Although the Academy hosts official screenings of all the big award hopefuls for Oscar voters, the fact remains that many Academy members prefer to watch the contenders in their living rooms on DVD. But this year, for the first time, we have a 3D film—James Cameron’s Avatar—with a decent shot at a Best Picture nomination. Obviously, Twentieth Century Fox will do all they can to ensure that as many voters as possible see the film in a theater with those funny glasses on. And they have not announced if and when they’ll be sending out For Your Consideration DVDs that will, of course, only feature two of the film’s three dimensions.
The question is: Will it matter? When I watched a 30-minute preview of the film a few months ago, Cameron’s gorgeous 3D visuals were certainly the most impressive aspect of the production. But the studio can’t force all 6,000-plus Academy members to show up at a theater to watch it. So for many voters, their choice seems to be either to have them watch Avatar on a regular television, or not at all. Of the two options, they may be smart to choose the former.
Image credit: Fox
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Oh, Dave… Avatar a possible Best Picture candidate? Really? None of us have seen it, but I’m gonna go ahead and call that a stretch. Just a hunch.
Ramo, actually most of everything I’ve heard about this movie is that its awesome. With 10 slots open, its pretty much a shoe-in for a best pic nom, not a stretch at all.
It looks Dances with Wolves from Jimi Hendrix’s point of view. BTW, thats not a good thing.
But… but… Michelle Rodriguez is in it.
Ramo, you don’t know crap about the Oscars then. Anytime a film wins 11 Academy Awards, it pretty much guarantees they’re will be Oscar interest in the director’s follow-up.
Ramo, you obviously don’t know anything about the Oscars. It’s called “buzz.” The film has it. Every year there is Oscar buzz surrounding movies way before the vast majority of the public even has an opportunity to see them. And this is James Cameron’s follow-up to Titanic, which won 11 Oscars. So many good things have been said about Avatar already. There are 10 nominees this year. I think it’s very safe to say that A Best Picture nomination is a possibility. Not a guarantee, but a definite possibility.
Wow, ok.. Actually I know a lot about the Oscars (whatever that means), thank you very much. I know that scifi extravaganzas tend to win lots of technical awards, but rarely show up in the high prestige categories. Oscar “buzz” changes wildly from week to week from now until Oscar night. Titanic was a very different movie than this one. You think just because James Cameron had Oscar success with that film that makes him a shoe-in to repeat that success again? Plenty of directors have had big wins Oscar night with one film and were never able to repeat that success in subsequent films. Of course there’s “interest” in this movie, but I think it’s very much a longshot for a Best Picture nod.
WTF?? Last night I wrote a lengthy response to you people are now it’s gone. There was NO foul language or personal insults. Apparently someone found it a little too reasonable and hit the “report” button. Nice.
Their comment system can be sketchy. In any case, I still think you’re wrong. Like it or not, Avatar has Oscar buzz simply because it’s James Cameron’s follow-up to Titanic. Not to mention, the rule change this year allowing for 10 Best Pic nominees makes it even more likely. I do agree with you that because it’s a sci-fi film, it won’t win.
Ramo, you’re putting words in my mouth. I never said it was a shoe-in. I stated that there is a lot of buzz surrounding the film. And I specifically stated that a nomination is definitely a possibility (especially because there will be 10 nominees), but certainly not a guarantee. I agree with you, Oscar buzz changes from week-to-week. Obviously, it can’t really be considered a shoe-in or anything like that until it’s released and reviews start coming in.
I’d just like to make sure you all know that the “dave” commenting above is not me. Not because I have a problem with any of his points…but I just don’t want any of my readers to think that get into an argument over their comments. Thanks to you all.
I’m with Ramo on this one. If you close your eyes in the trailer, it sounds pretty trite.
I really don’t think it’s going to matter to them at all. The story, visual FX, music and overall feel of the film won’t change when viewed in 2D. For us diehards going to the 3D IMAX though, we’re expecting to be blown away by that 3rd dimension since basically we’re the only ones who know enough to care about the overall experience.
