What Race Is There Anyway?
I didn’t post this before, but the Gurus o’ Gold live on…
Is there a race worth following now that nominations are in?
April 26, 2024
Awards
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20 Weeks To Oscar: Rush To Poor Judgment?
20 Weeks Extra: Could There Be One More Turn?
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It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” ā some novel, you know?
So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.
And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it ā I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.
There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.
I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury ā he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” ā and I’d forgot who he was.
So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging ā I was with her at that moment ā she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.
But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy namedā” “Yeah, sure ā you want his phone number?”
My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher
“That was the most disappointing thing to me in how this thing was played. Is that Iām on the phone with you now, after all thatās been said, and the fundamental distinction between what James is dealing with in these other cases is not actually brought to the fore. The fundamental difference is that James Franco didnāt seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. Thereās not a case of that. He wasnāt using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had ā if that were what the accusation involved ā the show would not have gone on. We would have folded up shop and we would have not completed the show. Because then it would have been the same as Harvey Weinstein, or Les Moonves, or any of these cases that are fundamental to this new paradigm. Did you not notice that? Why did you not notice that? Is that not something notable to say, journalistically? Because nobody could find the voice to say it. Iām not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, āYou know, itās not this, itās thatā? Because ā let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. TimesĀ piece, thatās what it lacked. Thatās what they were not able to deliver. The one example in the five that involved an issue of a sexual act was between James and a woman he was dating, who he was not working with. There was no professional dynamic in any capacity.
~ David Simon
Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. Two good, competitive races.
I would like to believe that’s how it would go! But I still believe things like this are true; A must read.
Sorry here’s the must read link (I hope),http://www.laweekly.com/index.php?option=com_lawcontent&task=view&id=12564&Itemid=116
CRASH takes everything except Best Director — (wink waterbucket)
There’s a very interesting article over at Oscar Watch that I think perfectly sums it all up. Basically saying that AMPAS isn’t SAG, isn’t HFPA, isn’t BFCA… and sometimes they decide to do their own wacky thing (despite how much BFCA try)
Does anyone else reckon the BFCAs constant yammering about how great their Oscar predicting is will upset enough AMPAS members to maybe shake up Actor category or something?
Hehe, Amer, you’re breaking my heart.
Now excuse me while I chop you into pieces. See you in hell, beeyotch! =p
KamikazeCamelV2.0 ,
I hope the people of AMPAS have their own set values and aren’t moved either way by other organizations.
When that dude from the Globes kept saying how they (the Globes) have matched the Oscars. I wondered if they were choosing the best for each catagory, or what they thought the Oscars would choose.
How about the Winter Olympics? š
I don’t think Academy voters care about precursors and what group claims anything.
I actually think Actress could be competative. Older Academy voters might really lap up Felicity Huffman’s class-act campaigning attached to the fact that she is this very late bloomer (in terms of a leading actress in Hollywood) who has finally bloomed oh-so-well. Dench already has an Oscar (and she’s a Dame for Christ’s sake) so people might think she’s been lauded enough, especially considering her work in MRS. HENDERSON is fine but hardly earth-shattering.
As for Reese Witherspoon, she’s only the co-star, not the star. She’s younger and might be thought of as someone who will have plenty more opportunities ahead to win.
Finally Huffman has the Winstein Bros. behind her. Need I say more?
The Winter Olympics doesn’t do anything for me. It’s like watching the X Games.
The problem with Huffman is her movie stinks. No one’s seen it. It doesn’t play to the masses. Witherspoon is a star in a star role. In a movie that is pretty well represented and thought of.
Josh. Be honest. Have you actually seen “Transamerica”?
By the night of the Oscars, “Transamerica” will have made as much as, say, “Monster”, which won best actress. and as to “playing to the masses,” the film actually does play to the masses, maybe too much for my taste. It’s one of those crowd-pleasers-with-a-heart-of-gold-type of films (like most the stuff the Weinsteins get behind) that any liberal filmgoer (i.e. most the Academy) can fall in love with.
Actually, yes I did see it. And yes, it stank and I didn’t like it. And yes, she doesn’t stand a chance against Reese. Her award was getting a nomination. You should be happy.
I never said it would make me “happy” for her to win. I just suggested that might be this year’s possible upset, if there is one. You have kind of a snotty personality, Josh. You know that?
The Guru’s should have like a big awards night for the winner of it. A plaque. Some recognition.
