2012 proved to be an interesting year for Hollywood filmmakers. The nine films nominated for the 2013 Oscar definitely deserve to be recognized. So much so, in this article each writer (on the LIH staff) will debate the film, director, actor or actress they are campaigning for the 2013 Oscar and why? The Oscar’s will air live this Sunday, February 24th, 2013 @7pmEST. So let’s get started
Comic Relief–Best Director-Steven Spielberg
We’ve all heard of those directors who have remained fairly committed to their own ethnic group, and fortunately for us the results are frequently endearing. Steven Spielberg has the unique distinction of trying to feature his and another ethnic group that is not his own prominently: the African-American community. I’ll admit this can be hard to recognize but the director with Lincoln seems to have made more African American (“Amistad”, and “The Color Purple”) dominant films than distinctively Jewish (“Shindler’s List” and “Munich”) ones. Fortunately as Corey Robin points out in his blog, Spielberg is wise to focus on characters that are far more familiar to him than the ones whom are not. The movie is a huge triumph in his attempt walk in the shoes of others and high lights a powerful historical figure.
Littlebells- Best Picture-Les Miserables
This year there are nine pictures nominated for Best Picture: Argo, Amour, Life of Pi, Zero Dark Thirty, Django Unchained, Beast of the Southern Wild, Lincoln, Les Miserables, and Silver Linings Playbook. I have seen four of the nine and as much as I have enjoyed each of them (in very different ways), I am campaigning for Les Mis. I feel that all aspects of the film have succeeded expectations. Compared to its predecessor, this film used the score to tell the story. Claude-Michael Schoneberg is the genius who wrote the musical masterpiece and should be applauded for music that reaches deep within our soul and sends chills down our spine. The crew behind the amazing direction and cast is immense, as is the film. Each department must be recognized for their beautiful contributions to the film. The cinematography, editing, art and production design, wardrobe, hair, make up, sound, special and visual effects, and music department truly brought a beautiful and poignant story to the silver screen.(1) My family and I continue to listen and sing along with the operetta as we go about our daily routines.
Open Book-Best Actress-Jessica Chastain
After seeing many of the actresses performances nominated this year. I’m going to campaign for Jessica Chastain for Best Actress in Zero Dark Thirty. Although, she is up against some stiff competition. She really had to captivate audiences attention in a male dominated environment and make it look believable. She owned the film and character from beginning to end. You saw her go from sensitive CIA agent to a tough “take no prisoners” pit bull. IT WAS FANTASTIC!!! Her performance has given new meaning to the term “chick flick.”
Ozzie 20-Best Picture – Beasts of the Southern Wild
Beasts of the Southern Wild: Is a beautiful, emotional and creative film. The film takes place in a stark, impoverished community (called Bathtub) cut off from the mainland by a levee. Hushpuppy lives with her ill father who is determined to make her strong so she can cope on her own. As she struggles to make sense of her world after it starts crumbling down, the Aurochs (prehistoric beasts) who she learns about at school are released from melting ice caps and start to come after her. But as she learns and grows becoming even more defiant and brave she finally gains respect in the real world as well as the imaginative world she creates. The film teaches us about how even in the most poorest of conditions, a community can overcome any challenge and no matter how young or old we are, we all have the strength to continue in the face of adversity. For that reason I believe it deserves an Oscar!
Parisienne-Best Actor-Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis: is nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for Lincoln. Mr. Lewis has won an Oscar twice before for his roles in My Left Foot and There Will Be Blood. Mr. Lewis is a method actor, meaning, he “becomes” 100% who he is portraying. He texted Sally Field (who played Mary Todd Lincoln) calling himself Lincoln. I had the pleasure of seeing Lincoln when it was in theaters and feel that Mr. Lewis should win the Oscar because he gave an emotional depth and personal meaning to the man we all call, “The Great Emancipator”.
How Daniele Day-Lewis found Lincoln’s voice? Click here to watch.
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References:
1)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1707386/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
I may actually enjoy the Oscars this year. YAY!!! 🙂
Gosh, to see the Les Mis video compelation u provided help me remember what an amazing production it was. It will win something for sure. What category they should win in its hard for me to say. But definitely art direction and score will be a sure win.
I think Anne Hathaway will win for best supporting actress too. It’s a big musical to pull off on stage, nevermind films! But against the odds the film did it so any awards won are well deserved!
Paris-
What did u think of Daniel Day-Lewis statement about “a person’s voice is a finger print to the soul.” Do u agree? If so why?
