Oscar Preview: Academy Award for Best Picture

Tonight the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will award the very best in film from 2009. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are hosting the 82nd Academy Awards which is the biggest night of the year for Hollywood. The big contenders tonight are Avatar and The Hurt Locker, but lets not rule out fan favorites like Inglourious Basterds and The Blind Side. This year the Academy nominated ten films for the Best Picture category. Our staff here at Fanboyz have seen all the contenders and we have our thoughts on each one, and if we think it has a shot at Oscar gold. Check out our list and leave us your thoughts below!

AVATAR

James Cameron took his time crafting his follow-up to Titanic, and struck gold with Avatar. Raising the bar on epic film making and 3D technology, Avatar became a cultural phenomenon and box office hit. Cameron took a story about a soldier stuck between a corporation using a planet for its natural resources and the native creatures, and went beyond telling a story. He delivered an experience that is being primed to be the benchmark for cinematographic storytelling. I personally enjoyed the movie for its unique 3D experience and well crafted action sequences. Chances are very good Cameron will be taking home more Oscar gold tonight. - Jordan Tunney

THE BLIND SIDE

The Blind Side is about the unbelievable act of charity that a family showed to a teenager who had no home, no cloths, and no family. This act of extreme acceptance and kindness lead to the future success of the main character. He did better in school, he got a scholarship to college for his football talent, and he was eventually drafted to NFL by the Ravens. This film was based on the life story of professional football player Michael Oher. This movie is a great, uplifting film that is appropriate for all ages. It’s inspiring and it has a message that everyone can learn from. It has been nominated for Best Picture” with Sandra Bullock being nominated for Best Actress. Even though this film was good, I don’t believe it has a real chance of winning Best Picture. It doesn’t quite fit the mold of what one would expect to be a Best Picture film, but I suppose anything could happen.       -David Williams

DISTRICT 9

After leaving the Halo movie adaptation, director Neill Blomkamp and executive producer Peter Jackson took $30 million and made one of the best original science fiction movies of the past decade. Set in an alternate South Africa devoid of apartheid (of a human nature at least), the movie tracks a man as he is tasked to facilitate the movement of aliens from their slums to a separate camp. Not long after they begin, however, he becomes infected with alien technology which transforms his perception of the mission he was given. I enjoyed the style and tone of the movie, and thought Sharlto Copley did excellent in his break-out role. This has no chance of winning with too many other films crowding the top spot for most likely to win. - Jordan Tunney

AN EDUCATION

This film follows the story of a young woman set to graduate secondary school and go to Oxford University, following her parents’ wishes and her life’s path thus far. Her world is thrown upside down when she meets a charming, successful older gentleman who rather quickly woos her with his personality and the opportunities his companionship elicits. This film was magnificently cast and directed well. However, it doesn’t seem to fill the standard that the Best Picture award sets. Though I’m not surprised this year’s new rules allowed it a nomination, I doubt it will win.           -Ben Schiffelbein

THE HURT LOCKER

War movies come and go. Most of them fail to recognize the reality of war and the people involved. Director Kathryn Bigelow has weaved a compelling movie that defines the word “intense.” An elite bomb squad in present day Iraq has the job of defusing road side bombs. With the new addition of a young hot shot (played terrifically by Jeremy Renner) the team is put in dangerous situations where anyone and everyone could be the enemy. What makes The Hurt Locker so fascinating is that audiences can enjoy a war movie with badass action sequences, realistic characters, and a relevant story we can all enjoy. The Best Picture race has come down to this and Avatar but it looks like this may be the one to beat. - Jeff Olson

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

Quentin Tarantino delivers again with his own take on the fall of the Third Reich. Lt. Aldo Raine assembles a team of Jewish American soldiers to pose as civilians in Nazi-occupied France. “The Basterds”, as they are called by the Germans, are meant to send fear through the Nazi ranks by the brutal torture and eventual scalping of the German soldiers. Tarantino does what he does best in this film. He puts together a cerebral and intricate story with many characters that intercede at a major point in the film, and manages to add some inspiring violence. With a Quentin Tarantino film you know what you’re going to get. The movie is strong and encompassing. Though it was a three hour feature, I still wanted more. His work has won in the past and he knows what his strengths are. I think that Inglourious Basterds is a strong contender to win. - Roman Chavez

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPHIRE

Precious is about a socially unaccepted, very obese, abused and pregnant teenager who lives in the projects. She tries to overcome the terrible realities of her life while attending an alternative school for girls. This film was based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire.I didn’t personally care for this movie or it’s plot. I felt that it didn’t have any redeeming or vindicating moments. But the acting was great all around, especially by Mo’Nique who will win Best Supporting Actress. As far as Best Picture Precious falls too short to capture that Oscar.   - David Williams

A SERIOUS MAN

Quite a serious movie by all standards, and certainly not one everyone will enjoy. That being said, this film is classic for the Coen Brothers, and every fan will revel in satisfaction at this sardonic comedy. This film follows the constantly worsening life of a Jewish man in a Jewish community as he attempts to get through his drastic midlife crisis. Though I am very happy to have seen this film and would consider it one of the Coen Brothers’ best works, I doubt it will win best picture. A Serious Man is a movie for those who enjoy film and stylistic film making, but most likely isn’t going to win at the Academy Awards for Best Picture. - Ben Schiffelbein

UP

Carl Frederickson and his wife Ellie were childhood sweethearts. They shared everything, especially a love for a certain area in South America. They had been saving their entire life to travel to the place they so cherished, but sadly Ellie passes away before that dream can be reached. Carl decides that he will still make the journey to South America to honor his wife. Through a series of comedic and accidental events, Carl is partnered with a Wilderness Scout side kick named Russell. Their adventure is warming and full of personal revelations. This was one of the most touching films that I have ever seen. It was a story of a husband and wife and what it truly means to love another person. The opening act sells the movie for most people and would have made for a tear-jerking short. I would have found it hard to believe, in the past, that an animated film could win Best Picture, but that was before Up. This film has the chops to be a pioneer for future animated projects.  -Roman Chavez

UP IN THE AIR

Director Jason Reitman returns as an Oscar contender with Up in the Air. The Juno and Thank You for Smoking director showcases George Clooney at his very best. As Ryan Bingham, a man who has a job that most people couldn’t not handle. He is a corporate down sizer who travels across the country to fire people. Reitman understands his source material better than most directors out there. Instead of turning Up in the Air into a cheesy romantic comedy, or a dark, depressing drama, he balances the movie (with the help of an outstanding performance by Clooney) by focusing on his characters. By any measure, Up in the Air certainly captures some of the best performances of the last year. If it wasn’t such a tight race between Avatar and The Hurt Locker, I could see this one being a surprise upset. But being one of the very best movies of 2009, it would be anything but upsetting. – Jeff Olson