It wouldn’t make you happy Danny Boyo? Could have fooled me. And it’s Weinstein Brothers. Not Winstein. How’s that for snotty, Boyo?
Pretty snotty, Josh.
What didn’t you like about the film beyond the fact that it ‘stank’?
But I agree with you, it’s a small film and the Academy will be using all of its gay mojo for Brokeback this year. It would be a major upset if Reese Witherspoon didn’t win.
Josh, Buttercup, they now have anti-anger meds. Part of the same family of drugs as anti-depressants, I think. Maybe you should look into it.
Trans was just a bad film. I felt like I was watching a bad tv movie. Maybe I couldn’t get past the fact that Huffman looked terrible as a man. And her kid was a bad actor. They could have casted that role better. After all I heard about how good Huffman was I was expecting more.
She was playing a tranny. Of course she’s going to look terrible as a man.
Anyway, thanks for telling us what you thought.
In other news, today marked the passing of both Betty Friedan and “Grandpa Munster” Al Lewis. Their photos are disturbingly similar to one another.
Al Lewis died??? He had to be over 100. What a great guy. Met him once a few yrs ago. He looked the same as he did on the show.
The Weinsteins don;t always hit paydirt with their Oscar campaigns. Buying lots of tickets doesn;t mean the Voters, the only “masses” that matter are going to vote for it.
How many trannys you seen upclose boyo Josh? You don;t know UGLY (speakin’ o which, Tamahori must be DAMN UGLY in wimmin’s clothing). Plenty of actors have hit the gold statue with a good perf in a lukewarm movie.
I think Reese was the Best thing about Walk the Line, and she may have endeared herself enough to get it. To many people she showed a big transformation from pink bubblehead Legally Blonde.
I think the exciting races will be the supporting for the ladies and gents. I would love William Hurt to win. Kiss of the Spiderwoman is one of my fave of all time movies becasue of him. He’s magic, and his nomination shows how well he is thought of since he doesn;t have a very big role in the AHOV.
RIP Betty & Al. I aspire to be Lily Munster when I grow up; great dialog on that show.
I thought William Hurt had a reputation for being difficult on-set. Or is that only in the past?
Will was a wild boy[think he’s calmed down a little], doesn’t mean he wasn’t/isn’t well admired and very talented. Cronenberg is odd enough I’m sure he gave Will a run for his money during AHOV.
charlize Theon won for MONSTER and nobody saw that so i assume felicity huffman will win for TRANSAMERICA cause nobody saw that either – most academy members just vote on hype or little info when it comes to best actresses it seems –
so yes my money is on huffmanm, her being married to dependable nice guy actor william h. macy wont hurt either
also box office is not an issue when it comes to certain films, academy members see the screeners to watch films like MONSTER or TRANSAMERICA or MONSTERS BALL
“The problem with Huffman is her movie stinks. No one’s seen it. It doesn’t play to the masses.”
Earth to Josh: the masses don’t get to vote for the Academy Awards.
Women playing a role by throwing vanity out the window, everything from Theron in MONSTER to McDormand in FARGO, have done quiet well with Oscar, and although Box Office factors in to a Best Picture decision, I think, it doesn’t in the other awards. I’d still put my money on Witherspoon (who I’d be perfectly happy to see win; I love her and she was great in the film), but I would also certainly sneak a little side bet in for Huffman.
As for movies “stinking” but still getting an Oscar anyway for an individual catagory, two titles: THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY and WHAT DREAMS MAY COME.
I can tell you, Kamikaze, that BFCA is not pushing to predict. There is no gathering of members – ever. There is no internal campaigning.
The reason BFCA is a good predictor – and not an influencer – is that the taste of the membership is industry middlebrow. (And as you know, I am a member)
HFPA and other groups do engage in self-manipulation. BFCA does not. I was shocked when Amy Adams split for Supp Actress… very unBFCA. But it has played out… because basically, we see what Academy members see… and we, as a group, don’t push ourselves too hard and we don’t get worked the way others groups do… no special screenings for the most part… no parties… etc
I am not saying that BFCA is the be all and end all. But it isn’t fair to attack the group for the fact that Joey Berlin has worked his ass off to have the awards show televised.
You can’t push to predict. Why’s it matter? You should, as an organization, try to reward what you think is best. Not try to come close to Oscar.
