25 responses to “Zoe Saldana gets her first awards recognition of the year…”
Robert Hamer
Someone’s got to explain to me why Zoe Saldana’s performance is so awards worthy in Avatar. I didn’t see anything in her hissing, over-the-top expressions, and silly accent that was any different than your average alien princess role in a given Star Trek episode.
Then why would I bother explaining it to you? Your mind is made up. Also, why is it an objective thing that needs to even be “explained?” Either you feel one way or you feel the other.
Next.
david
Beyond all the technical brillance of the film, her performance was the highlight for me. I thought she was the films heart.
The Image Awards! My first job out of college was working as the film submissions coordinator for them. AND they recognized Medicine for Melancholy! Love it.
Ryan
@Robert
Because she connected with the audience. And to do it not as “herself” is even more astounding.
Robert Hamer
Uh, okay, I was thinking more along the lines of discussions that I had with Nick Davis about The Cell or Guy Lodge on Wolf Creek, where we disagreed but in the end at least understood where we were coming from, but I suppose the “Stop disagreeing with me! It’s just YOUR opinion!” angle works too.
Robert Hamer
By the way, that was directed at Kris. Those of you who gave your reasons, thanks.
Speaking English
When she realizes the full intent of Jake’s motivations and begins to crumble in anger and disappointment, the emotion was able to register there tore me apart. Beautiful.
I don’t understand this awards group. So Bullock is eligible [let’s not start on that], but Lenny Kravitz is nominated over Matt Damon who was one of the FEW good things in Invictus?
Your reasoning was half-baked consideration of an instance (the “hissing”) that happens maybe three times in the film. Sue me if I saw a pointless argument on the horizon. All things considered, it was quite the curious way to start a “discussion.”
Meh, it’s just be nice if you could, you know, try NOT to come from a dismissive place if you’re interested in an honest to God “discussion.” Par for your course, I’m afraid.
Congrats to Zoe, her performance really sealed the film.
David
LOL at Chase K.
Louis
I only really noticed the hissing as well.
Al
Obviously an organization that nominates fine films like Obsessed, 2012, and Notorious is dignified enough for Zoe’s nomination to mean something.
nevermind.
Sam Dodsworth
Why do people think she’s supporting???
John
Mr. Hamer,
As a big STAR TREK fan, I’m not sure your allusion really worked for me… I see no reason that playing an alien princess on a great show would automatically disqualify you for praise. In fact, sci-fi/horror/fantasy acting is really not given the respect it should be… much as comedy is often shafted. It’s something that a lot of very good actors just can’t do. For some actors, if you start saying “I’m Ko’lat, member of the Na’vi and the queen mother, etc” they’re just going to sound stupid. In this, I believed that was an alien princess from another world, more than some bad scifi episodes where you can tell the performer just doesn’t get this stuff.
Also, look at some of the obstacles in this performance. An accent and a foreign language (both of which are manufactured for this project), a certain physicality required to sell the part, dialogue and story which will make one look very silly if this doesn’t work (that’s not a slam on Jim, this is just a very emotionally earnest sort of role by definition), she’s competing against great action and SFX
But two big things stand out: 1) the character connected with me (and many others. That is the real test of a performance. 2) this was a great performance in a relatively new field. Maybe Gollum should have been nominated, too, but this will be remembered as one of the first great performance in this motion-capture arena.
By the way, I didn’t think your question was out of line at all. If someone is going to praise something that didn’t work for you, it’s not unreasonable to ask for a polite explanation.
Robert Hamer
Hmmm…an interesting point, John. I absolutely agree with you that science fiction performances do get the shaft a lot, but if we’re on that subject, Sam Rockwell has far more reason to complain about being ignored than Saldana. And that’s just this year.
I would agree that she also invests a lot in a more difficult role than perhaps I giver her credit for, but that doesn’t mean it’s a great performance. What really took me out of her character was her broad sweeping emotions that would have been considered over-the-top in a Broadway musical. When she’s angry, she’s ANGRY, when she’s sad, she’s SAD, and so on, and these shifts would happen abruptly and lacked believability in most situations. Many times when her character was upset, she would briefly get this, “Oh my God, what do I do now, Mr. Cameron?!?” deer-in-the-headlights look before screaming at the top of her lungs and going for wild gestures. Perhaps that’s an unfair criticism considering she’s paired up with the dull Sam Worthington and she’s just over-the-top by comparison, but it’s hard to relate to a character who exaggerates every single expression. The accent she puts on is also problematic; it seems to only exist for sex appeal as it doesn’t match the rest of the Na’Vi.
