The Oscars 2016

[GibbonBlack]

I don't think Mad Max should be nominated for Best Picture and Matt Damon's performance in The Martian wasn't quite Oscar worthy but other than that there aren't many surprises here. Alicia Vikander should be in Best Actress, not Best Supporting but that kinda thing happens all the time.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35313266

[implanted_microchip]

I've got to go see The Big Short tonight; I've been interested in it and all the nominations is the push I've needed to get around to it.

Hopefully I'll get to see Carol this weekend or next week along with Brooklyn, thankfully there's a theatre nearby showing both.

I'm pretty happy about Mad Max getting so many nominations; I doubt it'll win many, but it's recognized alone and that's pretty great. It was critically lauded, well-loved by audiences and a genuinely impressive film in a lot of technical ways, and that's not nothing to shrug at.

Stallone for Best Supporting would make me pretty happy. When I first heard of Creed, I expected it to be a terrible attempt at cashing in on another aged franchise, and instead got a fantastic movie with Stallone's best performance since, well, the original Rocky.

The Revenant seems like a lock for a lot of things. I could see Lubezki getting a third consecutive Cinematography award and Iñárritu could very likely get a second consecutive Director award. Leo's got to have Best Actor this time around. I doubt he'll ever get it if he doesn't for this. I know I've seen some people talk about Redmayne, but he just won for Theory of Everything (which I still don't feel good about) and I'd be really surprised of he got it again.

Oddly enough I feel like a lot of the strongest competition's in the technical categories. Star Wars, The Revenant and Mad Max were all top of their game effects and design. Sicario getting sound mixing would be pretty great, but I doubt it. As a big Villeneuve fan, I'm just happy to see his work getting any sort of nominations.

I'm sure a lot of Quentin fans might get bitchy over Hateful Eight not getting that many nominations, but QT's been getting tons for a while now and I don't have a problem with them not giving it as much.

In general from everything I've seen this is all around a pretty decent if not safe year of nominees.

[richardp]

Nominations this year are soooooo predictable and boring. I don't know why every year I think "this is the year where they actually throw politics out the window!" and then am massively let down. It feels like the same like five or seven movies are nominated in every category. There barely feels like there's any diversity or anything. I STILL don't understand the hype on Mad Max either. Like, it was a good enjoyable film, but I don't think it's anywhere near worthy of Best Picture. And it's now 2016, I think it's time to get rid of the Best Song category. I really like The Weeknd, but that dude doesn't need an Oscar for this garbage ass Fifty Shades of Grey song. Oh, and I think it's fucking stupid that Anamolisa gets shoved into the Best Animated category. Completely deserves a spot in the Best Picture list. Same for Straight Outta Compton. One measly Screenplay nomination isn't anywhere NEAR enough.

I'm rooting for The Revenant in everything it's nominated in. Which in itself feels boring to me. "Oh I just want that one film to win in every category, because every category is too boring to spice it up a bit".

Whatever, I'm just super salty this morning from the news of Alan Rickman.

[elevenism]

Sicario was the best movie i saw in 2015. Straight Outta Compton was the 2nd best.

Star Wars i don't count because it wouldn't even make sense apart from the first 3.

Both of those movies deserve best picture nominations. So does Trumbo. All three of those are better than the Martian, Bridge of Spies, or Spotlight (IMHO, of course.)

[implanted_microchip]

It's worth keeping in mind that just because there's a limit of 10 BP nominees, the films only get nominated if they receive over five percent of votes in the nomination process. It's wholly possible that a good chunk of people voted for Sicario to be a nominee, but not enough did, or simply too few people heard of it/saw it.

Bridge of Spies doesn't surprise me at all and shouldn't really for anyone else. A well-reviewed Spielberg film is always kinda destined to be nominated. Whether that's fair or not, who knows, but it's pretty par for the course. I'm hopefully going to finally see it this weekend, despite not being the biggest Spielberg fan; my biggest complaint is that most of his movies are pretty okay and average enough to be universally agreed upon as good, and in that way end up feeling really safe. But regardless, that goes a long way at getting a lot of votes for the nomination. If everyone enjoyed something, it's likely going to get nominated, whereas something like Sicario might isolate a lot of viewers. The Martian seemed to have the same factor to its success -- everyone liked it. Maybe not many would call it a masterpiece, but it's largely agreeable, so it's then easy to build a lot of support around.

[Deepvoid]

I agree that Sicario should have been nominated for Best Picture.

I have not seen The Martian yet so I cannot comment on the Ridley Scott snub.
Sorkin not getting a Best Adapted Screenplay looks like another snub.

