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Monday, February 22, 2010

Avatar so Popular, that other Contenders are Blind Sided (Part 1 of 5)

By John C.


Each day this week, Monday-Friday, I will be profiling two of the ten nominees for Best Picture. They are arranged in the official, alphabetical, order. If all goes as planned, we will be having capsule reviews of the ten titles following the same pattern next week.


Avatar is so much more than just a film. I’m not saying this for the reasons that its millions of fans would be shouting it from the rooftops. No, I’m saying it because this has become a phenomenon.


It’s a very good movie, but its gotten a little out of proportion. Rightfully or wrongfully, practically everyone has seen Avatar, it’s made well over $2 billion, and everyone is talking about it. But why?


First of all, pre-release hype. James Cameron hadn’t directed a film since the Oscar-sweeping Titanic in 1997. Second of all, it’s controversial. Two reasons why this has become the clear front runner come Oscar night.


Avatar is nominated for 9 Oscars.


The Blind Side did not enter this season as an Oscar contender, but it quickly became one. Partially due to its undetermined popularity, heavy advertising from Warner Brothers, and excellent lead performance by Sandra Bullock - the starting point for the films Oscar hopes.


Though it’s not likely to win, this is the contender for the audiences. It’s a clean, classic, feel-good sports movie, and a very good one at that. Both these movies are two of the big reasons why many mainstream audiences will be watching come March 7th.


The Blind Side is nominated for 2 Oscars.

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