And the Academy Award for Best Picture Goes to

“And the Academy Award For Best Picture Goes To…”

Looking at the past Best Picture winners for the Academy Awards, it seems that all of them fall into at least one of four categories; 1) a film that is incredibly entertaining, 2) a well-crafted film that says something meaningful, 3) a landmark accomplishment or 4) “Out of Africa.” With these parameters in mind, it is interesting to look at the potential winners this year. Here, then, is a list of the nominees in alphabetical order and their potential chances:

Avatar: Pros -- clearly a landmark accomplishment and incredibly entertaining

Cons -- the script and storyline are so cliché that it’s difficult to call it a

“best picture.”

Blind Side: Pros -- entertaining

Cons -- not incredibly

District 9: Pros -- says something meaningful in a well-crafted (well, no-so-well-

crafted) manner.

Cons -- Aliens are always a crowd-pleaser, but what have

they really added to our culture since they helped with the

pyramids?

An Education: Pros -- incredibly entertaining, says something meaningful in a well-

crafted manner.

Cons – it could be considered, in part, as a “Period” piece, but lacks

extravagant costumes and flamboyant sets. The Academy may not

be able to relate.

Hurt Locker: Pros -- incredibly entertaining

Cons -- says something meaningful, but can’t figure out what.

Inglorious Bastards: Pros -- incredibly entertaining

Cons -- not made for the lowest common denominator. Has no

chance.

Precious: Pros -- a landmark accomplishment for those involved

Cons -- the Academy wasn’t involved.

A Serious Man: Pros -- The Coen Brothers usually make films that cover each of

the first three of the categories above (they should’ve won

in ‘96 for “Fargo” and did win in ’07 for “No Country For

Old Men”)

Cons -- The Academy doesn’t like to repeat itself when it comes to

creative movie-makers…….they prefer Hollywood movie-

makers.

Up: Pros -- Incredibly entertaining, says something meaningful

Cons -- if “Finding Nemo” can’t win, no animated movie ever will.

Up In The Air: Pros -- George Clooney

Cons -- George Clooney

Expanding the list of nominees as the Academy has in recent years has meant that some pictures really don’t deserve to be there. But it is such a subjective choice that who is anyone to say what should or shouldn’t win (in re “Out of Africa”). Apparently, it’s the Academy. Personal choice aside, Avatar will probably win. Then the debate will begin: Is this the first animated film to win Best Picture? And if not, what agent represents the avatars played in the film?

Scott I. Osit