The only other character who is as cartoonish as her is Colonel Quaritch, but at least Stephen Lang has enough humor in his performance to get away with it. I’m not even sure if I can blame this necessarily on Cameron’s terrible writing, either, since her Uhura was somewhat shortchanged in Star Trek and Saldana did a much more effective job making her a believable character. The fact that people are comparing this to Andy Serkis’ committed and indelible turn as Gollum in The Two Towers is dumbfounding.
If she “connected” with you, I certainly won’t begrudge that (Well, I might begrudge the overall fact that just don’t seem to “get” this movie nearly as much as so many critics and moviegoers did) and I won’t deny that she has her fans, but her work is nothing special, or unprecedented, or a standout for at all; forgive me if I look at the dead awards momentum of Tilda Swinton in Julia and find Kris’ huff over Zoe Saldana’s lack of “recognition” sort of silly.
Andrew2
I’m sorry but if Ms Zoldana gets an Oscar nom ahead of performances like Abbie Cornish in Bright Star, I will be seriously peeved.
KBJr.
It’s been said before, but it bears repeating: Some of these nominations are downright embarrassing, further rendering awards bodies and shows like this pointless.
Lenny Kravitz in “Precious” as Best Supporting? Even Mariah, who graces us in three flimsy scenes of the film (two of which she is over shadowed by better actresses) doesn’t merit any awards attention.
I’m curious who thought Idris Elba’s performance in “Obsessed” could be described as “Best” anything…and since when is Sandra Bullock “colored”?
I think the NAACP should restructure it’s awards show (just like BET should)…instead of nominating the OBVIOUS winner and filling out the rest of the spots, why not just award the best performance and present it at the show. Is there really any suspense anyways? Fill in the rest of the show with music performances and honors and call it a night. With the current structure they depreciate their award and the winner by showing the world what WEAK competition there really was.
John
Well, that JULIA movie. Yeah, didn’t work for me that one.
As for scifi, Mr. Rockwell had a really interesting part. Also, Mr. Quinto played Spock for all it was worth, andI was very happy to see him make BAFTA’s longlist.
However, I’m definitely on the Saldana fanlist after this year. She does two of my favorite movies and is totally diferent in both of them.
I liked your comment about the Broadway musical. I can totally see AVATAR the musical.
Now, you called Mr. Quadrich a cartoon-y character. I dunno, I know some people just like him (OK, they don’t have cool robosuits or run into alien environs without headgear, but given the enhancements necessary for a big epic spectacle, I’d say the portrayal was within the bounds of accurate.)
Comments
25 responses to “Zoe Saldana gets her first awards recognition of the year…”
Someone’s got to explain to me why Zoe Saldana’s performance is so awards worthy in Avatar. I didn’t see anything in her hissing, over-the-top expressions, and silly accent that was any different than your average alien princess role in a given Star Trek episode.
Agreed.
Then why would I bother explaining it to you? Your mind is made up. Also, why is it an objective thing that needs to even be “explained?” Either you feel one way or you feel the other.
Next.
Beyond all the technical brillance of the film, her performance was the highlight for me. I thought she was the films heart.
Congrats to Zoe. Fingers crossed its not her only mention this season.
The Image Awards! My first job out of college was working as the film submissions coordinator for them. AND they recognized Medicine for Melancholy! Love it.
@Robert
Because she connected with the audience. And to do it not as “herself” is even more astounding.
Uh, okay, I was thinking more along the lines of discussions that I had with Nick Davis about The Cell or Guy Lodge on Wolf Creek, where we disagreed but in the end at least understood where we were coming from, but I suppose the “Stop disagreeing with me! It’s just YOUR opinion!” angle works too.
By the way, that was directed at Kris. Those of you who gave your reasons, thanks.
When she realizes the full intent of Jake’s motivations and begins to crumble in anger and disappointment, the emotion was able to register there tore me apart. Beautiful.
Man, “A Serious Man” got snubbed at the NAACP’s.
I don’t understand this awards group. So Bullock is eligible [let’s not start on that], but Lenny Kravitz is nominated over Matt Damon who was one of the FEW good things in Invictus?
Your reasoning was half-baked consideration of an instance (the “hissing”) that happens maybe three times in the film. Sue me if I saw a pointless argument on the horizon. All things considered, it was quite the curious way to start a “discussion.”
Score one for cherry-picking, Kris.
Meh, it’s just be nice if you could, you know, try NOT to come from a dismissive place if you’re interested in an honest to God “discussion.” Par for your course, I’m afraid.
I’m also cranky this afternoon.
Congrats to Zoe, her performance really sealed the film.
LOL at Chase K.
I only really noticed the hissing as well.
Obviously an organization that nominates fine films like Obsessed, 2012, and Notorious is dignified enough for Zoe’s nomination to mean something.
nevermind.
Why do people think she’s supporting???