[Rabbit]

Love that Mad Max is getting this love from the Academy. It was easily my favorite film of last year. I have yet to see the Revenant, and the Big Short. I think i've seen everything else though.

[october_midnight]

Love that Mad Max is getting this love from the Academy. It was easily my favorite film of last year. I have yet to see the Revenant, and the Big Short. I think i've seen everything else though.

Definitely don't miss out on The Revenant....one of the best in a while.

[elevenism]

Just saw Room and it's fucking amazing.

The only one i haven't seen is Brooklyn
Rabbit , what do you HATE about the Oscar nominations? ;)

[Nyx]

The Martian being nominated for best picture and Damon for best actor is just laughable. It was such an average movie all around, I honestly don't get it.

[allegro]

I'm afraid to see "Room" because the book was so riveting and movies are so often shitty versions of the book (edit: except maybe "House of Sand and Fog").

[richardp]

The Martian being nominated for best picture and Damon for best actor is just laughable. It was such an average movie all around, I honestly don't get it.

Agreed 100%. That movie was an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but it doesn't deserve to be anywhere near Best Picture nominations.


I'm afraid to see "Room" because the book was so riveting and movies are so often shitty versions of the book (edit: except maybe "House of Sand and Fog").

Honestly, I hated Room. Because I read the book. The book was so goddamn dark and riveting, and the movie just turned the story into some corny Lifetime movie, in my opinion. Brie Larson really was fantastic in it, though.

[GibbonBlack]

I just spent the evening watching all of the Best Documentary nominations (except The Look of Silence which I'd already seen) and the best of the bunch by...not really a long shot so much as it's out there with the voyager probes whilst the rest are humbly on Earth is 'Winter on Fire'. I'm absolutely blown away by it.

[thevoid99]

Just saw Room and it's fucking amazing.

The only one i haven't seen is Brooklyn
@Rabbit (http://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=1764) , what do you HATE about the Oscar nominations? ;)

He's just upset that Get Hard and Aloha didn't receive any nominations ;)

[icecream]

Straight Outta Compton snubbed for acting isn't right. But I agree with some comments before that this is a pretty boring list. I feel the Revenant will be the big winner this year.

Thinking on it more, I can see Miller winning best director too. Revanent best picture lock thought.

[implanted_microchip]

Just got home from The Big Short, and I loved it. Had somewhat avoided it out of fear that I'd find it boring, but it's anything but. I'm really surprised to say that I'm genuinely happy it's got a BP nominee.

We can shit all over this year's nominees all we like but let's remind ourselves that the last year had things like The Imitation Game, Theory of Everything and American Sniper as "Best Picture" potentials. If The Martian's the worst of this list, then even if somewhat bland or predictable, it's a pretty decent list.

[elevenism]

Honestly, I hated Room. Because I read the book. The book was so goddamn dark and riveting, and the movie just turned the story into some corny Lifetime movie, in my opinion. Brie Larson really was fantastic in it, though.

I have been disappointed with every single book to film project i've ever seen if i have read the book first, from feeling that the flick UTTERLY failed to capture the book's theme, to complaining about every little thing that is different or left out. But if i see the movie FIRST, then it often ENHANCES the book, by "casting" the characters for my imagination (Depp in Secret Window Secret Garden being a great example) as interesting actors.
This is why i utterly dread The Dark Tower screen adaptation, even as i look forward to it.
For what its worth, i watched the Room today and adored it.
kleiner352 , i thought The Imitation Game was great, though i wish it would have had another hour about the terrible things that were done to AMT.
GibbonBlack , thanks for the recommendation about the doc. I'm turning it on as soon as i turn off this computer.

[kel]

amy schumer deserved a nod. her trainwreck performance was nuanced and intense. she blew former comedic nominees like melissa mccarthy away.

and since when are there a thousand bp nominees? is this new? the last time i watched the oscars there was like four or five.

[elevenism]

amy schumer deserved a nod. her trainwreck performance was nuanced and intense. she blew former comedic nominees like melissa mccarthy away.

and since when are there a thousand bp nominees? is this new? the last time i watched the oscars there was like four or five.
Here's an article about it (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-academy-weighing-return-five-779066)

They went from 5 to up to ten starting in 09, thinking it would boost viewership.
But now they are considering going back to five, because viewership HASN'T gone up, and some are arguing that the prestige of being nominated has been lost and the pool has (cough the martian cough cough) been watered down.

As to why some years have seen 9, 7, and 8 instead of ten, i have no idea.

