Friday
Dec302016
Equal Opportunity Ogling
Friday, December 30, 2016 at 6:48PM 
- How could you be ogling these white men ???
- It's equal rights. I have the right to see fine in any color!"
We haven't really discussed Hidden Figures! This time of year is so challenging with two dozen good movies (as opposed to the usual two or three) vying for attention simultaneously. This one is such a crowd pleaser, so were you in that crowd these past few days? Were you pleased?
Two more questions: which lady was your favorite - Dorothy (Octavia), Katherine (Taraji), or Mary (Janelle Monae)? And how many Oscar nominations do you think it will receive? This one is such a tough call due to the late blooming -- I can see anywhere from 0 to 6. You?
Reader Comments (13)
Oscar nods: maximum seven, minimum 1.
I was indeed a pleased crowd member when I saw this a few weeks ago. Didn't knock my cinematic socks off, but it was right on time. It's actually among my honorable mentions after the year's top (20) movies.
Often it seems like Awards-giving organizations - particularly critics groups - tend to gravitate to what's perceived as edgy, experimental or controversial. There's nothing radical or revolutionary about Hidden Figures - it's just a well-made, beautifully acted, smartly produced and emotionally satisfying film. While it could get as many as four acting nominations (the ladies are definitely all in the mix, while Costner has a very outside shot), I'm guessing only Spencer makes the cut. Picture seems like a realistic bet at this point - timing is everything, and this film's stock is rising at a time when others are falling. Song, Score, Costume Design and Adapted Screenplay are not wild reaches. Erring on the side of generosity, I'd place the total nominations haul somewhere between 2-8.
Our little crowd saw it and we were mightily pleased!
Loved the cast. When Dorothy (Octavia) led her group of women workers over to be the core of the new IBM centre, it was like Rocky on the steps--- only better!
I think 2 - 9 nominations possible.
I would be disappointed if Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer did not get nominations. And I would also be a little aggrieved if it didn't get a Best Picture nomination. I'd feel sour, like "you have to be a guy picture to get a nomination, because those are the only serious ones".
The others are like Josh says above, plus Best Picture and Cinematography for Mandy Walker, the Australian cinematographer who did "Tracks" with Mia Wasikowska a few seasons ago. If nominated, apparently she would be the first woman cinematographer nominated (is that possible, that there's never been anyone else?)
I only wished there could have been more math in the movie.
I'd say Spencer and Original Song are likely. Maybe Picture, Score, and Costume Design if they're feeling generous.
Doesn't deserve any nominations other than acting for Octavia and maybe Original Song.
My favorite of the characters is probably Katherine, but I thought Janelle Monae was best in show, and not just for how thirsty she is.
Definitely a crowd-pleaser. It gave off a little bit of a TV movie vibe, but the actors, the three main ladies in particular, elevate it to more than that. LOTS of applauding during and certainly after the movie.
Monae is my slight MVP because god I just wanted to stare at her forever.
Supporting Actress and Original Song and/or Score, and that's it. Maaaaybe Picture too, but who knows.
Octavia for Supporting Actress, but wouldn't be surprised if it was Janelle Monae instead.
At the beginning of the awards season I thought Taraji had a chance, and I was suppose she still does, but it's not very likely anymore since she didn't strike with the critics choice or Golden Globes.
If it really does hit the Academy hard, which is possible, I could see another below the line nod like costumes.
With all that said, I haven't seen it yet and I actually REALLY want to. Nothing like a good crowdpleaser with solid actressing (and from black actresses too)!
This movie seems like one that could have really benefited from an October release building momentum. It got very good reviews and an enthusiastic response from audiences. If the movie does not do well awards wise , I think the studio only has itself to blame.
I just saw it last night. I thought it was pretty good, but some parts were slow.
I can't believe Octavia is getting the buzz over the other two ladies. She is playing the exact same character/personality as her character in The Help.
If anyone deserved a nomination, it would be Taraji for a category fraud Supp. Actress like Viola.
Glenn: I understand your concern about Octavia Spencer getting a repetitive nomination, so I asked Christoph Waltz about it, and he just laughed.
Though it may not necessarily be a ground-breaking piece of cinema, I found the film to be a well-crafted, well-acted crowd pleaser full of heart and soul. I said this the other day, but I think it bears repeating: I can't believe that Henson hasn't gained more heat for her performance because she is simply great. If -- and that "if" is huge -- the film catches fire with the Academy on a massive scale, I can see it sailing to at least 7 nominations easily: Picture, Actress (Henson), Supporting Actor (Costner), Supporting Actress (Spencer and/or Monae), Adapted Screenplay, Song, and Costume Design.
I finally saw it last night.
Worst Best Picture nominated film since CHOCOLAT,
I can't believe this got three noms. (It better not win the screenplay prize, as that was the worst part of it.)