I'm starting to believe that Milk and Slumdog are fighting for the same oxygen.

If that's the case, Milk wins.

Sorry Slumdog bandwagoners.

Different subject matter, different studio, probably different tones...

No need to huh.

The will most certainly gross less than Curious Case and TDK, and depending on your picks, the third film. They appeal to the same Indie Major fans (Milk is Focus, part of Universal and Slumdog is Fox Searchlight, aka Fox).

Haven't the last three years shown that Oscar really doesn't give a fart about box office?

Also, I'd say both stand a decent chance a being mini-breakouts, especially Slumdog if it can find a mainstream audience in its American-friendly foreign nature. And Milk could finish with $40-50 million if finds enough appeal outside the gay community, a sum that tops a third of the last 15 BP nominees.

I think the last three years have shown that voters didn't have a strong enough mandate to return to voting for 100+ million dollar grossers (or potential grossers) that have wide audience appeal. This year however, is much different.

So all of the sudden they're gonna fill the BP line-up with $100 million grossers?

Only TDK, WALL-E (Which I personally consider out of the race, but I know others feel otherwise) and possibly Benjamin Button are big audience-pleasers that are really in the race. I don't see why they can't just nominate TDK, Benjamin Button and three smaller films. I don't see why they would suddenly think "Oh, my ballot already has Batman, that robot movie, the one with Brad Pitt and Mamma Mia!, so now, Slumdog Millionaire or Milk? OH, THE STRUGGLE!"

I can't believe Frost/Nixon is alive again... Fucking Ron Howard. It should be especially noted that all the positives are from the entertainment/magazine esque reviewers, which ties into its excellent BFCA score. These are more of the AMPA type than the cold hard critics, so yea, watch out.

Slumdog/Milk look good. TDK we're assuming will strike in, but there is a small chance it'll be totally washed off as an Oscar film.

For some reason it feels like Benjamin Button, Doubt, Revo. Road, Frost/Nixon are all in the same boat... Oscar bait types. I think Doubt has the upper hand with 3 acting noms, screenplay, and techs like costume, score, etc. all looking pretty good. I'll say Button and Doubt fill out the pack.

I think what helps TDK immensly is that WB is actually giving it a very big push.

Anyone else not buying TDK for Best Picture at all?

Yes. What else does WB have on its roster?

It might be nominated, I'm afraid.

You're being very melodramatic Jon. It's quite lovely.

It goes back to the original point that Milk and Slumdog have the same appeal and will probably share the same amount of high praise, hence they share the same airspace. The only difference is that Slumdog will not receive any nominations for acting whereas Milk will probably get 1-2.

yup. with luck, eckhart will join ledger on the supporting actor list.

Dear Academy,

Please don't nominate the worst BD winner since I don't know when (and the worst of his year by far!). He knows who he is. I doubt he has made a seriously great movie by now, and even if he did, he already has an undeserved one in the bag, so why not snub him for once like you've done with truly great works in the past?

Thank you.

One's a gay-themed drama by an auteur and another a love story by an accessible semi-auteur...I'm still not buying it.

Sorry, when I come across something I find ridiculous, I tend to get carried away. Hence why I almost never posted about politics here.

The latest Gurus of Gold predictions: http://moviecitynews.com/awards/2009/gurus_081119.html.

but Australian critics were always going to be much tougher to impress than international critics.

Variety and HR have given it very positive reviews, and i do think Nicole Kidman still might get a placement and the little boy in the movie is another possibility.

http://64.14.20.205/m/the_wrestler/

100% with 17 reviews and 8/10. Looking good, but I am not convinced as far as BP is concerned.


Frost/Nixon is at 92%. I contend that it is fully back in the game for now.

I'm just glad Australia actually is getting well-reviewed.

I mean, I think we all remember what happened to the last three-hour epic to open over Thanksgiving (that would be Alexander).

8 100s now for Slumdog Millionaire. Just more confirmation of its status.

The Wrestler looks prime for the lone BD spot.

I definitley wouldn't count out The Wrestler if Rourke pulls a Mirren on the Best Actor race. Feels like could get a nom in Supporting Actress, then it has Springsteen performing the song and maybe an Editing nom for the fights (Cinderella Man got one). Seems like a solid combination for a BP nom.

Australia's at 69% now with 13 reviews.

YAY!!!