[Rabbit]

@Rabbit (http://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=1764) , what do you HATE about the Oscar nominations? ;)

There's a lot i don't like about it. I hate how at times there's a clear political and/or social agenda at play. I don't like that it selects very safe, there's very little risk in their picks. There's also little diversity in tastes.

But what irks me above all else is the fact that you can campaign for noms and wins and that the biggest body of voters are fellow actors. It can make it a popularity contest when it shouldn't be. The Oscars' credibility has been dwindling for a while now but it still has a ways to go before it's worthless like the Grammys.

[elevenism]

There's a lot i don't like about it. I hate how at times there's a clear political and/or social agenda at play. I don't like that it selects very safe, there's very little risk in their picks. There's also little diversity in tastes.

But what irks me above all else is the fact that you can campaign for noms and wins and that the biggest body of voters are fellow actors. It can make it a popularity contest when it shouldn't be. The Oscars' credibility has been dwindling for a while now but it still has a ways to go before it's worthless like the Grammys.
i was just busting your balls, but well played, @Rabbit (http://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=1764) , well played.

i agree.


edit: okay, c0f3d , amy schumer deserved an oscar nomination?
i haven't seen any of her work, but i have great respect for her for posing nude, because women and girls are made to feel that only anorexic looking people are worthy of desire in a society where about 7 out of 10 are overweight.

SO

Now i'm REALLY intrigued.
What do i watch?

[GibbonBlack]

Now i'm REALLY intrigued.
What do i watch?

Not Trainwreck. They should make a special award for most apt title for that movie. And her stand up is pretty terrible too. Her show is really good though

[Self.Destructive.Pattern]

Amy Schumer is the most overrated, ridiculously not funny, comedian these days. And lets not act as if she is the first woman to pose nude or whatever for overweight women. Of course this is just opinion though. Trainwreck was OK, but no where near worthy of any nominations for an academy award... lets be real here.

I'm rooting for Leo all the way here. Man has been snubbed too many freaking times. I really wanted to see Sicario to get a nod because that movie was freaking great all around. Also, how many times can Matt Damon play almost the same role in getting saved in almost every movie he is in nowadays?

Weak, weak noms this year. I feel the Oscars become more and more irrelevant as the years go by. What a surprise.

Some more huge snubs:

Best Picture:

Creed
The Force Awakens
Ex Machina

Best Actor:

Johnny Depp
Will Smith in "Concussion". (Come on, his performance was stellar)

Best Animated:

The Peanuts Movie

Best Supporting:

Jason Mitchell
Idris Elba

[Rabbit]

A
Some more huge snubs:

Best Picture:

Creed
The Force Awakens
Ex Machina


I agree with Ex Machina. Another of my favorites of the year.

I won't even comment on your other selection there, you're trolling me.

[elevenism]

Oh yeah! i forgot about Black Mass!

I don't think Creed was best picture material though. The first act wasn't so hot.
And like i said about Star Wars, it wouldn't even make sense without the first three.
It was my FAVORITE movie, but not the BEST.

Ex Machina...i guess i need to watch that one again because i forgot what it was even about.

[implanted_microchip]

I would have loved to have seen Creed get a BP nominee. The minute I heard of it, I thought, "Oh, great, another cash-in on a dead franchise," and then I finally saw it ... incredible. Was really impressed with it, and I don't care for sports films most of the time at all.

If it's all about our personal favorites then I wish It Follows had a bajillion nominations, but I'm not going to get upset, because I realize that's really unlikely, and the same goes for Ex Machina -- it's a great movie, and has a cult following, and will continue to do so for years, especially since all three stars are beginning more and more major names, so you'll have a lot of people see it, recognize them, and watch it maybe completely blind by the time it's on Netflix or some equivalent.

I don't know, I usually find the awards pretty disappointing and somehow I don't mind this year. There's some oversights as always, and some poor decisions as always, but in recent years there have been far worse choices and far worse snubs.

I will say, and this stuns me that it's a sentence I'd ever find myself typing, but I really wish that Jason Segel could have gotten some kind of nomination for The End of the Tour. Amazing performance that brought David Foster Wallace to life.

Also as far as Star Wars goes, I was one of those people who went to see it several times and loved it and it'd absolutely make a favorites list of mine for the last year, but I'm not mad nor surprised it isn't a BP nominee. Could you imagine what the rabbit thread would look like if it was?

[allegro]

There's some oversights as always, and some poor decisions as always
Like, ALL the nominees are WHITE this year?

