So as I've written in the past, my history with these is about 10 or more years ago, I became or found myself to really love the Independent Film Channel (IFC) and Independent movies in general. And these awards included. And the actual program on IFC as well.
But I'd say more or less for the last 5 years, they have been a lot more spotty or hit and miss.
Well, while there are some omissions still on this list, I can claim to probably like and have seen more on this list than in most years. At least from memory, it looks that way.
I enjoyed Winter's Bone, Greenberg and Exit Through the Gift Shop. And I have wanted to see The Kids Are All Right for awhile. I also saw Please Give but don't have as much supportive thoughts about that particular movie.
edit: well, maybe I was overestimating a little.
The 2011 Independent Spirit Awards take place on Saturday February 26th, 2011 and air on the Independent Film Channel. The show will be hosted by NBC's Community star Joel McHale (could be worse, but not my 1st choice. Rain Wilson was rather good doing them a few years ago. And I gotta believe he'll be better than last year's host Eddie Izzard).
BEST FEATURE
"127 Hours"
"Black Swan"
"Greenberg"
"The Kids Are All Right"
"Winter's Bone"
Hope: Winter's Bone
Prediction: The Kids Are All Right
BEST DIRECTOR
Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan"
Danny Boyle, "127 Hours"
Lisa Cholodenko, "The Kids Are All Right"
Debra Granik, "Winter's Bone"
John Cameron Mitchell, "Rabbit Hole"
Hope: Debra Granik
Prediction: Lisa Cholodenko
BEST SCREENPLAY
Stuart Blumberg & Lisa Cholodenko, "The Kids Are All Right"
Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini, "Winter's Bone"
Nicole Holofcener, "Please Give"
David Lindsay-Abaire, "Rabbit Hole"
Todd Solondz, "Life During Wartime"
Hope: Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini
Prediction: Stuart Blumberg & Lisa Cholodenko
BEST FIRST FEATURE
"Everything Strange and New," Frazer Bradshaw
"Get Low," Aaron Schneider
"Night Catches Us," Tanya Hamilton
"The Last Exorcism," Daniel Stamm
"Tiny Furniture," Lena Dunham
no idea, but this is probably a list of movies I should check out trailers for on youtube soon.
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Diane Bell, "Obselidia"
Lena Dunham, "Tiny Furniture"
Nik Fackler, "Lovely, Still"
Bob Glaudini, "Jack Goes Boating"
Dana Adam Shapiro & Evan M. Wiener, "Monogamy"
no idea, but this is probably a list of movies I should check out trailers for on youtube soon.
BEST FEMALE LEAD
Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"
Greta Gerwig, "Greenberg"
Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone"
Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"
Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine"
Hope: Jennifer Lawrence or Greta Gerwig
Prediction: Jennifer Lawrence
BEST MALE LEAD
Ronald Bronstein, "Daddy Longlegs"
Aaron Eckhart, "Rabbit Hole"
James Franco, "127 Hours"
John C. Reilly, "Cyrus"
Ben Stiller, "Greenberg"
Hope: Ben Stiller
Prediction: James Franco. I like him, but that movie 127 doesn't seem too appealing.
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Ashley Bell, "The Last Exorcism"
Dale Dickey, "Winter’s Bone"
Allison Janney, "Life During Wartime"
Daphne Rubin-Vega, "Jack Goes Boating"
Naomi Watts, "Mother and Child"
Hope: Dale Dickey, although her performance was not all that memorable actually
Prediction: Dickey if Winter's Bone does well in the others. Naomi Watts would be nice to see win though.
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
John Hawkes, "Winter's Bone"
Samuel L. Jackson, "Mother and Child"
Bill Murray, "Get Low"
John Ortiz, "Jack Goes Boating"
Mark Ruffalo, "The Kids Are All Right"
Hope: John Hawkes or maybe Bill Murray or Samuel L Jackson from a standpoint of see winning and give an acceptance speech.
Prediction: Mark Ruffalo
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Adam Kimmel, "Never Let Me Go"
Matthew Libatique, "Black Swan"
Jody Lee Lipes, "Tiny Furniture"
Michael McDonough, "Winter’s Bone"
Harris Savides, "Greenberg"
Hope: Michael McDonough I guess.
Prediction: no idea.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
"Exit Through the Gift Shop"
"Marwencol"
"Restrepo"
"Sweetgrass"
"Thunder Soul"
Hope: Exit Through the Gift Shop
Prediction: either ETTGS or Restrepo
BEST FOREIGN FILM
"Kisses" (Ireland)
"Mademoiselle Chambon" (France)
"Of Gods and Men" (Morocco)
"The King's Speech" (United Kingdom)
"Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" (Thailand)
Hope/Prediction: no idea. The Square might have fit here.
So, based on My 2010 Cinema List on rateyourmusic.com, and taking out 1 of my favorites from this year in Easier With Practice, I can at least claim to have some things to root for.
What is not on this list. Obviously the 1 huge thing missing is Fishtank but in looking at the awards info on imdb about Fishtank here it was released in January and as far as a lot of the Film Awards, was part of last year's circulation of movies. Much like Easier With Practice. Although it was not given anything from the IFP's apparently, I follow why it's not included in the 2011 awards. What that means is it was shafted last year I guess. And Katie Jarvis as well.
Is The Ghost Writer eligible? with a $35,000,000 budget, I wouldn't think so. But will it get any love come Golden Globe/Oscar time? hell no.
City Island, The Square, Catfish and No One Knows About Persian Cats are also not on that list at least. The Square is maybe the most surprising. Catfish as well. That probably will find it's way onto the Globes and Oscars though.
edit: it appears The Square was released originally in 2008, lol. I have no clue as far as it's budget. Perhaps Wikipedia tells. But that explains why it's not on this year's list either.
So all in all, yeah there's some notable omissions, but I guess with Winter's Bone and The Kids Are All Right, I have something to root for. Overall this isn't back to where they once were, but I suppose it's an improvement.
However, overall as far as movies in 2010. This past year, and past Fall and even Summer has been rather mediocre thus far. Probably one of the worst years and Oscar seasons I can recall in recent memory. Where is the Synecdoche, NY or Where the Wild Things Are this year? The best movies that I've seen, were all in the Winter and Spring. I have a bit of catching up to with a few titles like The Kids Are All Right, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (that and the sequels are missing on that list above apparently), Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Hot Tub Time Machine, the A-Team movie and a few others.
Perhaps like Easier With Practice, a few of those titles I'm unfamiliar with I'll be able to check out and discover.
2011 Golden Globe Nominations will be announced on Tuesday December 14th. The ceremony is on Sunday January 16th on NBC.
