Saturday, January 20, 2007

Dear Academy

Dear Academy,

I've got to tell you, although I am excited to see what films get nominated this upcoming Tuesday, I am not as excited as normal.

You see...I feel like at this point I could tell you what films will get nods, and who knows, I may be wrong, but the basics seem pretty clear.

Yes, best actress will be Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Judi Dench, Meryl Strep, and probably Penelope Cruz.

Best Actor will be Forest Whitaker, Leonardo diCaprio, Peter O'Toole, Ryan Gosling, and Will Smith.

And yes, the best picture nominees will be be Babel, Little Miss Sunshine, The Departed, The Queen, and Dreamgirls.

Just for fun though, would you throw in a surprise nominee somewhere...something that people aren't expecting.

I'd love to see you nominate Paul Greengrass for best director for his work on United 93, and who know's what else, I just like surprises and suspense.

I hope that in the midst of all the expected outcomes of this years nominees that you will keep the buzz sporadic and surprise us on who will win. I could see the winner being any of the five frontrunners...keep the suspense that way, even up until the final moment of the awards show, you and I both know that will make it more fun.

Sincerely,

RC of Strangeculture

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5 comments:

JW said...

I find it really strange that in such a really good year for actress candidates, it is the same five women every. single. time. any sort of precursor has been announced so far, and will be the same again at the Oscars.

I think that there are about ten performances or more that would make my personal ballot last year, if released then, for example. How on earth is it possible that Naomi Watts hasn't gotten ANY mention anywhere? Or Maggie Gyllenhaal, who only got a mention at the Globes because of the category split?

You're right though, this year is pretty much boring in the four major categories. At least last year there was a little bit of guessing as to what the last couple picture spots would be (I ended up getting 'Walk the Line' wrong for 'Munich').

However there is the Supporting Actor category, where really only Eddie Murpy is safe, and the other four nominees could come from as many as ten different performances. I think I will probably do worse predicting this year than the past couple of years based on this category alone? However supporting actor and actress are so completely weak that I find it hard to actually care? Heh.

Or, if you go for that kind of thing picking the last couple slots in each screenplay category is a little bit of a tossup. Or that 5th director spot.. could be Dayton/Faris, Greengrass, Eastwood, or hopefully something crazy like Cuaron.

JW said...

Also,

This is going to be one of the most interesting years ever in terms of trying to guess what is going to win Best Picture..

I mean, sure last year was a big surprise, but it was a dreadfully BORING year with BBM winning every single thing in sight, right? Just because the end turns out to be a surprise doesn't mean getting there didn't put you to sleep. Heh.

So far:
Babel: GG Drama
Dreamgirls: GG Comedy/Musical
The Departed: Broadcast Film Critics
Little Miss Sunshine: PGA

Now watch The Queen win the DGA and nobody has any idea what is going to win and 80% of the people are going to be wrong. That part is kinda great.

Anonymous said...

Great post and I have to say you're absolutely right on the nominees though I'm not sure the academy is going to give Ryan Gosling the time of day. It's well deserved on his part but I'm not sure they'll give him the nod.

Anonymous said...

RC, not sure if you've seen it, but Alison and I are shocked that Edward Norton and Naomi Watts didn't get nominated for their fine work in The Painted Veil. I dunno, I have yet to see Forest Whitaker's performance, but I might like Norton's better.

Interested to see your thoughts once you've seen the film.

Otherwise, I've got the same curiosity as you. Boy, if Little Miss Sunshine wins BP, I think we can officially declare the Academy non-traditional.

RC said...

wow, JW I should let you just write my blog, I couldn't have said it better.

Will, you've certainly peaked by interest in The Painted Veil.

Sounds like I need to see it.