LA Times discusses Harry Potter's Oscar credentials
The LA Times newspaper has published an article questioning why Harry Potter has never been a strong Oscar candidate, wondering whether the final two films will win over the voters, and making a good argument as to why it does deserve an Oscar win or at least a nomination in one of the major categories. Here are some quotes from the article, or you can read the whole thing
here.
Think about it. Six films and no Oscars.
None. Moving staircases, talking pictures, heart-stopping Quidditch
games, villains that scare even adults and no Oscars. There have been
nominations — for art direction, score and costume — but no wins, which,
frankly, is hard to fathom. How could none of these films have won for
costume? Screenwriter Steve Kloves, an Oscar nominee for "Wonder Boys,"
has adapted all but one of the books, a feat unprecedented in the annals
of the Writers Guild, and he's never been nominated for them. Ditto any
of the directors. Or actors.
That's right, none of the actors in six of the most popular films of all
time has been nominated for an Oscar for their "Potter" roles. It's not
surprising that the young leads — Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
— have been passed over; the academy prefers to nominate children in
supporting roles and even then only in such scrappy emo-heavy indies as
"The Piano" or "Little Miss Sunshine."
Granted, none of the adults have a lot of screen time, but if Judi Dench can win supporting actress for uttering five lines and wearing an enormous side-bustle as Queen Elizabeth
in "Shakespeare in Love," then Gambon's death scene, Broadbent's
combination of hubris and shame, or Rickman's pained fury deserve at
least a nomination.
Unfortunately, while the academy loves a good high-brow costume drama, it has never been too fond of fantasy...
It's ironic, or infuriating, depending on what side of the screen you're
on, because the key to great fantasy is characters who are both
extraordinary and utterly human. It's one thing to play a serial killer
or a corrupt company gal; it's another when that character also has to
be believable as an evil wizard or officious witch. Putting real meaning
into an actual curse is way tougher than uttering an expletive, and
waving a deadly wand in all seriousness takes more guts — and more
acting finesse — than firing a gun.
Perhaps the academy is waiting until the final "Harry Potter"
just as it waited for the third "Lord of the Rings." Or maybe now with
10 best picture nominees there will be room not only for animated films
but for fantasy as well. Either way, there must be some acknowledgment
not just of the success of this film franchise but also of the
brilliance and effort it has required of so many.
Accio, Oscar.
What do you think? Do you think Harry Potter deserves an Oscar? And do you think it has any chance of ever getting one?
Jul
25
The Harry Potter fandom and the publishing world had a big surprise earlier this month when The Sunday Times revealed that a little known book called The Cuckoo’s Calling, supposedly written by dĂ©but author Robert Galbraith, was in fact the work of the one-and-only J.K. Rowling!
The crime novel was published in April and garnered some rave reviews before the outing of the real author. The news spread like wildfire and its modest sales skyrocketed, sending it straight to the top of bestseller lists.
Some speculated whether it was all a clever marketing strategy by the publisher, but the real story was soon revealed: a partner at a legal firm working with Rowling on the novel had told his wife about the true identity of Robert Galbraith, who disclosed it to her friend, who then informed a Sunday Times journalist.
Get the whole story »
Jul
25
In March we heard the very sad news that Vernon Dursley actor Richard Griffiths had passed away at the age 65 following complications from heart surgery.
Richard was born in Yorkshire, the son of a steelworker and a seamstress, and went on to become a successful stage and screen actor, becoming well known for another uncle role, Uncle Monty in Withnail and I, and winning a Laurence Olivier award and a Tony award for his part in the play The History Boys.
Following his death in hospital in Coventry, tributes flooded from his Harry Potter colleagues and the wider world, and his funeral was attended by over 300 people.
Note: we’ve had a hiatus on this site for several months, meaning this news did not get reported, but we felt it appropriate to finally post it here. We wish Richard’s family and friends well as they continue to deal with the loss of a very well-loved man.
Sep
27
JK Rowling’s new book for adults The Casual Vacancy, her first novel since Harry Potter, hit store shelves throughout the world this morning!
With millions of pre-orders and most critics so far giving it favourable reviews, it looks like the book is going to be a resounding success. (Did anyone ever doubt that?) Congratulations to Jo in this new stage of her amazing career. We look forward to reading it!
Here is a great picture from the Waterstones bookshop in Oxford Street:
The Harry Potter fandom and the publishing world had a big surprise earlier this month when The Sunday Times revealed that a little known book called The Cuckoo’s Calling, supposedly written by dĂ©but author Robert Galbraith, was in fact the work of the one-and-only J.K. Rowling!
