I know that a lot of people are already chalking up 2011 as a “down” year in film, and by extension…the forthcoming slate of Oscar nominees. I’m here to say that I don’t buy it at all, and that I actually see the next few months as one of the best and most exciting precursor seasons in recent memory. I’m sure you all think I’m nuts and want to know how I’m faring with the head injury I must have suffered in order to be thinking these things. What I say to you is this…don’t we all complain that the Oscar race is always over too soon each year? Well, then…this is your year. I stand here stating that it’s an excellent thing that we don’t yet know what will win Best Picture, or even what the main competition will look like. Furthermore, not a single category is locked up yet, even the techs. Every statue is in play. We should be celebrating this, since so often we complain that the race has no suspense, even in a year like last year where most were thrilled that ‘The Social Network’ was headed toward some major wins. Then, when ‘The King’s Speech’ snuck up and changed the game, plenty of people were upset about that. It’s hard to please us, folks…and what better way to start than to have some genuine Oscar suspense? I can’t remember a year where we were going into October without at least one trophy in the bag for an actor or a writer. This is the year that so many people have been clamoring for, and with the potential for anywhere from 5 to 10 nominees for Best Picture, the excitement can last until nomination morning!
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