The Uggie Scandal

A recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live directed my attention to a possible scandal among the Artist camp.  A few weeks after the film won Best Picture at the Oscars, Kimmel pointed out that the Uggie who appeared as a guest on his show to make Oscar predictions did not have the same markings as the Uggie in the film.  Using a split screen, Kimmel showed that the film’s Uggie had a rather large dark spot covering his right ear and extending down his neck, but the Uggie on Kimmel’s show had a much smaller spot.  Kimmel also pointed to shots of the dog on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and onstage at the Academy Awards when his film won Best Picture.  In every television appearance, Uggie’s markings did not match those he had in the film.  Kimmel suggested that the Uggie who had appeared on his show was an imposter.

Knowing that Uggie is at retirement age and was recently reported to be ill, I was worried that the Artist camp was attempting to hide Uggie’s inability to make appearances by sending a replacement Uggie.

Well, last week everything was cleared up on Kimmel’s show.  Uggie’s trainer, Omar von Muller, explained that two doubles were used in place of Uggie for stunts and in case Uggie was not able to work.  Because the dogs have different markings, filmmakers used makeup to match Uggie’s appearance to that of his doggie doubles.  As von Muller explained, “Uggie’s the one that did the work.”  He also cleared up that the Uggie who made television appearances was indeed the Uggie from the movie, sans makeup.

What a relief!  Watch the explanation clips, including Kimmel’s hilarious interrogation of von Muller, below.

What Will Win … Best Picture?

Tomorrow’s the big show, and it’s time to take a look at the category for Best Picture.

And the nominees are…

The Descendants

Alexander Payne’s dramedy about a father reconnecting with his two daughters in Hawaii after his wife is injured made a big impact on critics and audiences, and resulted in a lot of Oscar buzz for star George Clooney.  I have yet to see the film, but I hope to catch it in the coming weeks.  Although the film won the Golden Globe for Best Drama, I don’t believe it has a shot to win the Oscar.  While, after the Golden Globes, I believed the Oscar race would boil down to The Descendants vs. The Artist (much like last year’s The Social Network vs. The King’s Speech ), now I’m not so sure The Descendants is in the top two.  It seems to have lost steam since the Golden Globes, but I definitely think it could be considered this year’s dark horse.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Arguably the most controversial nomination of the year, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was panned by critics who called it overly sentimental.  The Academy seemed to love it, however.  Don’t look for a win.

The Help

This year’s fan favorite featured an outstanding ensemble female cast which boasts three acting nominations.  While the film’s actresses certainly have chances to win their categories, I don’t think The Help has a chance at winning the top prize.

Hugo

Martin Scorsese’s family-friendly drama, which pays tribute to film history and the power of imagination, has replaced The Descendants in my mind as the second most likely film to win the top prize.  That doesn’t mean I’d be happy to see it win.  I saw it last night, in 2D, and I was rather disappointed.  While the look of the film is rich and intricately beautiful, and the references to film history were appreciated, I was not particularly impressed by the story, and the lead kids, Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz, were rather flat and irritating.  I’ve read since seeing the film that the 3D version is one of the best examples — if not the best — of 3D technique, and that the 3D effects actually (gasp) enhance the story.  This might be true, and maybe that is the reason I didn’t enjoy the film, but I still doubt I would consider it the best film of the year if I had seen it in 3D.

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen’s latest comedy managed to get a lot of buzz and a few Oscar nods.  Will it win?  Most certainly not.  Will Allen care?  Most certainly not.

Moneyball

The baseball drama, starring Brad Pitt and co-written by Aaron Sorkin, got a few nominations, but is not likely to win the top prize.

The Tree of Life

This year’s Cannes favorite, and a film which divided both critics and viewers, got attention from the Academy.  If you ask me, I think this nomination is a lot like that for Extremely Loud.  It’s a way to acknowledge a film for its subject matter or technique, but in this case I don’t think it has the potential to win Best Picture.

War Horse

Spielberg’s latest epic received a pretty predictable nomination.  Will it win?  Not likely.

And the Oscar goes to…

The Artist

Arguably this past year’s most talked-about film is the frontrunner for Best Picture.  Some people have been complaining that the film is likely to win the Oscar based solely on what a lot of people call a gimmick.  I have to disagree.  Those who have actually seen the film, instead of speculating, know that Michel Hazanavicius did not simply attempt to recreate the style of a bygone era and call it a day.  Yes, there is a very obvious mimicking of classic Hollywood, but the film has so much more than that.  It comments self-reflexively on its outdated format.  It tells a story which is captivating in its simplicity.  It features visual (and aural) techniques which would likely not be found in a 1920s film, and which become relevant because of their 2011 context.  It contains a standout performance from Jean Dujardin.  The Artist will not win based on a gimmick.  It will win because it is a lovingly crafted, innovative, consistently clever and refreshing film.  It goes to show that innovation in this age does not have to be based on the latest computer graphic or 3D attraction.  It can be based on a nod to the past in the context of our future.

