Yay, another “Brutally Honest Oscar Ballot”! The Hollywood Reporter speaks to various Oscar voters under the condition of anonymity as those voters fill out their ballots, and THR publishes their comments and reasoning for how they voted. It’s honestly one of my favorite annual Oscar traditions. THR has already released ballot #1 and ballot #2, and they published ballot #3 this weekend. This voter is a member of the acting branch and the voter has STRONG opinions about just about everyone and everything. You can read the full piece here. Some highlights:
Best Picture nominees: “Mad Max: [Fury Road] was really remarkable — it’s a movie I would not want to see again, but I have to say that he [George Miller] really made a ride on an intense rollercoaster and it was jaw-dropping. The Martian was entertaining but predictable. The Revenant was the most overblown, over-hyped piece of crap ever — I mean, honestly. I think it’s gonna win, sadly, because people buy into all the PR about how hard it was to make, but I don’t care. There was something anti-human about this movie; there was no humanity and I didn’t like anybody. Room was kind of amazing — just telling a complex story so well. I liked Spotlight but I didn’t love it — I think it was more about glorifying the journalists than about what happened to the victims, which bothered me — and they patted themselves on the back so much about this movie that it really turned me off. I put Big Short at number one and left the other lines blank — mathematically, I don’t want to throw things off and help another movie. They really should have just one line.
Best Actor, gossip about Leo DiCaprio: “First, let me say that [Mr. Holmes’] Ian McKellen should have been nominated. But, of the five people who were, I immediately ruled out [The Revenant’s] Leonardo DiCaprio. I know he’s gonna win, but I thought his performance was all environment acting — if you put somebody in the cold, they’re gonna shake and shiver — and I thought he played the whole thing one-note. I really didn’t see any change from beginning to end — nothing was revealed that was unexpected. Also, I’ve gotta tell you that a lot of Academy members were bothered by him showing up at Academy events with two bodyguards.” My vote: Bryan Cranston (Trumbo)
Best Actress: “I ruled out [Joy’s] Jennifer Lawrence — she’s a fabulous young actress, she’s beautiful, she’s very charming, I love her, but she should take a break for a year or two before she does another movie because she’s doing the same thing over and over. She’s on repeat. Next out is the Irish girl [Brooklyn’s Saoirse Ronan] — she’s really lovely and terrific, and without her that film would have really sucked, but even with her it was pretty weak. I think she was let down by her director [John Crowley]. Cate Blanchett is always wonderful, and she was fine in [Carol], but she was even better as the step-mother in Cinderella. It was very hard for me to choose between [Room’s] Brie Larson and [45 Years’ Charlotte Rampling]. I liked Brie very much — she did a fabulous job — but I ultimately went with Charlotte because her part was harder to do, since the marks that she had to hit to make her movie work were less clear. She gave such a subtle performance, and I know it left some people I know bored, but I was with her — and Tom Courtenay — every step of the way. My vote: Charlotte Rampling (45 Years)
Best Supporting Actress, Rooney Mara shade: “I think category fraud is disgusting, and it is blatant category fraud for [Carol’s] Rooney Mara and [The Danish Girl’s] Alicia Vikander to be in this category — they were clearly stars of their movies and they should not have been allowed in this category. Even though I liked Alicia’s performance a lot, I will not vote for anybody who is the star of their movie but competes in a supporting category — I’m really angry that they do that. Now, even if Rooney Mara had been nominated in the leading category, I wouldn’t have voted for her because I thought her performance was dreadful — that part needed an Audrey Hepburn, an enchanting, alive, beautiful young woman, instead of this depressed person who I never believed Cate Blanchett would have fallen in love with.
