Taking questions for 11/25 Oscar Talk
Offer up your burning queries
Alright, you know the drill. Rifle off your need-to-knows and we'll address as many as we can in Friday's podcast (which, remember, will be later in the day on Friday). I imagine we'll be talking about "The Iron Lady," the doc short list, things of that nature.
Kristopher Tapley has covered the film awards landscape for over a decade. He founded In Contention in 2005. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Times of London and Variety. He begs you not to take any of this too seriously.
2012-2013 OSCAR PREDICTIONS
UPDATED: FEB 25, 2013
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Film Editing
Best Makeup And Hairstyling
Best Original Score
Best Original Song
Best Production Design
Best Sound Editing
Best Sound Mixing
Best Visual Effects
Best Animated Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature
Best Foreign Language Film
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Login or create a HitFix account Login Signupeurocheese
November 23, 2011 at 11:31AM EST Reply to CommentIf voters see Margin Call, is there a chance we could see traction for Screenplay or even Supporting Actor? Aside from Sasha Stone, are you or Anne hearing anything about this film?
red_wine
November 23, 2011 at 11:32AM EST Reply to CommentFor both you and Anne.
You meet a lot of industry folks during the Oscar season. Do they confront you (even humorously) if you pan their films or performances in print?
eurocheese
November 23, 2011 at 11:34AM EST Reply to CommentHave you been hearing any buzz about Margin Call? Is that a possibility for Screenplay/Supporting Actor?
eurocheese (Sorry, thought the first post didn't go through)
November 23, 2011 at 8:24PM ESTBrock Landers
November 23, 2011 at 11:43AM EST Reply to CommentWith all of the rave reviews for Hugo, what do you think about its chances in some of the bigger categories, such as Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Kingsley)?
McRaj
November 23, 2011 at 12:07PM EST Reply to CommentAre you feeling any uptick in the perception of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as a strong contender in the major categories?
Aden Second this
November 23, 2011 at 5:47PM ESTJoey
November 23, 2011 at 12:25PM EST Reply to CommentIt seems like this is a quiet year for the Oscars. Do you guys think that this means we might expect some surprises this year when the nominations are announced? Is there a specific year that is similar to this one?
palcinema
November 23, 2011 at 12:43PM EST Reply to CommentDoes the Academy offer any insights into why its Documentary branch chooses not to include key films in its list of documentary finalists? Are there any chances for write-ins on the final ballot?
Guest Guesto
November 23, 2011 at 1:04PM EST Reply to CommentLast year, there's been a lot of talk about 'Category Fraud' in regards to True Grit and how its lead actress ended up in supporting category.
I was wondering if you or Anne considered domestic films like "Hurt Locker" and "Precious" that comepeted in the "Best Picture of the Year" category a year after they were completed and screened to have similarly cheated by strategically allowing themselves luxury to build themselves up over 12+ month period?
Isn't it category fraud to name a film like that the best picture of the year they weren't even finalized in? What do you think?
Guest Guesto This question was partially prompted by the "drawn your own conclusions" line from NYFCC in regards to Extremely Loud not meeting an arbitrary deadline.
November 23, 2011 at 1:12PM ESTGuy Lodge I don't know if Kris and Anne addressed this question, but there's nothing "strategic" about waiting for distribution, as so many indies are forced to do. The release date is what counts -- festivals are too exclusive an environment to count.
November 25, 2011 at 7:17AM ESTPS. Precious isn't an appropriate example, by the way -- it premiered at Sundance in 2009, was released later in 2009, and competed in the 2009 Oscars. What's the issue?
CH
November 23, 2011 at 1:17PM EST Reply to CommentDo you think that the rave reviews for HUGO somewhat disminish THE ARTIST's chances of being nominated/winning Best Picture given they share similar themes? I can see votes being spread between the two.
Derek 8-Track
November 23, 2011 at 1:31PM EST Reply to CommentIn a land of guaranteed 10 best pic nominees can you imagine 'The Muppets' taking the Pixar or Blind Side spot?
Andrej
November 23, 2011 at 2:00PM EST Reply to CommentWith hit docs as Senna, The Interrupters, Tabloid, Into the Abyss and Nostalgia of the Light massively and awfully out of the way, do you think the documentary branch could share the same fate as the foreign language film branch, with a new set of rules and a executive committee, or is there really a tacit DQ'ing rule they're adhering to as in the music branch?
atoep
November 23, 2011 at 3:32PM EST Reply to CommentIt feels like every week you (Kris) mention a movie had good or bad editing. What is good or bad editing?
