AFI AWARDS 2006
# AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR-OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

BABEL

BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FORMAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

DREAMGIRLS

HALF NELSON

HAPPY FEET

INSIDE MAN

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

UNITED 93

Peace,
Mike.

WTF, The Devil Wears Prada made it onto another top 10 list. I would flip a shit if it got a Best Picture nomination.

"Basically, I don't eat anything, and when I feel like I'm going to pass out, I eat a cube of cheese."

I knew that United 93 would have a leg up simply from reading the AFI criteria and all that; their overall mission is to reward films that reflect some sort of importance and understanding in society, and isn't just a "well crafted film". That's also why I knew Borat would make the list.

Meanwhile The Departed didn't make this list; that's not good for it's chances of winning of the Oscar, according to the AFI's history (albeit a small one).

Peace,
Mike.

Oh, and I'm SO rooting for Babel now. It has now made the NBR list and the AFI list. Babel for a Best Picture nom at the Oscars! Woot.

Peace,
Mike.

Niiice for Borat! No Departed, 1 Clint. And they didn't forget the true classic of United 93.

These Oscars actually seem more unpredictable than last year (which I didn't think was possible).

I mean...

First, Dreamgirls doesn't get NBR. Then Dreamgirls gets AFI, but The Departed doesn't.

And then you have movies like The Devil Wears Prada (!) making both lists.

I said earlier today that I didn't care about AFI and I'm glad I did.

What an awful, meaningless list.

I'm quite stunned that they left out The Departed.

Delighted to see Devil Wears Prada in the mix.

As I've been saying all along, Babel never really left the race and was sitting pretty at #6 on the short list. It's definitely a major contender... the question is what film could it take out?

The Queen is missing as well... again.

I don't think The Queen was eligible for this list.

There are 4 films that made both the NBR list and the AFI list; they are:

Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
Babel
The Devil Wears Prada (weeeeeeird)

Dreamgirls made the AFI list, but not the NBR list.
The Departed made the NBR list, but not the AFI list (also got big support from the Boston Critics).

United 93 seems to have jumped back into the possibility area with a mention here as well as support from the Boston Critics; we'll have to see if that holds up though.

Peace,
Mike.

This race is narrowing down to 6 quite strong contenders just like last year.

Babel
The Departed
Dreamgirls
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen

I'm really starting to think The Queen may not have enough Academy reach even though Babel is the one I'd like to see sit out simply because of all the films (aside Letters) it's the only one that didn't quite meet my expectation no matter how good it might have been.

I tink Innaritu is in a better position to get a nom than the film itself is for BP though. I think Babel might miss out on a BP nom but Innaritu will get a BD nod bumping LMS out of that category.

Happy Feet's nomination reinforces my long held belief that Happy Feet will win the Best Animated Film Oscar.

Peace,
Mike.

And if anyone had doubts, I think this just solidifies Little Children's exit out of serious contention.

Even though I did like it.

Yep, even though we knew it had lost a lot of ground, we can pretty much cut it out completely now. It's no longer a contender, for Best Picture at least.

Peace,
Mike.

It is not eligible since the team is not American enough. The same thing happened with Gosford Park.

Babel is showing good strength, and it's definitely going to make BFCA and probably GG.

Borat? Prada? Happy Feet? No Departed? Those are crazy

The Devil Wears Prada appears once again! I loved the performances from Streep and Blunt more than the movie itself, but it would be kinda funny if it got more noms than... say... United 93? (Streep, Blunt, the screenplay, costumes)

Or maybe not... don't shoot me, I didn't even see United 93

When a likely BP winner like The Departed doesn't make the list you know it's a pointless list. I mean, if the film doesn't at least win Best Director there should be a riot. I mean, what does Scorsese have to do to win?

Eastwood better not beat scorsese again at the oscars or DGA.I feel bad for scorsese, poor bastard.

Strange list to say the least, with Prada, Happy Feet, and Inside Man(wha?).

Borat, United 93 and Inside Man, 3 of my 4 **** movies this year (Theone missing is The Descent, to be expected) with the enjoyable Devil Wears Prada and LMS and as of now unseen by me but to be loved The Departed and Half Nelson. Me likey v. much.

I'm excited to see the Devil Wears Prada & Half Nelson there, but boo on not having the Departed. I still need to see Little Miss Sunshine.

Is there a chance that The Departed wasn't eligible because it was a remake of an Asian film (with some Asian screenwriter credit)? Or was it purposely snubbed?

Hmm, being a remake of an Asian film would make sense. Either way, I'm not worried, as of right now it's still the biggest frontrunner for the Oscar since Return of the King. I'm really glad to see Inside Man on that list, I hope it gets a few more well deserved notices.

All this Devil Wears Prada love? K, whatever.

Inside Man? Weird, but... all right.

But Happy Feet???