Will Hairspray Get Any Oscar Nominations?- Page 2

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:11am

My initial response is that Oscar love will not be coming in major categories, although song, costume and set design are possible. I was trying to come up with a scenario that would generate Oscar buzz, and this is what I came up with:

* VERY long 'legs' at the box office. It would need to stay in theaters for awhile, a la My Big Greek Wedding.
* Critical top ten lists at year-end; the reviews have been so positive, I think this is a possibility.
* BIG love from the Golden Globes in the musical/comedy categories (Blonsky/Travolta/picture). Too soon to tell for sure but not unlikely.

Even if all the above happen, major Oscar noms are not a given, and wins are even less likely.

[broadway86]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:26am

Don't think Oscars are in the cards for this one, but that's okay. The movie is doing what it was meant to do, and has been showered with praise from critics and audiences.

As for Golden Globes, different story. I'm guessing Picture, Actress, Actor, and Song nods.

[TechEverlasting]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:31am

Marc is way overdue for an Oscar. Also I'll be surprised if there's any movie this year that sounds better than Hairspray, but I'm not counting on the Oscars to acknowledge that.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:47am

I would love it if Marc got an Oscar, and I think he will one day... but the new songs in the movie aren't really "Oscar" songs. I don't see him winning one for this movie.

As far as nominations----possibly for costumes, art direction and sound.

I don't see the performers getting nominated, as good as they were. There weren't any weighty "Oscar moments" in these roles.

I think both John and Nikki will likely get Golden Globe nominations in the Musical/Comedy leading categories, and I think the picture will be up as well.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 8:51am

People people people. John Travolta will not be nominated. The film won't be nominated for Best Picture. None of the actors will get a nod whatsoever. While the film was very good, even New Line sees things realistically. They won't even try out an Oscar campaign.

REALISTICALLY, it has a chance for a nod for the Golden Globe's Best Comedy/Musical category, and at the Oscars some design awards, Best Song (Ladies' Choice), and MAYBE Adapted Screenplay but that is pushing the envelope.

[Virgo]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 9:22am

Some people keep saying "no oscar nominations" because it was too light and "breezy". Since when are issues of racism, segregation light issues? If you think about it, the movie was really about something serious, black people had to fight to be part of anything and it was all about equality. So it wasn't all that light and breezy. If little miss sunshine pulled in an Oscar nomination with the reviews that Hairspray is getting, I wouldn't be surprised if it were nominated, especially given the subject matter and how they actually fooled people into thinking they are "light and breezy" issues.

[Virgo]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 9:24am

double post. Updated On: 7/23/07 at 09:24 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 9:34am

Virgo---The subject matter is very serious but the depiction of it in Hairspray the movie musical WAS "light and breezy."

Nothing wrong with that. They didn't disrespect the issue of racism. But they didn't show you its ugliness either. And I'm sure serving it up with a spoonful of sugar is the right approach to reach some.

[Kringas]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 9:38am

Some of you seriously believe that Blonsky will get an OSCAR nomination??

Apples and oranges, I know, but if Jennifer Hudson got one, I don't see why it would out of the realm of possibility for Blonsky. Of course, there's no way to push Blonsky for supporting, I guess. At any rate, side by side I think Blonsky was better in this than Hudson was in Dreamgirls.

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 9:47am

Definitely a best song nomination (or two) and maybe art direction and a few technical nods, but there's no way in hell Travolta should be nominated. It takes him way too long to find his footing (literally and figuratively).

I do think Nicki makes a Jennifer Hudson-level movie debut, but the movie's not "serious" enough to garner major category consideration. Would be a kick if she did get one, but it would probably be as supporting actress. That's where they stick most of the newcomers.

Golden Globes? That's a whole 'nother story...it will get several there.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 9:47am

"I think Blonsky was better in this than Hudson was in Dreamgirls"

I agree with that statement. Remember back when Hairspray was nominated for best musical, no one thought it'd win the Tony.
I really have no clue if it will get any Oscar nods, but who knows?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:05am

2008 Oscar Nominations?:

Best Actor: John Travolta
Best Supporting Actress: Michelle Pfeiffer
Best Song: Ladies' Choice

Long shot: Nikki Blonsky

NOTE: Nikki has failed to generate or incur the kind of Hollywood acceptance, buzz and hype that Jennifer Hudson did with DREAMGIRLS. And in Hollywood -- it's all about them embracing you. If Hollywood isn't hyping about you, don't expect any Oscar notice.

Also, Jennifer Hudson dominated the screen whenever she was on it. In HAIRSPRAY, you somewhat have lost interest in Tracy towards the end of the film -- it ends up becoming Edna's/Travolta's story.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:10am

Nikki's overall performance may have been as solid as Hudson's, but she did NOT have an "And I'm Telling You..." acting moment in the film that would push her into the winners' circle.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:13am

best12bars - thank you! I thought I was alone here on planet Earth.

