Up in the Air -- & -- The Oscar's

[Roy Hersh]

Everybody's talking about it and the Oscar nod for the Best Picture of 2009 in the same breath. My wife and I snuck away today to see this, finally. We both really liked it, and walking out at the end, I said: "B+" and with a few more hours to process it, I could be argued into giving this an A-. But as much as I did enjoy this film, it is no way deserving of a Best Picture award and I am not so sure that if there had been a decent collection of films made last year, that this would even possibly be up as a nominee.

To add insult to injury, the upcoming annual award's ceremony expanded from 5 - 10 movies, the number of nominees for Best Picture. Not only does this dilute the importance of Best Picture nominee's (in my nsho), but it will likely dlute the fun of watching the ceremonies on TV, which I never miss. What are they going to cut out, Best Foreign Film in order to include thumbnail portrayals of all 10 films? I have yet to read WHY the Academy has chosen to go to 10 pictures, but it just feels lousy to have this happen, especially with such a pathetically weak crop of mainstream flick's to choose from last year, to begin with.

[Steve E.]

I agree, Roy. We saw this several weeks ago and although it was a good film, by no means is it Best Picture worthy. I must admit that I'm not a movie person, but as much as I enjoyed (and enjoyed the depressing aspects), I don't see this as something that should get this lofty award. I see it more as a bunch of great individual achievements that somehow don't total more than the sum of their parts.

That being said, I don't even know what it would be up against...

[Eric Menchen]

I prefer five, but 60 years ago they used to give out 10 or so nominations.

[Roy Hersh]

Yeah but that was probably before they had to squeeze the award's ceremony into a 3 hour "TV event" not including all the red carpet nonsense and post award's parties that now get coverage.