Robin PottratzMy Memo to the Academy: 2009
January 16th 2009 22:54
Well, its that time again. The Golden Globes have come and gone and have set the stage for the Oscars and most of the nominees have been projected. However, when looking at the Oscar projections from the so-called "Experts," I couldn't help but notice some omissions that I feel deserve some recognition. None of my picks will likely be nominated, but I will feel cathartically better knowing that I wrote a post that maybe 40 people will read.
Best Supporting Actress:
Favorites:
Kate Winslet The Reader
Viola Davis Doubt
Penelope Cruz Vicky Christina Barcelona
My Suggestions:
Kathy Bates for Revolutionary Road: Is it so wrong to want to honor a screen vet for continuing to do consistently excellent work? Her nosy real estate lady is able to break the frequent tension with a high pitched "YOO-HOO." She is also a loving mother to her ill son and is a forgotten player in a film of giants.
Ari Graynor for Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist: What!? Am I really suggesting that the drunk mess who reached into a toilet full of puke to retrieve her gum be nominated for an Oscar...you're damn right I am. Graynor elevated a mediocre film into passable entertainment for being willing to be a hottie who is willing to slum. There is nothing more admirable than that in my eyes.
Best Supporting Actor
Favorites:
Heath Ledger The Dark Knight
Phillip Seymour Hoffman Doubt
Josh Brolin Milk
Robert Downey Jr. Tropic Thunder
Suggestions:
Jason Butler Harner for Changeling: Harner shouldn't just be nominated...he should win the damn thing for his depiction of true and uncompromising villainy in this knockout of a drama from Clint Eastwood. He goes from ravenous murderer to charming media villain with remarkable and chilling ease. Academy I implore you...NOMINATE THIS MAN!!
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road: Michael Shannon is a complete unknown, but he steals every scene he is in from his more famous co-stars. His vile, truth spewing mouth becomes a more devastating weapon than the tools seen in any superhero flick. Shannon is truly something special and deserves some Oscar love.
Best Actor
Favorites:
Sean Penn Milk
Mickey Rourke The Wrestler
Frank Langella Frost/Nixon
Suggestion:
Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man: What!?, well there can be only one comic book movie up for Oscar Consideration...and it has to be the one that's overlong and has a dead guy. Psh I say, Robert Downey Jr. is back with this performance that is one part drive and one part oozing charisma. Downey is a lock for Tropic Thunder so this would seem unlikely, but you can't blame a guy for trying.
Best Actress
Favorites:
Kate Winslet Revolutionary Road
Meryl Streep Doubt
Anne Hathaway Rachel Getting Married
Suggestions:
None - I'm sorry...I've got nothing.
Best Original Screenplay:
Favorites:
Jenny Lumet Rachel Getting Married
Dustin Lance Black Milk
Suggestions:
Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen for Tropic Thunder: So do you think that Robert Downey Jr, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Tom Cruise were all hilarious while saying...nothing? This script hilariously skewers Hollywood and left us in stitches in the process.
J. Michael Straczynski for Changeling: Confession, I loved Changeling. This is an incredibly layered story that never loses its way and makes every scene count and hurt. We could thank Clint Eastwood's direction...but I say give some love to Straczynski for his tremendous screenplay.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Favorites:
Simon Beaufoy Slumdog Millionaire
Eric Roth The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Peter Morgan Frost/Nixon
Suggestion:
William Monahan for Body of Lies: This movie was a disappointment for some...but not for me. I thought that it was explosive and entertaining...but also thought provoking...which can be attributed directly to the screenplay by veteran screenwriter Monahan. It won't get any love...but at least I've made my peace.
Best Director
Favorites:
Danny Boyle Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Gus Van Sant Milk
Suggestion:
Darren Aronofsky for The Wrestler: All the praise has gone to Mickey Rourke's performance as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, but look closer. You will see the gritty realism and intimacy that Aronofsky was able to bring to the world of squared circle mayhem. The Wrestler is a devastating film thanks to Mickey Rourke...but also thanks to Darren Aronofsky.
Best Picture
Favorites:
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Frost/Nixon
Suggestions:
Changeling: Clint Eastwood continues to amaze. Even at 78 he is still churning out powerful dramas and Changeling delivers on all points. Anchored by a powerful performance from Angelina Jolie, and assisted with great supporting nods by Jason Butler Harner and Amy Ryan, Clint Eastwood's story about a phone operator whose son goes missing and must deal with police corruption is a beautiful film that takes a piece of you. So I beg: Academy Take Note.
The Wrestler: This stunner of a film is about far more than the performance of Mickey Rourke. Don't get me wrong, Rourke delivers the best film performance of 2008, but that would be selling short what Darren Aronofsky has accomplished with this simple story about a washed up wrestler that is anything but simple. It is also heartbreaking and joyous. The Wrestler is a truly great film and deserves to be acknowledged by the academy for being just that...great.
