Huh, Nebula nominations...

[agilebrit]

To my everlasting shame, I haven't actually read anything that got nominated this year (yet).

However, I've seen all the movies:

BRADBURY AWARD (outstanding dramatic presentation)

Star Trek, JJ Abrams (Paramount, May 09)
District 9, Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell (Tri-Star, Aug 09)
Avatar, James Cameron (Fox, Dec 09)
Moon, Duncan Jones and Nathan Parker (Sony, Jun 09)
Up, Bob Peterson and Pete Docter (Disney/Pixar, May 09)
Coraline, Henry Selick (Laika/Focus Feb 09)

Avatar, clearly, should not win. Nothing with a script that horrid can be considered "outstanding," no matter how visually stunning it is, sorry. And after we saw Star Trek, I turned to my husband and said "The big dumb summer blockbusters have started early this year." (Snerk, "red matter.") So, as much as I enjoyed it, I don't think it should win either.

The other four movies though? DUDE. I loved them all, for different reasons in each case.

How do you pick???

For me, I think it's really between "Moon" and "Up." "Moon" has stuck with me for a long, long time, and "Up" exhibited so much genius storytelling just in that first fifteen minutes that it should be on anyone's short list. "District 9"--I think I need to watch it again. "Coraline" is lovely as well, but it just doesn't rise to the same level, I don't think, as "Up" and "Moon."

Make your case in comments, o flist.

Comments

[kensieg.livejournal.com]

Moon.

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

Avatar and District 9 both sound terribly racist, so no for me on those.

Though I have not seen UP or Moon and may change my view if I see those two, right now I'm giving Coraline an enthusiastic yes. It was a fantastic film and one that inspired me greatly.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

Avatar is racist, no doubt. However, the actual message of D9 is anti-racist (unless I missed something, which is not out of the realm of possibility because I can be remarkably dense), even though the protag is a terribly unappealing racist asshole. It takes a pretty daring storytelling risk, there.

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

My thoughts are the same for Star Trek. I wasn't sure why everyone drooled all over it. Yes, I loved Uhura, but the science was so bad that even I knew something was wrong. And it was just not a very intelligent movie. Enjoyable, though.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

It was a fun ride, yes. But so was "Live Free or Die Hard," and that didn't get nominated for anything, anywhere. LOL

[stephiel.livejournal.com]

I'd rather see any movie BUT Avatar win.

I saw D-9 and it did have an anti-racist message, and I loved Up (especially the first 15 mins. -- it's that beautiful), and although Star Trek had some wonky science, it was a fun popcorn movie, Coraline was amazing and Moon scared the crap out of me.

Personally, I think it's a toss-up between District 9, Up and Moon for the win.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

Seriously, if Avatar wins BP on Oscar night, I am going to fling something at my wall. Not that I'll be watching because Alec Baldwin makes me throw up in my mouth a little, but I'll be following on the interwebs.

And surely Avatar won't win an award from a bunch of writers. Right?

[stephiel.livejournal.com]

Let's hope not, because there wasn't that much about Avatar's plot which made for good storytelling.

Moon, OTOH, was spooky, terrifying and kept me on the edge of my seat. So much so that I just ordered the Moon DVD. :)

(Seriously thinking about seeing RDJ in a sci-fi movie now...)

[kensieg.livejournal.com]

Avatar might win because it is the straight Hollywood line on a lot of things.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

Well, hopefully a bunch of SF/F writers won't follow the "straight Hollywood line" when it comes to their Best Picture award.

[kensieg.livejournal.com]

I doubt that it will win best picture. It will probably get an award for special effects. Many SF/F writers are as "progressive" as anyone else in Hollywood.

When is Oscar night?

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

Sunday, March 7. And oh, god, I hope it doesn't win Best Picture. I'd rather see anything get it than that.

The Nebulas get voted on in May. They don't have any categories like "best special effects." It's a straight "best dramatic presentation" category.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

The only one I haven't seen is Moon. But Up should certainly be seriously considered. As you say, that first 15 minutes is brilliant storytelling. And the symbolism and depth of character reminded me of a fine piece of literature rather than your average animated feature.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

It's funny, because the Hubby was all "Where's the SF/F in Up?" And after I listed the genetically-engineered dogs, the new species discovery, the zeppelin, and the house floating to South America using the Power of Helium, he had to admit that, okay, there was a SF/F element to it, but it wasn't SF/F per se. Which, I think you could make the argument either way, because the whole "discovering new species" drives the villain arc...

But, yeah. Strong, strong contender, I think, especially amongst a bunch of writers. We can all learn something about writing from that movie.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Up has that steampunk theme going, which is kind of funny when you think of it.

[redeem147.livejournal.com]

I would be very happy with Moon or District 9.