More thoughts on Best Supporting Actress: “I didn’t like [Spotlight’s Rachel] McAdams’ performance. I thought of the entire ensemble she was the weakest because she didn’t reveal anything about her character — even in her scenes with her grandmother she felt flat. I also eliminated [The Hateful Eight’s] Jennifer Jason Leigh, who basically just spat and cursed and got punched. I think she’s a wonderful actress — I’ve nominated her before — but this was not her finest moment. I voted for [Steve Jobs’] Kate Winslet because I didn’t even recognize her! I thought, “Who is this actress? She’s really terrific!” She created a character and she pulled it off, so hats off to her. My vote: Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)
The voter had all of these horrible things to say about Steve Jobs, then ends up voting for Kate Winslet because she dared to wear a brown wig and speak in one of the WORST MOVIE ACCENTS OF ALL TIME? I’m sorry, but Winslet is the reason why Steve Jobs didn’t work. This is what I’ve said for months now: imagine Lizzy Caplan in that role and tell me Winslet isn’t the worst part. I didn’t include this voter’s lengthy thoughts on Brooklyn, which this voter hated because it wasn’t realistic in its portrayal of how immigration really was in the 1950s, because apparently Brooklyn was supposed to be a documentary? The voter also had a lot to say about Best Supporting Actor, but they eventually voted for Mark Rylance in Bridge of Spies.
And, as always, I’m loving all the shade for The Revenant. It’s amazing. And I agree that Ian McKellen should have been nominated for Mr. Holmes. His performance was amazing in that little gem of a movie.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I feel like I’m the only one in these parts that really liked The Revenant… 🙁
No Loulou I really liked it too 😉 Although my vote is for Spotlight for Best Picture, I def think Leo should get his Oscar (though I would have preferred it be for Gilbert Grape or The Departed — both better acting performances IMO). The Revenant was a deeply moving film for me.
I know a few people who saw it and loved it. I have no interest in it, but you’re not alone.
You are absolutely not. there are like legions of dudebros in the awards forums going on and on about the Revenant.
Haha great. I’m categorized with the dudebros.
Dudebros? Weird. The only people Ive met who really liked it are women. And of course. The movie was about pretty boys crying in the forest.
My big brother loved it and he’s the polar opposite of a “dude bro”. He self- identifies as a feminist and is probably more progressive than i am. So you’re in good company, actually 😉 I’m pretty sure that “dude-bros” are watching Michael Bay shit so they can see some hot chicks and some explosions. I really don’t know any dude-bros that are into watching a bunch of dudes. Alone. In the woods. LMAO
I thought it was great
I enjoyed it too! But the fact that Leo is winning these awards because of it that is turning people off, for me it’s that. As far as acting goes Tom Hardy gave a better performance than Leo. Tom’s accent alone was entertaining to hear.
There were some great movies and performances that didn’t get mentioned like Beasts of No Nation, Sicario, the Keeping Room, Suffragette and Mustang.
Enjoyed these movies just as much or maybe even more than the Revenant.
I can’t wait to see it!
Nope. I loved it. Thought it was one of the most visually gorgeous films I’ve seen in a very, very long time and the acting from Leo to Tom, to Domhnall everyone was amazing. Shrugs.
I went to see it with a friend and we both absolutely loved it. My husband saw it separately loved it too. None of us are dudebros. I found it a real experience to see it and took a few days to get it out of my head. Not really into the pretty boys either, although I thought the performances were terrific.
Yeah I made this same point in a post a couple weeks back, it is ridiculous that Rooney Mara is up for supporting actress. Mara was more the lead in Carol than Cate Blanchett was.
Yes but whose fault is that? Is it the nominee’s? If so then I get this person’s protests but if not then I don’t think it’s fair to penalize someone just because you think they’ve been miscategorized.
I think he was off the mark also in saying the role needed an enchanting Audrey Hepburn type. The story was darker than that, not really supposed to be a lighthearted romp.
Anyway, it is interesting to get glimpses into the thought process of a voter.
The person clearly did not grasp the essence of the film. Therese is cold and Carol is a ball of charm so she draws her in.
I don’t see it as punishing her. It’s just that her role doesn’t meet the requirements of the category. The whole point of the supporting categories is to reward people who had less time to develop their characters. If Rooney was the lead, her performance didn’t meet those parameters. For the same reason, I wouldn’t have voted to give Matt Damon the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, because whether or not he gave one of the best performances of the year, it wasn’t a comedic or musical performance.
