The Oscars

Does anyone still care at this point?

A quick glance at this years edition has revealed another pet peeve of mine: any movie not nominated for at least one of the major categories (directing, cinematography, screenplay) should not be a contender in the best picture category. How can you have a "best" movie contender that does not stand out in at least one of those categories?
e.g. Selma this year.

Nominations here: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-30835975

Apart from Interaspergia and Budapest Hotel I haven't seen anything on that list.

Under the Skin doesn't get a single nomination.

Erica Ambler wrote:

Nominations here: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-30835975

Apart from Interaspergia and Budapest Hotel I haven't seen anything on that list.

Under the Skin doesn't get a single nomination.

Not too surprised about the last bit, that movie is too far out there for the Academy.

No interest from this quarter. As usual, the foreign film nominees are the most interesting films in the lineup.

The Globes actually had a more interesting set of nominees.

I'm shocked to see Carell nominated in the "best actor" category, considering that it's Tatum who is the central character in that film, and not Carell. I still have to see BOYHOOD and BIRDMAN before Oscar night. Heard mixed things about AMERICAN SNIPER, so I'm still on the fence there on whether or not to catch it at the cinema.

I always find the Oscars to be entertaining as hell, no matter what the nominations are.

Salomé wrote:

Erica Ambler wrote:

Under the Skin doesn't get a single nomination.

Not too surprised about the last bit, that movie is too far out there for the Academy.

Perhaps, but last week's LA live shows were a sellout.

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/under-the-skin-event-in-downtown-l-a-reps-a-new-kind-of-happening-1201395423/

One of the best soundtracks of the last few years, I'd say.

Also my best film of 2014.

I didn't like UNDER THE SKIN,  but there's no denying that it was much more interesting than nearly all of the Oscar noms. At the very least, the score and cinematography deserved a nomination.

I haven't seen much I loved this year, but there are many significant 2014 releases I have yet to see (including CALVARY, IDA, INHERENT VICE, LEVIATHAN, A MOST VIOLENT YEAR, A MOST WANTED MAN, NIGHTCRAWLER, NIGHT MOVES, THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA, WHY DON'T YOU PLAY IN HELL?). At the very least, it's been a very diverse year in terms of cinematic offerings, which you'd never guess by looking at the dreary Oscar nomination list.

Under the Skin is one of the most erotic films I've seen. Not in a sexually gratifying way, but in the manner in which it unsettles the male viewer: there's something very feminine about its otherness. I've only seen it once yet can remember it in minute detail.

Only a handful of films have had that sort of impact on me.

I think "Cat People" shares the same atmosphere, to a certain extent.

The original or remake? They're very different.

Notable snubs: UNDER THE SKIN (Best Picture), FORCE MAJEURE (Foreign Film), LIFE ITSELF (Documentary)

I've read a lot of complaints about Godard's GOODBYE TO LANGUAGE being snubbed, too. I haven't seen it, but can't imagine it's any good. Personally, I think his last good film was WEEKEND.

The Oscars are fun to watch. I'll get drunk and enjoy them. Doogie Howser, M.D. will probably make for a half-decent host.

Erica Ambler wrote:

The original or remake? They're very different.

The Schrader one.

Salomé wrote:

Erica Ambler wrote:

The original or remake? They're very different.

The Schrader one.

Hmmm. Yep, I think they did Schrader's film a disservice in calling it a remake. It has very little in common with Tourneur's film and is much superior, IMO. One of the 1980s more interesting films. I suspect a lot of its atmosphere came from the on set tension between Schrader and Kinski.

Personally, I'd like to see Under the Skin on a double bill with Unearthly Stranger.  I'm certain Jonathan Glazer saw that before making Under the Skin.

More bitching about the "lack of diversity".

http://awards.yahoo.com/post/108170908787/acting-oscar-nominations-are-all-white

EDIT: Don't worry, guys. Al Sharpton is on it.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/al-sharpton-calls-emergency-meeting-210136185.html

dr. strangelove wrote:

I'm shocked to see Carell nominated in the "best actor" category, considering that it's Tatum who is the central character in that film, and not Carell.

Wasn't impressed by Carell in that. He just plays a grotesque; about as subtle as Jerry Lewis.

dr. strangelove wrote:

I always find the Oscars to be entertaining as hell, no matter what the nominations are.

Same. I just watch it for the spectacle.

Erica Ambler wrote:

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/under-the-skin-event-in-downtown-l-a-reps-a-new-kind-of-happening-1201395423/

One of the best soundtracks of the last few years, I'd say.

Also my best film of 2014.

Just caught up with the film on Blu-ray due to your praise on here. One of the most provocative films on female sexuality I've seen in years. In that respect in reminded me of Scott's ALIEN.

Mica Levi's score deserves all of it praise it can get. Hope she goes far.

Salomé wrote:

Erica Ambler wrote:

Nominations here: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-30835975

Apart from Interaspergia and Budapest Hotel I haven't seen anything on that list.

Under the Skin doesn't get a single nomination.

Not too surprised about the last bit, that movie is too far out there for the Academy.

And it came out on April. You can't expect the Academy to have that good a memory.

Largo's Shark wrote:

dr. strangelove wrote:

I'm shocked to see Carell nominated in the "best actor" category, considering that it's Tatum who is the central character in that film, and not Carell.

Wasn't impressed by Carell in that. He just plays a grotesque; about as subtle as Jerry Lewis.

Laughable performance. Total shit film.

dr. strangelove wrote:

More bitching about the "lack of diversity".

http://awards.yahoo.com/post/108170908787/acting-oscar-nominations-are-all-white

EDIT: Don't worry, guys. Al Sharpton is on it.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/al-sharpton-calls-emergency-meeting-210136185.html

Pathetic scumbag.

