BESIDES THE HOBBIT... what (potential) Oscar contender are you MOST excited to see?

[Greg Anderson]

Phoenix isn't beloved by the Hollywood community. Everyone loves Day-Lewis. So I'm betting Day-Lewis over Phoenix (if I had to).

We have to remember that the Oscars is nothing more than a popularity contest. This is not to say Day-Lewis or Nicholson or Brando didn't deserve their wins, but it's all about buzz, ultimately.

Well, if it's about buzz, then go no further than Phoenix. The guy trashed the Oscars. What better way than to give it to him.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...n_1979740.html

[Michael P]

Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean? Sign me the fuck up.

[Vibranium]

Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean? Sign me the fuck up.

I was half hoping it would be a non musical version, because I love the story but not a fan of most musicals

but Jackman as Jean Valjean might get me to go see it

[Simbob4000]

Master and Commander is easily the best movie out of the ones he just listed.

It easily wasn't better than City of God, but most of those movies Kieran Frost listed weren't up for Best Picture either.

[Kieran_Frost]

THE MASTER (2012)
dir. Paul Thomas Anderson [nom.]
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix [nom.], Philip Seymour Hoffman [OSCAR] and Amy Adams [nom.]

Lincoln was actually really good. Daniel Day-Lewis was great and I was surprised how funny they made him. Tommy Lee Jones stole the show every scene he was in and Sally Field did her damn thing. Very well directed film all around. It may be considered "Oscar Bait" but in the end, if the film is a good film, who cares?

For me this is the main draw, if I did see it. Maybe I'm being unfair on the film? I think I'm just beyond BORED of Speilberg doing a) movies with battles in them, b) movies about oppression limited to slavery or Jewish suffering, c) movies designed to "move you" and make you applaud how "moving" it was. The trailer for Lincoln (2012) seems to have all three in spades... hence my complete indifference to it.

I was heavily disappointed with The Master. Besides top notch performances from the two leads, the movie seemed rather aimless. There were times when it would get me, and then it let me go. First Anderson film I've been disappointed with. And I generally LOVE his movies.

This is a shame to hear; from someone who is a fan of his work. I never though it could surpass my love of There Will Be Blood (2008); but I was hoping for a movie I would at-least adore. I shall watch it with trepidation...

Kieran, what do you mean "if" Lincoln receives favorable reviews? Lincoln has gotten very good reviews, and the acting has pretty much received unanimous praise.

I suppose I mean "favourable reviews from people who's opinion matter to me." So far, Greg's positive review has gone a long way in getting me to see it, more than most "critics".

And this is the first time I've heard that Spielberg can't direct actors that well. I think that's pretty ridiculous.

REALLY? You honestly think Spielberg is a strong director of actors??? Spielberg isn't that interested in the acting side of things, not compared to every other aspect of movie making; it's all about the spectacle, the camera angles, the vision and the story. The acting seems pretty immaterial. All the "great" performances from his films (which honestly... I wouldn't say there is many that fit that description) are ALL down to the actor. Does Spielberg's ensemble ever impress you (as a whole) that much? Beyond giving "good" performances (because hey... it's Spielberg, he has excellent casting directors and the budget to afford anyone he chooses)... does his ensemble ever really "wow" you?

Lincoln is getting Oscars....I could see Daniel Day Lewis getting it as the field isn't so hot this year IMO

A third Oscar for acting is a RARE thing indeed (only 5 actors have EVER achieved that).

the Lincoln trailer left me really cold, but the hell if I'm not watching Daniel Day Lewis in just about anything.

[Kieran_Frost]

PROMISED LAND (2012)
dir. Gus van Sant [nom.]
Starring: Matt Damon [nom.], Frances McDormand [OSCAR] and Hal Holbrook [nom.]

Phoenix isn't beloved by the Hollywood community. Everyone loves Day-Lewis. So I'm betting Day-Lewis over Phoenix (if I had to).