@lunchcoma Really? Damon’s performance was comedic, IMO. Did you even see it? lol He blows up his space station living quarters and then jokes about it. He spends most of his time joking to the camera about potatoes and lack of ketchup and disco music. The theme of the movie may have been dramatic but Damon’s performance was certainly very funny, and meant to be. If an actor is trying to get laughs, then it’s comedy.
These are like birthday presents from your favourite aunt. They’re so wonderfully wrapped and they just get better and better as you open them.
Hee hee yes! Great description.
I agree with almost everything, apart from Alicia being good in The Danish Girl. She was decent. And Rooney was good in Carol, IMO. Brooklyn was overrated, The Reverant was so overrated, Spotkight was a bit “lets pat ourselves on the back”, etc. This is my favourite secret Oscar voter so far.
I think The Danish was a disappointing movie due to Eddie redmyane and also Tom Hooper is to academic for my taste, but I have to say Alicia Vikander was the best thing and she carried the movie. However the voter is right category fraud is just shameful and if Alicia win I’m gonna pretend it’s for Ex Machina.
There was a failure in the storytelling, IMO. It felt like some key scenes were missing.
Can we have the “brutally honest” (i.e., really pissed) Oscar voter as a regular feature throughout the awards’ season? It’s so delightfully juicy!
Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Brutally Honest Oscar Voter live tweets throughout the actual event! Can we start a gofundme for this?!
That would priceless.
YES! Let’s have it every Oscar season! I adored them all, but especially this last one. Maybe we could have a few more? It’s never too late for a witty side-eye.
Finally someone has expressed what I feel about Rooney in Carol, dreadful indeed.
No way. Totally disagree about Kate Winslet. I just saw Steve Jobs, and I thought she was great. That accent and the awkwardness of it was purposeful, and I’ve heard Kate address it in interviews. Joanna Hoffman was born in Poland and moved with her family to America at age 12, so she eventually had sort of a diluted, hybrid Eastern European/American accent. I went into that movie prepared not to like it, and it blew me away, primarily because of the creativity and uniqueness of the structure, but also because of the performances, all of them – Michael, Kate, Seth, Jeff.
Her accent was more obvious in the latter parts of the movie as opposed to when we first meet her… That makes no sense because the movie was in chronological order and the accent wouldn’t be stronger 5 years in the future while still living in the US. That really threw me out of the movie and frankly seems like a big mistake on the part of the director and Winslet.
I did like Fassbender and forgot that he didn’t really look like Steve Jobs. He was good.
I just saw the movie today and thought she was great in it – so I’m with you!
I agree, I thought she was fantastic and was the best part of the movie! I hope she wins!
I saw the Revenant last night and people were laughing at climatic moments during the movie. And the voter is right, Leo’s performance was the same throughout.
His character had no layers nor complexity. He just grunted and whined in 30 different ways.
Leo really is a good actor and this was a good performance. It’s the character that was weak. And his pity party campaigning sure turned many people off.
I just finished watching the revenant. I thought it was an amazing film. Beautiful to watch and my heart was in my throat many times. The big short should still win best film. I would love Bryan Cranston to win for trumbo and brie larson for room.
At least this person takes voting seriously and has reasoning for their vote. Wonder who it is.
And they seem to have actually watched the movies.
Gotta agree with that. No, “I didn’t see it, but…snark.” Justifiable snark is much better.
-TheRealPinky
Rooney is just a bland, terrible actress, I don’t get the love she gets from the industry,
She’s good when the director pushes her, otherwise she goes deep into her natural blandness.
That’s pretty much the definition of a mediocre actor.
Given that there’s so many mediocre actors out there who truly need a good director in order to give a good performance, why on earth does this person keep getting work? Are all these producers secretly hoping for Superbowl tickets??
Also kind of a sullen snot. Brings out the schadenfreudes for me. I smell privilege and entitlement just pouring off that chick. Could just be me I guess.
She has zero charisma or on-screen presence. She’s the definition of mediocre. If Blake Lively is oatmeal then this chick is old, sticky, inedible oatmeal.
I wish Mad Max had a better chance. That movie was my favorite of the group.
Same.
