Ten Best Picture Nominees?

I agree Sue. It's a terrible idea anyway, but this year?

I guess it's residual fallout from low ratings and Batman & WallE not being nominated last year.

The irony is that Avatar, a popular film, would probably still get a nomination this year even with only 5 slots.

Btw, love your av!

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Updated On: 12/31/09 at 07:08 AM

Old Dogs is a shoe-in. Unless Did You Hear About The Morgans? takes the comedy slot.

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Hopefully movies such as The Hangover might see a nod, as that was one of the best movies of the year.

As long as Avatar, Inglorious Basterds and Up get nominated, I'll be satisfied. I'd love to see one for Nine, but that's not happening. I'm holding out remote hope for Star Trek and The Hangover, more because I'd love to finally see mainstream hits actually dominate the nominations rather movies that might be good but are almost impossible to find.

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Up In The Air did not live up to the hype for me, and I write this as somebody who is a fan of Reitman and Clooney. Anna Kendrick was the most impressive part of the film.

The front runners are (in no order): Inglorious Basterds, Avatar, Up in the Air, & Hurt Locker. Perhaps Precious. Some are saying IB is going to win. Others, Avatar.

That's 5. 5 more?

An Education
Invictus
Up
Julie & Julia
The Blind Side

More?
500 Days of Summer
Summer Hours
A Serious Man
A Single Man
District 9
The Messenger

and the off chance that Nine will make it in, though not likely.

ETA: I agree with B12B that a The Hangover or Star Trek could sneak in.

Also, it's very possible less than 10 will be nommed--only first choices on the ballots are deemed eligible, thus if only 7 films get first choice, only seven would be nommed.

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Updated On: 12/31/09 at 12:04 PM

I'm still doubtful that THE HANGOVER and STAR TREK will get in. I personally hope they don't as I thought HANGOVER was overhyped to no end (and it became so offensive at the end with the villain character that it became hard to even enjoy it) and STAR TREK is not Best Picture material, IMO.
Of the movies I've seen this year, my favorite so far has been AN EDUCATION. It's such a beautiful film, with one of the best acting ensembles this year (so happy they were nominated for a Best Ensemble SAG Award) led by Carey Mulligan's star-making performance. The movie had a gorgeous looks and the scenes in Paris are to die for. I also found it incredibly romantic even if we always knew how problematic the relationship was and how it would probably end. Gorgeous film, beautifully acted all around. I hope Alfred Molina--who surprisingly didn't pick up a SAG nomination for his performance and who was robbed of an Oscar nod for FRIDA--is remembered come Oscar time.
I haven't seen ten good movies this year, then again I haven't gotten around to seeing movies like THE MESSENGER, A SINGLE MAN, BROKEN EMBRACES, UP IN THE AIR, IT'S COMPLICATED or NINE. But I will.
So far, if I had to vote, I'd vote for these:
-AN EDUCATION
-AVATAR
-UP
-JULIE & JULIA

I imagine the list will look something like this (only nine listed, not sure what the tenth one will be now that NINE flopped at the B.O):
-AVATAR
-AN EDUCATION
-THE HURT LOCKER
-INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
-INVICTUS
-PRECIOUS
-A SERIOUS MAN
-UP
-UP IN THE AIR

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UP will be nominated in the Best Animated Film category, right? They haven't done away with that, have they?

"UP will be nominated in the Best Animated Film category, right? They haven't done away with that, have they?"

Not at all. The category is still there. Not sure whether there will be three or five nominees. It has to do with how many animated films were released in 2009. If it's over a certain number, they increase the nominees to five.

But "Up" will very likely be a Best Picture contender as well. It's high on everyone's list, certainly in a year with ten nominees.

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These are the films I think will definitely be nominated this year.

(500) Days of Summer
An Education
Avatar
Broken Embraces
Precious
The Road
A Single Man
Up in the Air

No love for Bright Star? I adored that movie.

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By the way, don't look for "Inglorious Basterds" to capture too many awards. It may score some nominations, but it's a Tarrantino film.

The unions all hate him since he refused to join. The Academy doesn't love him either. Not anymore. Only the "fringe rebel" voters might show him some love, and I don't think there would be enough support for him to actually win anything.

And yes, it's political. Very much so. It has nothing to do with the quality or critical reception of the film.

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