In Contention

Tag: polls

  • POLL: Does ‘Revolutionary Road’ deserve the precursor shaft?

    We need a new poll.  The last one might have helped turn this place into a “Dark Knight” vs. “WALL-E” battlefield, but with that in mind, I should point out the results were “The Dark Knight” by a hair.

    But with John’s recent piece on the season’s snubbing of “Revolutionary Road,” aside from some notices here and there from critics groups and the HFPA, and with the film opening in two days (so you’ll all have your own opinion on it), I thought I’d ask the readership: Is the film getting the shaft this Oscar season?

    This is the time for a film that is dwindling to turn on the afterburners and leap back into the thick of it, so give your answer some serious thought.  Does “Revolutionary Road” deserve more consideration than it’s received or does it belong in the also-ran column it seems to be headed toward?  Tell us in the sidebar poll!

  • POLL: ‘Dark Knight’ or ‘WALL-E?’ Take your stand.

    Okay, now that things are finally happening this awards season, I feel inspired to create another poll.  It’s been a while.  The last time around, the vast majority of you felt Heath Ledger was a lock to win Best Supporting Actor, and forgive, but this week we have “The Dark Knight” in the mix once again.

    I’m frankly fascinated by the lines being drawn in the sand on behalf of Christopher Nolan’s film and Pixar’s “WALL-E,” the second and first place finishers with yesterday’s LAFCA vote and two of the most popular, yet critically acclaimed films of the year.  The fights have certainly erupted here and here, and I’m all for the heated discourse.  But I thought I’d get a gauge on the overall opinion on which is the better film.

    So, have your say in the sidebar poll!  It’s not to say one can’t be a fan of both, but tell us which film you think is the better achievement, “The Dark Knight” or “WALL-E.”

  • POLL: Is Heath Ledger a lock to win Best Supporting Actor?

    We really need a new poll this week.  That “Wrestler” query has run its course (the majority of you thinking, no, the film won’t suplex its way into the Best Picture line-up).

    This week, inspired by Guy’s post below, I figured we’d ask a question that has been on everyone’s mind for a few months now: Does Heath Ledger have the Best Supporting Actor Oscar sewn up for his performance in “The Dark Knight?”

    So…let us know in the sidebar poll!

  • POLL: ‘The Wrestler’ — Best Picture nominee?

    Here’s the deal.  I left “The Wrestler” off of the Best Picture poll from two weeks ago (which had “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Milk” leading the way).  It wasn’t because of the film’s quality.  Quite obviously, I loved the film.  But it is very bleak and very small and, in the way of editorializing, I clipped it from the contenders.  I just figured it too unlikely a scenario.

    Well, over the weekend I’m told Fox Searchlight is “going for it” on the Best Picture front on this film, which had its U.S. debut at AFI Fest last week.  I’m also told the film is receiving standing ovations at guild screenings, though one can’t be sure if that enthusiasm is focused more on Mickey Rourke’s stunning portrayal than it is the film as a whole.  But regardless of that, the studio is getting serious on the more-than-just-the-performance front.

    So, with that in mind, I thought I’d right the wrong of the last poll and offer up “The Wrestler” and its Best Picture fate to the readership.  Very simple question: Do you think the film will receive a Best Picture nomiantion?  Tell us in the sidebar poll!

  • POLL: What are your five predicted Best Picture nominees?

    We let the “Gran Torino” poll run through a second week given the potential impact of the film’s trailer and accompanying materials.  The narrow majority of the readership seems to think Clint Eastwood’s film will manage a nomination here or there, but isn’t likely to be the sweeping nomination force his recent string of critical hits has been.

    Moving into a week absent of chart updates, I thought I’d turn it over to everyone for a simple query: Which films are you predicting for Best Picture?

    I’ve included what I believe to be the 20 most plausible contenders in the sidebar poll.  There might be arguments for or against this film or that, but if you have a thought on that, feel free to post in the comments below.

  • POLL: What do you make of “Gran Torino”‘s Oscar prospects?

    Sorry we let the sidebar poll go stale.  But it was a nice round-up of opinion.  After two weeks, 28% of our readers think “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is the frontrunner heading into the fall months, with “Milk” nipping at its heels.  But it’s time for a new query, no?

    I thought about using the question in the post below as fodder for this week’s poll, regarding Heath Ledger’s likelihood of a nomination in the lead category for “The Dark Knight.”  But I thought I would take an element from that post and concentrate on it here: the mysterious “Gran Torino.”