Avatar is certainly looking like a major Best Picture contender, according to almost all of the award pundits. Dave is not alone (although I am totally with him on The Hangover for Best Picture; I don’t think it’s going to happen, but I would be behind it 100%).
But who knows?
Best picture? LOL seriously??? Maybe best special effects or makeup or cinematography. The 2 minute scene I endured was enough thanks, it looks utterly dreadful. A tired old story with some fancy blue people to spice it up …** yawn***
I’m not so sure about the 3D not being as effective.
I saw Disney’s A Christmas Carol in IMAX 3D last week. I was so immersed into that world, but that came from the IMAX and 3D.
Granted, Avatar will probably immerse many into its own world even without the 3D and IMAX, but the IMAX factor would definitely help
And since someone mentioned it… I’d be totally behind a BP nom for The Hangover
This is pretty much a pointless discussion. It’ll probably get nominated, but the Academy historically ignores sci-fi/fantasy films (Lord of the Rings bucked the trend of course)
Most Oscar voters are upper-middle to upper class and probably have fabulous television screens and sound systems. I’m sure this movie will play fine on those things.
Academy members have NOTHING to complain about. I would give up a significant body part to get the perks of being a member, and I know several others who would second that motion. To “have” to go to the theatre to see ONE movie is no big deal. Wouldn’t most of the members have great home theatre setups anyways? I work in retail and I’ve got a Blu-ray player which makes everything look amazing, but I still go to the movies more than regularly.
+6,000 members?? now i see why those oscar movies always leak months before the release date.
On last week’s “South Park,” “Avatar” was renamed “Dances With Smurfs.”
Sounds pretty accurate to me on the basis of the underwhelming trailer.
Nothing that I have heard or seen about this movie suggests that it will be (or should be) nominated for Best Picture. This film looks very mediocre.
thank you amy and AE!! finally someone that shares my opinions too!!! Besides the graphics, i dont think this film is going to live up to all the hype. Mediocre and underwhelming indeed
true that. it’s kind of a gay story line if you ask me. Oh look! we’re in space! Ooohh, smerfs! Lets fight them! Oh! Uhoh, looks like someone is changing sides after sending time with the enemy. How original. frankly, i’ll pass on the scifi crap.
Imagine that, Cameron made a film in which the “special effects” are most important. How about, instead of trying to get all the voters into the theaters to watch themovie, DON”T consider it! He seriously sucks as a director and needs to go away. Besides, most of us are waiting for the REAL Avatar movie which won’t be out until later, and not in 3D (though more 3D than the cartoon!)
wow, just wow… im speechless
Who cares. They moved what has been at times the best part of the ceremony off of the telecast(the honorary oscar), the movies are getting worse, which I can’t figure how they open the nominees for best piture to ten, should change it to 3, and I just have less and less interest in the oscars anymore. I’ll probably wind up shutting it of about the time those idiots from Twilight show up as presenters.
Actually, Kristen Stewart declined the opportunity to present during last year’s telecast. She felt her work in “Twilight” wasn’t worthy of her attending, or being on stage, at the Oscars. So hey, don’t call them idiots… I’m incredibly excited for this, and its prospect for Best Picture nom are very high. I’m not going to rant on the 10 slots (though I certainly could), but I think this heightens its chances to very probable. Also, I went to Avatar Day over the summer, and was blown away by the footage. Don’t base a film created to be seen in IMAX 3D by a simplistic trailer on your computer screen.
I’m just not sure this futuristic smurf movie (which friend & I had dubbed it weeks before South Park channeled the same thought) will have the gravitas to win over a huge audience. Based on the movie trailers, the movie still looks like a mash-up between terminator & a cartoonish video game, and the juxtaposition looks jarring. I’ll try it once, but I doubt it will be convincing enough to merit *Titanic*-like repeat viewings.