I’ve seen a number of documentaries this year and the one that stands out to me is It Might Get Loud. I may be biased because I dig the music but I thought it was a very engaging, fascinating, well put together documentary.
No Anvil?
That and Michael Moore’s Capitalism were big snubs as well.
Hmmm, I never saw Capitalism, but it does seem a rather big snub.
Last time around, I think that Michael Moore declined to be considered in the Documentary category, maybe because he thought he could get a Best Picture nomination. Or it could be that, as he often claims, his films are not true documentaries.
That may be the case with CAPITALISM this year. Moore may have taken it out of contention.
BTW, after Moore made his first film, ROGER AND ME, he appeared on the Johnny Carson show and Johnny asked him why his film hadn’t been nominated — even though it was generally agreed to have been the best doc of the year. Moore said, “I can answer that question in two words: Mitchell Block.” I bolted up from my bed because I know Mitch Block, who at the time was head of the Academy’s Documentary wing. Mitch also owned Direct Cinema, Ltd., a doc distribution company. Moore went on to explain that a great many Doc Oscar nominees were Direct Cinema films, including several winners. Moore therefore alleged corruption, a stance that was taken up in a petition to the Academy signed by Spike Lee, Marty Scorsese, and many others. Nothing came of it, at least not to my knowledge.
I’m sure The Cove is the leading contender for Best Documentary. I personally think that it’s a good movie but not necessarily a “great” film, even though the subject matter is pretty serious and important. But just like last year with Man on Wire, I think The Cove is getting the kind of exposure and Oscar talk that will make it a favorite. Whether it actually deserves the award is something different altogether, as we all know how the Academy rarely recognizes actual good films.
As for Anvil, it was cute and entertaining but give me a break.
tinch
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Sucks that ‘The September Issue,’ got snubbed. Really good, but maybe not as hefty as the ones that made the list.