For anyone who can't be bothered clicking linkys..

The Academy wrote:

Best picture

American Sniper

Birdman

Boyhood

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Selma

The Theory of Everything

Whiplash

Best director

Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Alejandro G Inarritu, Birdman

Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher

Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game

Best actor

Steve Carell, Foxcatcher

Bradley Cooper, American Sniper

Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game

Michael Keaton, Birdman

Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Best actress

Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night

Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything

Julianne Moore, Still Alice

Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl

Reese Witherspoon, Wild

Best supporting actor

Robert Duvall, The Judge

Ethan Hawke, Boyhood

Edward Norton, Birdman

Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher

JK Simmons, Whiplash

Best supporting actress

Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Laura Dern, Wild

Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game

Emma Stone, Birdman

Meryl Streep, Into the Woods

Best adapted screenplay

American Sniper

The Imitation Game

Inherent Vice

The Theory of Everything

Whiplash

Best original screenplay

Birdman

Boyhood

Foxcatcher

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Nightcrawler

Best animated feature

Big Hero 6

The Boxtrolls

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Song of the Sea

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Best animated short

The Bigger Picture

The Dam Keeper

Feast

Me and My Moulton

A Single Life

Best cinematography

Birdman

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Ida

Mr Turner

Unbroken

Best costume design

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Inherent Vice

Into the Woods

Maleficent

Mr Turner

Best documentary feature

CitizenFour

Finding Vivian Maier

Last Days in Vietnam

The Salt of the Earth

Virunga

Best documentary short

Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1

Joanna

Our Curse

The Reaper

White Earth

Best film editing

American Sniper

Boyhood

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Whiplash

Best foreign language film

Ida (Poland)

Leviathan (Russia)

Tangerines (Estonia)

Timbuktu (Mauritania)

Wild Tales (Argentina)

Best live action short

Aya

Boogaloo and Graham

Butter Lamp (La Lampe Au Beurre De Yak)

Parvaneh

The Phone Call

Best make-up & hairstyling

Foxcatcher

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Guardians of the Galaxy

Best music

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Interstellar

Mr Turner

The Theory of Everything

Best production design

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Interstellar

Into the Woods

Mr Turner

Best song

'Everything is Awesome', The Lego Movie

'Glory', Selma

'Grateful', Beyond the Lights

'I'm Not Gonna Miss You', Glen Campbell… I'll Be Me

'Lost Stars', Begin Again

Best sound editing

American Sniper

Birdman

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Interstellar

Unbroken

Best sound mixing

American Sniper

Birdman

Interstellar

Unbroken

Whiplash

Best visual effects

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Guardians of the Galaxy

Interstellar

X-Men: Days of Future Past

• Happy to see Keira getting nominated again, though I think she has given better performances in other films, such as Atonement, The Edge of Love and Last Night.
  
• Really keen to see the film Marion Cotillard is nominated for.
  
• Expected that Boyhood would be nominated for best picture and best director, and I guess that it will win for being such an achievement in film making - even if it isn't the strongest film in it's category. (It probably is, though I have only seen that, Budapest and Imitation)
  
• Great for Rosamund Pike to get nominated, unfortunately I don't think she'll get it
  
• Expected Gone Girl to be in the Best Picture category.

Any thoughts on the score category? Can't remember Budapest's score and remember bits and pieces from Imitation, but I remember thinking Desplat's efforts for Benjamin Button were much stronger.

Erica Ambler wrote:

Under the Skin is one of the most erotic films I've seen. Not in a sexually gratifying way, but in the  manner in which it unsettles the male viewer: there's something very feminine about its otherness. I've only seen it once yet can remember it in minute detail.

I dislike the film on a conceptual level. It's a patchwork of underdeveloped ideas and too-simplistic notions. But it is undeniably vivid.

It's one of a few 2014 releases that were otherwise acclaimed but left me a bit cold (see also THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL and THE IMMIGRANT).

FieldsMan wrote:

Any thoughts on the score category? Can't remember Budapest's score and remember bits and pieces from Imitation, but I remember thinking Desplat's efforts for Benjamin Button were much stronger.

The Imitation Game and The Theory of Everything have snoozeworthy scores. Of the nominees, Interstellar has my favorite score out of the bunch. As far as Desplat goes, Godzilla would have been a better choice.

Of this year's scores, I dug Under the Skin and Enemy.

Harmsway wrote:

Of the nominees, Interstellar has my favorite score out of the bunch.

It's a terrific score, and I admit that begrudgingly despite my antipathy towards the film, and my underdog love for HZ's MAN OF STEEL.

Harmsway wrote:

As far as Desplat goes, Godzilla would have been a better choice.

Agreed, though if we have to choose between one of his Oscar bait scores - I prefer UNBROKEN to THE IMITATION GAME. Some nice brass chorales there.

Wow so awesome to see the same films nominated for almost every category. Wow the Oscars are so cool I love them!

Well, glad to see Wes Anderson in amongst the mix.

Largo's Shark wrote:

Harmsway wrote:

Of the nominees, Interstellar has my favorite score out of the bunch.

It's a terrific score, and I admit that begrudgingly despite my antipathy towards the film, and my underdog love for HZ's MAN OF STEEL.

I was surprised by how much I liked the score, since I haven't been over-the-moon with Zimmer's work with Nolan in the past.

Largo's Shark wrote:

Agreed, though if we have to choose between one of his Oscar bait scores - I prefer UNBROKEN to THE IMITATION GAME. Some nice brass chorales there.

I haven't heard it, but I'll give it a listen.