Movies: My Run To The Oscars, The Shortlist

This announcement is a bit overdue, but here it is:

A while back, after seeing an article in Entertainment Weekly about "25 Movies You Should See Before The Oscars", I then and there decided to make a Run To The Oscars (March 7th, 2010). In previous years, I was interested but not very invested in the Oscars because, after Return Of the King swept up, annihilated, chewed up, spit out, and then liberally mocked the competition during its year, I really didn't see many of the movies nominated. Most of what I had seen fell into the sci-fi/fantasy categories, meaning they'd be up for Sound Editing or Costumes, if that, and then were never spoken of again.

This year, though, I have a list. A list which is now narrowed in a bit more that the actual nominees have been announced. It runs as such:

The List as it appeared in the Entertainment Weekly article
I've gone ahead and added what they've been nominated for, if anything, so I can keep that in mind while watching.

Up in the Air (George Clooney for Best Actor, Vera Farmiga for Supporting Actress, Anna Kendrick for Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Motion Picture, Adapted Screenplay)
Avatar * (Art Direction, Cinematography, Best Director, Film Editing, Original Score, Best Motion Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects)
The Hurt Locker * (Jeremy Renner for Best Actor, Cinematography, Best Director, Film Editing, Original Score, Best Motion Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Original Screenplay)
Precious (Gabourey Sidibe for Best Actress, Mo'Nique for Supporting Actress, Best Director, Film Editing, Best Motion Picture, Adapted Screenplay)
Inglourious Basterds * (Christoph Waltz for Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Best Director, Film Editing, Best Motion Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Original Screenplay)
Invictus (Morgan Freeman for Best Actor, Matt Damon for Supporting Actor)
An Education (Carey Mulligan for Best Actress, Best Motion Picture, Adapted Screenplay)
Up (Animated Feature, Original Score, Best Motion Picture, Sound Editing, Original Screenplay)
A Serious Man (Best Motion Picture, Original Screenplay)
The Messenger (Woody Harrelson for Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay)
Julie & Julia (Meryl Streep for Best Actress)
A Single Man (Colin Firth for Best Actor)
Crazy Heart (Jeff Bridges for Best Actor, Maggie Gyllenhaal for Supporting Actress, Original Song)
The Last Station (Christopher Plummer for Supporting Actor, Helen Mirren for Best Actress
Nine (Penelope Cruz for Supporting Actress, Art Direction, Costume Design, Original Song
Star Trek * (Makeup, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects)
District 9 * (Film Editing, Best Motion Picture, Visual Effects, Adapted Screenplay)
Fantastic Mr. Fox (Animated Feature, Original Score)
The Lovely Bones (Stanley Tucci for Supporting Actor
(500) Days of Summer
It's Complicated
The Young Victoria (Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup)
Bright Star
The Informant


Because some of these films are still in theaters, or not released on Netflix until later March, the list will likely remain incomplete, so I'm focusing in on the really important ones so far. Actually, I made the mistake of starting with all the ones I was interested in seeing outside of wanting to complete the list, so... the next few weeks might lack in inspiration unless I'm really surprised.

The ones I've currently watched have *s next to them, and their individual reviews will follow. Till then, here's a short, hopefully frequently updated Shortlist you can use for easy reference:

THE SHORTLIST

Avatar * B. A grade for pure visual effects, if anything else. The plot is tried, but no untrue, but the greatest criminal activity is the highly underused but potentially huge characters. B is really for beautiful, beautiful, Beautiful.

The Hurt Locker * B+. Gritty, intense, with a brilliant sense of pacing inside individual scenes that doesn't quite make it to the whole picture. Very real deliveries from all actors. I support Jeremy Renner's nomination in this.

Inglourious Basterds * B-. Inventive storytelling, gratuitous use of violence, humorous caricatures that somehow still fill the screen. Yeah, it's Tarantino. Very brutal in its uncut gore, unforgiving, but a good round of fun if you don't take things personally. Holy crap, Christoph Waltz for his role. You'll never love and hate to be creeped out by another bad guy more.

Star Trek * C+, B. Fantastically fun, full of action and gumption. Unfortunately, also full of a less charming and more pushy-brat Kirk. Between him and an equally angsty Spock, there's no time for anyone else. Also, death by lens flare.

District 9 * A. The set-up and documentary style pulls you into an every day story about illegal aliens, from space. Earthy yet otherworldly, meaningful and visual. A fresh cast of faces you won't have to recognize from other films.


"Up" is currently in the queue.


1 month and 7 days left.