By David Poland poland@moviecitynews.com
20 Weeks To Oscar: Spikin’ It
In my book, Spike Jonze is one of the Top 10 working directors. He is a national treasure… an artist of no compromise, but great collaboration. He has made 4 feature films, each one a masterwork.
So why does he have just one Oscar nomination, for directing the first of his features, Being John Malkovich? Why do his first 3 films have just 7 Oscar nominations (and 1 win) between them?
Well, you’d have to ask him.
There is a difference between what the why and the why is here. There is why there hasn’t been a greater embrace… and that’s because Spike won’t give his voice in support of his films, except in the most Spike-ian ways. I don’t think this is a “fuck you” to Oscar, award season, or the industry. But it might be. I can’t answer the question because of the other “why.” That is Spike’s true why… and he’s not really sharing.
Part of me wants to scream with rage over Spike’s willful disconnection from it all. As a member of a fairly small group of individuals who help shape this early part of the season (almost over, as awards and nominations start to flow with NYFCC today), I would love to be as full-throated and passionate about Spike’s work during award season as the work is itself. But I need something to work with, man. So do many of my colleagues who similarly love Her and Spike’s work in general.
It’s one thing for David Fincher or Steven Spielberg to play hide-and-seek while they have 10s of millions being poured into their awards campaigns. Does Soderbergh, who is also in my Top 10 of working directors, ever think that he is the star of his films and that his reticence to self-exploit is one very real reason why he’s had funding problems, leading to his pseudo-retirement?
I want Her to be nominated for the 8 or 9 Oscars it deserves… including Scarlett Johansson getting The 1st Andy Serkis nomination. Joaquin should be a mortal lock… isn’t. Movie should be a lock… isn’t. Spike should be a lock… isn’t. The closest Her comes to a lock is in screenplay, where there are 10 slots.
And it kills me.
Do I want it more than Spike? Probably.
I want at least $100m worldwide for all of his films—not just Jackass films he produces—and his absolute freedom to make whatever he wants whenever he wants. He is Coppola… Scorsese… Soderbergh… one of our most important filmmakers. His soul is showing in all of his films. He doesn’t have to answer inane questions (even if they are mine).
But to paraphrase Jerry Maguire, “Help us… help you.” Take off the glasses, most beautiful girl at the prom.
Or maybe you are already living happily ever after.
Totally cool with him not campaigning. The campaigning for these awards is what has made the season and telecast unbearable.
“Does Soderbergh, who is also in my Top 10 of working directors, ever think that he is the star of his films and that his reticence to self-exploit is one very real reason why he’s had funding problems, leading to his pseudo-retirement?”
It’s funny, because all he’s done since his pseudo-retirement seems to be self-promotion.
From the main page, which only mentions spike, I thought this was going to be an awesome oscar plea for Oldboy.
I feel a bit sorry for Phoenix, the actor category is so crowded this year, and also for Christian Bale, some of his best work ever in American Hustle, channeling a young DeNiro, and he probably won’t manage to disrupt the race or change the punditry’s ‘lock-in’ on the current crop of candidates. Not to mention Oscar Isaac.
maybe that could be this week’s gurus? Top eight categories, but all predictions as though they were filling out their nomination ballots for the oscars. No predictions of academy behavior allowed, no hedging, just the top five in each category (10 in picture).
Top Ten: PTA, Mann, Malick, Cameron, Nolan, Fincher, Soderbergh, Spielberg, Scorcese, and someone. Fuck I have boring mainstream taste. Should be into Haneke and the other Paul Anderson. Spike rules, it’s funny how he doesn’t really instantly come to mind when I think of my favorite directors…maybe a compliment in a way? Certainly a hell of a batting average.
You have to stand up for what you believe in. I mean just because Jonze isn’t campaigning doesnt mean that you shouldnt campaign for him. In fact, if he isnt campaigning it should make you want to be even MORE vocal to stand up for the film because its chances are lesser.
maybe the NBR was listening