[kel]

Self.Destructive.Pattern i respectfully disagree with you. kleiner352 i would have loved to see it follows up for best score, at least. elevenism trainwreck and literally any episode from her comedy central show. she's NOT overrated. she worked her ass off to get where she is and uses her fame wisely. if you enjoyed bridesmaids (and who the fuck didn't?) you'll get the hype.

edit: amy posed nude? didn't know that, but okay. why was that brought up?

[implanted_microchip]

Like, ALL the nominees are WHITE this year?

Yeah, that sucks; Oyelowo should have been nominated for Selma instead of Cooper for Sniper last year and I would have loved to have seen Michael B. Jordan nominated for Creed this year, but neither happened. I also really wish Benicio del Toro had a Best Supporting nomination for Sicario this year.

I don't know, the tone of your comment makes it sound like that's somehow my fault? I'm not a voter, as much as I'd like to be. But I don't know, who would you have preferred seeing get nominated in what categories that are PoC instead of the white people that were nominated? That actually creates more of a discussion as opposed to just saying that and not adding anything else, it doesn't offer a lot to work with, dialogue-wise.

[allegro]

I don't know, the tone of your comment makes it sound like that's somehow my fault?

How the HELL could it be YOUR fault? I don't get it. I was simply pointing it out, as has nearly every film critic I've seen on TV.

[implanted_microchip]

allegro I've just kinda learned to take all caps as really hostile, my apologies for misunderstanding.

It's worth talking about but I'd say that more than anything it's Hollywood's issue, not just the Academy's, for not having enough diversity in major roles to begin with. I think when Viola Davis won the Best Actress Emmy last year she even said "You can't win awards for roles that aren't there."

[allegro]

allegro I've just kinda learned to take all caps as really hostile, my apologies for misunderstanding.

It's worth talking about but I'd say that more than anything it's Hollywood's issue, not just the Academy's, for not having enough diversity in major roles to begin with. I think when Viola Davis won the Best Actress Emmy last year she even said "You can't win awards for roles that aren't there."
Very true, but they could have at least nominated Will Smith or Idris Elba (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oscars-2016-black-actors-snubbed-oscarssowhite-picks-up-again/)?

[GibbonBlack]

They trouble is there isn't a they. It's just folks who vote and whoever is voted for the most gets the nominations. No one gets in a room and decides who's going to be nominated.

[allegro]

They trouble is there isn't a they. It's just folks who vote and whoever is voted for the most gets the nominations. No one gets in a room and decides who's going to be nominated.
Well, see, the "they" are mostly white people, that's the point. The "they" is the Academy which is primarily comprised of people who have already won, who happen to be a bunch of white people who, perhaps unwittingly or subconsciously, often overlook non-whites in the industry.

This isn't some crap shoot. The Academy members are fed with suggestions, screeners, etc. before making nominations.

[GibbonBlack]

I understand that. But 'they' can't ensure that a black person will get nominated without massively rigging the system. As someone said earlier the trouble is the roles and the casting.

[implanted_microchip]

Very true, but they could have at least nominated Will Smith or Idris Elba (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oscars-2016-black-actors-snubbed-oscarssowhite-picks-up-again/)?

I've not seen Concussion so I have zero ability to really say anything about it, but yeah, Elba was a total snub. However a bigger thing to keep in mind is that the movie he was in, being a Netflix original, is kinda challenging the traditional industry and release models, and while they did get two doc noms, that's it, and that category is way less of a big deal to the general public.

That said, What Happened, Miss Simone? is entirely about Nina Simone and has a best doc nom (which is totally deserved; I adored that documentary).

I don't know, this is the same Academy where Selma had a Best Picture nomination a year ago, 12 Years a Slave won Best Picture, had a Best Actor nomination and won Best Adapted Screenplay a couple years ago, Django Unchained received a litany of nominations and Denzel Washington had a Best Actor nomination three years ago, and a Mexican filmmaker won Best Director two years ago, another Mexican filmmaker won it last year and is poised to do it a second time consecutively this year.

I'm not pretending there isn't an issue, there totally is, but it seems less to do with the Academy itself and more with the general casting in Hollywood to begin with. There's a lack of strong leading roles for non-white actors. Should the Academy recognize them more often? Totally, no question. Should they shoe-horn them in, though? Of course not. Regardless I don't think the level of outrage around it, especially this year, is really as reasonable as it seems to be from a lot of people. It's something to talk about, but it says way more about the major film industry than it does about the Academy and that's where the actual change would get made to begin with.

