Hmmm . . . are Oscars pundits underestimating 'Australia'?
It was obvious that the audience was impressed by "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" when it screened last night at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Afterward, a truly curious scene occurred. Two academy members said how much they enjoyed the pic, but when asked what Oscar contender they like the most so far, they gushed, "'Australia'!"
That's significant because quite a few Oscar pundits are downplaying "Australia's" odds of even getting nominated for best picture. I think that's a mistake. They're buying into what film critics think, a pack of wolfmen who always attack brazenly sentimental fare, especially if showcased in a chick flick. Academy members think differently. Like academy member Oprah Winfrey, who's over the moon about it, raving to her TV viewers, "Have I got a movie for you!" Remember, movies with a strong rooting factor can still be nominated even if a majority of Oscar voters don't even put "Australia" anywhere on their ballot when ranking their five choices for best pic. The preferential ballot is odd like that. No, I don't think "Australia" can win best picture, but I think we shouldn't write off the possibility that it could snag a top bid.
Photo credit: 20th Century Fox
I think it will get a best picture nomination because this is a much more deserving movie. I went to watch this movie with my 3 friends everyone enjoyed a lot. I think Australia will be this year’s “atonement”.
Steven
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Posted by: Steven | February 18, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Australia was an incredible film and I am blown away it was snubbed by Golden Globes. I rarely see a flick twice but had to take back more friends to see it with me. I love the nods to old Hollywood throughout the film. Additionally it sheds great light on a situation few even knew existed
Posted by: Seabreaze | December 11, 2008 at 02:52 PM
I absolutely loved Australia - and the 8 people who came with me to see it loved it too. So much so that some of us are going back to see it again. It has been so long since we have had a true romance (and I don't count Atonement at all - the film and the book were so bland!) Australia is rich in colour, in history, in nature, in romance...congratulations Baz (again). PS: I actually didn't want to see it after hearing the lifeless comments of some reviewers. Thank goodness I ignored them.
Posted by: Jo M | December 04, 2008 at 02:06 AM
"Australia" will grow in everybody's hearts little by little. Maybe, "Australia" was not meant to be a love at first sight, but it will remain as one of the all-time epic romances of the silver screen!
Do not miss and/or forget this masterpiece, please! Members of the Academy of Hollywood, should remember the movie in every category. We want to see (Lady) Nicole Kidman nominated once again, and it would be a crime if Brandon Walters was missing from the list of nominees. Baz Luhrmann should be mentioned as well. He is one of the great masters of our age, and he needs a most deserving recognition. Seven years and a half (from 12.5/13 to 20, personally) from the masterful "Moulin Rouge!" has been an eternity!
With "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", "Slumdog millionaire" and "Australia", we are in front to one of the most masterfully romantic years of cinema in a very, very, very, very longtime.
Thank you for those ravishing kisses in the sunset!
Thank you to all the artists who so beautifully and creatively built "Australia"!
Posted by: Pablo Serrano Herrero | November 29, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Australia is a great great film, I see it getting the final spot in the five. Too many people love this film . Baz and all.
Posted by: Drew Williams | November 28, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Why are her eyes closed??
Posted by: dude | November 27, 2008 at 05:55 PM
I think the reviews have been right. I don't think it will get a best picture nomination because there are much more deserving films.
Posted by: Vera | November 26, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Australia can't be this year's Atonement. Atonement was critically acclainmed, and look how Australia's doing in MetaCritic and Rotten Tomatoes.
Posted by: timj | November 25, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Preach on, Brother Tom! :)
Posted by: EDouglas | November 25, 2008 at 07:12 PM
The reviews are rolling in, and they're very mixed. Unless MetaCritic and Rotten Tomatoes are holding out on us, then "Australia" looks like it might be one of this season's failed Oscar hopefuls. And it's not just the so-called "wolf pack." Elizabeth Weitzman of the "New York Daily News," "Slate's" Dana Stevens, "USA Today's" Claudia Puig, and "Entertainment Weekly's" Lisa Schwarzbaum don't like it either.
I think you overestimate the "wolf pack" effect. They don't always attack sentimental fare. Look how rapturous the reviews for "Atonement" were last year. If that's not a brazenly sentimental chick flick, I don't know what is.
Posted by: 742 | November 25, 2008 at 06:50 PM
But Tom, Dreamgirls had quite a similar support circuit. It even had the Oprah factor. But if that was snubbed, I certainly think A will suffer the same way.
Posted by: James | November 25, 2008 at 06:21 PM
I got two words for you, Tom: Cold Mountain.
Posted by: Robert Hamer | November 25, 2008 at 04:36 PM
In a word, YES.
"Australia" will be this year's "Atonement."
Posted by: ThermosDay | November 25, 2008 at 01:18 PM