Phoenix being out-spoken about "not playing the game" and him being DISLIKED is not the same thing. I think (similar to Sean Penn) he more "infuriates" some, rather than evokes loathing.

I was half hoping it would be a non musical version, because I love the story but not a fan of most musicals
but Jackman as Jean Valjean might get me to go see it

Well Jackman is a brilliant musical theatre performer (it's what he won his Tony for); and the film looks less "musical theatre" and more "dramatic score". So, hopefully you enjoy it.

It easily wasn't better than City of God, but most of those movies Kieran Frost listed weren't up for Best Picture either.

My apologies, I missed the: it was also a pretty weak year as far as Best Picture is concerned." The four films up for Best Picture against the Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King (2003) were: Mystic River, Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World, Lost in Translation (ALL of which I listed ) and Seabiscuit.

[jesse_custer]

Phoenix being out-spoken about "not playing the game" and him being DISLIKED is not the same thing. I think (similar to Sean Penn) he more "infuriates" some, rather than evokes loathing.

I didn't say anything that you're suggesting. I said Day-Lewis is loved more. That's a fact.

REALLY? You honestly think Spielberg is a strong director of actors??? Spielberg isn't that interested in the acting side of things, not compared to every other aspect of movie making; it's all about the spectacle, the camera angles, the vision and the story. The acting seems pretty immaterial. All the "great" performances from his films (which honestly... I wouldn't say there is many that fit that description) are ALL down to the actor. Does Spielberg's ensemble ever impress you (as a whole) that much? Beyond giving "good" performances (because hey... it's Spielberg, he has excellent casting directors and the budget to afford anyone he chooses)... does his ensemble ever really "wow" you?

Absolutely. Jaws, Empire of the Sun, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, Jurassic Park, and A.I. all have very, very strong acting and casts. What's particularly impressive about Spielberg is how well he directs children.

I think it's extremely speculative, not to mention downright unfair, to suggest that every great performance in a Spielberg movie has nothing to do with him.

A third Oscar for acting is a RARE thing indeed (only 5 actors have EVER achieved that).

I believe Day-Lewis would be the first person to win three Best Actor Oscars. The scary thing is that he could possibly win another one after that, given his talent, high standards, and (here's the important one) likability.

[jesse_custer]

It easily wasn't better than City of God, but most of those movies Kieran Frost listed weren't up for Best Picture either.

In terms of technical splendor and thematic material, Master and Commander crushes City of God, which is a Brazilian Boyz N' the Hood without the political relevance.

[Mr. Holmes]

Yeah where the hell is Cloud Atlas.

[Vibranium]

Yeah where the hell is Cloud Atlas.

in the ether

that movie vanished faster than a cupcake at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting

[jesse_custer]

Cloud Atlas got shitty reviews and was one of the biggest bombs of the year. The Wachowskis are not Academy darlings, either.

[dupersuper]

Technically, isn't every new movie a potential Oscar contender?

[passer-by]

in the ether

that movie vanished faster than a cupcake at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting

Could that have anything to do with the fact that it was independently-produced?

Cloud Atlas got shitty reviews and was one of the biggest bombs of the year. The Wachowskis are not Academy darlings, either.

I'm surprised at the "shitty" reviews - it is an excellent film which IMO deserves major awards for editing, make-up and adapted screenplay at the very least. And at least a nomination for best picture.
As for bombing in the BO - it wasn't shown in many theaters for an extended period of time, was it? Quite a few people here and elsewhere mentioned that it was taken off the screens or left with only one showing a day pretty quickly.

[Frank]

The only reason Return of the King won is because it was the end of the trilogy that had made tons of money...it was also a pretty weak year as far as Best Picture is concerned.

I would probably would have given Jackson the director Oscar for job well done but not for big picture.

[Frank]

In terms of technical splendor and thematic material, Master and Commander crushes City of God, which is a Brazilian Boyz N' the Hood without the political relevance.

In my opinion what made City of God more than just a street movie was the fantastic cinematography. So many movies copied the look of this movie after it was released and they still do.