One of the films which I feel will be in the hunt for Oscar nominations, but not likely in major categories, is the newest film I saw last weekend. Ron Howard's much anticipated pairing with Jim Carrey for the live action film adaptation of How The Grinch Stole Christmas is an incredible looking film, with wonderful sets and visuals which evoke an incredible world in which the Grinch and Who citizens inhabit. Reviews have been mixed on the film. I liked it a lot, I felt it was a very enjoyable film, and Jim Carrey did indeed give another memorable performance. As hard as I tried, I still could not see Jim Carrey under all that makeup, but in the performance he gives, you can tell it's him.
Before the film came out, I speculated about a possible Best Actor nomination for Carrey finally coming for this film. This performance is more of a "showy" performance. Although it's very good, like Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker in the original Batman, it's not the kind of performance that gets an Oscar nomination. Besides that, if the Academy didn't nominate Carrey for more serious dramatic parts like The Truman Show and Man on the Moon -- two films where he clearly deserved a nomination -- then they won't nominate him for a comedic, showy performance. Carrey is indeed wonderful in the film, but as I mentioned, I think the visuals and set design in this film are incredible, and I think they will be nominated and may even win a couple of Oscars. The Grinch will most likely receive nominations for Art Direction, Makeup, and hopefully a nod for Cinematography. And right now, it certainly deserves both the Art Direction and Makeup awards, but we'll see.
Two potentially big box office blockbusters opened this past Wednesday to take advantage of the long holiday weekend, and one comes from a Best Director nominee from last year. First up, Disney's live action sequel 102 Dalmatians brings Glenn Close back as the evil villain Cruella, and while it will appeal to families, will most likely not be mentioned in February when the Oscar roll call is read.
One interesting film to watch, also now showing in theatres, is M. Night Shyamalan's new supernatural thriller, Unbreakable, which reteams the Oscar nominated director with his Sixth Sense star, Bruce Willis. Samuel L. Jackson co-stars. Early reviews have been positive for Unbreakable, but I don't sense a groundswell Oscar wise or box office wise for this new film. The film may have a shot for a Screenplay nod from advance buzz I've heard, but it's too early to tell. One film that is also a potential Oscar candidate opens in limited release this weekend, QUILLS, starring Geoffrey Rush.
