As a movie critic, I see a lot of films every year. As a movie buff, I enjoy movies. As a writer, I appreciate a good script. As an actor, I understand good performances. And as a consumer, I believe in solid entertainment that also enlightens, enthralls, and educates.
I've seen most of the nominated films and performances this year. I have to admit, I don't think 2006 was a stellar year for films. I am, however, impressed by the number of independent as well as mainstream films that deal with interesting characters and stories and dare to take some risks. The problem is, the general public might not be on the same page. Audiences prefer mainstream, high profile productions — big names, big stars, big budgets. With four of the five best picture nominees being independent films, Oscar might lose its luster once again this year (except for Ellen Degeneres — she's going to bring some fun to the show, I'm sure).
Best Picture
- Little Miss Sunshine
- Babel
- Letters from Iwo Jima
- The Departed
- The Queen
Letters is critically acclaimed but without the box office traction; and it's in Japanese with subtitles. Sunshine has a lot going for it — humor, dysfunctional family, crowd-pleasing plot and characters, and stellar performances — but it may simply be too lightweight; besides, comedies seldom win. The Queen is wonderful, but perhaps a bit too intimate, and many voters might be satisfied with giving Helen Mirren an award. That leaves Babel — this year's Crash — and The Departed. Both are violent and disturbing but also very entertaining. Personally, I am disappointed with The Departed, but Babel is not necessarily a crowd-pleaser either.
Will win: Babel
Should win: Letters from Iwo Jima
Best Director
- Clint Eastwood (Letters from Iwo Jima)
- Martin Scorsese (The Departed)
- Stephen Frears (The Queen)
- Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel)
- Paul Greengrass (Flight 93)
Eastwood already won twice in the last five years — enough said. The Queen is a showcase for its acting talent; Frears should be honored just to be nominated. Greengrass is the dark horse — his handling of the 9/11 film garnered much respect. Iñárritu is a long shot, but a Babel vote may push him over the top as well. Scorsese has been passed over so many times it's become a joke. And Hollywood may want to right some wrongs this year.
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Article comments
1 - moonraven
Much as I would like to see more Oscars gathered in by Mexican filmmakers (I have lived in Mexico for about 15 years now), I feel the hype this year has been, more than usual, built on sand.
I saw El laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth) last weekend and it was not necessary for me to draw on all those years I worked as a film critic in the States to give it a big NO.
I am interested in the context--post-Civil War persecution of the "losing" Republicans. I saw an excellent documentary a couple years ago at the Quito Documentary Film Festival that featured interviews with survivors, visits to the areas where they had camped out in the mountains, and so forth.
The script for Pan's Labyrinth, unfortunately, presented two hours of one-dimensional characters--especially on the Falangist side. Zero credibility of the supposedly real characters made his specially effected ones superfluous.
I have not been so disappointed in a film in several years.
On the other hand, when I saw "Volver" last May in France, I was very pleasantly surprised. Complex relationships and characters. Black humor that was almost an update of Hitchcock's charming "The Trouble with Harry"--and from a director who irritated me mightily in the past with hysterical posturing and drag queen antics.
If you haven't seen "Volver", give it a shot. And skip by Pan by at least 100 yards.
2 - Ty
"Meryl Streep is delicious in Prada but it's difficult to win for a comedy, especially with such strong dramatic competition"
The biggest reason Streep has no chance is because hers is a SUPPORTING ROLE in the Devil Wears Prada. She should not be up for Best Actress, but rather Best Supporting Actress.
Anne Hathaway is the lead actress in The Devil Wears Prada.
I too also feel Whitaker's role in The Last King of Scotland is a supporting role, but the argument there is a bit fuzzier than Prada.
3 - Ray
I agree that Anne Hathaway was the lead in Prada, but Streep's role is also pivotal -- without her role, there would be no story at all. So I don't have a problem with her being considered as the lead actress. Obviously, there can be more than one lead in any film (for example, both Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen were leads in The Queen). Same with Forest Whitaker. Sometimes, I guess, we can't really determine who is a lead simply by screen time.
4 - Krutic
I can't believe Jack Nicholson wasn't nominated.
5 - Kevin Lee
Moonraven, to each his own.
My views:
Pan's Labyrinth is a beautiful and inspiring film. Without doubt one of the best films I've ever seen. It is worthy of its awards.
Yes, it may be simple, but in it's simplicity lies a complexity that you obviously didn't see.
Also, before you go see a movie, watch an interview from it's creator, that way, with your deficient wisdow, you may grab an inkling as to what the bigger picture is about.