    Clint Eastwood’s film has been way back on the back burner for many prognosticators who aren’t able to let him pull a fast one and catch them off guard once again.  We’ve reviewed the screenplay here at In Contention and some scattered reports have circulated about the on-the-set particulars of the production, but for the most part, we’re in the dark.  Lots of potential, but nothing tangible to chew on.

    So I leave it to a vague poll: what do you think of the film’s Oscar prospects, given what little we have to go on?  I’ve narrowed it to four equally vague answers, and for that I apologize, but I thought I’d get a read on what you all were thinking on this lurking awards hopeful.  Tell us in the sidebar poll!

  • POLL: Heading into October, what is the frontrunner for Oscar?

    Bringing things back to the movies at hand, a new poll this week.

    Various prognosticators are finally taking their first stabs at picking the awards season’s frontrunners, and there is a surprising consensus developing.  Of course, it’s a consensus based on films that have not been seen for the most part, 90% of most lists containing stuff coming down the pike.  But it’s a consensus nonetheless.

    So with that in mind, tell us who you think the frontrunner is in the new sidebar poll.  We’re charging into October and this is probably that last chance we have before people actually start seeing the majority of these films.  I’ve arrogantly chosen the 10 contenders from our most recent Best Picture chart to represent the choices, but as always, feel free to chime in here if your pick isn’t represented on the list.

  • POLL: How do you feel about Bond’s missing catch phrases in ‘Quantum of Solace?’

    In this morning’s Oscarweb round-up, we linked to a story in London’s Independent newspaper about the upcoming 22nd installment of the James Bond franchise, “Quantum of Solace.”  It appears director Marc Forster and company have opted to exclude the infamous catch phrase, “Bond. James Bond.” from the film’s script.  Also getting the cut is the “shaken, not stirred” aside that we all know and love.  It’s an unexpected departure that could have a few fans up-in-arms…or not.

    So in this week’s poll, I thought I’d ask the readership: is this a travesty or no big deal at all?  Tell us in the sidebar poll!

  • POLL: Which Toronto favorite are you anticipating the most?

    With the bulk of the festival season behind us (just a few more to go), I thought I’d gauge support for the films that were well-received in Toronto.  I suspect I know the answer already, but you guys tend to surprise me with these more often than not.  So let us know in the sidebar: what’s tickling your fancy after waves of critical approval?  And if you have another title in mind, tell us below!

  • POLL: What’s your favorite Danny Elfman score?

    Another slow news week yields another fun-ish poll rather than something a little more interesting.  Oh well.

    In any case, with yesterday’s item about Danny Elfman taking up scoring duties on Joe Johnston’s “The Wolf Man” and some light Oscar discussion around the composer, I thought I’d ask for your favorites.  It’s difficult to put the right list together, and inevitably, some of the Tim Burton stuff has to go to make room for things like “Dick Tracy” that really deserve to be on a list of 10 (well, nine plus an “other” option).

    So have at it in the poll.  What’s your favorite Danny Elfman score?  Feel free to discuss his work below.

  • POLL: ‘Tropic’ thoughts?

    I’m out of town this week, family stuff, in and out, so an easy poll this time around (and, admittedly, a rather thin one…back on my ‘A’ game next week, I swear).

    Tell us what you thought of Ben Stiller’s “Tropic Thunder,” which has been embraced by critics more than I anticipated.

    By the way, it seems most readers are anticipating a Best Picture nod for “The Dark Knight,” but it was awfully close throughout the week.

  • POLL: Will ‘The Dark Knight’ be nominated for Best Picture?

    Simple and easy poll this week, what with all the escalating chatter about the Best Picture prospects of “The Dark Knight.” You tell us: is it all wishful thinking or can the Bat secure a spot in the final five?

    And if you want to give us your bright ideas as to why or why not, cut loose in the comments below.

  • POLL: Which recently off-his-game director do you expect to hit paydirt this Oscar season?

    Vicky Cristina Barcelona director Woody AllenIt’s been a couple of weeks since we introduced a new sidebar poll — tons going on, apologies. But suffice it to say, “The Dark Knight” beat out eight other highly regarded comic book films to be the readers’ choice for best all-time in the genre. No shock there, though it took more votes than I anticipated overall.

