The great So-Krates (as Bill & Ted once referred him) once said, “The only thing I know, is that I know nothing”. So let me start out by saying, it is impossible to say what will happen come Oscar night. I think Martin Scorcese is going to win Best Director. I’m pretty sure of it, actually. But who really knows? If life had taught me anything (no jokes, please), it’s that there is no such thing as a “sure thing”. The U.S. Olympic team beat the Russians in 1980. K-Fed looks smarter than Brittany. Tom Cruise’s star has fallen. And Laremy lost his virginity.
So again, I’m pretty sure Martin Scorcese is going to win. I’m not telling you anything new here. You know it. I know it. Vegas certainly knows it. Probably the more interesting question at this point is, does he deserve it? Let’s take a closer look at these nominees.
Clint Eastwood, Letters From Iwo Jima
Should he have been nominated? No way, not in my book. Sub Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige work and I’d have been a happy camper.
Stephen Frears, The Queen
Should he have been nominated? Remember how I said it’s easy to overlook Frear’s work in this movie? The proof is in the pudding because I’d have to put Gulliermo Del Toro in his place. Just a preference.
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Babel
Should he have been nominated? I think Inarritu did great work, but no. Academy, you want artsy, dramatic work? You should have got over your sci-fi genre issues and took a long look at the remarkable job Darren Aronofsky did with The Fountain.
Paul Greengrass, United 93
Should he have been nominated? Hell yes.
Martin Scorcese, The Departed
Should he have been nominated? No. 2006 was a far more creative year than it’s getting credit for. There were some real original, refreshing visions if you could find them. I think Scorcese’s work on The Departed is first rate stuff, I just would have nominated other people ahead of him. Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men work will be studied in film schools for decades and I just prefer Nolan, Aronofsky, and Del Toro’s films. No knock on my man Marty. After Paul Greengrass, he is the second-best nominee and the Oscars don’t need to be an exact science. I just ask they be close.
This Sunday, we’ll see how close everyone is to predicting winners. Again, nothing is certain, but I’m willing to bet my house he finally wins. Hey, it’s the only way to get paid in Vegas betting on the guy (right now his odds are 1-5). No guts, no glory eh?
Stay up-to-date at all times with everything Oscar at RopeofSilicon’s official Oscars 2007 page.
