The Oscars are tonight! For movie buffs like me, this is our Super Bowl. I’ve seen a lot of talk leading up to the awards about last year’s decision to extend the Best Picture category to 10 films. Most of the complaints I’ve seen is that 10 slots is too inclusive, that it diminishes the honor, and that weaker films will be shoved into the nominees. In short, it’s a bit unpopular. But here’s the thing – I kind of like having 10 Best Picture nominees.
Now, before you gasp in horror, hear me out.
First, I don’t buy the argument that that it’s impossible to find 10 films worthy of recognition. Plenty of film critics release their “Top Ten” lists at the end of the year. Plenty of associations, such as the National Board of Review recognize 10 films. Should it really be that hard for Oscar voters to do the same?
Second, people are simply dreaming that only five nominees means no controversal nominations. Remember the huffing and puffing when Chocolat got a Best Picture nod? How about Atonement and The Reader? For goodness sake, The Towering Inferno got a Best Picture nomination!
Third, I’m in favor of anything that forces voters to get out of their comfort zone. Remember when Moulin Rouge, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and In the Bedroom were all nominated for Best Picture? All great films, right? Here’s what people don’t remember – that year, there were complaints that voters wouldn’t find any films to nominate because the expected “Oscar bait” films were bombs. Voters had to look elsewhere and thought, hey, you know what, that fantasy film with the hobbits was one of the best pictures this year.
So embrace the 10 nominees! Enjoy the Oscars everyone!