Watch the 84th Academy Awards live tomorrow night on ABC.

Who Will Win … Best Director?

There are some big names in this year’s directing category.  Let’s take a closer look at their chances and predict a winner.

And the nominees are…

Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris

Veteran wit Woody Allen had a big success this year with his newest comedy, which is also up for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture.  However, Allen is known for his aversion to award ceremonies, and his last win was for the screenplay for Hannah and Her Sisters in 1987.  I’m not sure the Academy will give him the gold this time around, especially since his film is most likely not going to win Best Picture.

Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life

Malick’s film created division among critics and audiences.  Some lauded its artistic visuals and poetic storytelling technique, while others brushed it off for being too boring or too confusing.  I fell into the second category.  While the Academy obviously respected the film, giving it not only a directing nomination, but a Best Picture nod, in addition to Cinematography, I don’t think Malick will get the gold.

Alexander Payne, The Descendants

Payne, of Sideways fame, made one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year.  He’s the dark horse of the category, because if The Descendants ends up beating The Artist for Best Picture, the general trend that the director of the Best Picture wins his or her category could come into play.  The last time something different happened was in 2005, when Ang Lee won for Brokeback Mountain, but Crash ended up winning Best Picture.

Martin Scorsese, Hugo

Scorsese is in second place, if you ask me.  He’s a veteran director who won his first Oscar for 2006’s The Departed.  This past year he created a tribute to film history in a film for the whole family, something that critics applauded him for, and which the Academy might recognize.

And the Oscar goes to…

Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist

I’m confident that Hazanavicius, a French director known for his spy comedies starring Jean Dujardin, will come out on top this year.  He took a risk and made a film in an outdated format, and it worked for both critics and audiences.  I think the Academy will reward such creativity.

Who Will Win … Best Actor?

Best Actor is a highly contested category.  I’ve made my predictions.

And the nominees are…

Demian Bichir, A Better Life

This year’s surprise nominee follows in the footsteps of last year’s Javier Bardem (Biutiful), being nominated for a performance in a foreign film.  While he’s not likely to win, his presence is a testament to the Academy’s aim to be different from other ceremonies.

George Clooney, The Descendants

Clooney has a good shot, as the winner for Best Actor in a Drama at the Golden Globes.  He gave a critically applauded performance in The Descendants.  Sunday could be his night, but after Dujardin’s win at the SAG Awards, I think he’ll likely lose.  However, he’s definitely second most likely.

Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Arguably the most pleasantly surprising nomination of the year, Oldman received his first career Oscar nod.  I’d say he’s the dark horse of this category.  With a number of great performances under his belt, the Academy might seek to reward him.

Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Pitt, who has two films up for Best Picture (the other being The Tree of Life), is nominated for his performance in the baseball story.  He’s up against his pal George Clooney, who I’d say has a better chance than him.

And the Oscar goes to…

Jean Dujardin, The Artist

I’m hoping no one can beat the charismatic Jean Dujardin in this year’s most refreshing film.  The French actor has taken Hollywood by storm in the past few months, winning a Golden Globe and a SAG Award.  I think the Academy recognizes what a star Dujardin is, and they’ll reward him accordingly.  I’m certainly rooting for him this Sunday.

Films About Films

Earlier this evening, Roger Ebert posted a link on his Twitter and Facebook pages to a Telegraph article listing the top 15 films about films.  There’s nothing I like more than a list of movies, and I especially like movies about movies.  Almost as much as I like watching people in movies watch movies:

And what a relevant list now that The Artist is the front runner for Best Picture at next weekend’s Oscar ceremony (fingers crossed).  Like Singin’ in the Rain and Sunset Blvd., both of which make it onto The Telegraph‘s list, The Artist is about the transition from silence to sound, such an apt subject given the major changes that are taking place in the film industry in this age of digital projection, special effects, and 3D.

I was glad to see such films as Ed Wood and Adaptation on the list, as well as interesting choice Rear Window, a staple in scholarly discussions of voyeurism and scopophilia.

A side note: If you haven’t looked up Jean Dujardin yet, please do so as soon as possible.  It’s a surefire way to put a smile on your face.  See this interview with Jimmy Fallon, or this one with Jay Leno.  Or his Funny or Die video.  You’re welcome.