[allegro]

I understand that. But 'they' can't ensure that a black person will get nominated without massively rigging the system.
Well, right, and there can't be token nominees, either. But there's a lot of complainin' this year about "#OscarsSoWhite." (I didn't make this up (http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/14/entertainment/oscars-so-white-protest-nominations-feat/).)

[elevenism]

edit: amy posed nude? didn't know that, but okay. why was that brought up?

because that's all i really know about her and


i have great respect for her for posing nude, because women and girls are made to feel that only anorexic looking people are worthy of desire in a society where about 7 out of 10 are overweight.

i don't really watch comedy movies because it's SO fucking hard to find one that's actually funny.
it's like finding a horror movie that actually scares you-it's SO fucking subjective that it's damn near impossible


Edit: isn't this year 2 of all white oscars?
A couple of years ago, the best movie i saw was The Butler (no nomination.)
Flight should have won best picture.
It keeps happening (i'm not gonna try to remember the years on those)

Doogie Howser last year made a joke about "honoring hollywood's best and whitest" and the room seemed pretty goddamn uncomfortable.

[implanted_microchip]

Please tell me everyone else saw Chris Rock's opening monologue

[Swykk]

"Academy Award winner Adam McKay" is an awesome thing that I never would've guessed would happen.

Me? I'd have given Oscars to the cast and crew of Anchorman in 2004.

[Deadpool]

Please tell me everyone else saw Chris Rock's opening monologue

That monologue was

so

good.

[implanted_microchip]

And that skit of roles given to black actors with Tracy Morgan as The Danish Girl floored me, good god. They've pulled no punches.

Also both screenplay awards went to what I wanted to see win.

[Deadpool]

Three oscars in a row thus far for Mad Max!!!!!

[marodi]

And now 4 for Mad Max. I'm starting to think George Miller may have a chance at Best Directing!

edit: whoa, make that 6! The Revenant is really looking like a loser right now.

[implanted_microchip]

This is the most enjoyable Oscars ceremony I've sat and watched. Other than that tone deaf Writing On the Wall performance it's been funny, breezy, to the point and entertaining. Mad Max is just gobbling up the technical awards this year. Lubezki getting cinematography made me extremely happy.

And an Andy Serkis tribute!

[Conan The Barbarian]

Did Andy serkis just flip the academy off?

[marodi]

Wow! Stallone was supposedly a shoe-in for that one. Leo's getting very worried right now...

[thevoid99]

That wanker Redmayne better not win another Oscar. I'm really hating that bitch.

[TheyCallMeDrug]

really happy to see mad max cleaning it up!

[implanted_microchip]

Louis CK's "Mad Max?" line was so goddamned good.

Supporting Actor was the most stacked in my opinion and Rylance was the only nominee I didn't see as deserving in their nomination. Would've voted Ruffalo, personally.

Amy getting Best Doc makes me pretty happy.

[Deadpool]

I really wish Paul Dano and/or Brian Wilson performed "God Only Knows" tonight... or that Love & Mercy was nominated for anything :(

[thevoid99]

What fucking chode Sam Smith has an Oscar for a terrible song? FUCK YOU OSCARS!!! At least the Maestro finally won one.

[implanted_microchip]

Alejandro got Best Director, I'm completely satisfied with this year.

[thevoid99]

BRIE-MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

Fuck yeah! Brie Larson won. Suck on that J-Law!

[thevoid99]

About fucking time!!!!

[Conan The Barbarian]

Wow, mad Max won all that and didn't pull out the big one.

[thevoid99]

I didn't see that coming but I'm not upset since Spotlight was a fucking good movie.

[marodi]

FUCK YES SPOTLIGHT!!!!

And congrats to Leo. He's a great actor and a great human being. His heart is in the right place.

[Conan The Barbarian]

Lol i don't know how I feel with the show ending with fight the power.

[Conan The Barbarian]

And chewie at the very end out of nowhere lol

[implanted_microchip]

I've been gunning for Spotlight since I saw it and I'm incredibly happy it won. All around pleased with this year with few things I disagreed with. Leo deserved it this year and unoriginal people will need to find someone new to bitch about not getting an award. One of the best ceremonies I've seen from the Academy, and I thought Chris Rock wrecked it. I'd love to see him return as host again.

[thevoid99]

OK, what the fuck was that thing with Stacey Dash? Was that supposed to be funny?

[Deadpool]

Really happy about Mad Max's wins but George Miller should have won for Best Director, and Best Picture too, of course, but the director snub really bothers me.

