PGA noms = Oscar front runners

[tazber]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 3:56pm

Dark Knight gets a boost with a nomination
Link

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 4:01pm

I'm very surprised to see Dark Knight get a nom over Doubt.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 4:18pm

The nomination for THE DARK KNIGHT is ridiculous. However, I'm positive that the PGA nods this year are going to match the Oscar Best Picture nominations 5 to 5. Unforutnately, DOUBT doesn't have enough momentum/buzz to get in the category and with the nicely-planned DVD release for THE DARK KNIGHT, it seems likely that it'll get that coveted fifth spot.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 4:22pm

I really doubt that DOUBT will sneak a Best Pic nod.

I think it is very likely that this will be the Best Picture line-up. If not, I think that the films that have the best chance of sneaking in, especially considering the Academy's preferential system of determining the nominees, are WALL-E and THE WRESTLER.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 4:49pm

I agree. These will very likely be the Best Picture nominees this year.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 5:18pm

I was really hoping Dark Knight wouldn't get the fifth-wheel nod. And maybe it's just me, but I've seen far more buzz regarding Doubt than Frost/Nixon, of which I have heard very little.

[tazber]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 5:51pm

The PGA is probably hoping to send a message to Oscar voters that it's "legitimate" to consider TGK for best picture.
Out of all the guilds they are most likely the ones who want to see the telecast ratings spike.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 7:00pm

I didn't care for Dark Knight AT ALL, except for Heath Ledger. But I've known since it opened to those over-the-top, stellar reviews AND huge box office that it would be a sure bet for a Best Picture nomination.

It's not a "long shot" fifth choice here. It's a guarantee.

Am I happy about that? No.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 7:03pm

I would rather see Wall-E nominated over The Dark Night. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.

[Shannon Bo Dannon]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 7:04pm

I think it will definitely get a nomination, but there's no way it will win.

If Heath Ledger gets a nomination too, the Oscars could have a lot more viewers this year.

Updated On: 1/5/09 at 07:04 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 7:05pm

The Academy will be happy enough to award Wall-E the Animated Feature Oscar. I don't think it's going to get a Best Pic nod.

Updated On: 1/5/09 at 07:05 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 7:06pm

I thought it was creative genius ill-used -- an interminable, muddy and muddled mess about a violent, joyless world. It was easily 40 minutes too long, and just when we were ready to see it end, the damned thing seemed to start a sequel in the last half hour. But it's visually rich, and it has Ledger's brilliance, and it made a fortune. This is not a surprise.

Updated On: 1/5/09 at 07:06 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 7:08pm

re: Dark Knight -- I agree with you 100 percent, Auggie. But we're in the minority big-time on this.

The vast majority of the human race thinks it's sheer brilliance!


EDIT: And I do predict that Heath will win the Oscar for Supporting Actor.

Updated On: 1/5/09 at 07:08 PM

[tazber]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 8:52pm

Heath is a lock to win, I also agree.

Beloved actor with an impressive body of work for his all to brief career. Passed over for a nomination in Brokeback despite stellar reviews.
Leaves behind a young daughter and is grieved by another well liked actress (read: community member).

How can the academy resist?

Oh, and he'll get a standing ovation too.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 9:11pm

One minor point: Heath was nominated as Best Actor for Brokeback Mountain. He didn't win, however.


EDIT: I should add that I don't think Dark Night will win Best Picture. I think it's a lock for a nomination, though.

I think Best Pic will be between The Curious Case of Bevis and Butthead, Milk, and Slumdog Squarepants.

Updated On: 1/5/09 at 09:11 PM

[yeah]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 9:16pm

It confuses me, and angers me a bit, that "The Dark Knight" received a nomination over "Revolutionary Road." It has nothing to do with one being a "comic book film," and the other a "serious drama." For me, "RR" is a far superior film. "TDK is all fine and well, a strong film, much stronger than any other comic book film I've seen; however, that's not enough, for me.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 9:33pm

I would be very surprised if Revolutionary Road got nominated for Best Pic. Doubt will get in before RR, which is WAY too dark for many in the Academy. It's already carrying a divided opinion. Everything from great to lousy.