Those are my thoughts and suggestions for what the Academy should do when the nominations are announced. I doubt anyone with any influence will see this...but at least it was cathartic for me. Tune in when the nominations are announced...and hopefully I will be able to say those four magical words:
I Told You So.
Best Supporting Actress:
Favorites:
Kate Winslet The Reader
Viola Davis Doubt
Penelope Cruz Vicky Christina Barcelona
My Suggestions:
Kathy Bates for Revolutionary Road: Is it so wrong to want to honor a screen vet for continuing to do consistently excellent work? Her nosy real estate lady is able to break the frequent tension with a high pitched "YOO-HOO." She is also a loving mother to her ill son and is a forgotten player in a film of giants.
Ari Graynor for Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist: What!? Am I really suggesting that the drunk mess who reached into a toilet full of puke to retrieve her gum be nominated for an Oscar...you're damn right I am. Graynor elevated a mediocre film into passable entertainment for being willing to be a hottie who is willing to slum. There is nothing more admirable than that in my eyes.
Best Supporting Actor
Favorites:
Heath Ledger The Dark Knight
Phillip Seymour Hoffman Doubt
Josh Brolin Milk
Robert Downey Jr. Tropic Thunder
Suggestions:
Jason Butler Harner for Changeling: Harner shouldn't just be nominated...he should win the damn thing for his depiction of true and uncompromising villainy in this knockout of a drama from Clint Eastwood. He goes from ravenous murderer to charming media villain with remarkable and chilling ease. Academy I implore you...NOMINATE THIS MAN!!
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road: Michael Shannon is a complete unknown, but he steals every scene he is in from his more famous co-stars. His vile, truth spewing mouth becomes a more devastating weapon than the tools seen in any superhero flick. Shannon is truly something special and deserves some Oscar love.
Best Actor
Favorites:
Sean Penn Milk
Mickey Rourke The Wrestler
Frank Langella Frost/Nixon
Suggestion:
Robert Downey Jr. for Iron Man: What!?, well there can be only one comic book movie up for Oscar Consideration...and it has to be the one that's overlong and has a dead guy. Psh I say, Robert Downey Jr. is back with this performance that is one part drive and one part oozing charisma. Downey is a lock for Tropic Thunder so this would seem unlikely, but you can't blame a guy for trying.
Best Actress
Favorites:
Kate Winslet Revolutionary Road
Meryl Streep Doubt
Anne Hathaway Rachel Getting Married
Suggestions:
None - I'm sorry...I've got nothing.
Best Original Screenplay:
Favorites:
Jenny Lumet Rachel Getting Married
Dustin Lance Black Milk
Suggestions:
Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen for Tropic Thunder: So do you think that Robert Downey Jr, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Tom Cruise were all hilarious while saying...nothing? This script hilariously skewers Hollywood and left us in stitches in the process.
J. Michael Straczynski for Changeling: Confession, I loved Changeling. This is an incredibly layered story that never loses its way and makes every scene count and hurt. We could thank Clint Eastwood's direction...but I say give some love to Straczynski for his tremendous screenplay.
Best Adapted Screenplay
Favorites:
Simon Beaufoy Slumdog Millionaire
Eric Roth The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Peter Morgan Frost/Nixon
Suggestion:
William Monahan for Body of Lies: This movie was a disappointment for some...but not for me. I thought that it was explosive and entertaining...but also thought provoking...which can be attributed directly to the screenplay by veteran screenwriter Monahan. It won't get any love...but at least I've made my peace.
Best Director
Favorites:
Danny Boyle Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Gus Van Sant Milk
Suggestion:
Darren Aronofsky for The Wrestler: All the praise has gone to Mickey Rourke's performance as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, but look closer. You will see the gritty realism and intimacy that Aronofsky was able to bring to the world of squared circle mayhem. The Wrestler is a devastating film thanks to Mickey Rourke...but also thanks to Darren Aronofsky.
Best Picture
Favorites:
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Frost/Nixon
Suggestions:
Changeling: Clint Eastwood continues to amaze. Even at 78 he is still churning out powerful dramas and Changeling delivers on all points. Anchored by a powerful performance from Angelina Jolie, and assisted with great supporting nods by Jason Butler Harner and Amy Ryan, Clint Eastwood's story about a phone operator whose son goes missing and must deal with police corruption is a beautiful film that takes a piece of you. So I beg: Academy Take Note.
The Wrestler: This stunner of a film is about far more than the performance of Mickey Rourke. Don't get me wrong, Rourke delivers the best film performance of 2008, but that would be selling short what Darren Aronofsky has accomplished with this simple story about a washed up wrestler that is anything but simple. It is also heartbreaking and joyous. The Wrestler is a truly great film and deserves to be acknowledged by the academy for being just that...great.
Those are my thoughts and suggestions for what the Academy should do when the nominations are announced. I doubt anyone with any influence will see this...but at least it was cathartic for me. Tune in when the nominations are announced...and hopefully I will be able to say those four magical words:
I Told You So.
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