Unless you see all the footage an editor had to work with, how can you descern good from bad? It is a big surprise that HUGO appears to be well edited when you have Scorsese shooting the footage. On the flip side, it could be the editor of POLICE ACADEMY 6 is a goddamn genius because he was able to make something halfway coherent out of the material.
DylanS editing isn't just how you whittle down what was filmed. I hate this misconception, it essentially views the editor as a technician and ignores any artistry to their job. Editing has a great deal to do with establishing a rhythm for a scene, as well as finding creative ways to connect scenes together (match cuts, ect.)
November 23, 2011 at 5:36PM ESTLaura Stewart Bad editing = A Dangerous Method
November 23, 2011 at 5:55PM ESTKristopher Tapley What Dylan said.
November 25, 2011 at 4:22PM ESTDylanS
November 23, 2011 at 5:41PM EST Reply to CommentIt seems well established that the CURRENT projected line-up for Best Actress is Davis, Streep, Close, Williams and Theron. I would argue that only Theron is in a film that will likely have plenty of Critics backing it, the rest are giving respected performances hampered by wishy-washy films. When the critics awards roll around, how do you think their decisions might effect that line-up? as they will likely throw their weight behind performances in more critically respected films (Olsen, Swinton, maybe Mara?)
Laura Stewart Same question. Although I would like to know if you guys know if there's any word on the Young Adult campaign. It seems to be quiet on their front at the moment.
November 23, 2011 at 5:54PM ESTJJ1 God knows what they'll do, but I feel like the critics awards will be split btwn. Theron, Williams, and Swinton (on WINS). And I feel like Streep, Davis, Olsen, and maybe Mara will be nommed a lot. I have no clue what to think about Close.
November 23, 2011 at 5:57PM ESTDylanS I'm really starting to think Close will have to get the boot. My Week with Marlyn is getting pretty impressive reviews on the strength of Williams performance, so critics will certainly nominate her. I think Olsen and Mara, who I both expect to get critics awards for their performances, especially breakout performance awards, will fight for that last spot. I think Mara will get it by the weight of her character and exposure of the film.
November 23, 2011 at 6:03PM ESTLaura Stewart I'm with you DylanS. I was not even remotely impressed with Close's performance. Plus, the film isn't very good. But here's the thing- Close has that whole "I'm due" narrative behind her, which I honestly don't care for (ok, fine I'm not a fan!) but Academy folks and critics might find that compelling. Ideally, Close would get the boot and Olsen would take her place. Then we would have Streep, Davis, Williams', Theron, and Olsen. Talk about the PERFECT category.
November 23, 2011 at 6:25PM ESTI forgot to add this to my question above but hopefully you can find some time to talk with Anne and Guy (if he's in this weeks podcast) about their reaction to Young Adult. I saw that they both recently tweeted mini-reviews but I would love it if they could elaborate on their thoughts. Thanks!
Trex
November 23, 2011 at 5:52PM EST Reply to CommentWhat are Hugo's chances are making the BP line up? It's gotten raves... far more than 'The Help', 'Midnight in Paris', and even 'The Descendants'. In the past, the Academy (with an exception of 2007) has not been too kind to Scorsese whether it's unfairly snubbing him (see last year: Shutter Island) or handing over the trophy to someone far less worthy (see: just about every year that Scorsese has been nominated for best director/best picture and lost). Could this be a good year for him?
What do you think about Young Adult sneaking in the BP line-up? I have a feeling critics will rally behind this. Could that help it build its momentum?
Last one... what are your thoughts on Fincher's anti-Oscar strategy. Do you think it's a strategy? Is there such a thing as too much "anal-rape" for the Academy?
Trex *it has gotten raves
November 23, 2011 at 5:53PM ESTCordy
November 23, 2011 at 6:59PM EST Reply to CommentDo you think that, due to the open Best Picture field, if a beloved pixar movie (on the level of Toy Story 3, Wall-E, Up) had come out this year instead of Cars 2 it would have a shot at actually being the consensus title and winning best picture?
LMB111
November 23, 2011 at 8:09PM EST Reply to CommentDo you think Harry potter and the deathly hallows part 2 will finally make it into Best Picture Category?
John-Paul
November 23, 2011 at 8:34PM EST Reply to CommentSince we have 3 Best Picture hopefuls that came out over the summer (The Help, Midnight in Paris, and The Tree of Life) and a bunch of would-be contenders from the fall lineup that have underwhelmed (J. Edgar, A Dangerous Method, Carnage, etc.), do you think that the studios will eventually release more Oscar movies earlier in the calendar year rather than cramming them all into the last 4 months?