“When that dude from the Globes kept saying how they (the Globes) have matched the Oscars. I wondered if they were choosing the best for each catagory, or what they thought the Oscars would choose.”
That was the BFCA not the Globes.
Umm, people are going around here saying absolute lies about “Monster” and “Monster’s Ball” in comparison to “TransAmerica”
Fact – The Academy Awards in 2004 were held on February 29. By the weekend ending Feb 29 “Monster” had grossed $27million.
Fact – The Academy Awards in 2002 were held on March 24. By the weekend ending March 24 “Monster’s Ball” had grossed $20million.
Fact – With under a month to go until the award ceremony, “TransAmerica” has just $2.2million.
There are four weekends to go til the ceremony and unless there is a major expansion, I doubt it can make up the slack on either of those films, and that’s with a Golden Globe win, which “Monster” also had. Add to that the fact that “Monster” ended with $34.5mil and “Ball” finished with $31mil.
But, essentially, the films did not earn “nothing”. Infact they made quite a substantial amount.
But neither film will gross as much as any Star Wars movie. Therefore, nobody saw them any nobody liked them, either.
Monster and Monsters Ball did very well at the box office. Solid performances that took the best actress buzz and ran with it. Transamerica hasn’t done much at all.
TRANSAMERICA had a per screen average of $5039 this last weekend, which is doing quite well for itself. Just ask any theatre owner showing that as well as SOMETHING NEW ($3,962 psa), BIG MOMMA
“Monster and Monsters Ball did very well at the box office. Solid performances that took the best actress buzz and ran with it. Transamerica hasn’t done much at all.”
Well, maybe that’s because TRANSAMERICA doesn’t have the word “Monster” in the title.
(Hey, it’s as good an excuse as any.)
Good point. Monster in Law did okay as well. But I’m afraid. Does this mean Monster House will be a hit?
Box office does not matter in the acting races as long as the screeners are being seen.
Take Jim Broadbent in Iris, who won Supporting Actor despite having by far the lowest-grossing movie (not even $4 mil) in his category. He also had the Weinsteins in his corner, as Transamerica does.
Or take Marcia Gay Harden in Pollock. She won Supporting Actress and ALSO had the lowest-grossing movie in her category — not even $5 million by the time the Oscars were held.
These grosses matter when the picture is up for awards, but not in acting races. Huffman definitely has a fighting chance, as she is a very well-liked actress who has lately been winning a lot of awards and is in a prime Oscar bait role. However, Witherspoon has a prime Oscar bait role too. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.
Monsterica’s Ball? Huffman would be the go to front runner right now.
But the thing with Felicity Huffman is that there isn’t a big story behind her. Charlize Theron in Monster was like ‘She’s finally a real actress now’ and Halle Berry was the first african-american actress to win. Felicity Huffman has Desperate Housewives and plenty of people won for gender-bending roles in thes 80s. It’s not like AMPAS would be making any particularly stand by voting for her (“Transexuals are super-fun!” perhaps?).
Plus, Charlize was the frontrunner ALL season (like Reese is this year) and Halle was the late rallyer (which there is none of this year) who took over from an already awarded veteran (of which there isn’t one of this year).
Reese started out the season strongest, and she still is – plus she DOES indeed have the box-office.
BTW, Jim Broadbent also had “Moulin Rouge!” love that year.
The story with Huffman will be “middle aged actress, who was ready to give up her dream of stardom, finally becomes a lead performer at the age when most actresses’ careers are winding down.”
Harvey Weinstein is already playing the “age card” with one of his other contenders, Judi Dench, who was, he says, denied TV time because The View, Today, and Good Morning America claimed she was “too old” to appeal to their demographics. (Reps from those shows have denied that, of course.)
Speaking of “Moulin Rouge,” the actress Halle Berry rallied to beat that year? Nicole Kidman, a big female star in a singing part who’d been heavily awarded that season and whose film came out much earlier.
A very similar situation to Reese Witherspoon’s.
I don’t think there has to be a “big story” to justify every acting winner. That’s something we typically have a better view of in retrospect.
Huffman has her Emmy. Her role in Transamerica was good but was it great enough to win? She is a small screen star though. Check out “Sports Night”. She was great on that.
Nicole Kidman hadn’t been heavily awarded. She won the Globe and maybe a few others. It was Sissy Spacek I was thinking of. She won the Globe and was critics awarding up the place, but Halle made the late charge after SAG.