I really don’t understand why Ian McKellan didn’t get a nom. I really liked that movie. It was a bit slow and anti-climactic but it held your attention and he gave a nuanced performance.
I don’t think people are surprised by a good performance from Ian McKellen though; he’s always so good.
Why wasn’t the boy from The Room nominated? I wonder if he would have given Leo a run for his money.
Is it just me or is that actor really REALLY small for his age? So much so I almost wondered if he had a condition. It makes him look so precocious…when I was 9, I was probably well over 5 feet tall with huge gawky feet.
It’s just you. The average height for a nine year boy is 52 inches tall or 4’4 “.
Yes! I think the boy is the best thing about Room. Larson was amazing but that boy blew my mind!
There is a disturbing trend where Oscars does not recognize young boys for their exemplary performances like they do with young girls. For eg: Jamie Bell won BAFTAs in the year when Billy Elliot was nominated over people like Micheal Caine and he was not even nominated for Oscars.
I’ve noticed that too. I wonder if it’s the general fetishizing of young women/girls in HWood. As in, a 9 year-old-girl is only a few years away from being considered “old enough”, whereas a 9 year-old-boy is still interpreted as “child”.
I think he should’ve been and would’ve given Leo a run for his money, if he was nominated for lead actors. As many have mentioned, the Academy seems to have an issue with nominating people to the appropriate category (Mara and Vikander).
Plus, it may be arrogance, assuming that Jacob will have many more opportunities. Maybe Jacob or his parents will not want to continue this.
Would it kill the Academy voters to vote in the here and now?
Jacob was terrific. But I’ve said it before and I am going to say it again, best male performance I saw in 2015 was Paul Dano in Love and Mercy, and it’s a real shame he wasn’t nominated. I liked Leo’s performance and the “one note” allegation didn’t stop Javier Bardem winning for a very one note cold-eyed psychopathic killer in No Country for Old Men a few years ago. I kept waiting for some sort of surprise in that performance but nope, robotic homicidal stranger it was…
Honestly I can only see it as a good thing. If the kid grows up and wants to continue acting, he won’t have an Oscar hanging over his head a la Anna Paquin. If it turns out he was just really good in that one movie, it won’t be such a big deal. If he wants to quit acting and just be a regular guy, then not being an Oscar nominee/winner will make that much easier.
Finally! A person who has actually seen all the nominated movies. Such a rarity. I liked that the person had well thought out answers even if I disagreed.
Why just nominate one movie? I mean if you liked Room and it clearly needs help why not put that in? Why have unfinished ballots ?
Because of the weird math involved (which this actor, like most people probably doesn’t fully grasp) By placing Room second you could inadvertently hurt it or help another move you don’t like. Thats why she makes the comment there should only be one line.
An entertaining explanation:
http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-ways-oscars-are-behind-the-scenes-nightmare_p2/
I know about preferential voting but there is no way she is hurting Big Short by placing Room 2nd.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/goldstandard/la-et-oscar-voting-column-20150218-column.html
Apparently a lot of people haven’t bothered to learn the rules and only vote for one and of course the studio’s have figured a way to use this to their advantage. Maybe they didn’t want their vote to count for the Room so they abstained. The winners are often people 3rd, 4th, and 5th choices, maybe the thought the Room was good but didn’t deserve best picture.
Interesting quote from the PriceWaterhouse person: Keeping the winners secret isn’t hard, it is only for a few days but everyone wants to know who came in second and they have to keep that secret forever…. Never thought about it that way. 🙂
If the voter thought that The Big Short was the best and everything else was good, great or not so much, why leave any doubt?
don’t hurt me, I haven’t even seen the movie; but from what I understand, the real woman that Kate played in Jobs actually has a crazy, all over the place accent. I’ve heard that if you hear this woman speak you’ll see that Kate actually did an amazing job on the accent. Not sure if it’s true, just thought I should point it out for others to discuss and investigate further.
I won’t hurt you. 🙂 I thought Kate was awesome, and she totally deserves this nom. I mentioned this in my post above. You’re right – that is why the accent sounded so awkward and weird. Kate spent a lot of time with Joanna for the role, and her accent was purposeful (vs. someone trying to do an Eastern European accent and failing.)
