Oscar nominations are out

This is why I — and the rest of America — love the ESPYs.

 

Bump ....
Inception ending has been finally determined ...
Was Leo's character in the real world or in a dream?

Spoiler: Spoilers ahead

Caine is IN the final scene.

 

Now if Caine can just clear up the ending to the original Monte Carlo Job.

 

Only two ways to see Inception ending:

Either

A. The ending is real.

B. Mal was the one trying to get Cobb out and created all those worlds to get him out, and failed.

B is much more interesting. But it's A.

 

Oh, I dunno. We'll see.

People who argue Arrival and Dunkirk were better movies than Moonlight and The Shape of Water at least have an argument. Those who argue Mad Max is a better movie than Spotlight absolutely do. (Spotlight is a wonderful, important movie. Mad Max is a marvel, and feminist to boot.)

Part of what's happened here is you're seeing voters rewarding movies for different kinds of subject matter - which I'm fine with and uphold - than they did 30 years ago. But I can appreciate the academy getting skittish. Last year was an absolute disaster. The Shape of Water is a deeply niche film that some people will flat out refuse to see.

 

Let's also not discount the critic bump - when critics overinflate a film's greatness in order to get people to see it. They know Marvel movies are going to crack $100m even if they trash it.

 

Undoubtedly my view is skewed by my lack on interest in almost any blockbuster and all comic book movies, but I get a feeling that it goes the other way also. Critics want to love blockbusters, to find the artistry in them.

 

Sure. I just know that most critics also consider themselves promoters of quality films. I still don't see how that translated to Shape of Water. An artsy remake of Splash.

 

I think there should be some consideration for 'Moneyball'-type success stories.
Case in point, Whiplash was made for about three million and grossed $50 million.
That is not an easy trick to pull in Hollywood these days.

 

Get Out was made for 4.5 mil. It grossed $255 million globally. Jordan Peele can do whatever he wants now.

 

To me it is peak craftsmanship when you can deliver on time, under budget and well over earnings expectations.
Goes for any piece of art.
And anybody can market an action film.
I don't think it's some big coincidence that most comic book movies glorify wealth.

 

When was it easy?