[bschneid76]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:14am

I think it's way too early to tell. Anything is possible. While I would love there to be some Oscar Buzz, as it is a terribly entertaining film. Plus the critic response is one of the best this year. I hope it at least gets some Golden Globe nods. But we will see. The movies that are already getting Oscar Buzz might turn out to be terrible or flop. So we'll have to wait and see in December. But I would much rather see a couple of Hairspray type movies than all "A Mighty Heart" type films. A good mix is best.

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:15am

You're all forgetting a MAJOR impact on the Oscars this year when it comes to Hairspray: Sweeney Todd is being released in December. If the academy is going to nominate a musical, it will be Sweeney or neither: if Sweeney leaves a bad taste - no pun intended - then Hairspray will be COMPLETELY forgotten as well. If Sweeney gets the buzz, there's no WAY the Academy would nominate two musicals. It might get some of those design/music noms in that case, as was said above, but the big awards will head towards Sweeney. Timing is everything - Sweeney is right before the nominations - Hairspray is 5 months earlier.

I do think it's a shoo-in for a GG nom since they created the category for "musical or comedy" and it would be nice to have two musicals in there (though how Sweeney will be competing with the likes of Knocked UP is beyond me).

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:17am

I remember last year people were all agog over Little Miss Sunshine saying Oscar this and Oscar that. I was one of many who enjoyed that film immensely, but poo-pooed the Oscar talk because I didn't think the film really was the type of film Oscar went for. Well, since last year was such a sucky year it copped more than a fair share of noms.
I think with Hairspray's great reviews this might garner it's share, too. This has not been a great year for films so far and if it doesn't get any better it might be Travolta and Robin Williams duking it out for Best Actor.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:20am

Oh and to Capt. Hook who said, "While the film was very good, even New Line sees things realistically. They won't even try out an Oscar campaign."

They have one of the best reviewed film of the year, major Hollywood stars, a HUGE budget and LOTS of publicity. The Oscar campaign for this film is well under way, I can guarantee you that.

(Edited for clarification.)

Updated On: 7/23/07 at 10:20 AM

[Midnight Radio]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:22am

Michelle Pfeiffer is the most worthy in my eyes. She steals every moment she is on the screen.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:24am

Just because SWEENEY TODD is a musical doesn't mean it's the ONLY competition that HAIRSPRAY has! Look at all these Oscar-buzz films yet to be released:

ATONEMENT
CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR
RESERVATION ROAD
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
THE SAVAGES
THERE WILL BE BLOOD
LA VIE EN ROSE
SCHENECTEDY, NEW YORK
THE GOLDEN AGE
I'M NOT THERE
MICHAEL CLAYTON
MARGOT AT THE WEDDING
IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH
LIONS FOR LABMBS
RENDITION
LUST, CAUTION

The list can go on and on. Oscar season has not yet begun. While films from the first half of the year do get remembered and even go on to win (CRASH, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) it won't be the case for HAIRSPRAY.

Look for HAIRSPRAY to be a contender for the MTV Movie Awards and Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards and the Golden Globes. And that isn't a knock at all - I loved the film. It's just reality. It doesn't mean HAIRSPRAY isn't worthy of a nomination or that it's not as good of a contender in any category - it's just the politics of awards season.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:24am

I think Travolta's performance is going to split with voters... some wanting to commend or condemn him for going out on a limb like that. In the end, I don't see the scales tipping enough one way or another.

If we're really short on leading actress performances this year (which I highly doubt), then Nikki could possibly slip in with that "Pretty Woman/Julia Roberts/we like her so much in this we just fell in love" spot.

We get those, from time to time. Rolls that aren't really in-and-of-themselves Oscar-worthy, but because the actress impresses voters enough, they get a nod. I just don't see that happening this year. And as far as a WIN, you already have Miss Edith Piaf to contend with, and there's no contest.

[Kringas]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:24am

I loved Michelle. She was my favorite thing about the movie.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:25am

"Remember back when Hairspray was nominated for best musical, no one thought it'd win the Tony."

WHO thought that?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:27am

HAIRSPRAY forgotten by December when new films are opening and generating Oscar buzz? Au contraire, mon frere.

HAIRSPRAY will be out on DVD for Christmas (December), thus creating another cycle of buzz on it all over again. The marketing, TV enslaught and all that comes with a holiday/Christmas DVD release will put attention on it all over again. It will be back on people's lips as if it were a December film release.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 10:28am

Sueleen - whether they will have a stronger Oscar campaign is yet to be seen. If the films during Oscar season don't live up to par, then they'd be dumb not to go for it. But if we have a strong second half of the year for movies - then they'll have to wait and see what the buzz is.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE was a film of another color. In a similar situation as HAIRSPRAY, but the buzz of that film was ALL OVER. And the box office made headlines, if I am remembering correctly. HAIRSPRAY is #3 at the box office. A strong spot, but the film is NOT being talked about right now to the extent that LITTLE MISS was.