I see glimmers of awesomeness in Inarritu, but I am simply not a fan of his movies, and that sucks because he seems like a really warm, intelligent guy.

[Conan The Barbarian]

OK, what the fuck was that thing with Stacey Dash? Was that supposed to be funny?
She had mentioned something on an interview that if blacks wanted to get racism abolished they needed to get rid of BET and other all black things. Meaning looking past skin color and try to be equal.

People lost their shit. People took her blackness away blah blah blah.

So I chuckled at the joke. Plus she is hot.

[Jinsai]

The only win I really cared about (outside of technical awards, which thankfully went to Mad Max) was Spotlight getting best picture. FUCK YEAH. This is important.

[Deepvoid]

Spotlight was amazing and deserves the the big one.
Glad The Big Short took adapted Screenplay. Another great movie.
Chris Rock's opening monologue was awesome! Louis CK was funny as usual.

The Stacey Dash skit was awkward.

[marodi]

Most important thing I've learned last night: Rocky is a science-fiction movie.

This year's In Memoriam was especially hard to watch, I started crying right at Wes Craven and at Leonard Nimoy's Spock ("I have been and always shall be your friend") I was bawling out loud. But where were Abe Vigoda and Uggie?

And il Maestro Ennio Morricone wasn't interrupted during his speech. The musicians showed respect for a true legend.

Also: Jacob Tremblay is adorable.

[Exocet]

Im glad to see that Amy Winehouse documentary won the Best Documentary Oscar.

One of the most powerful films ive seen in years. I was not even an Amy Winehouse fan at all.
But Sam Smith winning.....really? Song was painfully average

[GibbonBlack]

I'm not trying to be contrary or anything but I really think Spotlight is a dull film with an important story and as such didn't deserve best picture. That being said I'm not going to get bent out of shape about it.

All of the best documentary nominees are fantastic but everyone should watch Winter on Fire, it's phenomenal

[Deadpool]

I'm not trying to be contrary or anything but I really think Spotlight is a dull film with an important story and as such didn't deserve best picture. That being said I'm not going to get bent out of shape about it.

My thoughts exactly. Spotlight is fine enough, and I have no specific complaints about it, but I did find it incredibly boring. It's cool that it accurately portrayed the world of journalism, but that was also its weakness if you ask me. The impression I got is that it would have made a much more compelling documentary feature/series, or book, no? Nothing about it felt inherently cinematic, like the only & best place to tell the story was through a film. Compare that to Fury Road, which plays best on the massive canvas of a movie theater, with towering sound, and was deliberately shot so you "don't need subtitles to watch it Japan" (to quote Miller quoting Hitchcock). But hey, Mad Max was still the best reviewed movie of the year and got recognized plenty, so how angry can one be?

In any case, I do look forward to seeing Spotlight again at some point and I'd rather it win than The Revenant.

[Vertigo]

Didn't really back a contender this year, I've seen most but didn't think any of them were five-star unmissables. Last year was pretty ridiculous though with Whiplash, Boyhood, Nightcrawler, Imitation Game, Foxcatcher, Interstellar and Citizenfour, along with a slew of decent entries.

In Memoriam hit me unusually hard though, because I'd forgotten that Christopher Lee and James Horner had passed away this year. Horrible, horrible year.

Chris Rock was great though, really unusual for a presenter to sound like they wrote the material themselves.

[Swykk]

I'm really disappointed in Christian Bale for eating a thin mint before they could be properly frozen and thoroughly ready for consumption. Desperation is a stinky cologne.
I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and write it off as him having a bad taste in his mouth and therefore a room temperature thin mint would suffice.

[marodi]

My thoughts exactly. Spotlight is fine enough, and I have no specific complaints about it, but I did find it incredibly boring. It's cool that it accurately portrayed the world of journalism, but that was also its weakness if you ask me. The impression I got is that it would have made a much more compelling documentary feature/series, or book, no? Nothing about it felt inherently cinematic, like the only & best place to tell the story was through a film. Compare that to Fury Road, which plays best on the massive canvas of a movie theater, with towering sound, and was deliberately shot so you "don't need subtitles to watch it Japan" (to quote Miller quoting Hitchcock). But hey, Mad Max was still the best reviewed movie of the year and got recognized plenty, so how angry can one be?

In any case, I do look forward to seeing Spotlight again at some point and I'd rather it win than The Revenant.

I'm thinking you would not care much for All the President's Men then. One of my all time favorite movies also. :)

[elevenism]

marodi , Uggie is a dog, right?
I think they only honor people.