Her accent is odd. But Kate’s accent in the film starts out not sounding very Polish, and then get’s more and more pronounced the longer she’s in the States. People aren’t complaining about the accent really, just the fact that the accent only showed up in certain scenes. I suspect the scenes were basically shot back to front, and she started out really putting the effort in and then got more comfortable and the accent started fading.
I mostly agree with the voter.
Best actor: Bryan Cranston. He was superb as Trumbo!
Best actress: It’s a tie between Larson and Rampling. I would vote for Rampling considering Larson will have in the future more opportunities to win an Oscar.
Best supporting actress: Kate Winslet all the way. She was the only remarkable thing about Steve Jobs. The rest were ok but not remarkable, especially Mara.
Best suppoting actor: Mark Ruffalo.
Best movie: Room.
Luciana, I completely agree with this list. Except, though I’ve long admired Rampling’s work, I would vote for Larson. Whether or not she has more opportunities (who knows), she deserves it. I loved that Room was your BP. Mine too.
Bryan Cranston was amazing. I was blown away at the end when they showed the actual Trumbo interview clip. He really captured him.
I love these ballot articles. It’s only three ballots but it seems that “The Reverent” over did their Oscar campaign. “The Big Short” and “Mad Max” may get a lot more wins than expected.
So glad that Vikander will win tonight. That horrible Steve Jobs movie deserves nothing. As for Mara, yes, she is dreadful. What a cold fish. Her whole Goth/Corpse Bride schtick is so old and it appears that everyone but her stans is completely over it/her.
Brutally honest Oscar voter sounds like a bitter old man
I agree with you,skins. Just bitter and rude,I don’t get it.
Is your username in reference to the best teen TV show of all time ” Skins” or some other reason ?
Its actually my golf nickname, Michael Skins
I thought Rooney was spectacular. Her character felt so real to me. Cate was so clownish and exaggerated.
I agree I never saw Cates Blanchett so stiff before like stone,.
I absolutely love these brutally honest biotchy assessments. They appear to thoughtful and full of integrity.
Altought I disagreed with most of his comments, I’m happy someone finally saw “Embrace the Serpent” it is an amazing film, and I also agreed that “Son of saul” was manipulative.
Yes! Embrace of the Serpent for the win! (Even though it will definitively won’t win)
Loved reading what they had to say. I agree with a lot of their strong opinions too. So much shade, so much fun!
“I ruled out [Joy’s] Jennifer Lawrence — she’s a fabulous young actress, she’s beautiful, she’s very charming, I love her, but she should take a break for a year or two before she does another movie because she’s doing the same thing over and over. She’s on repeat.”
Spot on!
+1000
Wish that people will extend that same advice to many in the music industry.
Taylor, Beyonce, Katy, Rihanna…
Obviously the old man loves her
Totally agree!
Dude said Gaga will win but voted for another song. That type of thinking will cause her not to win because they will vote for other songs assuming that Gaga will win anyway.
Well they didn’t think Gaga deserves to win so they probably won’t lose sleep if that happens.
I know CB doesn’t like her but I do. It’s not her most groundbreaking song so I’m fine with it. She’ll get her chance someday.
I meant the voter didn’t sound like a fan either. But to be fair they hated all the songs.
Uh, dude clearly never read the book because Therese is the furthest thing from an Audrey Hepburn type, which I thought was captured by Rooney in the film. At least he saw all the films though.
You know, I rather like the way this person lays it all out. Opinions, opinions. We all have them…I was just thinking right on about Rooney Mara, but I believe in her case, casting goes looking for her for these kinds of roles. I can see her in an adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith novel.
I agree with a lot of this. The Revenant was pretty eh and the fact that Leo is going to get his first Oscar for not even close to his best work is sad.
I also hate when supporting actress gets taken over by leads in movies. It’s awful to people who are actually IN supporting roles. Either way the supporting category is legitimately terrible and unless Mark gets a surprise win I give zero f**ks who takes it home this year.
Room was the best movie of the year for me followed by spotlight. Hopefully one of those wins.