Joe Is
November 23, 2011 at 11:02PM EST Reply to CommentI'm thinking this may already be on your discussion list, but which song(s) do you think will be singled out for nominations (if any) from The Muppets? My initial instinct is the opening/finale, but Kermit's song with the pictures (can't remember the exact title) was really touching as well.
Sergio
November 23, 2011 at 11:43PM EST Reply to CommentA Dangerous Method is opening this weekend and it seems Its getting quite good reviews but when it was released in festivals it didnt do it that well so the question is about the chances of being a Best Picture contender and what about Keira Knightley, could the academy members push her into the supporting categorie so she can get a nod?
Terry K.
November 24, 2011 at 12:57AM EST Reply to CommentDo you think an opportunity was missed with the lack of promotion for "City of Life and Death"? It's easily my favorite movie of the year and has received very positive reviews since its stateside release. It's the type of foreign movie that seems very awards-friendly to me since it deals with important historical subject matter and is extremely well-crafted, yet it doesn't have a shot at nabbing a single nomination.
The film's recreation of a ravaged city, along with its black and white cinematography, are simply stunning. The decision to have a sympathetic Japanese soldier as the closest thing to a main character is a bold, fascinating choice that is handled well (and probably contributed to the film not being submitted by China as its foreign language film candidate back in 2009). I think it's an unforgettable, powerful film that really could have had a legitimate shot at receiving some awards attention with the right handling, which would have then given this underappreciated film some helpful exposure.
Cameron
November 24, 2011 at 3:56AM EST Reply to CommentWhy is no one touting Viggo Mortensen for Best Supporting Actor in 'A Dangerous Method?' It's a tremendous piece of work. He deserves to win the award.
Yani
November 24, 2011 at 4:29AM EST Reply to CommentDo you really think that a relatively unknown British Actor - Benedict Cumberbatch has an actual chance to be nominated for TTSS? (He deserves it, but that's never enough).
Do you think it's possible for Maryl Streep to win or is it really Viola Davis's year?
Is it possible to be nominated and/or win if the movie itself gets bad reviews? I mean DiCaprio and Armie Hammer - the performances may be praised, but can the Academy award a role in a badly reviewed film?
Do you think Tin Tin will be nominated for Animation? Can it win?
Do you think there will be an animation among the Best picture nominees this year? Last two times it was Pixar's films. But maybe Tin Tin (or another) can get a nod.
Can a silent film win over a talkie?
ddogfilm
November 24, 2011 at 12:13PM EST Reply to CommentThe Muppets definitely has a shot One MAYBE Two nominations for best original song, and those being its pretty much only shot at the Oscars, but taking it back what do you think are films like The Muppets and Bridesmaids,two of the best comedies this year in contention with the golden globes? McCartney ? Pic(s)?
Tom
November 24, 2011 at 1:11PM EST Reply to CommentDo you think there is any movie outside of The Artist, The Descendants, War Horse or Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close that can win best picture?
Are there any other movies that haven't been seen that may have a shot or even a movie that has been seen that people are underestimating?
sammarz
November 25, 2011 at 3:59AM EST Reply to CommentSince this is such a lackluster Oscar year, do you think this year is going to be as bad as 2008 (although it was a great year for world cinema, 4 out of 5 of the Best Picture nominees were stinkers)?
Jose Costa
November 25, 2011 at 8:30PM EST Reply to CommentHi, I'm from Brazil and I really enjoy listening to Oscar Talk, congratulations for the show! I’m a fan of Steven Spielberg and I’ve read both your comments (Kris´ and Anne’s) on WAR HORSE and, maybe not surprisingly, they are quite similar.
For a long time the Academy refused to acknowledge Spielberg’s talent, until Schindler’s List made it inevitable. Do you believe it is likely for War Horse to repeat something like Saving Private Ryan versus Shakespeare In Love and maybe win only one of the Best Director / Best Picture categories?
And we all know that the Academy has its mysterious ways, so, thinking ahead – next year’s Oscar Talks, don’t you think that if War Horse really does win one of these two, or maybe both, LINCOLN’s chances will be reduced? (Like, “we know Russell Crowe is excelent in A Beautiful Mind, but we already gave him an Oscar for Gladiator, to compensate for The Insider”) I know it’s to early to talk about Lincoln, but it’s cast, director and subject matter sure makes it Oscar-friendly.