[WorzelG]

Doesn't the fact that Sam Smith has an Oscar and is halfway to an EGOT really demean the Oscars? He's rubbish

[GibbonBlack]

His performance was terrible. Like drunk kareoke

[Jinsai]

Sam Smith fucking sucks so much... I think everyone who voted for his shitty Bond song felt ashamed after Lady Gaga's performance.

And if they didn't, to hear him try to declare himself the first openly gay academy award winner was disgusting. Ian wasn't saying that, you moron, and you're not up for consideration for Best Actor.

Have you never heard of fucking Elton John before, you conceited narcissist? Go rip off another Tom Petty song.

[GibbonBlack]

I loved Lady Gaga's performance, I'd never heard the song before, and thought the victims coming out was a powerful touch but I couldn't help but think of the end of Close Encounters of the Third Kind when they first appeared

[marodi]

@marodi (http://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=125) , Uggie is a dog, right?
I think they only honor people.

Well yes, he is a dog. And maybe they only honor people. But he was an actor too, darn it! He should have been remembered... although after all the human actors that they have forgotten too.

RIP Uggie, I'll never forget you!

http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/560/cpsprodpb/6633/production/_84836162_uggie2_getty.jpg

ps: Sam Smith is a freaking joke. Gaga was robbed.

[elevenism]

What is Sam Smith?

I was very disappointed that Sicario wasn't up for (a lot) more awards. Taut, powerful thrillers are one of my favorite things to watch, but they are rarely done right (for me, anyway. i have no film degree nor have i ever worked in the film industry ;) )
Sicario is that rare flick that nails it in this genre-the tension, the twists, the drama, the killer performances. And it shined a much needed light on what's REALLY happening with our "war on drugs." It had incredible cinematography as well.

And Straight Outta Compton. Sigh.
I was kinda frustrated with the picks this year.

[Millionaire]

I was very disappointed that Sicario wasn't up for (a lot) more awards. Taut, powerful thrillers are one of my favorite things to watch, but they are rarely done right (for me, anyway. i have no film degree nor have i ever worked in the film industry ;) )
The fact that Sicario wasn't nommed out the ass further cemented my view of the increasing irrelevance of the Academy Awards. Especially del Toro for best supporting actor.

[bobbie solo]

fuck Gaga, I thought The Weeknd got snubbed. Earned it isn't the best song ever, but it was the best one nominated. That's my dude right there.

If the voters decided to NOT give a big epic like Revenant or Mad Max the Best Picture win, I can understand that. BUT, if that's what you are gonna do, how do you go with Spotlight over The Big Short? The issues in The Big Short are bigger and more important, there are more standout performances from the likes of Gosling, Bale & Carrell, and it's just a livelier movie. I thought Spotlight was awesome, make no mistake. But it is not a triumph in filmmaking like the other 3 movies I mentioned.

[bobbie solo]

I thought most of Rock's jokes landed well, but I would have liked to see some more diversity in topics. To just beat the black issues drum for the entire show got tedious. I loved though when after the Gaga performance, he just said something like "nope, not making a joke there". haha

Louis CK killed it in his little bit. Love that man.

Btw, the move with the Oscars is not to watch live. DVR that shit, start it a good 90 minutes to two hours in, and just skip all the bullshit (cough cough Sam Smith) and commercials. We banged out the whole thing in under two hours I think.

[WorzelG]

fuck Gaga, I thought The Weeknd got snubbed. Earned it isn't the best song ever, but it was the best one nominated. That's my dude right there.This is my problem with Best Song category, it just seems an excuse to give flavour of the month pop stars Oscars when they aren't really deserving. Didn't Celine Dion win for one of the worst songs of all time, my heart will go on? Also no offence to The Weeknd but I saw Fifty Shades of Grey and that pile of shit film should not be winning any Oscars

[Jinsai]

BUT, if that's what you are gonna do, how do you go with Spotlight over The Big Short? The issues in The Big Short are bigger and more important

No... Spotlight is a movie that couldn't have gotten traction a decade ago. It's talking about something important, something that most people still don't fully understand or acknowledge. It's revolutionary, and by far the most important film of the year.

[bobbie solo]

it's not a better exercise in overall filmmaking, acting, editing, etc than The Big Short.

[center27j]

it's not a better exercise in overall filmmaking, acting, editing, etc than The Big Short.

agreed 100%

spotlight may be a good story, but wow..that was more yawn inducing than the revenant. two awful movies that highlighted the worst oscars i can recall seeing.

[implanted_microchip]

the worst oscars i can recall seeing.