Ok, I’m really going to sound stupid asking this, but does he mean voice as in tone and quality or what a person says? Because if it’s the latter then I would agree. He is a classy, classy man and his speech at GGs was just as eloquent and classy. Then you have Stew…
He means in how Lincoln spoke. The words and meanings to describe words were somewhat different then than they are now. For example, the Gettysburg Address starts out with Fourscore and seven years ago…….Fourscore equals 80 so basically he was saying 87 years ago which was 1776.
http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm
Here is the Gettysburg Address, which is believed to be the final version. (He went through many drafts) try reading it out loud.
There is a capital “S” on my forehead. 🙂
U know one of my favorite scenes in Lincoln is at the beginning of the film with actor David Oyelowo (a Brit) reciting the Gettysburg Address. The trailer really didn’t do him justice because the actual scene was much more impactful.
Here is the trailer below.
http://thegrio.com/2012/09/11/lincoln-teaser-trailer-features-david-oyelowo-in-prominent-role/
David Oyelowo is in it? DAVID OYELOWO IS IN IT? *fan girl moment coming in 3, 2, 1* AHHHHH! OMG! I freaking love him! I’ve been a fan of him for nearly 11 years when he starred in one of my favourite TV programmes ever! I still tear up when I think of how he exited the show! He needs to win an oscar one day, he is such a good actor!
LB-
Stew who?
Since LB mentioned it….
I do agree because it is through a person’s words that one can tell if a person has integrity.
Paris,
Would u say the words and how u speak is most important in finding the essence of a character?
CR- Is it o.k. to assume u are rooting for Lincoln for best picture? If so why should Lincoln win over the other films nominated for best picture?
Openbook,
Thanks for the painful question. In a year with so many stellar performances from not mid career directors, it is hard to get behind “Lincoln.” But if Spielberg, who is still operating at the height of his talent, is ignored, we may not see him perform this well again. Only Robert Zemeckis has to prove he is not done because Denzel’s win will not be his.
• Ben Affleck is promising that innovation in historical drama’s may come from unconventional places. Affleck should be given an opportunity to prove that this form of innovation is in fact possible.
• Bigalow, is promising that women can operate at the same level of excellence as men without exception. She should be given more opportunities to follow through.
• Demonstrating their “A” games, David O. Russell is promising that men and women actors will both have to perform as though their performances were their last. Russell should be given the chance to demonstrate this one more time.
• Believe it or not Tarrantino still is not mid-career. He’s claiming he can deliver content for minority communities in ways that have not occurred previously. Tarrantino deserves an opportunity to prove he can do this again.
• Benh Zeitlin is claiming screenplays should originate from the finest artistic origins and then perform above expectation. Benh Zeitlin should be given that opportunity again.
These incredible directors should and will find new opportunities; can anyone promise that Spielberg will find the same?
Isn’t Spielberg always snubbed by the Oscars? He gets nominated but never wins? Or am I confusing him with someone else, lol.
He won an Oscar for Schindler’s List.
Did anyone else see “Silver Lining Playbook”? I did and I really liked the film and could not stop thinking about Cooper’s performance and the story.
I want to but haven’t had the chance. It’s one of those things where my life has gotten so busy I will just have to wait till it is out on dvd. I’m pretty impressed with this year’s selection.
I want to see it but I haven’t had a chance yet. I watched bradley, Robert and the director (his name escapes me at the moment) on Katie a few weeks ago. Did you know that the director’s son is bi-polar?
His son had to audition for the role and keep his behavior on the positive side in order to get it. (he is the young man that Robert chases off of his front porch)
I really hope everyone get a chance to see it. I was touched by the film. Its original but a very relatable, hopeful and positive story. Its too bad it came out during a year with so many wonderful films. Yet, I’m glad Bradley, Jennifer, Robert and the film is being recognized. We need more films like this.
‘the director’s son is bi-polar”
Oh, that makes so much sense. Thanks Paris.
I want to see it but I may cry for the entire movie and that puts me off.
Ozzie,
What’s great about the movie is it makes mental illness far less scary. I think you would really appreciate it.
I’ll probably end up watching it because I love Jennifer Lawrence. As long as it’s not like Beautiful mind (sobbed from the beginning to the end, lol), I think I’ll be ok.
It’s nothing like that movie. I don’t want to ruin it for you but the ending is very different. You may end up inspired.
Phew, what a relief! Thanks for the clip too! I feel alot better now about seeing it. Annoyingly, the DVD is released the 2nd March. Argh! I can’t remember which film but one of them is released the day after the Oscars. Oh, how I swore over that, lol!
