5 to 10 (What A Way To Make A Living)

Today the Academy made a startling announcement: the number of films eligeble for Best Picture will be bumped up form 5 to 10. There will still be 5 nominees in all the other categories, but 10 films will now be up for Best Picture, the first time since 1943. No doubt this is in response to "The Dark Knight" and "Wall-E" just barely not making the top five last year. The Academy received a lot of flack for that and deservingly so. Chances are they are doing this to hopefully get the publics latest critical darling, "Up," into the Best Picture race. This still might not happen as Academy voters could still vote for more 'Oscar friendly' films that are of lesser quality. Movies like "The Soloist" may not be great films, but since that movie is more in line with the Academies tastes we could be looking at more mediocrity getting nominated.

If that happens you can be sure the Academy will get Hell from the public. But before we jump all over the cons lets look at some of the pros:

1. Movies like "Up," "Watchmen," and even "Star Trek" have decent shots at getting into the Best Picture race. There's no telling whether they will or not, but they have a shot.


2. The Best Director award may be forced to stand seperate from the Picture category. Seriously, I know the director is important, but just because you made one of the best films of the year does NOT mean you are a great director! "The Queen" was one of my favorite films of 2006, and even I wouldn't say Stephen Frears direction was anything special.


3. Foreign films, animated films, and even documentaries have a better shot at getting Academy recognition that is normally overlooked in favor of more "dramatic" fare.


4. Now with 10 nominees, studios have more freedom to spread out their Oscar over the year.

I'll talk about the cons in another post, but for now I feel this is great news. I can't wait to see how this plays out next year when it's time to announce the nominees.

'Soloist' Fails To Inspire

Well, the much delayed Joe Wright film "The Soloist" has finally been released to theaters with a big thud. It's opened at number 5 at the box office and the reviews haven't been much kinder. This was originally supposed to be released last year for Oscar consideration, but the studio decided to push it back to this year.

Looks like we know why now.

The only thing that has been resonated with people are the lead performances of both Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx. Right now though it's too early to see whether only won can get nominated (much less both). If I were to bet money though I'd bet on Downey, Jr. getting the nomination. Right now he's Hollywood's golden actor, the guy who does great work and makes a difficult job look easy. If one of these men are getting the nomination it is. But gee, only 61% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes? If that doesn't make you pause with anxioty then I don't know what will.

Cases For And Against Nomination Part 2

I had so much fun listing the pros and cons of films getting Oscar nominations last time I've decided to do this a second time. The following five films are on the above list of potential Best Picture nominees starting at number six, so lets just jump right into things:

Number 6


The Dark Knight


Cases For Nomination

• A great movie.
• Critically acclaimed.
• Highest grossing film of the year.
  
• Second highest grossing film of all time (the Academy respects money).
• Audiences connect with the subject matter.
• Heath Ledger is giving this film major legs.

Cases Against Nomination

• It's a superhero movie.
• It's a sequel.
• May end up being TOO successful for it's own good!

Final Verdict: I think this one is in. The movie is too big - both financially and critically - to be ignored.


Number 7

The Soloist


Cases For Nomination

• It's a biopic. The Academy LOVES biopics!
• Joe Wright directed last years Best Picture nominee "Atonement."
• Jamie Foxx gets Academy love.
• Robert Downey Jr's. comeback year could turn into love for this film.

Cases Against Nomination

• Though "Atonement" received seven Oscar nominations, Wright was not nominated for Best Director.
• Downey Jr. could gain more attention for "Tropic Thunder."

Final Verdict: This looks like a sure bet, but the hype just hasn't been there. We'll have to see on this one.


Number 8


Australia


Cases For Nomination

• Big epic production.
• Nicole Kidman can draw attention for mediocre projects (see "The Hours").
• Hugh Jackman has been picking up lots of box office draw.

Cases Against Nomination

• Will the movie be more style then substance?

Final Verdict: I'm going to say no. At least for now.


Number 9


Doubt


Cases For Nomination

• Acclaimed cast full of Oscar winners and nominees.
• Subject matter reflects a growing concern with the Catholic Church.
• Meryle Strepp is likely to get another Oscar nomination for this film.

Cases Against Nomination

• Subject matter may be too dark for audiences and voters.

Final Verdict: I see this one getting nominated should some of the above films not pan out.


Number 10

Changeling

Cases For Nomination

• Angelina Jolie in a heartbreaking performance.
• A biopic. The Academy LOVES biopics!
• Clint is the man.

Cases Against Nomination

• Clint may be getting too much love recently, which could result in a backlash.

Final Verdict: Eh, you're going to have to flip a coin on this one.

See you around for Part 3 in a couple of weeks.

"The Soloist" Trailer

Seeing as how Joe Wright's previous two films have attracted Oscar attention (particularly "Atonement," which got a Best Picture nomination) I feel that we can expect great things from "The Soloist." It looks like a movie with great performances, it a personal film, and (if the trailer is to be believed) it's based on a true story. Sounds like Oscar bait to me. Robert Downey Jr. has been having an esspecially good year. With "Iron Man" he revived his career in a big way. In "Tropic Thunder" he stole the show and looks to have a good shot at a Best Supporting Actor nomination. And now we have "The Soloist," which looks like potential Best Actor material. There's just five things standing in his way right now:

1. Voters could get confused as to which role to vote for, and he could walk away nomination-less.
2. Jamie Foxx could steale the nomination here.
3. The two actors could split the vote and neither get nominated.
4. Too much Downey could prove fatel to his chances.
5. "The Soloist" could be a terrible film, and thus not be award worthy.

Well, either way, glad to see Downey making films again. Whether he gets an Oscar nod or not it's difficult to revive a troubled career (just as Ben Affleck), and he managed to revive his in several big ways. So bravo to him.