If The Oscars Were Handed Out Today
BEST DIRECTOR
The nominees are:
Timur Bekmambetov, Wanted
Jon Favreau, Iron Man
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Andrew Stanton, Wall-E
Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder
And the hypothetical Oscar goes to: Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
So rarely do the directors, who make those amazingly visual actioners, make it to the Academy’s list, so here’s our salute to them. Bekmambetov, Favreau and Stanton all deserve recognition for their vision (as does Guillermo Del Toro for Hellboy II, but we can’t list everyone). Even Stiller goes above and beyond his usual fare. Yet, Nolan surpasses them all with both vision and story. Don’t be surprised to see him make it all the way, as well.
Some other picks:
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Wall-E: Natch
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Man on Wire: Watching this guy walk on a tightrope between New York’s former World Trade Center is chilling enough.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Under the Same Moon: This mostly Mexican film might not be considered since there is English spoken, but it’s still a heart-warmer from start to finish
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Guillermo Del Toro and Mike Mignola, Hellboy II: The Golden Army: We didn’t put him on the director’s list, but we’ll recognize him here.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter and Jim Reardon, Wall-E: One of these days Pixar is going to win this category; they just HAVE to.