Littlebells,
I think it’s really fantastic someone is voting for “Les Miserables” to earn the best picture award. The production was spectacular and despite so many (of what I think are) hokey musicals of the last 30 years, (“Grease 2”, “Zanadu”, “Moulin Rouge,” “Rock of Ages”) “Les Mis” did not disappoint on the big screen. Furthermore the cast was filled with musical theater veterans and that aspect of the film had an indisputable integrity.
Hopefully others will not find my petty objections worth considering, and though I find it hard to argue with Victor Hugo (yet as much as) I found Jean Valjean compelling, I found the character of Javert completely cardboard. I’m sure few know policemen better than you but I have a hard time believing the best military men can avoid asking themselves tough questions in tough times. To me he is a paper antagonist or plot device that is way too resolute to help us better understand the frailties of the French monarchy or the finer joints of the French Revolutionary rebellion.
Had I been in a theatre I’m sure I would have been wiped out by the fine oratory and soaring solo’s, yet in my seat at the local Cineplex I can’t help but wonder what’s wrong with this dude? Doesn’t he realize he may not have a job tomorrow? And if he does realize that, why don’t we see any evidence.
Obviously I had an easier time admiring Spielberg’s work making Abraham Lincoln more 3 dimensional, yet I wish your movie all the luck in the world.
Open Book,
So you want Jessica Chastain to win Best Actress. Well that would be an appropriate award given how raw her performance was. As the character, Mia she a hard driving force to be reckoned with she had almost no sensitive scenes in the entire movie. As much as I think she was playing Katherine Bigalow as well as Mia, I’m sure this performance will speak volumes for women everywhere as it is seen everywhere after and during this year’s ceremony.
Why don’t I want her to get the award, for the same reason you often specify. Young actors have their careers ruined when they win this award too early. I’m sorry Jessica really hasn’t been around long enough to disappear so soon.
Look at Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and now Natalie Portman. All received the award way too young and all will have to navigate around that tribute for the rest of their careers. What happened to the French actor who won for “the Artist”?
I would rather have Sallie Field win the award for her portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln. She has little to loose and the award would be a fine tribute after a career of so many tremendous highs and so many (distinct yet not pitiful) lows.
CR- I love u!!!! Let me see. Where do I begin. Yes! I think JC should win because she did an excellent job and she is 36. By Hollywood’s standards that’s old for women which is sad. Plus that role celebrated women’s intelligence and strength in a male dominated atmosphere and still maintained her femininity. Perhaps if she wins more roles like these will be more common for women than not.
OB,
Like I said I thought Jessica was great but I don’t think she needs to take one for the team. Like many some of us want to see more women join her ranks before she fades into the background, fortunately we may be seeing evidence that leading ladies can have long careers.
Like Clint Eastwood, it took Sandra Bullock years of production and movie success to earn her accolades and hopefully Chastain will receive equal care in building her own legacy. Lets face it, DiCapprio and Dakota Fanning have much longer resume’s and neither have this award yet.
I may be being ideal, but this “here today, gone today” mentality for appreciating artists is really brutal. I hope this reception for our better performers will change.
I think just being nominated is more than enough help to their careers. So if someone doesn’t win, they were still recognised for their talent!
Ozzie,
I guess it could be of great importance for “Beasts of the Southern Wild” to win Best Picture. When I have read people complain about young Hollywood the criticism seems to center around the way young American talent tends to not be prepared for the artistic demands of the field. Instead they tend to show up ready to collaborate with the marketing and public relations departments and leave natural collaborators like directors and producers struggling for developmental allies. Therefore so many more jobs go to actors of international origin.
Especially if you listen to the commentary of the video Ozzie enclosed, “Beasts of the Southern Wild” seemed to be motivated wholly by artistic drives from start to finish. This base for creating movies should certainly be encouraged for all of the ways it might continue to provoke new and fresh visions for feature film. And obviously, Ozzie I’m really glad you championed this imaginative ethic.
I also heard many of the films that were nominated for the Oscar currently are not circulating in England, so “beasts” was one of the few you could actually see. Beasts came out last summer where as most of the rest have only been recently seen in the US and have not been distributed over seas at all. I feel for you OzzIe, though I don’t believe anyone here sees you any differently, sometimes England is a different world.
