Avatar and The Hurt Locker are going to go head to head next month for the Best Picture and the Best Director in what looks to be one of the most interesting Oscar battles. In one corner we have the box office dominating, big budget Avatar and in the other the gritty and critically acclaimed The Hurt Locker. The Hurt Locker is nominated for 9 Oscars, won Best Director and
Best Picture LAFCA Award and Critics Choice Award while Avatar is nominated for 9 Oscars,
won 6 Critics Choice Awards and 2 Golden Globe Awards. And let's not forget that filmmakers James Cameron, the director of Avatar, and Kathryn Bigelow, the director of The Hurt Locker, were once married, which makes it even more interesting!
I think this is my first time that I post something about movies and cinematic works here in my blog and as far as I am concerned I have seen the two films recently and, to be honest, I liked The Hurt Locker more because it is more related to me and my world than that Sci-fi movie. Despite liking Avatar my feet are firmly in the The Hurt Locker camp as it was the best movie of 2009 in my opinion. The Hurt Locker the best American feature film yet made about the war in Iraq. Finally some genuine Iraqi actors as Iraqis instead of Indians and Egyptians. Kathryn Bigelow met some Iraqi refugees when shooting the film in Amman and she casted refugees who had theatrical backgrounds "SPOILER ALERT" such as Suhail Aldabbach, who plays the role of a forced suicide bomber at the end of the film. And because the movie was shot in Jordan within miles of Iraqi borders, the scenery is more alike to that in Iraq. 
Avatar is deserving of all the praise that it has gotten but I'm of the opinion that, while it deserves to be nominated for Best Picture, it doesnt deserve to win due to the formulaic nature of its story and bizzare characters. They were very one-dimensional. The men in The Hurt Locker have a lot more depth to them, in my opinion which elevates the movie to a higher
place than Avatar. Avatar, once stripped of its visual splendors, is only several steps above a film like transformers 2 in the cinematic food chain. If The Hurt Locker wins, then it will definitely make the Oscars much more exciting. In the past few years, the award has gone to smaller indie films (i.e. Slumdog Millionaire, Crash, No Country for Old Men) so I think The Hurt Locker has a pretty good chance of winning. However, the only way that will happen is if Avatar wins everything else (technical awards, director, etc.) and then they might give The Hurt Locker the big prize. Anyway, the winners will be announced 7th March so let's wait and see who will win the best picture award this year.
place than Avatar. Avatar, once stripped of its visual splendors, is only several steps above a film like transformers 2 in the cinematic food chain. If The Hurt Locker wins, then it will definitely make the Oscars much more exciting. In the past few years, the award has gone to smaller indie films (i.e. Slumdog Millionaire, Crash, No Country for Old Men) so I think The Hurt Locker has a pretty good chance of winning. However, the only way that will happen is if Avatar wins everything else (technical awards, director, etc.) and then they might give The Hurt Locker the big prize. Anyway, the winners will be announced 7th March so let's wait and see who will win the best picture award this year.
13 comments:
Hey Ali, Thanks for recommending to me this film I watched and loved it... though I never watch war movies. It's a great one indeed. I hope it wins... makes you feel like you're really living in Iraq. ^.^
I haven't seen either movie yet, Caesar. Someone I know who has seen Avatar pretty much agreed with your assessment. The film sells on the special effects, not the actual plot.
I will probably see it eventually, but I'm in no hurry.
You liked The Hurt Locker? Well, given that you're an expert on Iraq that is saying something. I have avoided Iraq war movies, feeling that they usually had an agenda in place. But I will make a point of seeing this one. :)
Have you been watching the new season of Lost? It will be interesting to see how they wrap it up. They seem to be raising even more questions with each episode. I just hope they don't pass everything off as someone's bad dream! lol!
@ Sara,
Yes, I have watched many movies made about the war in Iraq, such as Three Kings, Body of Lies, In the Valley of Elah.. etc. but i think The Hurt locker beats them all. As I said before, the sceneray is so real. The people, The views, the streets, the marketplaces, the cars and the events are so realistic. It's like I was watching scenes of a reality life show about what was happening in Iraq during 2004, 2005 and 2006. To that extent, this what was really happening in Iraq.
And yes, I hope it wins! :)
@ Lynnie,
You should watch The Hurt Locker. Read the comment above to know why.
I have seen the 1st two episodes of the final season of Lost and I already feel sad because this amazing drama tv series is coming to an end.
Ali,
I understand how you can be easily in favor of The Hurt Locker. I've yet to see it but have seen Avatar. It was quite good, as you no doubt know. A friend of mine has seen The Hurt Locker (he actually was in Iraq in '06 and served with EOD techs) and said it was probably the best movie about the war as of yet.
So your opinion + his opinion = best picture in my book!
@ Matt,
I am not saying that Avatar wasn't good. But in my humble opinion I see The Hurt Locker deserves to win the best picture! Thanks for stopping by! ;)
Hi Caesar,
First, I am sorry to hear about your broken foot. I hope it is healing nicely. Try to be more careful! ;)
With respect to movies, I rarely go to the theater to watch new movies. I usually wait for the DVD to come out then I get it from the public library for free. However, I did go to see Avatar. I saw it in 3-D. I felt a bit dizzy at first, but I got used to the 3-D after a few minutes. I found the story to be somewhat simplistic, but it was entertaining. Of course, the special effects were just stunning! I loved all the details of Pandora: the forest, the creatures, the Navi. It was a very fun movie to watch. Cameron says he already has some ideas for a sequel. I will very much look forward to it!
I have not seen The Hurt Locker, and prior to reading your post, I didn't know much about it. I'm really out of the loop on some things! ;) But, now I am interested. I will see if it is still in theaters here.
Take care.
David,
Under all that visual splendor lay a clichéd plot, stereotyped characters and humorless dialogue. That left the action — but how many video games can you watch?
The Golden Globe Awards have just named “Avatar” the best drama of the year. From my standpoint, “Avatar” wasn't even the best drama of the night.
It's getting more interesting! It's an exciting day. First, the general election, my bro's birthday and soon the Academy Awards! :D
I hope The Hurt Locker wins the big award! :)
Woohoo! Six Oscars for The Hurt Locker including the big prize "the best picture" award. Avatar can suck it! :D *bounces*
Ok, guys! It's 8 o'clock in the morning. I'm off to bed! :P
@Caesar... I'm so thrilled and over the moon happy. Avatar can kiss my @$$
lol!
Now I've just got to see it!
Oh!
Happy Birthday, Caesar! Sorry I'm late. (Thanks Mel)
I finally saw "The Hurt Locker" last weekend. It was good, in the sense that, for the most part, it seemed accurate. At least according to people I have listened to over the years. It is dark, but then that is the definition of war. I wouldn't see it just to be entertained. I would see it to try to understand some of what went on in Iraq, from our(American) perspective.
I think there are quite a few movies out now that I will have to see. :) I especially want to see "The Blind Side".
I hope you enjoyed your birthday. :)
Heyyyy mister!!! How goes it???! Lovely to hear from u...all is good...living each day as it comes.
What reminded u of me?
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