Wars" I'm wondering how MM received a nomination over my film. Obviously I'm in the minority considering the number of nominations it received. I didn't enjoy the film and still don't understand what others saw in it.

Count me in as another who was totally mystified by Mad Max. dh and I streamed it on Amazon after hearing all the hoopla. Yeah, visually it was cool, and I can see it getting technical awards, but man. No character development, no story (okay, they go one way in a big truck and then they go back. And they have lots of action scenes). dh commented "that's the kind of movie I would have LOVED when I was about 15." We were both stumped by the critical acclaim.