Though I won’t rehash the whole article (see below), my personal objection with “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” has to do with a system that tends to either make freaks out of child stars or grossly disrespects adult actresses. Regardless of my feelings, I understand why Hollywood could stand a far more imaginative worldview. On those terms should the movie win, I hope that will occur without sacrificing any of the women or children whom would likely be slighted in the process.
https://linkedinhollywood.com/2012/10/24/is-it-sexist-for-child-actors-to-be-nominated-for-adult-categories/
Lol, thank you CR! We can be up to four months behind some US releases. Alot of the movies that are nominated were only released here in the past two months or so. I couldn’t get to the cinema to see any of them. The only film out on DVD in the Best Film, Actress, Actor, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor was Beasts of the Southern Wild. Fortunately, it blew me away (her father in the movie should of been nominated too). I wasn’t expecting it to do so either. I really do recommend it. Like you I too hope Quvenzhané Wallis will fare well in the rest of her career and won’t go off the rails.
Thanks for your optimism. I am committed to support that film if it circulates in my area again.
Parisienne,
Given his dynamic performance you want Daniel Day-Lewis to be nominated as Best Actor. Hey, I was a big Lincoln fan as well. Lewis’ portrayal Abraham Lincoln may go done as the absolute best ever. Wise, strategic, funny, shrewd, complicated, passionate and principled, history teaches us Abraham Lincoln was neither a rail splitting hick or an abolitionist loose cannon. Yet only Spielberg, Lincoln, and Lewis could define the calculus capable for removing slavery from the US Constitution. Unified in mortal combat, three men waged a contemporary war for the hearts and minds of the US public in regard to the Civil war and Lincoln’s legacy. In my mind they won their war, but I still would prefer it if someone else won best actor category.
After playing monster antagonists in “Gangs of New York” (2002) and “There Will Be Blood” (2007) it was refreshing to see Lewis return to a character who is far less objectionable. Despite all of Lewis’ attempts to recast Lincoln as the abolitionist in the White House of the 1860’s, Bradley Cooper and Denzel Washington put in much more daring performances than anyone else in the 2010’s. Still a professional pup, Bradley Cooper played a sometimes endearing sometime threatening emotionally and mentally unstable man under community evaluation in “the Silver Lining Playbook”. Denzel Washington plays a drunken airline pilot who was intoxicated at the time of a horrendous aircraft crash in “Flight”. Both of these actors played against previous celebrity type to execute these roles.
Both incidentally, explored places of vulnerability that were impossible given neither role had been imagined on screen before and neither character had any precedent on film. Bringing his usual grand process, artistic scope, and technical execution to the film; Daniel Day Lewis explored places in this President that were unfamiliar in history yet were still considered previously. Lewis’ performance was more of product of collaboration than individual sacrifice.
Paris you may not agree but I think Day Lewis has more incredible performances in his future, especially if he hones the roles for himself. Cooper should not win for the same reason Chastain should not. But Washington’s possibility to win demonstrating this much vulnerability may be unlikely, because this “Flight” portrayal will likely be remembered. I could be wrong, but anyone with Lewis’ enormous track record could possibly undermine his Lincoln performance by purely creating a more complex character, unbound by history. Despite their well-delivered excellence, in Lincoln I think Spielberg made the most dangerous sacrifices not Lewis.
CR- I’m impressed by all your thoughtful responses to everyone. However, I hope u did not burn yourself out and come back for the discussion tonight. I have a few questions and comments for u.
Good, see you there.
Thank you. You are so kind.
Paris-
I’m posting this question before our discussion tonight to give u time to think politically about your answer……: )
Prelude to Q: Daniel Day-Lewis prior to the films release received a ton of criticism for the nasal/high pitch voice he selected to portray Lincoln. However after seeing the film all the doubt has been forgotten.
Q: Do u like or dislike when audiences doubt the choices an actor makes prior to seeing the film and performance in its entirety? What effect does it have on actors (prior to a films release) when audiences give their opinion about acting techniques and character development etc…?
Everyone always thought Lincoln’s voice was deep because he’s so tall *eyeroll* so that is how he has been mythologized.
I don’t think its fair to the audience to doubt the choice an actor makes because the actor is going to make his strong character choices based on the information that he has researched and is given.
So for me the only people that are cheating themselves out of a great performance based on something they have no control over is the audience themselves. They didn’t sit down and go through 100 books on Lincoln and re-read Lincoln’s speeches and put themselves into Lincoln’s presence on a constant basis.
I hope that made sense. 🙂
There should an online acronym for “rolling on the floor laughing” like ROTFL; so I could use it.
There is. Its Rotfl. 🙂
thank you.
Paris-Yes, u made perfect sense. I’m impressed by your candor and political savvy. I dangle a carrot and u don’t even flinch or shy away. We do share the same brain but u are much more mature than I. I’m going to campaign for u to run for president.
U said: “………the only people that are cheating themselves out of a great performance based on something they have no control over is the audience themselves.”