Mr. Hamer,
As a big STAR TREK fan, I’m not sure your allusion really worked for me… I see no reason that playing an alien princess on a great show would automatically disqualify you for praise. In fact, sci-fi/horror/fantasy acting is really not given the respect it should be… much as comedy is often shafted. It’s something that a lot of very good actors just can’t do. For some actors, if you start saying “I’m Ko’lat, member of the Na’vi and the queen mother, etc” they’re just going to sound stupid. In this, I believed that was an alien princess from another world, more than some bad scifi episodes where you can tell the performer just doesn’t get this stuff.
Also, look at some of the obstacles in this performance. An accent and a foreign language (both of which are manufactured for this project), a certain physicality required to sell the part, dialogue and story which will make one look very silly if this doesn’t work (that’s not a slam on Jim, this is just a very emotionally earnest sort of role by definition), she’s competing against great action and SFX
But two big things stand out: 1) the character connected with me (and many others. That is the real test of a performance. 2) this was a great performance in a relatively new field. Maybe Gollum should have been nominated, too, but this will be remembered as one of the first great performance in this motion-capture arena.
By the way, I didn’t think your question was out of line at all. If someone is going to praise something that didn’t work for you, it’s not unreasonable to ask for a polite explanation.
Hmmm…an interesting point, John. I absolutely agree with you that science fiction performances do get the shaft a lot, but if we’re on that subject, Sam Rockwell has far more reason to complain about being ignored than Saldana. And that’s just this year.
I would agree that she also invests a lot in a more difficult role than perhaps I giver her credit for, but that doesn’t mean it’s a great performance. What really took me out of her character was her broad sweeping emotions that would have been considered over-the-top in a Broadway musical. When she’s angry, she’s ANGRY, when she’s sad, she’s SAD, and so on, and these shifts would happen abruptly and lacked believability in most situations. Many times when her character was upset, she would briefly get this, “Oh my God, what do I do now, Mr. Cameron?!?” deer-in-the-headlights look before screaming at the top of her lungs and going for wild gestures. Perhaps that’s an unfair criticism considering she’s paired up with the dull Sam Worthington and she’s just over-the-top by comparison, but it’s hard to relate to a character who exaggerates every single expression. The accent she puts on is also problematic; it seems to only exist for sex appeal as it doesn’t match the rest of the Na’Vi.
The only other character who is as cartoonish as her is Colonel Quaritch, but at least Stephen Lang has enough humor in his performance to get away with it. I’m not even sure if I can blame this necessarily on Cameron’s terrible writing, either, since her Uhura was somewhat shortchanged in Star Trek and Saldana did a much more effective job making her a believable character. The fact that people are comparing this to Andy Serkis’ committed and indelible turn as Gollum in The Two Towers is dumbfounding.
If she “connected” with you, I certainly won’t begrudge that (Well, I might begrudge the overall fact that just don’t seem to “get” this movie nearly as much as so many critics and moviegoers did) and I won’t deny that she has her fans, but her work is nothing special, or unprecedented, or a standout for at all; forgive me if I look at the dead awards momentum of Tilda Swinton in Julia and find Kris’ huff over Zoe Saldana’s lack of “recognition” sort of silly.
I’m sorry but if Ms Zoldana gets an Oscar nom ahead of performances like Abbie Cornish in Bright Star, I will be seriously peeved.
It’s been said before, but it bears repeating: Some of these nominations are downright embarrassing, further rendering awards bodies and shows like this pointless.
Lenny Kravitz in “Precious” as Best Supporting? Even Mariah, who graces us in three flimsy scenes of the film (two of which she is over shadowed by better actresses) doesn’t merit any awards attention.
I’m curious who thought Idris Elba’s performance in “Obsessed” could be described as “Best” anything…and since when is Sandra Bullock “colored”?
I think the NAACP should restructure it’s awards show (just like BET should)…instead of nominating the OBVIOUS winner and filling out the rest of the spots, why not just award the best performance and present it at the show. Is there really any suspense anyways? Fill in the rest of the show with music performances and honors and call it a night. With the current structure they depreciate their award and the winner by showing the world what WEAK competition there really was.
Well, that JULIA movie. Yeah, didn’t work for me that one.
As for scifi, Mr. Rockwell had a really interesting part. Also, Mr. Quinto played Spock for all it was worth, andI was very happy to see him make BAFTA’s longlist.
However, I’m definitely on the Saldana fanlist after this year. She does two of my favorite movies and is totally diferent in both of them.
I liked your comment about the Broadway musical. I can totally see AVATAR the musical.
Now, you called Mr. Quadrich a cartoon-y character. I dunno, I know some people just like him (OK, they don’t have cool robosuits or run into alien environs without headgear, but given the enhancements necessary for a big epic spectacle, I’d say the portrayal was within the bounds of accurate.)