Comments on: Eric’s 2008 Oscar predictions

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 05:00:51 +0000

“Peter and the Wolf” is not painted on glass, Dave. It’s claymation with some 3d. “My Love for Natalie” is the one that is painted on glass. They’re both amazing, so it’s a toss up, but I think “My Love…” will win. Every frame is an impressionistic painting with beautiful color.

By: Allister McBurton

Allister McBurton — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:50:31 +0000

But. . . but. . . Michael Clayton was really good!

By: ClobberGirl

ClobberGirl — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 04:43:18 +0000

Anybody else think the only thing George Clooney ought to win is “fiftypunchesinthface!”?

By: BeeDub

BeeDub — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:24:49 +0000

@ Andrew D: Actually, I was kind of surprised last year, when “Happy Feet” beat out “Cars.”

I guess the Academy didn’t want to appear to be endorsing more recreational driving or something.

By: Leah Jane

Leah Jane — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:56:19 +0000

I love Alan Menken, how nice to see him nominated for those delightful songs from Enchanted! He deserves one for each, but I’d go for Happy Working Song.

By: Neil

Neil — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:18:20 +0000

Here are the Animated category winners after this year - WALL-E in 09, Up in 10, and TS3 in 11.

Remember, you heard it here first.

By: Andrew D

Andrew D — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:25:10 +0000

As usual, the “Best Animated” category is a gimme this year. Give Pixar another tally mark.

By: karlosrr

karlosrr — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:31:18 +0000

Eric,
You’re half right on the Sound Editing vs. Sound Mixing. Sound Editing is for the post-production wizardry. Sound Mixing, is partly for the production recording but also for the final mix - blending all of the dialogue, FX and music to make one complete soundscape. Usually if I recognize a name of someone nominated for mixing it is because they are in the post-production area. And very often you can have a sound designer also be one of the final mixers (as is the case with Randy Thom on Ratatouille). I think Rataouille should win because I love Randy’s work and Doc Kane has been doing this stuff for years and years and deserves to win.

A side note: the primary goal of a production sound mixer is to capture dialogue. They rarely capture any ambient sounds unless they’re in a unique environment and even then they’ll usually wait until the rest of the crew isn’t around, They won’t do it while they’re shooting a scene. Dialogue is always first.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:36:27 +0000

Peter and the wolf is available for view on youtube. You should watch it. Bizarrely, I think your random choice is correct. Three years of hand-painting images onto glass. Beat that, Daniel Day-Lewis.

Also, the Hollywood theatre in Portland is showing the live action and animated shorts that were nominated (or they were, at least). If you were a REAL film critic, you’d pop down there and watch them up.

Finally, I agree with your choice live action choice as well. The Tonto Woman will win. Great story, incredible acting. At Night (about young women in a cancer ward) was good, but not great. Did you know that life is very, very unfair?
My wife picks the Mozart of Pickpockets. It is good, but meandered a bit. It seems like that wouldn’t be possible in a short film, but there you go.

By: Randy Tayler

Randy Tayler — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:35:14 +0000

Bourne Ultimatum will win best editing OF MY BUTT!

Let me rephrase that: I didn’t like The Bourne Ultimatum.