UP, UP IN THE AIR! The AMC movie chain will be spreading out its traditional "Best Picture Showcase Saturday" over two weekends to accommodate the supersized set of nominees, and is soliciting viewer voting as to which four films should accompany Avatar on Saturday, February 27.
I wonder if it makes sense to schedule the violent films together -- Avatar, The Hurt Locker, District 9 and Inglorious Basterds -- with perhaps A Serious Man thrown in the middle as a palate cleanser just because I think that's what Hashem would want.
There's a length issue. Basterds and Avatar are both north of 2.5 hours, Hurt Locker is 2:10, District 9 is right at 2 hours. That makes for a 10.5 hour day, and the other half will be shorter. Also, even though Hurt Locker and Avatar seem to be frontrunners right now, I think the IRV is going to shift this race--that method favors something that everyone will rank 3-5 over something that'll be intensely loved and hated.
ReplyDeleteYes, but the Internet will allow for strategic voting methods to be disseminated rather easily -- the "if you don't want Avatar to win, mark it #10" philosophy.
ReplyDeleteWhich is exactly why something that's #3-4 for almost every voter may have the best bet. Avatar and Basterds are going to have a lot of #1's, but also a lot of #9's and 10's. "Up In The Air" isn't going to get a ton of #1's, but also isn't going to get a ton of #10s--I think it, "Up," and "Blind Side" are the likeliest benefactors of the structure.
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</p><p>Putting all four of those movies on the same weekend would also probably lead to a much bigger crowd on the first weekend than on the second. Just look at that parking lot.
</p><p>I voted for An Education, Blind Side, and Precious, because those will be the three I haven't seen (Hurt Locker is sitting on the coffee table right now, and Up will get here Tuesday), and I know I won't be able to go the second week. I figure they'll show Avatar either first or last and I can skip it.
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Or there could be something that no one expects to win, like An Education or A Serious Man, which everyone puts at #2 in order to prevent some *other* film from collecting such votes, and such a film inadvertantly wins.
ReplyDeleteAs a patron of the showcase last year I'd prefer a more "mixed up" bunch of movies each weekend. So I voted for one or two of the more "mellow" movies to be played that first weekend. I don't want 5 big action/violent type flix all on one day. Although it would be helpful if the 5th movie each weekend moves much faster than Frost/Nixon - it was all I could do to keep my eyes open for that movie last year!
ReplyDeleteThe last thing I would want would be to see Avatar, Hurt Locker, and District 9 back-to-back. Too much action, tension, loud things blowing up all together. I would go with the "mixed up" style, myself. If people are interested in seeing five Best Picture nominees in one day, then they have diverse interests and can handle Avatar followed by say, An Education.
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