Monday, July 28, 2008
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
1:37 PM
 Oscar loves dead people... My brother in law - who just this week as a Naval Aviator made "F-18" (very big deal), the Lovely Bride, and I all disagree on the "oscar-worthiness" of the Ledger portrayal of the classic villain "the Joker" in the new Batman movie.
Simple poll here... answer in the comments:
1. Did you see it?
2. Oscar worthy - yes or no...
My position (which was contrary to the Lovely Bride's and Brother-in-law's) was that while its hands down the finest performance, and most realistic of an actual "joker" type of real life villain portrayed in the history of the Batman franchise - I still hesitate to say it's Oscar bound, because I just don't know that the role itself rises to the task. The Lovely Bride, and Bro - say - he deserves it.
Oscar has a thing for dead people, they especially love characters who die. The irony in this case of course is that it is the actor who is no longer with us, while the character is slated to live on...
By the way parents - even though there is no sex, and little if any foul language in this film - it SHOULD be rated "R" for the intensity of the evil that the story is composed around.
But give me your thoughts - would like to know what you thought...
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First of all, you are right about the R rating. This was intense for me and I'm 43. About the Oscar, I think it's a lock. Oscar likes dead people, but, moreover, Oscar likes quirky supporting roles. This is a great performance and, to my mind, this villain is every bit as scary as Hannibal Lecter. He's capable of anything and on a larger scale. |
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It is definitely an "R" movie. I would not take a kid. Yes I saw it. Yes he deserves an Oscar (at least from the competition so far). I think he is a lock for it given his early death, but at least it is a performance that is truly great. |
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by everyone on this one...
LOL! |
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I don't put much stock in things Hollywood, but, in my opinion, this was a truly great performance by Ledger. He was truly amazing and portrayed evil so very frightening well. He deserves the Oscar. I think it's a lock given his death. |
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to get it BECAUSE of his death...
But if he were alive - would this buzz still be "out there?"
And the other thing the Lovely Bride and I couldn't agree to - was - will it be for Actor or Supporting Actor...? |
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Brilliant film, great performance by Ledger. I liked the Chicago setting. (I live in the Chicago area.) |
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Best Supporting Actor - absolutely. The nomination at the very least.
I think that this performance would be getting this attention if he was alive. Again, I'm speaking of considering it on a supporting level. The academy will be thinking of Ennis from Brokeback, and how different he was there. Plus, this is a pivotal character, a nuanced performance, and he gets away with things he shouldn't, like the licking thing. Such affects tend to feel gimmicky, but this just seemed like something he lived with. And the "You complete me" line? After Austin Powers plowed that quote for laughs, no one should be able to say it without us all rolling our eyes - but he sold it.
Rate it R? No. Seriousness and heaviness shouldn't be considered among the malignant elements of movies. Evil needs to be portrayed as such, as something serious, intense, evil, not iconically fun. This movie's honest approach is a gift, not a dangerous pothole to be dodged. On the contrary, thinking kids of whatever age, bar a personal sensitivity, should be seeing this. So should their parents.
But I would challenge anyone who allowed the MPAA to decide what their kids should or shouldn't see. In film, there is no such thing as "Okay for a 14 year old". Kids are individuals. A 9 year old who reads might be fine with the film, while a cloistered 16 year old might not have the cultural wherewithal to handle the depth, and see the ethics arise out of the darkness.
The ratings board is an irresponsible group, and you know your kids. Be a parent, and use your own head to decide. |
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I say yes. It was Oscar worthy. It was amazing really.
Also, I am pretty strict about what movies my kids can watch. But I let my 11 yr old see this and he loved it. I did hide his eyes twice. Once with the pencil scene and when he cut the man's mouth (although they didn't show anything). |
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Can you imagine if one of YOUR children passed away and you had to peruse a blog and see a photo of them with the caption "Oscar Loves Dead People"
You call yourself a man of faith, but you are a vile pig that lacks basic humanity.
And to answer your stupid question - Heath Ledger was a brilliant actor and the buzz around this role would have been no different regardless of his accidential death. His perfoprmance is as good as any I have seen this year.
He was equally brilliant in Brokeback Mountain, you know - that gay propaganda film you never saw but boo hooed about endlessly.
And lastly - why don't you get your facts straight before making such vile comments about how "Oscar Loves Dead People"
The only one actor has EVER actually won a posthumous Oscar was Peter Finch for Network, stupid jackaasss. |
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I had heard how good he was. I have not seen any other movie by Ledger. I remember Jack Nicolson in the first movie and kept trying to compare the two. Ledger got better as the movie went on. There is no doubt if he was still alive he should be considered for a Oscar. The movie would not have been so good with any oter actor. It is a shame taht he wont be back for another film. |
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I didn't say ANYTHING about posthumous awards... In fact I say clearly that Oscar prefers to honor characters who pass away, and this time its completely upside down.
Heath passed away, while his character the Joker was not killed off in the movie.
And to date Kal - I've never done a broadcast on Brokeback Mountain, never wrote about it in a column so whatever you based my jackassery on... it was NOT based on anything you stated...
Me think you're holding a grudge concerning something else... |
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If you perceive my questions as being so "stupid" - I'm pretty sure your doctors would encourage you to avoid returning to my blog space.
Seriously its not worth getting so worked up over. |
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I agree with Kevin. It was a great performance by Ledger that will surely receive at least a nomination. However, while he did a great job, I wasn't totally blown away by his performance or the role. So, yes he'll get a nomination but I'm not sure he should get the award. I do think his performance was the best thing about the second (and rather convuluted and long) half of the film.
Kal, you should chill out a bit...it's just a post about a film role. I see nothing political in this post and nothing that screams out "insensitive pig". |
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