Monday, February 14, 2011

Reel Facts & Opinions: The BAFTA Awards

Often referred to as the British-version of the Oscars, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (or BAFTA) awards were shoveled out last night. The results provided insight towards who will be crowned (ahem) King in just a couple of weeks when the Academy finally takes center stage. In fact, they provided too much insight; the winner may or may not be that clear-cut.

FACT: THE KING’S SPEECH was the big winner at BAFTA; winning not only Best Picture, but also Best Actor (Colin Firth), Best Supporting Actor (Geoffery Rush), and Best Actress (Helena Bonham Carter).

OPINION: With that many awards going towards the actors, it would seem the acting-loving Academy would be leaning towards THE KING’S SPEECH. But wait…

FACT: THE SOCIAL NETWORK took home awards for Best Director (David Fincher), and Best Screenplay.

OPINION: Directing and writing are also major players in the race towards Oscar gold. SPEECH has the better acting, but NETWORK seems to have the edge in the craftsmanship. Let’s not also forget that NETWORK is based on a true story that happened mostly in California, which is where a lot of the Oscar-voters live and work. People tend to vote for themselves. And just to muddle things up a bit more, THE KING'S SPEECH won for Best Original Screenplay.

FACT: INCEPTION took home Best Visual Effects, while TRUE GRIT nabbed Best Cinematography.

OPINION: TRUE GRIT has nominations in Best Picture, Actor, Directing and Cinematography, but hasn’t been able to overcome the might of NETWORK and SPEECH, who are clearly in a dead heat for Best Picture. INCEPTION rightly will win Best Visual Effects; it’s commitment to practical effects that broke new territory should be recognized.

And if the shitty CGI of ALICE IN WONDERLAND wins, this blogger is going on a month-long bender.

What say you?

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