Guess you never saw the year Crash won Best Picture or many of the other years where genuinely bad films took home BP. Or, really, any of the years where awful movies were nominated and highlighted.

Personally I found Spotlight to be the most emotionally impacting movie I saw in a theatre last year. The entire audience was either dead silent or in heated murmuring when the lights went up as the credits rolled and a number of people were crying quietly. It was intense, and affecting, and it worked for a lot of people, myself included. I felt that the final scene was incredibly powerful and moving and gave me some very strong and very mixed emotions. Ruffalo killed it, McAdams was great, the rest of the cast was strong and it managed to tackle a very difficult, very touchy subject in a way that was both revealing and yet respectful. And, somehow, it managed to avoid becoming a movie whose message was "Isn't religion shitty guys," and instead focused on how this was a failing of institutions across the board, and a corruption of them.

I loved, loved, loved Spotlight. And I enjoyed all the BP nominees (though I've yet to see Brooklyn, unfortunately). Some maybe shouldn't have been nominated, and maybe a couple films should've been on the list instead, but nothing overtly bad was considered -- compared to last year, where we had fucking Theory of Everything and American Sniper being considered as the "best picture."

This is the Academy that gave Best Picture to Kramer v. Kramer instead of Apocalypse Now. This is the Academy that didn't give Best Picture to Citizen Kane. They have never been, and they will never be perfect. This year was a hell of a lot better than a lot of others, even if it was pretty "safe." I'll take safe over shitshow any day.

[marodi]

This is the Academy that gave Best Picture to Kramer v. Kramer instead of Apocalypse Now. This is the Academy that didn't give Best Picture to Citizen Kane. They have never been, and they will never be perfect. This year was a hell of a lot better than a lot of others, even if it was pretty "safe." I'll take safe over shitshow any day.

This is the Academy that gave Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love over Elizabeth, Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line.

It's been 17 years and I still don't get it.

About Spotlight: Even the Vatican newspaper is praising it. (http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/mar/01/vatican-newspaper-spotlight-oscars-best-picture) That is one heck of an endorsement.

[implanted_microchip]

This is the Academy that gave Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love over Elizabeth, Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line.

It's been 17 years and I still don't get it.

Yeah, their list of crimes is long and that is just in the Best Picture category, let alone everything else. I actually watched SiL for the first time this past year after figuring I may as well see what everyone was so mad about, and good Christ ... I'm typically a bit more forgiving about the types of "Oscar-bait" movies that often win, and even I loathed it. Like, really couldn't stand it and longed for the credits to roll. I'm mystified by the praise, and Roger Ebert's review only puzzles me more.

Even if Spotlight isn't someone's kind of thing, you'd have a hard time convincing me it's a bad movie. They've given the statue to far, far worse in the past, and with 12 Years a Slave, Birdman and Spotlight being the winners these past three years, they're making far better choices as of late than they have in a while as far as I'm concerned.

[center27j]

Guess you never saw the year Crash won Best Picture or many of the other years where genuinely bad films took home BP. Or, really, any of the years where awful movies were nominated and highlighted.

Personally I found Spotlight to be the most emotionally impacting movie I saw in a theatre last year. The entire audience was either dead silent or in heated murmuring when the lights went up as the credits rolled and a number of people were crying quietly. It was intense, and affecting, and it worked for a lot of people, myself included. I felt that the final scene was incredibly powerful and moving and gave me some very strong and very mixed emotions. Ruffalo killed it, McAdams was great, the rest of the cast was strong and it managed to tackle a very difficult, very touchy subject in a way that was both revealing and yet respectful. And, somehow, it managed to avoid becoming a movie whose message was "Isn't religion shitty guys," and instead focused on how this was a failing of institutions across the board, and a corruption of them.

I loved, loved, loved Spotlight. And I enjoyed all the BP nominees (though I've yet to see Brooklyn, unfortunately). Some maybe shouldn't have been nominated, and maybe a couple films should've been on the list instead, but nothing overtly bad was considered -- compared to last year, where we had fucking Theory of Everything and American Sniper being considered as the "best picture."

This is the Academy that gave Best Picture to Kramer v. Kramer instead of Apocalypse Now. This is the Academy that didn't give Best Picture to Citizen Kane. They have never been, and they will never be perfect. This year was a hell of a lot better than a lot of others, even if it was pretty "safe." I'll take safe over shitshow any day.

i was referring to the entire show, where i felt like i was being preached to w/ whatever flavor of the month liberal hollywood was trying to spoon feed us. outside of the actual award presentations nothing was about actual films (prob why i turned it off halfway through).