Jen shouldn’t take a break she should take a permanent break from DOR. Everything she does with him is the same and I say this as a huge fan of hers. Pretty sure a lot of her fanbase feels the same from what I’ve seen. I want her back to her indie roots with other directors she could pick anyone and they would probably write her something. Just please no more DOR…he’s terrible
Whomever cast this ballot is absolutely delightful. Please have them do this every year (this particular voter).
I really liked Rooney Mara in Carol and The Revenant. And as someone said or many Rooney’s character is like so different from Audrey Hepburn type. I mean the film was made by the book, and the guy commenting the film should have read it or just read the review of the book.
The Academy should get ahead of the curve (for once) and abolish the Best Foreign Langauge category and include the five best foreign language films in the BP category every year. If they did it of their own volition, rather than waiting for the inevitable backlash to force them to do it. they’d finally look like they were showing some leadership.
I don’t think that will ever happen. If anything they are trying to be more mainstream, foreign language films don’t fit that image. It’s an award show for the mainstream film industry by the mainstream film industry. The top contenders are always going to be from inside the establishment. Plus it would be just a token nomination. The actors, producers, and companies don’t have the resources and knowledge to compete in award show politics like major US studios do.
The overwhelming majority of Grammy winning albums are in English, followed by Spainish and their is no backlash. An award show broadcast in English to English speaking people are going to be in English.
At least now there will always be one foreign language film winner, that may get an audience boost. And all the foreign language films are on an even playing field. Plu those tend to be the films members don’t watch.
So in your view being mainstream requires one to be xenophobic and only interested in the anglosphere? If that’s mainstream then the mainstream needs to change.
No in my view award shows reflect the industry they represent. Bollywood has award shows and doesn’t have a token American nominee. The are numerous award shows that are held in other countries they honor the albums/art/plays made in the entertainment industry in that country. It promotes the work of that nation. No one (should) get mad that it means American and British artists are ignored. They don’t network in those circles, they don’t have an extensive media presence there. The Oscars recognize HOLLYWOOD and its rules, categories, nominations, and history all point to that. They aren’t considering ALL movies. Winning an Oscar for Best Picture doesn’t mean it was the best movie made that year. It means Hollywood insiders believe it was the best Hollywood production that year. The winner of the French Cesar Awards equivalent picks what French film insiders believe is the best French movie made that year.
The Oscars matter most to people who watch Hollywood films (even if they are made somewhere else or by a company outside the US, they are backed by Hollywood distributors) so they honor Hollywood films. If people are really into Bollywood, Polish flims, whatever there is an award show that caters to them. It isn’t xenophobic to not include films that don’t fit within the rules and most of the Academy and even more of its viewers know next to nothing about.
Re Ian M. not getting nominated… Reminds me of how I felt last year when Timothy Spall didn’t get a nomination for his amazing performance in Mr. Turner. So I asked a good friend of mine who was an overworked industry insider until fairly recently. She said something along the lines that the studio felt it had a better shot at winning in another major category (it was either best actress or supporting actress, I forget) so they threw their advertising dollars in that direction instead of at Spall who had a slim chance of winning. And this is how it works.
I saw the revenant just today and while it was a gorgeously shot film I felt exactly as this voter felt. I hated everybody and felt Leo was really flat. Anyone in that cold would have given the same performance and Hardy did a much better job. The story didn’t move me. It should win best cinematography but definitively not best picture. For me, that should go to either Spotlight of The Big Short.
She was dreadful on the red carpet tonight too.
Totally disagree. Rooney Mara’s performance was everything it needed to be and more. I went from not being a fan to truly loving and respecting what she did. She was my favorite nominee in the Best Supporting Actress category though I knew she wouldn’t win. And she shouldn’t have been in the Best Supporting Actress Category given that her character was the main character of the film. She would have still lost to Brie Larson but her categorization made about as much sense as nominating The Martian for a Golden Globe in the Best Musical category.
I agree with most of this, except Winslet.
The Revenant was cinematic beauty, but that was it. Leo was average. Drop Leo’s charity nomination and Ian or Idris should have been nominated. I am so over the Oscars, it is very disappointing.