The 84th Academy Awards are this Sunday and trying to pick a winner is anybody’s guess. However, even if you couldn’t tell Blazing Saddles from Gone With the Wind, it’s always good to sound like you have a clue when your sit down to watch the Academy Awards — which has been described as 12 minutes of action packed into four hours of television entertainment.
Still it will be watched by millions of people. Zoe Sluser and Bailey Kerluke, of Untitled Productions in Black Diamond will be watching.
“As independent filmmakers we support the Oscars as a worldwide way to celebrate film and highlight individuals and films that stand out within the industry,” Sluser said. We enjoy watching to see which films, cast and crew are nominated each year and it's equally as interesting, and sometimes surprising, to see who takes home the awards.”
The independent filmmakers recently compiled a series of their short-films for their production A Year Through The Lens. It will be shown at the Wales Theatre in High River on March 29th at 5:30 p.m. prior to the screening of the Foothills Films monthly showing of a non-main stream film.
Watching the Oscars can also be aggravating for the young filmmakers.
“I don’t always watch straight through because I find it frustrating because sometimes it is always big name actors over and over,” Sluser said. “I would love to see a movie like Bridesmaids win but you know it won’t because it’s considered just a silly comedy.”
Holy Trinity Academy drama instructor Wendy Doerksen also is a big fan of Oscar.
“The Oscars make the public aware of lesser known films and actors,” she said.
They recognize all areas of filmmaking and not just the big name actors.
I love seeing categories such as the costume design, screenwriting, original scores receive recognition when we sometimes forget that it takes so many talented and creative people in the movie industry to make these films. This provides inspiration to my acting students and we often discuss the results and winners the day after – especially the films that they haven’t heard about because they aren’t typical ‘big block buster’ movies.”
She will be rolling out the red carpet for the event.
“I also encourage my students to have fun by hosting a little Oscar Party. I do enjoy hosting one, enjoying the Red Carpet celebrity sightings and checking out the many categories we don’t normally think of when we hear Oscar Night.”
Twila Thompson, owner of The Bullpen will be holding the first Celebrity Academy Awards Gala on Feb. 25.
“We are going to have the red carpet,” Thompson said. “Some of the celebrities that people who are coming dressed of I have heard are Charlie Sheen and O.J. Simpson. I know there will lots of them.”
The Okotoks Western Wheel went to some experts for some help to get their picks of what they thought was the best of the nominees for this year’s Academy Awards.
Jody Swift, Foothills Composite High School drama teacher:
Best Picture — “The Help was thought-provoking. It connects with audiences of all ages and it was a great adaptation form the book and it speaks. The audience can connect to the injustices revealed in the story while also being appalled by them.” (The film deals with racial tension and the civil rights movement in the American Deep South during the 1960s).
Lead Actor, Female — “Glenn Close. She plays a female pretending to be a male in Albert Nobbs. Honestly, I had to look twice because I didn’t know it was her. I thought she encompassed the role entirely.”
Lead Actor, Male — “I have no idea. Jean Dujardin (The Artist) is kind of due, but when he’s up against Brad Pitt (Moneyball) and George Clooney (The Descendants) it is going to be hard.
“Pitt might win it for Moneyball.”
Zoe Sluser and Bailey Kerluke, Untitled Productions, Black Diamond:
Best Picture — “Hugo. Hugo is amazing in the way that it immerses you in the world and story of the film. We love that it tells a story about film's history in such a unique and captivating way. The style and cinematography, as well as the proper use of 3D, make this film un-questionably award worthy.”
Lead Actor, Male — “Jean Dujardin from The Artist. Before The Artist silent films had become nearly non-existent in our current movie landscape.
Jean Dujardin does a remarkable job of bringing his character to life in a way that hasn't been seen in far too long.
We would like to give a special mention to Joseph Gordon-Levitt for his impeccable performance in the movie 50/50. In the very least he should be up for a nomination and he is our opinion is definitely a front-runner.
Lead Actor, Female – Viola Davis from The Help. Viola is lovable and powerful. As a female role she brings Aibileen Clark to life and connects us to the struggles of her character in an extremely impactful way.”
Wendy Doerksen, Holy Trinity Academy drama teacher, currently directing the school’s production of Guys and Dolls, which will open March 22:
Best Picture — “The Artist because it is highly unique and creative. It has a deep level of acting without voice.”
Lead Actor, Female — “Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs. She is so deserving and the role is such a challenge and she is very believable.”
Lead Actor, Male — “Either the guy from The Artist., Jean Dujardin, or George Clooney in The Descendants because that is his strongest performance to date. Dujardin is fresh and expressive in the (non-speaking) role.”
The Academy Awards are this Feb. 26 and can be watched on CTV at 6:30 p.m.
The nominees for the Big Three - best picture Lead Actor, male and female - for the 84th Academy Awards on Feb. 26.
Best Picture: The Artist, The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse Lead Actor, Female: Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs); Viola Davis (The Help), Rooney Mara (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady), Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn).Lead Actor, Male: Demián Bichir (A Better Life), George Clooney (The Descendants), Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Brad Pitt (Moneyball).
