Aw. I was hoping Watchmen still had a chance. Dang it.

I think Star Trek and The Hangover need to be in the final 10 as an acknowledgment of winning over critics and audiences. Avatar is a no-brainer, and the other 7, I suspect, will be marginalized movies seen by as many folks as La Vie En Rose - or less.

To get in the final 10, a film needs a certain number of #1 votes, then a good deal of support in the 2-5 positions.

Exactly how many #1 votes will The Hangover have?

Two? Four? Fewer?

(For the record, Todd Phillips and one of the other producers are Academy members; a quick glance at the credits doesn't reveal any likely others, including the cast. I have a hard time seeing him canvassing his colleagues and people who have worked with him to push the film. He is a previous nominee as one of several Borat writers.)

It will be one of the first films eliminated if indeed it gets any #1 votes at all.

If they wanted to help a broad group of hits, they had to drop the preferential voting. This system will get the Dark Knights of the world into the final 10 probably, and perhaps an animation hit on the level of WALL-E. But a commercial hit is going to have to be on the level of Spider-Man success - including generally credible/favorable reviews, better yet if from an established director - with the preferential system.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,

I was late seeing "The Road," but finally caught up with it today. Don't believe the bashers. It's FANTASTIC. Gonna get a lot of #1 ranked votes even though it's shockingly grim, thus not appealing across the whole academy. One of my fave movies of the year along with "Precious"

Tom you been drinking again and taken to meloncholly?! Liking such depressing pictures you are. Wondering if you'll rave over Antichrist.

quote:

Originally posted by PaulHan:
I think Star Trek and The Hangover need to be in the final 10 as an acknowledgment of winning over critics and audiences. Avatar is a no-brainer, and the other 7, I suspect, will be marginalized movies seen by as many folks as La Vie En Rose - or less.

I don't see why "Avatar" is a no-brainer since it could be as laughable as it looks from the trailer.

Also, there is no reason to believe the vast majority of the best picture line-up will be very little seen. "Up" was a big box-office hit... and combined box-office and stellar reviews much more significantly than "Star Trek" and "The Hangover". "The Lovely Bones", "Invictus" and "Up In the Air" all come from acclaimed directors with high levels of popular success. Also, based on audience response from film fetivals, and the involvement of Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, "Precious" could be an indie smash.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pacinofan,

I actually doubt Avatar is a big contender.

Same goes for The Lovely Bones. It can be King Kong part 2.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: iskolar,

The trailer doesn't look at all laughable to me, as you repeatedly suggest. But I'd say your attitude towards the film is typical and therefore I don't believe it's a "no brainer".
I expect the 3-D experience to be revolutionary. The rest of the film hopefully measures up with the visuals.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: melobruceiam,

quote:

Originally posted by ETHELCHARLES:
Tom you been drinking again and taken to meloncholly?! Liking such depressing pictures you are. Wondering if you'll rave over Antichrist.

Haven't seen "Antichrist" yet, my dearheart, but -- you're right -- I'll probably LOVE IT. I'm sooo late catching up with the derby films this year. The past four months have been hellish. My purchase of a gorgeous new co-op apt in New York -- high up in Lincoln Towers with goosebump views of Manhattan -- was a nightmare of legal and mortage problems, which were eventually resolved, but the drama was ulcer-inducing. Then I had the traumatic move from my beloved ole apt where I lived for more than 20 years. Meantime, I went to the Toronto Film Festival and spent the whole time on my back in my hotel room with a swolen, throbbing foot -- a torn Achilles tenden that's still causing blinding pain -- but nonetheless I had to trot out to L.A. after that for the Emmys and to host a big gala party I threw at the Hollywood Museum. When I finally got back to NYC and completed the move into my new apartment, my brother died. Unfookinbelievable. I'm still not over the shock of it or the horror -- or the depression it threw me into. Sooo sad -- I don't know if this link will work, but here's the tribute photos page I created to my brother at Facebook -- CLICK HERE

http://www.facebook.com/GoldDe...=327297&id=692985060

Just a few months ago I flew out to Ohio to help him celebrate his retirement from Ford Motor Co. Now he was supposed to be able to kick back and enjoy life. But instead he mysteriously slumped forward in his chair while watching TV and died -- on Sept. 29, our parents' anniversary. Here are some pix I took of his funeral --

http://www.facebook.com/home.p...=326501&id=692985060

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tom O'Neil,

Condolences for your loss.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss Tom.

That puts everything in perspective. Hope all the good times and memories will provide some solace.

Thanks for your kind, warm thoughts. Much, much appreciated.

Something very weird, and all the more heartbreaking, happened soon after Mike's death. He sent me a package. Inside were lots of packages of vitamins and a note telling me, hey, Tom, I know how busy you are, you better watch your health, take lots of vitamins, here ya go, don't forget to call me when you've got time so we can chat, I'm retired now so more time for us to stay in touch.

His note was dated -- the day before his death

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tom O'Neil,

Sorry to hear about your brother, Tom. Try to go easy on yourself for a while.

quote:

Originally posted by Tom O'Neil:
Thanks for your kind, warm thoughts. Much, much appreciated.

Something very weird, and all the more heartbreaking, happened soon after Mike's death. He sent me a package. Inside were lots of packages of vitamins and a note telling me, hey, Tom, I know how busy you are, you better watch your health, take lots of vitamins, here ya go, don't forget to call me when you've got time so we can chat, I'm retired now so more time for us to stay in touch.

His note was dated -- the day before his death

You were in his thoughts.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Take the vitamens.

what's wrong with Amelia?

She didn't take her vitamins.

I dunno--but why is she smooching with her dad in the trailer?!

Wow, Tom, I am so sorry for your loss. But I agree with seanflynn, that you should remember the good times, as your memories of him will live on forever.