"Tha Hangover" deserves an Oscar Nomination

Although my title is clear and concise, prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of rants and tangents within this topic!

Yes, I think “The Hangover” should be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. What? No, I have seen the Oscars before. In fact, I watch them every year. It is my second favorite award ceremony to watch (Golden Globes are my favorite!). I know movies like “The Hangover” are not usually nominated, but I’m saying it is time. I don’t think it should win. If you’ve followed my blog, my tweets, my Facebook status’ you know I think “The Hurt Locker” is the best movie of the year. If that movie DOESN”T get nominated—I’ll be boiling mad. I might even make an idle threat not to watch this year!

Back to “The Hangover.” This movie is one of the funniest movies to be released in years. It is fresh and new. It is not a romantic comedy and it is not a silly slapstick movie. It is genuinely funny and surprising. Although, universal appeal is not a requirement for an Oscar nod, I am impressed by the universal appeal of this movie. I have yet to meet anyone, or read a FB status, tweet, etc. from anyone who has not thought this movie was uproariously funny. I’m sure there is one or two that exist, but I have not crossed paths with them. This movie is loved by men, women, young and old. For a comedy, that is unusual. My kids can’t stop singing the “Stu” song. (Note: this is an R rated movie--not for young kids!)

I think the Academy needs to drop its pretentious haughtiness and nominate this movie. The funny thing is --we all refer to “the academy” like they are this secret society of accomplished film makers. The academy is a very diverse group, so it is surprising when they fall into certain nominating patterns.

I think Zach Galifainakas should be nominated for a Supporting Actor nom. I also thought Gene Wilder was robbed in ’71. He definitely deserved a nomination for Willy Wonka—his performance in that movie was flawless. If you are offering an acting award it should be about the acting, not the movie. (Believe me—that is not a dig on Willy Wonka. Willy Wonka was an awesome movie!!!)

If this was a court of law, I would cite the 1966 Best Picture nominated film “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians are Coming” as a precedent for nominating “The Hangover.” At the time, TRCTRC was a groundbreaking funny movie. (Also, it is another one of my favorites.) Thankfully, the wonderful Alan Arkin was nominated for his portrayal of the Russian captain. He lost to Paul Scolfield for his role in “A Man for All Seasons.” However, Mr. Arkin was rightfully nominated. (Truth be told, I had a little crush on him when I was little.) Side rant— he was also FANTASTIC in the “The Defection of Simas Kudirkas” and “The In-Laws”. And…if you haven’t seen the movie “Poppi” try to find it on DVD. Okay, off my Alan Arkin rant.

Bottom line, if “The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming” (and other comedies such as “Tootsie” and “The Full Monty”) received the Oscar nod, the door is open for “The Hangover.” Okay, I know, at least the 1966 film presented a satirical view of the Cold War, but you could argue “The Hangover” is a poignant tale of loyalty and friendship. And hey, they touch on the War on Terror when “Alan” sarcastically thanks Bin Laden for limiting his airplane activities. (Okay, that point may not help my cause, since there are many "inappropriate" and some may say "vulgar" moments in the movie that are not typically included in Oscar films.)

My other wish for this year’s Oscars is that Jeremy Renner is nominated for “The Hurt Locker.” His performance was spot on! His co-stars are also worthy of a mention - Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty. If I believed in handing out Supporting Actor awards for 5 minute performances a la Judi Dench in “Shakespeare in Love.” I would say Guy Pearce should be nominated for “The Hurt Locker.” However, I think there are too many fantastic performances in a year to give the prestigious award to a 5 minute performance. Perhaps they should add a category, “Best Under 10min Performance.”

If “The Hangover” and “The Hurt Locker” are not nominated, it won’t be the first time that a movie is robbed of a nomination, IMHO. In 1989, I thought “Do the Right Thing” was worthy of a nomination. Spike Lee’s slice of life insight into Brooklyn was one of my favorite movies that year. However, as I look back at the competition, there were five solid movies nominated that year: My Left Foot, Born on the Fourth of July, Field of Dreams, Driving Miss Daisy, and Dead Poet’s Society. The statue went to Driving Miss Daisy. Daniel Day won for My Left Foot (definitely deserved), however if I had to take out one movie for “Do The Right Thing” in, it might be “My Left Foot.” Great movie and great story—but I think “Do The Right Thing” was a better overall film.

We will know the nominees on January 22. It has been a good year for movies, so I won’t hold my breath for “The Hangover” but I will hold out hope. Don’t forget to watch The Golden Globes this Sunday!! (Go “The Hurt Locker” for drama and “The Hangover” for Comedy/Musical)

Random Oscar Notes:
•Perennial nominees are a drag. (Actors nominated for almost any role they’re in e.g. Jack Nicholson. He is a great actor but I think other performances are sometimes overlooked when a perennial fave has a movie out. Don’t get me started on the overrated and over awarded movie “As Good As It Gets”—for which Jack took home the prize that year.
•I love the Lee Marvin win for “Cat Ballou”. Great performance!!! (Love that movie too!)
•Surpised “Towering Inferno” and “Working Girl” both garnered Best Picture noms.
•Loved the nomination for “Babe”
•I loved that an animated feature was finally nominated, however, wasn’t super happy about it being “Beauty and the Beast. I love a Disney movie—but that is my least favorite.
•I think Johnny Depp is becoming a perennial favorite. However, I do think one of his best performances was in Donnie Brasco. DB was overlooked in 1997.(Same year as “As Good As It Gets” and a little film called “Titanic”) It also was a great performance for Al Pacino.. I would’ve liked to see AP win for that versus “Scent of a Woman.”
•Tommy Lee Jones should’ve won for Best Supporting Actor for “JFK.” (Although, I could be contradicting myself, it was a small role—but if I remember correctly, it was longer than 5 minutes.)