Obscarvations.

The Oscar noms are out, and who can resist a little commentary?  I sure can't, although there really aren't a lot of surprises in the batch, nor is there that much to deride. 

A few comments:

Yes! Three animated films nominated for Best 'Toon (I'm paraphrasing) and not a CGI film in the bunch. What? No Valiant? No Chicken Little? I'm sure Hoodwinked will make up for that next year.

Fine actors in the list of 5 Best... but, boy, it sure would have been nice to see Jeff Daniels' name up there among them. A terrific performance in Squid and the Whale, but perhaps Oscar voters prefer characters that are more likeable? 

March of the Penguins for Best Doc - not a surprise, really, and not a bad movie, but, I mean, come on, really, it's flightless compared to, say, Murderball (nominated) and Grizzly Man (not).

Also overlooked: No Geoffrey Rush, supporting actor in Munich (I thought Eric Bana was underrated in that, as well, but didn't expect a nomination); no nomination for Cronenberg, director of History of Violence; no editing nomination for Syriana - yes, it was complicated, confusing even, but without the superb editing, it would have been a mess; I'll take Broken Flowers music over any of the score nominees; I wish Duma had been nominated for something (cinematography?) just so it'd get more recognition and viewers; and a bunch more I'm sure I'll think about later on.

Not overlooked, and I'm damned happy about it: Amy Adams, in Junebug; Noah Baumbach for the aforementioned Squid's script; Paul Giamatti, in Cinderella Man - will he be shunned once more come Oscar night, or given the award as much for his past two ignores?; Paradise Now for Foreign, hooray!

Congrats to Capote director Bennett Miller for being recognized, deservedly so, but for his first narrative feature! Very impressive.

All in all, not a bad lot, with some fairly progressive films up for major categories, so, despite a few of the usual lapses and MIA nominations, better than some years past. Now if only Jeff Daniels hadn't been screwed.

Comments

[Ele]

I still think the Oscars are the most overrated/overhyped event in film history. Essentially just a really effective marketing/branding tool for studios (and a brilliant one at that, I must give them proper credit).

When it comes to quality films I always look at what's in competition at Cannes. It's really sad for me that the vast majority of the general public thinks of the "Academy Awards Nominated" label as synonymous of "great". Ugh. (Even though this year there were some exceptional examples of daring films - think Ang Lee. But still, too little). Where were the nominations for Gegen Die Wand and Rois et Reine? Sigh.

[Craig P]

Very fair, good points (although as much as I complain about the Oscars every year, there I sit every year in front of the telly, watching 'em. Sigh.) Also, even at Cannes the line-up's gotten a bit more commercial and less risky (though film festivals in general will take more risks than strict award programs). But Sundance, Toronto.. a lot of the great, "independent"-minded fests are getting a lot less so.

Don't even get me started on the foreign film Oscar category process... that's a Pandora's box! (Not that there aren't some terrific films on this year's list mind you.. but the whole process is a farce.)

Anyway, the Oscars for Best Picture in particular are often a joke - see: Titanic; Greatest Show on Earth; etc., as examples. But that doesn't mean the list of noms are generally undeserving. This year in particular, even with some oversights, it's hard to argue against most of the noms.

Still, it is essentially a farce.

Some day I hope to be nominated to participate in that farce! ;-)

Thanks for the comments.
=cp=

[Ele]

You're right, Craig, even Cannes is getting more commercial every year. A circus, really. Same for Venice and other festivals that used to be renowned for the superior quality of their films. I suppose I'll just hold my breath and see what Berlin has to offer next week :)

As for the Oscars, I probably won't be able to watch them from Europe but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Ang Lee. (If Spielberg wins for best director i'll have a brain aneurysm ;)

[Craig P]

Sounds like you'd be better off reading a book or creating art when the Oscars air anyway - we all probably would. ;-) I'll watch them with the usual plexiglass screen I put over my TV so I don't damage it when I throw something. At any rate, I think Lee will win so you should feel marginally better about things...

My colleague David Hudson will be at the Berlin fest (he lives there) and always enjoys it. Hopefully it will continue to be strong. Enjoy!

cp

[Craig P]

Addendum: I don't know why I put down Catherine Keener as overlooked, when she was in fact nominated for Supp. Actress for Capote. So I took that errata out.