OSCAR RACE 2009 ~ commentary by Nathaniel R


statistics: reflect this category only, # of films is approximate and excludes tv, docs, shorts
color code: green (lock) yellow (safe bet) red (in the mix) blue (longshot)


Best Director Nominees
 Your most diverse line up ever. Different ages, sexual orientations, ethnicity and even gender.

Will Win/ Should Win: That'd be Bigelow. Woot.

discuss @ the blog

 

Kathryn Bigelow
The Hurt Locker
James Cameron
Avatar
Lee Daniels
Precious
Jason Reitman
Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino
Inglourious Basterds
1
2
3
4
5

58 years old
8 films
first nomination!

Why?
Her considerable achievement is within a genre Oscar understands and loves (war drama)

Awards
BFCA, DGA, LA and 12 minor critics groups
Release
June 26th
Box Office
$12,000,000
Company
Summit

More on...
Bigelow | Hurt Locker

55 years old
8 films
2 noms / 1 win

Why?
For ambitions of scale or technology. Plus: gripping complicated action

Awards
The Golden Globe
Release
Dec 18th
Box Office
$630,000,000
Company
Fox

More On...
Cameron | Avatar

50 years old
2 films
first nomination!

Why?
He gets credit for the two amazing central performances and the audacity of his film.

Awards
n/a
Release
November 6th
Box Office
$46,000,000
Company
Lionsgate

More on...
Precious

32 years old
3 films
2 nominations

Why?
Some people find the film resonant and zeitgeisty and think he's the three-for-three new wonderful

Awards
2 minor critics groups
Release
Dec 4th
Box Office
$76,000,000
Company
Paramount

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Up in the Air

46 years old
7 films
2 nominations
*in this category

Why?
He keeps cinephilia alive and accessible to younger generations. A born storyteller.

Awards
1 minor critics group
Release
Aug 21st
Box Office
$120,000,000
Company
Weinstein Co

More on...
Tarantino | Basterds