Harsh
“[The] pesky preferential method for best picture slowed the usual quick rate of return; in previous years, the majority of ballots were returned within 10 days of receipt. The ballot listed nominees in only 19 of the 24 categories. Academy members were required to attend screenings if they wished to vote for foreign-language film, documentary features and shorts, and animated and live-action shorts.”
“Pesky preferential method” = ranking the ten nominees instead of just picking one out of five.
Oscars: How a big win for "The Hurt Locker" could change the Academy Awards
With The Hurt Locker now having all but vacuumed up the year’s critical acclaim, and with Avatar having just this week become the top-grossing domestic movie of all time, Avatar vs. The Hurt Locker is an awesomely symbolic race (and not just because James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow were once married). It’s a clash of size, values, popularity — of essential notions of What Movie Art Is in the 21st century. A Hurt Locker victory would open the door to a new definition of Oscar glory, a defiant celebration of artistry over commerce. A win for Avatar would be, in its way, a definitive assertion of the same old same old.
I thought it was a pretty interesting read.
I’ve seen all ten Best Picture nominees and The Hurt Locker is by far my favorite. Owen Gleiberman points out that it only grossed $12.6 million which effectively eliminates it from contention for Best Picture unless there’s a major change in the perception of the award.