Me: This is so true. Plus u have so many other people involved not just the actor making selections for developing a character etc… For audiences who are superficially coming to conclusions based on a trailer or sound bites from a critic is sad because they are basing this on far less information than what the actor has access too who has far more at stake than an audience member or critic. Let me stop before I lose my cool. Hahaha!
As a foreigner with little knowledge on Lincoln, to my ears he sounded more than fine. Daniel’s voice was very presidential to me!
Hi Everyone!
While we are waiting. I thought it would be interesting to see how some films nominated are doing at the box office.
Silver Lining Playbook- Is #5 at the Box office and its earned a little over 100 mil. with a 20 mil production budget.
Zero Dark Thirty-Is #10 at the box office and its earned around 90 mil with a 40 mil. production budget.
Lincoln-Is #15 at the Box Office and its earned close to 177 mil with a 65 mil. production budget.
To see some of the other films go here.
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/daily/chart/
Hi everyone! I need to catch up so it may be a while before I get back to the comments.
Hi Ozzie!
Take your time. There is a lot to read. Hahaha!
Hi OB! Caught up with the article (I couldn’t veiw the Oprah video. 😦 ). Now I’ve just got to catch up with the comments, lol!
Oh I’m sorry about the Oprah video. Let me see if I can find it somewhere else.
Oprah needs to realise people outside of her country still like her and would like to watch her programmes, lol! No problems if you can’t find it! 🙂
Anything for u Ozzie! I will see what I can do.
LB-Les Mis decision to make it a musical hurt its performance at the Box Office? I found Les Mis visually stunning and the story was compelling and enhanced by the great performances of the actors. Yet, it seems with all these great things going for it audiences did not take to it at the box office. Don’t get me wrong 145 mil domestic with a 65 mil production budget AINT BAD!!!! Yet, u would think it would have performed much better in the US than anywhere else given how relatable the story is to our political and social climate today. Internationally it made double than in the US. Has our cultural values sunk to a new low or did Les Mis have more competition at the Box Office in the states?
Hi everyone! I’m in and out this discussion, but I wanted to say a few things:
OB–I think it’s a film that requires a cultured mind. Folks who can’t handle hearing music for that long, let alone a very serious story being told, it could be difficult. However, for those of us who see it for what it is, it’s magical and wonderful. My husband said if he’d have seen it in high school, he wouldn’t have seen it. However, he loves it! a friend of ours daughter walked out because she couldn’t handle that there was no talking. I think our society has sunk somewhat low and that could be a contributing factor. Yes, there were lots of others amazing films out at the same time, but in the end I thin it comes down to Les Mis being such a high calibur of art that most people aren’t used to.
Now, if it was still performing on Broadway or around the country in it’s stage format, it may have done better. I remember seeing it so when it came to theaters I was thrilled. Most of the younger generations have never HEARD of it and that could have made a difference as well.
CR–I love reading your comments and think you have amazing insight. I can’t wait to come back later and get caught up when I don’t have a million things to do!
🙂
No problem LB thanks for chiming in and look forward to hearing your comments later. TC!
I know someone who doesn’t like Les Mis because the people were “to dirty looking” she totally missed the point of the film.
OMG…I have no words.
i forgot to mention she’s an operatic singer/teacher.
Talk about superficial. Why even bother going to the movie if u can’t be bothered to look beyond the surface. Gosh this is a real testimony of how culturally inept we are becoming in the US.
LB,
I ‘ve always relied on you to highlight many of the finer-points regarding the singing and acting set and their composers. You seem to fully understand how fluidly these dramatic musicians need to perform to stay aloft, clearly they perform for their own field and this subset of the dramatic arena is a beautiful one at that.
I may have minimally criticized composers like Victor Hugo, yet the same criticism clearly doesn’t address the talents of George Gerswinn, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, or Andrew Lloyd Webber. Certainly no one is perfect. I want to hear your response so I know which composers and what work would likely be better suited for our time rather than another.
Here is another Q for everyone.
Do u think a film should win an Oscar based on its good performance at the Box Office and critics? Meaning if a film like Silver Lining Playbook earned more money than its competitors should it win the Oscar?
No. I think the financials of a film should be kept out of the gameplay for Oscar because wins should not be based on money but talent.
I agree. It should be based on artistic merit and talent.
Paris and Ozzie, said it best.
Hi Everyone!
Hi Paris! 🙂
Hi Paris.
Hi Ozzie and CR!
This was fun but way too intense, it’s good this only happens once a year. ..talk to you soon.
Lol, I agree! I can’t imagine what it must be like for nominated talent! Bye CR! 🙂