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« "my link saw something that night" | Main | Matt's Mouth Tastes Like Foot. And Other Truths & Lies »
Tuesday
Sep292015

"Oh, what a tweet. What a lovely tweet!"

In case you needed another reason to love Edgar Wright...

 

 

 

P.S. I know this is a terribly silly thing to worry about but I worry about it every day. Can Mad Max manage any Oscar nominations?

Mad Max Fury Road is a freaking miracle. Obviously a Best Picture nomination would be a lot to ask for (though deserved) and without precedent (No live-action sequel has ever been nominated for Best Picture unless its predecessor had also been... no not even The Dark Knight or Skyfall despite their abundant nominations elsewhere. And, no, Silence of the Lambs was not a sequel to Manhunter. The only sequel to win this honor was Toy Story 3... in an expanded field). But if Mad Max Fury Road isn't on track for cinematography and sound and editing and the like... what good are any of these craft branches at all since they're meant to recognized inspired work? 

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Reader Comments (16)

Hear, hear! I think if people keep talking about it, Mad Max will be really hard to ignore.

September 29, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterRahul

Could follow a Grand Budapest route. Critical and technical raves carry it to January, all combine for a Best Pic nominee we couldn't imagine but makes total sense in hindsight.

September 29, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterJohn

While depressing, this reminds a bit of how people really fell in love with Drive and that got a lot of fanboys rallying for a Best Picture nod. It was supposed to be in multiple categories (Supporting Actor for Albert Brooks, editing, cinematography, etc) and wound up with one sound nomination. While I hope and pray Mad Max does better, at least we can feel somewhat safe that it can at least eek out a nod in the craft categories. These are also the people who have recognized good work in bad films (Norbit, Poseidon, The Lone Ranger, The Village), which is always a refreshing reminder that sometimes it is all about the craft rather than coattails.

It may be foolish, but I'm still wishing for that Best Picture nod. Fingers crossed.

September 29, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterChris James

For once, I'll side with Ampass (presumably). It's fine and all but one of the year's best? If you took out all the bits where anybody speaks, maybe. And it's not like that would make the plot any patchier either

September 29, 2015 | Unregistered Commentergoran

I can't say I liked it that much - but what do I know?

September 29, 2015 | Unregistered Commenteradelutza

Here's the thing: As it stands, Mad Max is the highest rated movie of the year on Rotten Tomatoes. I understand that Rotten Tomatoes isn't necessarily the best indicator of anything, but going back in time, previous highest rated films of the year have been Boyhood, Gravity, Argo, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (an outlier), Toy Story 3, and Up. It´s beloved critically, it made considerable box office success, and it's hard not to imagine the crafts being in love with it. The comparison to Grand Budapest Hotel is apt - beloved early year release that people wrote off because it might not seem quite to the academy's taste, or because it was released early in the year. But, when it comes to the end of the year, people still love it, and still include it on their top tens. With the crafts behind it, the producers and directors most likely behind it, and a hefty chunk of the younger academy members behind it, it's easy to see it getting in for Best Picture.

September 29, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterCornelius Buttersby

Cinematography will happen. I'd be truly shocked if it missed there.

September 29, 2015 | Unregistered Commentereurocheese

We will see. Grand Budapest was probably 3rd in the best picture category. Most of the new movies coming out of the festivals were admired, and greatly liked, but not loved. No films seem to break the "I really like it" mold. If this remains the case, then movies with pockets of fans can champion a movie to the end.

September 29, 2015 | Unregistered Commentertom

Toy Story 3 was nominated for best picture without it's predecessor doing so. So let's hope Mad Max big time Toy Story's this thing! Because it deserves to do so in every way!

September 29, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterCory Rivard

I have a feeling it'll do well with critics awards which will keep it on people's radars. It has already won the FIPRESCI prize for film of the year, so...

September 30, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterGlenn Dunks

Cory -- ugh. true. i forgot about that because of the expanded best picture field.

September 30, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterNATHANIEL R

But Toy Story 3 was nominated when voters had to pick ten. Now they only have to pick 5. This is a strong year for the action blockbuster. It'll be interesting to see where Mad Max, Star Wars, Martian and Spectre all land.

September 30, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterJoseph W

I'm bullish on its cinematography chances, if only because one would expect the cinematography branch to be fans John Seale, and to appreciate the fact that he came out of retirement to shoot what will probably stand as his crowning achievement

September 30, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterMichael C.

MICHAEL -- -YOU'RE ALIVE!!!!!

September 30, 2015 | Registered CommenterNATHANIEL R

There are actually quite a few "narratives" with MAD MAX.

John Seale, as Michael just mentioned, as well as the obvious George Miller passion project 70-year-old showing up everyone. Then there's the fact that his wife is the editor because he thought she wouldn't edit it like an action film editor world. And then there's the costumes which were iconic 35 years ago and now they're back (and now being done by an Oscar-winning nine-time nominee).

September 30, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterGlenn Dunks

Realistic possible nominations...

Director: George Miller
Actress: Charlize Theron
Score
Cinematography
Art Direction
Film Editing (no brainer)
Sound Editing (ditto)
Sound Mixing (ditto)
Make Up

that's 9. Pending on traction...

Nicholas Hoult, Supp. Actor - Longshot but weirdest things have happened.
Tom Hardy ain't going to get the nom for Fury Road but might get it for The Revenant, this helps the Fury Road chances.
Visual Effects is a possibility, too...

so... considering the film has solid chances in NINE cathegories, earned FIPRESCI, is genuinely and universally loved, isn't a frontrunner in any ways but an underdog, the consensus is "it would be awesome if it happened" and could even end in the best possible scenario with up to 12 noms... I won't be the silly guy to say this ain't a contender even for the win.

October 1, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterJesus Alonso
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