Oscars: Why doesn't sci-fi win best picture?

Gerald · 02-26-11, 05:06 PM

When it comes to the Oscars, science fiction films are rarely rewarded outside the technical categories. So what chance does British director Chris Nolan's nominated film Inception have of being named best picture this year?

"Inception hasn't got a chance of winning in the same way that District 9 didn't have a chance last year," says Dave Calhoun, film editor of Time Out.

"If we had five instead of 10 best picture nominees it's unlikely that Inception would have been nominated."

The Academy increased the number of best picture nominees in 2010, which saw District 9 and James Cameron's 3D juggernaut Avatar rubbing shoulders with low-budget indie fare like the Coen brothers' A Serious Man and The Hurt Locker.

It was the latter film - Kathryn Bigelow's bomb disposal drama - that won on the day.
Technical awards

Oscars history shows that sci-fi films haven't fared well when up for best picture.

The original Star Wars (1977) may have starred a robot that looked like a golden Oscar statuette, but the top prize that year went to Woody Allen's Annie Hall.

George Lucas's space adventure was rewarded with seven other Oscars, including editing, visual effects and music.

In 1982, Steven Spielberg's blockbuster ET: The Extra-terrestrial was beaten by Gandhi.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12540392

Note: 24 February 2011 Last updated at 10:31 GMT

Lord_magerius · 02-26-11, 05:30 PM

Good point. Maybe it's because sci-fi films are seen as a bit geeky and sometimes too attention grabbing to win oscars. People generally look at sci-fi for special effects, not storyline, even though the story could be brilliant it is largely overlooked when it comes to judging IMO.

gimpy117 · 02-26-11, 05:44 PM

inception better win. That movie amazed me me. best picture ive seen in years IMO it had it all.

Platapus · 02-26-11, 06:04 PM

SciFi could win best special effects and music, but honestly, I have not seen a SciFi that I would consider "best" picture. But then best is very subjective.

Far too many times, in my opinion, SciFi is mostly special effects and with the advent of CGI, even more so.

Take a SciFi movie and take away all the special effects. If you still have a good movie, then I think it would win "best" picture. But frankly, from what I have seen in the past, many (not all) SciFi movies would fall apart without the special effects/cgi.

As for Inception? I think my record is 20 minutes before I walk out of the room. But then, realize that I am the only human on this planet that did not like the Matrix.

Gerald · 02-26-11, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimpy117

inception better win. That movie amazed me me. best picture ive seen in years IMO it had it all.

Inception very good,

frau kaleun · 02-26-11, 07:55 PM

Sci-fi is not a genre that is taken very seriously, except by its fans. It's still considered a niche genre and I think in the minds of many is still associated with low quality pulp publishing for kids and maladjusted adults, and mid-century B-movies aimed at a lowbrow (and primarily adolescent) audience.

That this is not necessarily true is obvious to anyone paying careful and open-minded attention, but the stereotype still seems to win out a great deal of the time.

I think this holds true in literature as well as film. IMO anything labeled as "fantasy" also gets short shrift when it comes to being taken seriously in the literary world, altho it doesn't seem to hold true as much for film but you still have to go above and beyond to get recognized by the major awards. I'm not sure Return Of The King would've won had it not been the third highly regarded film in a trilogy where the level of quality and achievement overall was so amazing.

OTOH the fact that sci-fi/fantasy is so often not taken seriously means that those who create it can often explore issues which are relevant to the "real world" but still considered too controversial to be addressed in a "real world" setting.

02-26-11, 08:39 PM

This is just one reason SiFi doesn't win oscars.

Oberon · 02-26-11, 08:44 PM

Well, it was good for a while...

Gorduz · 02-26-11, 08:46 PM

I actually did not like inception that, much to many logical fallacies. And on whole found it to be overrated.

That being said it's not like overrated movies haven't won oscars before..

regards

Grumpy Groduz

Takeda Shingen · 02-26-11, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Well, it was good for a while...

Indeed; the ebb and flow.

Sailor Steve · 02-27-11, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

But then, realize that I am the only human on this planet that did not like the Matrix.

That's rather presumptuous. We are legion.

Takeda Shingen · 02-27-11, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

That's rather presumptuous. We are legion.

Ditto. I didn't like it either.

frau kaleun · 02-27-11, 12:52 AM

I luuuuuuurve The Matrix.

The first one, anyway. Visually stunning and way cool metaphysical underpinnings, which is what keeps it interesting for me personally.

