In Contention

Tag: God of Love

  • Guess again: final predictions and preferences

    “Oh Sister, I have such doubts!”

    I’m not given to quoting overwrought (if Oscar-nominated) ecclesiastical dramas at the best of times, but let’s face it, this is not the best of times. There comes a time in every Oscar-watcher’s life when he has to accept the things he cannot change — or simply stop changing the many, many things he can — and commit to some bloody predictions already.

    That time has come particularly late for me this year, just a few hours ahead of the ceremony that will finally answer such burning world issues as whether Colleen Atwood will win her third Oscar tonight, or Jenny Beavan her second. I had my reasons for stalling — only this afternoon did I complete my viewing of all the short film contenders, meaning I have now seen (or at least skimmed) everything up for an award tonight save, unavoidably, “Country Strong.” (Sorry, Gwyneth, but I’m rooting for ya anyway.)

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  • The In Contention Readership Ballot

    Today’s the big day. No more Oscar Guide, no more polls, just a few choice hours left in the season and then, the 83rd annual. (And not a moment too soon.)

    I appreciate everyone participating in the daily polls this month and last, which accompanied each of our Oscar Guide entries. It offers us a nice glance at the majority opinion of how the race SHOULD go down, so I’m happy to offer up, for the second-straight year, the In Contention Readership Ballot.

    There were a handful of frisky choices this year, though not too many. Your big winners were Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” and David Fincher’s “The Social Network” (which is owed Best Picture by your estimation).  Both films racked up five of your wins.  Nothing else was close. And, interestingly enough, the film likely to walk away with the most awards tonight? It only deserves one prize in your book: Best Actor.

    Check out the ballot after the jump, and good luck to your favorites tonight.

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  • Livin’ the dream

    As a nice break from the cynicism of Oscar season, I’ve been following “God of Love” director Luke Matheny on Twitter and delighting in his head-in-the-clouds, it’s-all-happening ride.  At his blog he’s been posting some nice candids from the Nominees Luncheon.  Godspeed to him, however the short film race turns out.

  • ‘God of Love’ director’s top eight for a date

    Whether or not Luke Matheny’s “God of Love” nabs the Oscar for Best Live Action Short is still to be seen.  It sure has its share of champions but it’s rare for a winner of the Student Academy Award to also take the big prize.  Nevertheless, there’s clearly a publicity push in motion, witnessed by a cute press release that was waiting in my inbox this morning.

    Matheny offers up his “top eight for a date,” films that dovetail nicely with today’s holiday (and what an opportune time for such a holiday to strike when your film is a riff on Cupid).  They are (I’m assuming in no particular order):

    “Joe vs. The Volcano”
    “Paris Blues”
    “Miracle of Morgan’s Creek”
    “The Bodyguard”
    “The Thomas Crown Affair”
    “Doc Hollywood”
    “Shop Around the Corner”
    “Arthur”

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  • OSCAR GUIDE: Best Short Film (Live Action)

    As noted yesterday, Magnolia Pictures and Shorts International will be releasing the Oscar-nominated short films this year on February 11. It’s the third year running and it is a great little program. And in the case of this category, it could provide an early glimpse at tomorrow’s star talent.

    Recent winners of the Best Short Film (Live Action) category that have gone on to feature film careers include Martin McDonagh (“Six Shooter” to “In Bruges”), Andrea Arnold (“WASP” to “Fish Tank”) and Aaron Schneider (“Two Soldiers” to “Get Low”). Taylor Hackford won the award back in 1978. So you never quite know where the individuals in this year’s field will end up.

    The nominees are:

    “The Confession” (Tanel Toom)
    “The Crush” (Michael Creagh)
    “God of Love” (Luke Matheny)
    “Na Wewe” (Ivan Goldschmidt)
    “Wish 143” (Ian Barnes and Samantha Walte)

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