    This week, with the rush to anoint Jonathan Demme a prodigal son returned following the debut of the “Rachel Getting Married” trailer, I thought it would be fun to suss out what readers think of a few filmmakers testing the awards waters with new product this season after a number of missteps in recent memory.

    The aforementioned Demme is coming off of a couple of largely ignored documentaries and forgettable narrative entries such as “Beloved,” “The Truth About Charlie” and, to a lesser extent, “The Manchurian Candidate.”

    Woody Allen, meanwhile, is stepping up to the plate with “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” a critical fave out of Cannes following years of missteps since “Sweet and Lowdown” (save for “Match Point,” which had its followers).

    Spike Lee hasn’t exactly turned the heads of awards-giving bodies all that much for some time, though he looks to dive back into the fray with “Miracle at St. Anna,” and Jim Sheridan is coming off the miscalculation of “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” with the Susanne Bier remake “Brothers.”

    So…tell us in the poll.  Which of these recently off-the-mark helmers has the best shot at reclaiming former glory with his resepective awards hopeful this season?

  • What’s the best superhero movie of all time?

    Christopher Reeve in Superman: The MovieWell it looks like those of us who were banking on more than $145 million for “The Dark Knight”‘s opening weekend were spot-on, as news of numbers pushing past $150 million rolls in. Meanwhile, last week’s poll had most voters expecting more than $350 million for a total domestic gross. I’d say that’s quite reachable now. So pat yourselves on the back.

    This week, in lieu of a better idea, I thought I’d toss up the ole’ “what’s the best comic book movie ever” question. But in order to keep it down to 10 choices (including an “other” option), I chose films sporting a Rotten Tomatoes rating of at least 85%. To my understandable shock, this does not include “Batman Begins,” for instance, but does, however, include “Hellboy II: The Golden Army.”

    But that’s our cross-section. “The Dark Knight” is currently holding steady with the best rating (94%), while “Iron Man” and “Superman: The Movie” tie for a close second at 93%.

    Also, note that this is not merely a comics-to-film question. It narrows things down to the superhero sub-genre (and those derived from existing source material at that). Otherwise, I’m sure we’d all like to give shout-outs to “A History of Violence,” “Road to Perdition” and the like.

    Have at it, though, and let us know what you think. If you want to chime in for a film not represented, let us know in the comments section below!

  • What will be the Bat’s final haul?

    Warner Bros. Pictures' The Dark KnightI’m frankly surprised so many people seem to expect a $100-115 million opening weekend for “The Dark Knight.”  That is, admittedly, where I placed my vote, but I didn’t expect so much company.

    I’ll probably put an actual number to my guess in that light some time this week (all these stories about blasting away advance ticket sales records have me wondering if we’re underestimating the thing).  But for now, I’m curious what readers think the final box office tally of the flick will be.

    So, have your say in this week’s poll.  The final total for “Batman Begins” was right around $205 million, so I think it’s safe to say most people expect that bar to be hurdled.  But I’m including good cross-section of choices, in case some folks want to be brazen.

    And again, if you want to put an actual number to it, let us know below.

  • Hitch reigns

    Well it seems Alfred Hitchcock won out in a squeaker against Stanely Kubrick in last week’s poll for the most deserving Oscarless director.  After a heated 16-way competition, it seemed obvious these two would stand out from the fray, and in the end we shouldn’t be too surprised that the master of suspense was the readers’ favorite.

    I’ll say only this, to echo the words of a colleague recently: Kubrick never made a meaningless movie, where as Hitcock made several.  Just to play devil’s advocate.

    As for the new poll, I’m learning of Stan Winston’s passing this morning from my own Web site of all places (that’s a first — thanks to Brian).  It’s completely surprising, I have to say, and has me thinking back to his greatest work over the years.  So I’ll put it to the readers: What film boasted Winston’s greatest work as an effects wizard?  Tell us in the poll.

  • Neck and neck

    After last week’s poll on Oscarless directors, it became clear pretty fast that two giants were way ahead of the pack: Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick.  The closest pretender to the throne of snubbed helmers was Robert Altman, but it was a VERY distant third.

    So this week it seemed only fair to suss out where everyone stands on these two alone, without the other 14 names in the mix.  So have at it in the new poll.

  • Big ole’ poll this month

    Inspired by John’s recent post on Oscarless directors, I thought I’d leave it to the masses to decide which helmer deserves it most. I collected 16 names from the discussion for the sidebar poll, so tell us what you think.