Superheroes & Oscar. 7 Lessons We've Learned

Last week while reading about The Last of the Mohicans (1992), an astonishing 20 years old now, my mind lept back to early 1993. Even in the pre-internet fueled days of Oscar watching, when we obsessives were fewer in number -- or at least disconnected from each other -- you knew that it was bizarre that such a super, handsome, well acted period epic that made a new Oscar winner (Daniel Day-Lewis) into a much bigger mainstream star would receive only one Oscar nomination (Best Sound). The Last of the Mohicans Oscar performance was shameful but then 1992 was something of a hot mess over at AMPAS largely due to their need to honor Scent of a Woman (wtf?) and the scandal that drowned out the brilliance of Woody Allen's Husbands and Wives.

But let's not get distracted from the main point. That happens when we get stuck in retro Oscar loops. 

Past Iron Man films have won Visual Effects and/or Sound Editing nods. Will The Avengers follow suit?

The sound categories generally come up with shortlists that are not unlike every other category's finalists; a mix of  "Most = Best", "Best Picture = Best" and a random genuinely discerning one-off (or two) of the "wow I'm happy they noticed" variety. See, for example,  last season's Drive nomination which was its sole bid.

So while I was thinking about Sound Mixing and Editing and the Oscars I chanced upon this FYC ad*, via Devour and SoundWorks for The Avengers. I haven't embedded it here because it's one of those videos that starts immediately without you pressing play (hate those!) but it's worth a watch if you click over..... Oscar trivia follows!

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FYC Film Bitch Awards

As we race toward year's end, it's time to start thinking about The Film Experience's annual celebratory jamboree, the long-running Film Bitch Awards! Here's where I'd like your help. Though I'm already arguing with myself over the top categories and my lists of a dozen contenders fighting for each top 5 list, I could use suggestions elsewhere. The "extra" fun categories still have a ton of leeway and I've definitely nominated things I might not have thought of without a little memory jog from readers in years past.

Any FYCs? Please pass them on in the comments for the following 8 categories:

• Best Limited or Cameo Performance (i.e. 1 or 2 scenes only)
• Best Line Delivery
• Action Sequence
• Musical Sequence
• Best Kiss
• Best Sex Scene
• Credit Sequence/Title Design
• Best Scenes in General... any type

YEAR IN REVIEW begins later this week and runs long... you know how we do! 

FYC Booklets: Shame

Ever since we shared that Harry Potter "Consider..." book, I've been meaning open to crack open the other FYC ads that have arrived. So let's do that starting with Shame.

Shame... Why didn't this one come in a black plastic or brown paper wrapping like porn? The cover blurb courtesy of New York magazine says

Michael Fassbender has arrived."

Where? We'll be right over!

We get the meaning but that happened with Hunger, thank you, and was immediately confirmed over and over again for the next year and change with the consecutive openings of Inglourious Basterds, Jane Eyre and X-Men First Class and so on. He's not only arrived, he's moved in.

More Shame and modest FYC proposals after the jump

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Will Monty "Consider" Bridesmaids?

Some people trust Karger, Stone, Tapley, Feinberg, Poland, myself -- the list goes on -- with their office Oscar pools. Who do I trust for sharp objective Oscar punditry? My cat. How could I not?

You must recall that last year "Monty" sifted through Fox Searchlight screeners and got very opinionated claiming 127 Hours for his own, immediately shoving Conviction away and declaring Never Let Me Go an utter snooze. Oscar Prediction Success: 100%

Naturally I'm seeking his services again in 2011. I tried to show him the Harry Potter "Consider" book but he literally refused to look at it. No amount of cajoling could get him near it for a photo which is strange because he loves books (useful as pillows or face scratchers) way more than movies (useful for nothing unless the DVD accidentally reflects light on the wall ). 

So I moved on. Would he consider Bridesmaids?

 *

Well, he would and he wouldn't... (continue).

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Thoughts I Had While Reading Harry Potter's "CONSIDER..."

This Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 "Consider..." FYC booklet arrived in the mail a couple of days ago so I thought I'd read it with you. Aren't I considerate?!  I can't scan it in as it's too heavy and bound tight to open flat. Expensive paper but then with those billion grosses they've got plenty of money to burn on a campaign.

So here we go...

I wish that you could see Melissa Leo in a fur coat reflected in his lenses!

okay, let's write this thing up. Click to continue if you'd like to read along...  as it's long and photoriffic.

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