Oscar Nominees

On the Arts front page of the New York Times on January 23, there lies an article written by Brooks Barnes and David Carr concerning the approaching 80th Academy Awards, and their recently released nominees. The article mainly points out how the nominees follow a common theme of underground, dark movies. Greed, hatred, manipulation are all central themes among the frontrunners for this years Oscars. Many argue that this is a positive, reflecting on our societies general discomfort at present, but many just see it as an aspect of good American cinema, troubled people dealing with troubling issues, it’s the way it’s been for a long time. These writers were also interested in this year’s awards apathy towards big budget box office breakers that they have bolstered in the past, aside from a few nods to American Gangster, they also muse on this year’s unpredictability, which is arguable, but a serious focus and concern is the impact of the writers strike.
Having decimated the Golden Globes mere weeks before the Academy announced their nominees, the fuming train of destruction that is the Writers Guild of America looms again over our annual display of art, gossip, and really great shoes. They must be stopped! All us viewers can do is hope they come to an agreement.