First of all, let me again preface this with the fact that the Oscars is the ultimate exercise in people in the film industry doing what they do best - pat each other on the back. Still, they are fun to follow and fun to predict. I think the Oscars do get more people interested in the movies, and that's a good thing.
So, they might as well call it the Achievements By White People In Film Awards. I thought after last year, they would overcompensate and nominate several African Americans, even if their performances weren't that great. Boy, was I wrong. Instead, for the second year in a row, all 20 acting nominees are white as rice. I am not the type of person who thinks that diversity should be mandated. I disagree in principle with affirmative action. But, to not have a single acting nominee for the second year in a row is unacceptable, and serves as evidence that the Academy needs to get their shit together. From what I have read and seen, there are worthy performances this year including Michael B. Jordan in "Creed" and Idris Elba in "Beasts Of No Nation." Hell, I wouldn't have even minded seeing John Boyega's name mentioned for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Again, the Academy is made up of too many old, white people. Ideally, turnover in the organization will lead to a younger, more diverse Academy, but it's not happening quickly enough. The Academy may want to consider expanding its ranks to prevent this from happening again. I just hope they don't do something stupid like require a "minority" nominee in each category. With this rant out of the way, here are my insights and observations on the nominations. I have seen very few of the nominees, so most of this comes from what I have read and heard.
Best picture: I have seen a whopping two of the eight nominees. Here is my take on both of these movies.
The Martian: Loved it. Loved the book, which I read in four days. Loved the movie, which is a great adaptation of the book. Easily one of the best movies I have seen this year. I liked that it was "science fact," and all the technology and science in the movie is real. And, of course, this guy. He was great, and truly deserved his acting nomination. More on director Ridley Scott later...
Mad Max: Fury Road: I was pleasantly surprised to see such a balls-to-the-wall action movie nominated for best picture, and 9 other Oscars. The movie was essentially one long car chase, but the screenplay had just enough depth to get the viewer invested in the characters. The action scenes, which heavily favored stuntwork and practical effects over CGI, are impeccably staged, and the movie's vision of a post-apocalyptic world was sometimes bizarre but always inventive. Very entertaining to watch overall, which is not something that can be said about many other stuffy and artsy Best Picture contenders.
The snubs:
Before everyone starts moaning and groaning, let me get this out of the way. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was a good movie, not a great movie. It was entertaining, and I am glad I saw it in the theater. Yes, it was much better than the prequels, but that's not really saying much. It was, as far as I am concerned, not a Best Picture-caliber movie. Nor should the screenplay be nominated, because it was more or less a remix of Episode IV. It is truly deserving of the 5 technical awards it is nominated for, particularly John Williams' 50th nomination for score. One can use the popular argument that it is now the top-grossing movie of all time, but, as I have said before, just because McDonald's is the most popular place to eat in the U.S. doesn't make it the best. Also, I am not yet ready to mention Quentin Tarantino for The Hateful Eight, since I haven't seen it, the reviews are all over the map, and some, not all, of his work tends to be self-indulgent.
Ridley Scott: This one has the most people talking, and justifiably so. The 78-year-old director of "The Martian" did a great job here, using the device of cameras mounted in the astronauts' habitat and rover. It is unfortunate that he gets nominated for mediocrity like Gladiator, but not this. My guess is the Academy doesn't see Scott as an artist, but rather a commercial director who cranks out blockbusters. In their defense, he has helmed many multimillion dollar productions, and some of them, like Legend and Hannibal, were complete junk. However, based on this film, he deserves a nomination. On a similar note, Steven Spielberg was shut out of this category again, even though "Bridge of Spies" was nominated for Best Picture.
Inside Out: Since they have space for 10 Best Picture nominees, and there were eight this year, this deserves a Best Picture nomination. This was a great-looking movie that told an original, engaging story. It is one of the best movies to come out of Pixar in years. The Academy hesitates to give animated films a shot at the big prize (only two animated movies were ever nominated), instead relegating them to the best animated feature category. I am sure this is because an animated feature doesn't require the same crew and filmmaking process that are required by a live-action movie. Still, if we are honoring the best movies of the year, "Inside Out" deserved a spot on this list.
Straight Outta Compton: I haven't seen it, but I am looking forward to watching this critically-acclaimed story about the origins of gangsta rap group N.W.A. Supposedly, this movie also deserved a Best Picture nomination. If this an indication of who picks these awards, this film's only nomination was for the four white people who wrote the screenplay.
Charlize Theron: Since Mad Max: Fury Road was nominated for 10 Oscars, why not recognize its performances? As Imperator Furiosa, Theron was the toughest, baddest action heroine I have seen since Sigourney Weaver's performances as Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise. Female action heroes are few and far between, and are often pushed into the background (see The Avengers). Theron owned this part, and deserved a nomination for Best Actress.
See You Again: For the Best Original Song category, This Wiz Khalifa hit from Furious 7 is well-written and catchy, and supposedly packs an emotional wallop at the end of the movie given the untimely death of Paul Walker. Sam Smith is great, but "Writing's on the Wall" from Spectre is not his best work.
Young people: 9-year-old Jacob Tremblay, who was supposedly outstanding in Room, a disturbing story about a boy and his mother kidnapped and held in a small room, was not nominated. Brie Larson, who played his mother, was nominated, and the film was also nominated for director, screenplay and picture.
Old people: Usually there are a handful of very old actors nominated, if only to recognize their body of work. This year, the oldest nominee is 68-year-old Charlotte Rampling for 45 Years. Supposedly, Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren both delivered worthy performances.
Other observations:
God may no longer hate Leonardo DiCaprio. After five nominations and no prize, he is the heavy favorite to win Best Actor for his performance in The Revenant. If it takes getting eaten by a bear to win an Oscar, so be it. Still I wouldn't be surprised if Eddie Redmayne, or this guy pulls the upset.
As of right now, this is one of the most wide-open Best Picture races I have seen in a while. The Revenant is the favorite right now, but I am also hearing and reading that Spotlight and The Big Short are possibilities. I am even hearing that Mad Max could pull an upset. We will probably get a clearer picture of what is going to happen after the guild awards, which take place over the next month.
I haven't seen Creed yet, but I can't wait to watch it. I couldn't be happier for Sly Stallone, who is certainly the sentimental favorite to win. I certainly won't bet against Rocky Balboa. By the way, if he does win, Stallone should take this opportunity to thank his co-star Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler, which he neglected to do at the Golden Globes.
Here's hoping the best movies win, and that the awards ceremony is not the usual long, bloated mess.
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