Tue 15 Jan 2008
Oh dear. I’m really behind with my updating chores. I’ve been away for a couple of days and then took the time to bring my Hebrew language movie blog up to speed.
Few quick updates:
- Told you “Diving Bell” will be big? Told you it will be this year’s “The Pianist”? It’s happening. Julian Schnabel snatched the Golden Globe for best director right under the Coen Brothers’ nose. And the movie was just nominated for a PGA.
- The HFPA and the BAFTAs prove: those who are not American don’t quite dig “No Country For Old Men”. Heck, they don’t dig westerns. It’s too much of an American mythology. And a damn creepy one. “Unforgiven” lost the Golden Globe to “Scent of a Woman” and the BAFTA to “Howard’s End”. So “Atonement” will still probably win the BAFTA. And although it’s not on either the PGA or DGA list of nominees I still see “Atonement” as a Best Picture Oscar nominee.
- I’m still rooting for “There Will Be Blood” for Best Picture.
- Ken Rudolph, the academy member whose blogged I linked to last week, was gentleman enough to post a comment on my site:
Thanks for the kind words. However, don’t expect my favorites to make it to the final nine. Some will, most won’t. I don’t think of myself as an average member of the foreign language film committee…and history bears that out. I have just one vote; and I can attest that there is no collusion on the part of the committee members at any level. My taste for the more avant guard submissions is a minority one, for sure.
Thanks Mr. Rudolph. Your site is indeed a great read. But your comment made me think: are active Oscar voters allowed to publicly prognosticate the outcome of the Academy Awards? If there is no clause barring it, it would be great to read (either on your blog or mine) which films you voted for and which do you think have the highest chances of being nominated.
January 15th, 2008 at 2:17 am
For the past few years a notice has been sent with the final Oscar ballot which says in effect that it is strongly discouraged for Academy members to publicly disclose their votes. As far as I know this restriction doesn’t apply to guesses of the possibly nominated films. However, with the exception of my guesses of the foreign language nominees I have always kept my ballot and personal votes secret, and will continue to do so.
I figure this even extends to making public prognostications based on personal knowledge. Not that I have any special qualifications other than knowing several Academy members (but not a usefully representative sample by any means.) I used to win office Oscar pools on occasion…but lately I have been eschewing even those. So, regrettably, I won’t be making such a contribution to your blog or my own. But I appreciate the implied compliment.
January 15th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Yair — Great call on the “Diving Bell”. I’ve had it in my top 5 for picture/director for awhile now, but you were one of the first people who predicted it for the big categories back when the awards season just started.
I sent you an e-mail and I’m sure you’ll have many similar ones when you check it, but just in case you check here first — “Beaufort” is one of the 9 shortlisted films for “Best Foreign Film”. As if that’s not a big enough shock, “4 Months..”, “The Orphanage” and “Persepolis” are all out.
Cedar should start working on a speech (not saying he’ll win, but his chances for a nom look pretty great now.)
January 15th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
OMG who are these people who choose these movies… Where is “Persepolis”, “4 months…”, “The Edge of Heaven”…. where was “City of God” and other great movies?