And the Academy often decides to celebrate a big "popcorn movie" like Dark Knight. In the past they've honored Star Wars, E.T., Indiana Jones, Jaws with nominations. And Around the World in 80 Days, The Greatest Show on Earth, the Great Ziegfeld, Broadway Melody (among others) all WON the award for Best Pic.

I don't see anything wrong with it.

I just think Dark Knight isn't "all that." Even among big popcorn movies. It's nowhere near as good as Indiana Jones, Star Wars or even friggin' Broadway Melody, for that matter.

Ugh.

Still, they'll eat it up. Along with a giant tub with extra butter on it.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 9:48pm

Besty and Auggie, I couldn't agree more with you re THE DARK KNIGHT. I just don't "get" it. After watching it I just thought it was not a good movie, now after all the buzz and everyone and their mother trying to convince me about how BRILLIANT it is, I just think it's the most annoying film ever made. The Academy will no doubt take the chance to nominate it.
Besty, you didn't like SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE?
REV ROAD will not get a nomination, it might even get snubbed altogether if people vote for Kate Winslet's performance in THE READER as lead instead of buying into the big BS that they are trying to pull off by pushing her for the supporting actor category.
I think Leo DiCaprio will be snubbed as will Sam Mendes, and unfortunately, I doubt Michael Shannon will get a nod either. It's just doesn't really have the kind of buzz people thought it'd have.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 9:50pm

My ass fell asleep 3 times at Dark Knight.

[yeah]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 9:51pm

The lack of love for "RR" is just annoying to me. It's such a great film, and I think people will realize that years from now.

I also don't understand the nonsense with Kate Winslet being put into Supporting Actress for "The Reader." It wouldn't be the first time a lead performance has been put into supporting to secure a win: Jennifer Connolly in "A Beautiful Mind," Catherine Zeta-Jones in "Chicago," and Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls," just to name a few in recent years.

Kate Winslet has turned in two brilliant performances in one year, and both should be honored.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 9:59pm

I think the rule that an actor can't be nominated more than once in that same category is hypocritical considering multiple nominations are allowed in all other categories.

[tazber]

Posted: 1/6/09 at 7:09am

Thanks for the correction Besty. Even more reason why the Academy won't be able to resist.

Btw, what's the story with the strike? Is there a real possibility that there won't be an Oscars this year?

[StageManager2]

Posted: 1/6/09 at 7:35am

Wouldn't it be something if both Philip Seymour Hoffman and Heath Ledger got nominated in the Supporting Actor category and PSH took home the statuette again? It'd be like Swank/Bening revisited.

I haven't seen TDK or any of the other Best Picture hopefuls (except DOUBT), so I don't really have an opinion about them. But I wouldn't be surprised if DOUBT was left out. Frankly, I didn't think it was a good film. Some of the acting was pedestrian (especially from the extras/minor characters) and Amy Adams isn't worthy of a nomination, IMO. Also, it's got to be one of Meryl's worst performances, or at the very least not one of her best by far. I think she'll get a nom, but I doubt she'll win (no pun intended). That said, I think Viola Davis was outstanding in her short on-screen appearance and deserves a nomination, certainly over Adams.

As for WALL-E, I wasn't impressed by it, either, Not that it's a terrible movie -- or even bad -- but not Best Picture material. I haven't seen other animated films this year, but logic tells me that WALL-E has Animated Feature Film in the bag. And that's as far as they'll reward it.

Just my $.02.

Updated On: 1/6/09 at 07:35 AM

[yeah]

Posted: 1/6/09 at 1:41pm

Wow, Stagemanager, I couldn't disagree more. I thought Amy Adams was the strongest in the film and that Viola Davis' performance has been blown WAY out of proportion.

I guess we can just agree to disagree.

As for Wall-E, I think it's best in the Best Animated Film category. I haven't seen it yet, so, I'm not judging the film; however, there's no way it'll win up against the other 4 nominees. Why risk losing all together rather than pretty much locking a win in Best Animated Film?

I'm still hoping for a surprise nomination for "Revolutionary Road." I'm well aware that at this point, it's pretty much a LOOOONG shot, even if that. It's still such a great film, though.