According to the Academy, no place for science fiction, technology, innovation
By: Luke Bretscher
Issue date: 3/12/10 Section: Features
When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted to include 10 films in competition for Best Picture, it was hoping to appeal to a larger audience.
Declining ratings, animosity over "The Dark Knight's" Oscar snub and other such occurrences forced the academy to reconsider its procedures. The change ushered in nominations for surprise box office successes such as "The Blind Side," "District 9," "Inglorious Basterds," the underrated animated masterpiece "Up" (only the second animated film to receive a Best Picture nomination) and the box-office wonder, revolutionary blockbuster "Avatar." The gamble paid off, as ratings rose 20.6 percent.
But, this cosmetic face lift doesn't change anything. In the current Academy atmosphere, a film like "Avatar" will never win Best Picture.
"The Hurt Locker" was an excellent choice for the award with nearly perfect filmmaking in every aspect. It serves as a textbook example of how and when to use editing and sound to produce extreme amounts of tension and suspense. Kathryn Bigelow's flawless direction and Jeremy Renner's stoic performance propelled the movie to success. It benefited from poignant, contemporary subject matter and a masterful screenplay by a former Playboy journalist.
That said, the film certainly didn't attract the bulk of the awards ceremony's 41.3 million viewers. To date, the film has grossed less than one hundredth of what "Avatar" has grossed. "Avatar" received 9 nominations, as many as "The Hurt Locker," and had already won the biggest precursor award at the Golden Globes. So why would it not take home the Oscar?
Members of the Academy tend to look for a liberally political message, but take a rather conservative approach to filmmaking. In 1981, a similar race presented itself during awards season.
The competition came down to Spielberg's "E.T." and Attenborough's epic "Gandhi." "E.T." entered the race as the reigning box-office king. The film was revolutionary and challenged the film industry. It, like "Avatar," won best drama at the Golden Globes. The Academy, however, went to the more traditionally made "Gandhi."
Declining ratings, animosity over "The Dark Knight's" Oscar snub and other such occurrences forced the academy to reconsider its procedures. The change ushered in nominations for surprise box office successes such as "The Blind Side," "District 9," "Inglorious Basterds," the underrated animated masterpiece "Up" (only the second animated film to receive a Best Picture nomination) and the box-office wonder, revolutionary blockbuster "Avatar." The gamble paid off, as ratings rose 20.6 percent.
But, this cosmetic face lift doesn't change anything. In the current Academy atmosphere, a film like "Avatar" will never win Best Picture.
"The Hurt Locker" was an excellent choice for the award with nearly perfect filmmaking in every aspect. It serves as a textbook example of how and when to use editing and sound to produce extreme amounts of tension and suspense. Kathryn Bigelow's flawless direction and Jeremy Renner's stoic performance propelled the movie to success. It benefited from poignant, contemporary subject matter and a masterful screenplay by a former Playboy journalist.
That said, the film certainly didn't attract the bulk of the awards ceremony's 41.3 million viewers. To date, the film has grossed less than one hundredth of what "Avatar" has grossed. "Avatar" received 9 nominations, as many as "The Hurt Locker," and had already won the biggest precursor award at the Golden Globes. So why would it not take home the Oscar?
Members of the Academy tend to look for a liberally political message, but take a rather conservative approach to filmmaking. In 1981, a similar race presented itself during awards season.
The competition came down to Spielberg's "E.T." and Attenborough's epic "Gandhi." "E.T." entered the race as the reigning box-office king. The film was revolutionary and challenged the film industry. It, like "Avatar," won best drama at the Golden Globes. The Academy, however, went to the more traditionally made "Gandhi."
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