The 81st Annual Academy Awards

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by lurker

I don’t think you can just say that there is a certain type of Bollywood movie – that’s an extremely narrow view of all the movies that India produces.

It really isn't. We can easily identify movie tropes and Bollywood has its own tropes.

I disagreed with the claim that it was a Bollywood movie because I don't think you can just say having a few qualities of some Bollywood movies makes it one.

One of the big critiques I've heard from some people is that it is getting overpraise for basically being a paint by numbers Bollywood movie without the song & dance pieces (except for "Jai Ho" at the end).

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by lurker

Edit -- maybe I'd find it uplifting if his means of getting out of the slums was somewhat realistic or plausible.

Hmm, just me I guess, but I don't see why it has to be realistic to be uplifting.

My #1 favorite movie and a true inspiration for me in overcoming is The Shawskenk Redemption. I know most prisoners are guilty. And most prisoners do not succeed in escaping prison. But that doesn't make the compelling story of the fictional Andy Dufresne any less uplifting.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Samdari

Since quality is in the eye of the beholder, this indicates a bias more than anything.

Most actors I have ever heard discuss the subject have said is a lot harder to do comedy than drama well, yet actors never get nominated for comedic roles.

Comedies do definitely get the shaft. I would argue it's actually harder to do great comedy than great drama. I haven't taken the time to fully flesh out that thought, but that's my gut feeling.

I told anyone who would listen that i thought The 40 Year Old Virgin should have been nominated for best picture a few years back.

And I would seriously argue that the original Rush Hour was one of the 5 best movies released in whichever year it came out (maybe 98?)

[larnott]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

And I would seriously argue that the original Rush Hour was one of the 5 best movies released in whichever year it came out (maybe 98?)

Rush Hour isn't even one of the top 5 best COMEDYS released in 1998.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

And I would seriously argue that the original Rush Hour was one of the 5 best movies released in whichever year it came out (maybe 98?)

As much as I love "Rush Hour", and I do, I don't think anyone could seriously argue that it was one of the 5 best movies released in any year. Ever.

[cthomer5000]

It's the best film ever.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

It's the best film ever.

Oh. Ok then. Good point!

[sabotai]

Comedies released in 1998 that were better than Rush Hour

BASEketball
The Big Lebowski
Clueless
Dead Man On Campus
Dirty Work
Half Baked
Pleasantville
Rushmore
The Wedding Singer
There's Something About Mary

Comedies released in 1998 that were worse than Rush Hour

Earnest in the Army
The Waterboy


(Note: I have not seen either "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas" or "Shakespeare In Love", thus their omission, but I would probably think they were better than Rush Hour)

[stevew]

I thought Downey Jr got robbed fwiw. Although I really didn't see many of the nominated movies this year.

[ISiddiqui]

As much as I loved "Tropic Thunder", Health Ledger was amazing in "The Dark Knight"... and not just because he died afterwards.