Well, this year is harder than most, which usually means that it’s more interesting than most. I’d like to believe that, but it can also mean that it was a relatively weak Oscar year. I wouldn’t necessarily buy that either, since some great movies came out this year. It’s just that a bunch of them didn’t get Oscar love. Of the ones that did, here are my best guesses for who’ll go all the way.
And hey, if the crop of movies doesn’t seem to be as much fun this year, just remember Chris Rock will be there to make sweeping generalizations (as it turns out, I’m the one straight black guy who watches these things), the nominees will either be in the audience, onstage, or maybe hanging from the ceiling, and the stage goes wicked far into the crowd. And LCD floors! (You’ll see what I mean)
Apparently, the theme this year is “Oscars, you so crazy!”
SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
Birthday Boy
Gopher Broke
Guard Dog
Lorenzo
Ryan
Will Win: Guard Dog
Should Win: Guard Dog
Guard Dog is directed by Bill Plympton, who’s kind of a sacred cow in the animation world. Now, whether that counts for anything in the Oscar world is beyond me, especially since this is only his second nom in 20 year plus career. But I think he’s due. (Yeah, cos’ that argument always works).
He gets the should because he really is that awesome.
Of course, like most of you, I’ve seen none of these films.
SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
Everything in this Country Must
Little Terrorist
7:35 in the Morning
Two Cars, One Night
Wasp
Will Win: Little Terrorist
Should Win: 7:35 in the Morning
Again, haven’t seen any of these. Little Terrorist is about a Pakistani kid who accidentally crosses into India (across a minefield no less) and befriends a Hindu teacher. It’s hard to get more PC than that.
Although not as politically relevant (simply going on premise) 7:35 boasts, for me, the more intriguing pitch. A woman walks into a cafe and everyone is staring at their plates in silence. Creepy, no?
Article comments
1 - Bill Lamb
Good analysis, except...
Best Documentary Feature is definitely no longer an award nobody cares about. Documentaries are the huge thing now in the wake of the success of Michael Moore and "Super Size Me" this past summer as a boxoffice hit.
2 - David Thomas
Excellent point. I, in fact, wanted to call this "The awards nobody cares about (except for Doc) but (a) that title was too long and (b) I was convinced somebody would ask, "Who's Doc?" But your point is well taken.
3 - brandon
Dave,
Loved what you had to say about "The awards that no one cares about". And here I thought "I" was the only straight black guy that watches the Oscars. We gots ta stick together! Can't wait to see part 2
-BFG
4 - Aaman
Salon is having an online festival of the short films nominated for the Oscars - very cool. Most of us would not get the chance to see these films otherwise.(Link to short films festival at Salon)
5 - Eric Olsen
thanks for this series Dave, great job - all of our writers are encouraged to weigh in with Oscar stories, including live coverage. We're a news source now.
6 - DrPat
Great psychic work, David, and what cojones to admit you pick from a field "sight unseen"!
I'd only take exception to the "should win" documentary, on the premise that a documentary should not be so completely fictional...