Oscars are around the corner and you find yourself thinking “Why are those movies nominated for Best Picture?” Well, there are a lot of factors that go into choosing a film and this critic will help you understand what goes into these decisions.
You may find yourself wondering why movies like “300” or “Superbad” did not make the list. That is because these films – while having loads of humor, special effects and gorgeous people – lacked overall quality.
When choosing a film the Academy looks for excellence in the following areas: Acting, Directing, Cinematography, Costuming, Score, Art Direction, Editing, Sound Mixing and most importantly Writing.
Acting is a tough one. What makes an actor better or worse than his fellow nominee? Does he portray the character he is playing accurately? Are their movements, speech and gestures prevalent to the acting in the film? How do they help out other actors around them?
Directing is more of an approach. What decisions were made in conjunction with the script? How can subtlety and body language tell a story? Research in the time period is also very important. Do the actors work well with each other? Does the cinematography influence the movement of the script? How well do the costumes hang off the actors? Will the score reflect the emotional connection of the characters?
Cinematography is an art form in itself. Cinematography can make or break a movie. How well do the shots influence the story and movement of the actors? Are the long shots and intricate camera work relevant to the telling of the story?
Editing is amazing. If you do not have a good film editor the film will turn into a monstrosity. Most of the time films have time limits and these editors make sure the story, which is prevalent to the director, is left within the time constraints. These are also the guys who make sure the boom microphones are left out of the shot.
The Score, or sound, throughout the movie tells the story of the film musically. Without a good score the film would lack any powerful emotions.
Writing is the most important aspect of a film. This is where the germinal idea takes seed and blossoms into a beautiful flower. It determines whether a story is worth telling and if it’s relevant to today’s society. That is why when you look at generations of Best Picture winners you can see a trend that resonates throughout each year. Since “The Departed” won last year, what film is most likely to take home the Oscar this year?
These are just some of the areas that the Academy looks for when choosing a film that earns Best Picture recognition. When I review a film I look at these same categories. And if I enjoy something that you don’t or vice-versa, remember that films were originally for entertainment value and still are today.