Oscars Cramming Crib Sheet: Best Picture

If you're doing some crazy movie-watching cramming this weekend before the 82nd Annual Academy Awards tomorrow night, you probably need a crib sheet. The folks running the Oscars decided to boost ratings by nominating 10 films for Best Picture this year alone, hoping to reverse the trend of lower TV ratings for their annual telecast (allegedly dedicated to the art of one of the most commercial of art forms).

So, they expanded the Best Picture category to drum up ratings. Will it work? Probably, but it's still good to remember this famously paraphrased quote from Johnny Carson: "The Oscars. Two hours of sparkling entertainment wrapped in fours hours of incredible boredom."

Before the Oscar for Best Picture of the year is announced, here's a breakdown of what the Academy members were thinking before they marked their ballot.

UP IN THE AIR
If this was November, Jason Reitman's film would be considered the front runner. It's witty, charmng, and actually has something to say. George Clooney displays great generosity with his two leading ladies, and Reitman's idol, Hal Ashby, would be pleased with this gentle black comedy. Alas, it isn't November. Up in the Air will be left up in the air and holding no Oscar.

PRECIOUS
Lee Daniels' tough look at a young woman in an even tougher spot is worthy of being on this list, but it is a smaller film -- perhaps too small even though it has out grossed some of the other nominees. Maybe in another year it would have a chance, but not in 2010.

A SERIOUS MAN
The Coen Brothers always seem to find their way into the Best Picture category. This time it's a black comedy about a modern man loosely based on the biblical Job. The question they may be asking is O Brother Where Art Thou Oscar? The answer is not here, not this year.

DISTRICT NINE
This is one of those films that is just happy to be here, even if this is one of the best sci-fi films in many a moon. (Speaking of, Moon was another good film snubbed.) Neil Blomkamp's alien allegory set in Johannesberg may not make the it to the top, but producer Peter Jackson at least gets an Oscar mention despite The Lovely Bones. Hey, that's something.

THE BLIND SIDE
This film tanked on both the Left and Right Coasts, but the middle of the country fell in love with this so-so directed, adequately acted, and middlingly scripted movie about a white woman who befriends a young black man who can play football. Been there, done that. It's a sign of the times that this film is even considered. Pass incomplete.

UP
There are very few films which have an introduction as cinematically excellent as Peter Docter's animated gem. This wonderful film doesn't stand a chance in this category, but it should wipe the floor in Best Animated Feature. Isn't it good to see a persnickety old man be an action hero? Squirrel!

AN EDUCATION
In other years, this film would have a better chance than it does in 2010. A small English film with exquisite acting, a tasteful script, and a mature telling of a coming of age story is just the kind of film at which Miramax excelled. Sadly Miramax is in the tank. So are this film's chances.

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
Quentin Tarantino's bold, sassy retelling of World War II is one of those films we're glad to see here, but Best Picture? Sorry, the best thing about this film is the supporting acting of Christoph Waltz, who will win his category. And if this film is so good, how come Diane Krueger and Melanie Sargeant got snubbed for actress?

AVATAR
As we said earlier, the Academy added five more films to the Best Picture list to punch up the ratings. If the top grossing films are in the race, the ratings go up. If not, they go down. Who knew the first year of trying something new, the biggest film of all time would dominate. So the question is, will it be the big bucks at the box office or James Cameron's ego undermining Avatar's chance? Probably both.

THE HURT LOCKER
Last September, no one thought this film had a chance. Sure, the director was respected, but with a no-name cast, no distributor, and a topic — Iraq — that was alrerady considered box office poison, this baby seemed doomed to art houses and even then only for just a few weeks. And that is what happened. Then the much marginalized film critics made it their darling, and now we have a perfect Hollywood Cinderella stroy unfolding before our collective eyes. The stars are aligned. The Hurt Locker will be smiling come late Sunday night.

So as we prepare to see a beautiful talented woman accept the coveted Oscar, remember, the Oscars aren't about art. They're about commerce. Occasionally, a really good film wins and everyone pats themselves on the back. Mark my words: 2010 will be one of those years.

In addition to being the co-founder of The Frugal Yankee, Garen Daly has been a film critic, programmer, and analyst for over 30 years. Tune in each Friday at 11 a.m. on 1550 AM WNTN for his radio show, The Garen Daly Show, or watch him on New England Cable News (NECN). Coming soon: podcasts and more on GarenDaly.com.