Betonov · 02-27-11, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

But then, realize that I am the only human on this planet that did not like the Matrix.

You're not, trust me

Gerald · 02-27-11, 06:44 AM

Matrix,you need to say much more...

02-26-11, 05:06 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Oscars: Why doesn't sci-fi win best picture? When it comes to the Oscars, science fiction films are rarely rewarded outside the technical categories. So what chance does British director Chris Nolan's nominated film Inception have of being named best picture this year? "Inception hasn't got a chance of winning in the same way that District 9 didn't have a chance last year," says Dave Calhoun, film editor of Time Out. "If we had five instead of 10 best picture nominees it's unlikely that Inception would have been nominated." The Academy increased the number of best picture nominees in 2010, which saw District 9 and James Cameron's 3D juggernaut Avatar rubbing shoulders with low-budget indie fare like the Coen brothers' A Serious Man and The Hurt Locker. It was the latter film - Kathryn Bigelow's bomb disposal drama - that won on the day. Technical awards Oscars history shows that sci-fi films haven't fared well when up for best picture. The original Star Wars (1977) may have starred a robot that looked like a golden Oscar statuette, but the top prize that year went to Woody Allen's Annie Hall. George Lucas's space adventure was rewarded with seven other Oscars, including editing, visual effects and music. In 1982, Steven Spielberg's blockbuster ET: The Extra-terrestrial was beaten by Gandhi. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12540392 Note: 24 February 2011 Last updated at 10:31 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

02-26-11, 05:30 PM	#2
Lord_magerius Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Right by the hydrophone station Posts: 724 Downloads: 96 Uploads: 0	Good point. Maybe it's because sci-fi films are seen as a bit geeky and sometimes too attention grabbing to win oscars. People generally look at sci-fi for special effects, not storyline, even though the story could be brilliant it is largely overlooked when it comes to judging IMO. __________________

02-26-11, 05:44 PM	#3
gimpy117 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 3,243 Downloads: 108 Uploads: 0	inception better win. That movie amazed me me. best picture ive seen in years IMO it had it all. __________________ Member of the Subsim Zombie Army

02-26-11, 06:04 PM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	SciFi could win best special effects and music, but honestly, I have not seen a SciFi that I would consider "best" picture. But then best is very subjective. Far too many times, in my opinion, SciFi is mostly special effects and with the advent of CGI, even more so. Take a SciFi movie and take away all the special effects. If you still have a good movie, then I think it would win "best" picture. But frankly, from what I have seen in the past, many (not all) SciFi movies would fall apart without the special effects/cgi. As for Inception? I think my record is 20 minutes before I walk out of the room. But then, realize that I am the only human on this planet that did not like the Matrix. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

02-26-11, 08:46 PM	#9
Gorduz Engineer Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Norway Posts: 210 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	I actually did not like inception that, much to many logical fallacies. And on whole found it to be overrated. That being said it's not like overrated movies haven't won oscars before.. regards Grumpy Groduz __________________ 21. MTB skv. Attacks without warning.

02-26-11, 07:55 PM	#6
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Sci-fi is not a genre that is taken very seriously, except by its fans. It's still considered a niche genre and I think in the minds of many is still associated with low quality pulp publishing for kids and maladjusted adults, and mid-century B-movies aimed at a lowbrow (and primarily adolescent) audience. That this is not necessarily true is obvious to anyone paying careful and open-minded attention, but the stereotype still seems to win out a great deal of the time. I think this holds true in literature as well as film. IMO anything labeled as "fantasy" also gets short shrift when it comes to being taken seriously in the literary world, altho it doesn't seem to hold true as much for film but you still have to go above and beyond to get recognized by the major awards. I'm not sure Return Of The King would've won had it not been the third highly regarded film in a trilogy where the level of quality and achievement overall was so amazing. OTOH the fact that sci-fi/fantasy is so often not taken seriously means that those who create it can often explore issues which are relevant to the "real world" but still considered too controversial to be addressed in a "real world" setting.

02-26-11, 08:39 PM	#7
The Third Man Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	This is just one reason SiFi doesn't win oscars.

02-26-11, 08:44 PM	#8
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Well, it was good for a while...

02-27-11, 12:52 AM	#13
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	I luuuuuuurve The Matrix. The first one, anyway. Visually stunning and way cool metaphysical underpinnings, which is what keeps it interesting for me personally.

02-27-11, 06:44 AM	#15
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Matrix,you need to say much more... __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie