Grow up, Jim. This is a non-story

The rat was a long shot for best picture nod anyways...  Keep in mind the reasons why the best animated picture category was created... I was suprised about Goofy but not about Amy Adams the movie  while very good , was not oscar worthy

Hey Jim, glad to see you sticking up for Ratatouille.  I'm similarly disappointed with its failure to obtain a well-deserved Best Picture nod.  Overall, I'm glad that the Best Animated Feature Oscar exists, but I'm angry that it's stopping excellent animated films from Best Picture contention.

A slight correction to your article: Lifted was not nominated this year because it was nominated last year (it lost to a Norwegian short called The Danish Poet).

I am quite surprised that with the amount of quality films out there, some people were shocked (or a similar feeling) that Ratatouille was not nominated for Best Picture.  C'mon... it was a good movie but not THAT good.  Another question is what happened to Meet the Robinsons?

I'm glad to hear I'm not in the minority when I say I'm not shocked with the nominations. It's too bad that a non-nomination appearantly means your movie was bad. I completely disagree. I loved Rat, I saw Enchanted 3 times, but neither of them were best picture worthy. Rat is deserving of the animated best picture and that's it.

Does anybody other than the studios really care that much about the Oscars? It's a reason for a party and then some watercooler discussions... that's about it in my book. I would think everybody with a brain realizes that these awards things are all political anyway. Money = Award.

Disney made some great films this year. Films that will be favorites for years to come and make them tons of money. It's tough enough to put out good quality movies... and Disney did that, but it's even harder to make "the best movie", which I don't think Disney did.

So Disney doesn't get the Oscars they are wishing for... who really cares?

I don't.

So excuse me while I go pop Rat into my dvd player and watch it yet again.

For years people have been complaining about the too-long awards shows which drag into overtime and the local nightly news.  Self-important Hollywoodites basking in their "I'm important" glory... maybe stripped down shows of a half-hour just showing clips and announcing the winners is not always such a bad thing.  That leaves more time during prime time for airing entertainment programming, not awards for entertainment programming.  Of course, the strike has hit us there as well.

So, now that we're at a point where it would be completely absurd to openly criticize Ratatouille, Jim now takes each and every opportunity to throw backhanded compliments at this film.

Classy.

Congratulations Pixar on your nomination and your CONTINUED success.

Capatinhook91 said - "Money = Award."  Uh, I think you have that wrong there, Hook...it's Award = Money.

Is it me....or are the stories getting really boring???

"buttermaker said:

Is it me....or are the stories getting really boring???"

It's not you ... It's been at least 30 days since I've read something even remotely interesting on this site.

I ask again ... Why is Jim avoiding writing about the Spaceship Earth revamp?????

In the past I could not wait to read Jim's articles.

As bad as it is to say...at leat the Pixar bashing articles were remotely interesting.......remotely.

But lately.....

By the way forget about "Cloverfield" and  go see "The Orphanage"  A fantastic movie! IMHO

A story about Spaceship Earth would be great.

Or about the box-office performance of Enchanted, which never got a proper article.

Or that new "Princess+Frog" image thats plastered all over the internet, which was never even mentioned here.

Something.

ANYTHING other than ratatouille-bashing.

"ANYTHING other than ratatouille-bashing"

So if Jim just writes the word Ratatouille he's bashing? Hysterical. By the way, if stuff is "plastered all over the internet"...READ THAT!...not a site you don't even like. Jus' sayin'.

I think the frustration for alot of the Jim Hill long time fans is  whats happened with the shift of the site recentlty....    Monday Mousewatch and Why for fridays are not even a regular occurence anymore...    and the series Jim starts he never complete if he finishes them its one thing...  and now Jim has put out stuff non mouse related which is fine as long as it has some tye in to the overall theme of the site? shrek was fine but cloverfield. but this is not deadlinehollywooddaily we want to read we want the  jim hill many  grew attached to in the 99- to early 2000;s with his detailed stories and his inside sources... perhaps his sources have dried up and he is just looking to expand the business elsewhere but i dont know many disney sites that actually make a huge profit

Lighttragic. Thanks for a well stated point-of-view. Quite refreshing to read someone who is able to get their points across, without the whining.

" Bobbydafan said:

Uh, I think you have that wrong there, Hook...it's Award = Money."

Actually Bobby, I did indeed mean what I said. Any studio that thinks its film has a shot at getting nominated will throw TONS of money into marketing that film to the voters.

The bigger the studio, the more money they throw at it, and the better the chance of winning.

Hence, Money = Award.

Now, yes, people who believe all the fancy advertising (simple minded folks) will then go rent the movie that wins believing it to be the best movie of the year. In reality it was a good movie that had a lot of money spent on telling folks it was the best.

SO the full formulas would be:

A) Money = Award

B) Award + lemmings = More Money

Re: Ratatouille -- um, so five nominations is a bad day? And other animated features picked up how many?

Also good to see Mencken and Schwartz back in form.

I'm just disappointed the Atonement got a nom and Ratatouille didn't. Atonement was one of the flimsiest movies I've ever seen. Ratatouille whisks circles around it.

Miramax, the specialty side of the mouse factory has always been the one to get the most attention from the academy.   The Academy has a certain taste of movies so it does not surprise me that they have not strayed from their predictable routine.

The only surprise is the nomination for "NORBIT".  someone had to be smoking something.

None of this matters at the moment when something as tragic as what happened to Heath Ledger occurs.  The Oscars mean nothing in the grand scheme and the loss of a brilliant talent means a LOT.  RIP Heath, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Oh and why would Jim write about Spaceship Earth when it isn't officially reopened and he probably hasn't ridden it yet?

Yup, I have to agree, this was such a strong year for movies that Ratatouille was bound to be shut out. Of course, I didn't think "Michael Clayton" was that good, and while I didn't see "Atonement", the buzz was pretty mediocre, but there were several other movies that could have taken those slots before "Ratatouille". In particular, I'm astounded that "The Assassination of Jesse James" got shut out the way it did. But anyway, the Rat did fine, all things considered. It's not like animated films usually get Best Picture noms anyway.

You'd better believe the threat of no "real" Oscars is going to light a fire under the studios to resolve the strike soon. Apparently there's been some progress in the last few days, so here's hoping.

Hey Hook...I'm not very bright...did you just call me a "simple minded lemming"  Does reading a good review, or taking the recommendation of a friend, fall into the simple minded lemming category?  I believe sometimes films need an extra push to get people who can't see every film released, to see their movie...an Oscar is a HUGE boost to smaller films. For these films, their great work is rewarded with money...as a result of the "award"...taking full advantage of me and all my lemming pals. I should point out I'm a member of the academy, so theses days I get most of the top releases  in my mailbox, and if I can't see the picture in the theater, I have the luxury of watching them at home. So, with that in mind, I would to like to thank you for reminding me just how the business works.

the stories getting really boring. Give us some real news... like what the Muppets are up to.

BobbydaFan -

You're right. I probably am whining. Not sure why this article got to me. I've been reading Jim Hill faithfully for 7 or 8 years and have only posted ONCE before in all that time.  I DO read everything else that's plastered on the internet.  

Its just that, back in the day, I'd read everything else first...go to every other site out there....and save Jim Hill for last...because his articles were the ones I looked forward to the most.  He was always knocking it out of the park for me. I could bounce around the internet, get a feel for what was going on that day...and then come back to Jim for a clear, definitive take on the latest/greatest.

It just doesn't feel that way for me anymore. I should just find a better site, and stick with it.

Because....YES....to answer your question...writing an article about how an Oscar nomination is proof of a film's mediocrity  IS, in fact, bashing.  At least in my book.

NoMonsterLines-

Yeah, sometimes I think we all become biased once we feel betrayed or disagree strongly with someone. It's funny because I read this as a very pro Disney/Pixar/Ratatouille, article... but you clearly see it as negative. I don't think you're wrong...it's what you feel.

I don't see why you can't keep this site bookmarked...just know you may get your buttons pushed once in a while. :) Cheers, Bobby

Bobbydafan,

Have no fear sir, I fired no shots across your bow. I don't think you are a lemming until you tell me, or show me, that you are one. Since neither has happened, consider yourself in good standing. :oD

Although admitting you are a voting member of the academy raises my eyebrows and brings about 1,000 questions and complaints to mind... but we can leave that for a later date.  ;o)

Now back to the discussion: To go on a friends recommendation, or even to listen to an intelligent reviewer (maybe 2 of those exist in the universe currently), is not lemming behavior. I think that most people believe the bad reviewers... or the quotes from the critics who nobody has ever heard of telling us how this is the best/funniest/most endearing/etc, etc,... movie of all time. And then some people just like big explosions and some T&A. If you don't believe me, just watch a few commercials to see what a lot of people like to see (cuz if the people didn't like the commercials, and if they didn't work, they wouldn't keep making those commercials). That is lemming behavior. That is simple minded.

Me personally, I think the advice of friends and/or something like Rotten Tomatoes is WWAAAYYYYY more informed then 99% of what we read and hear about movies on the tv, radio, and newspapers.

Now, if you wanna address the importance and/or relevance that all those gift baskets we see and hear about that used to be delivered to the homes of the voting members of the academy (and why they were banned). Or maybe how some people just don't want to give somebody a 4th oscar even though they might deserve it. Or how less than half the eligible voters actually vote to get the  nominees to begin with.... THOSE would be some interesting discussions.

But someone thinks money = awards, just look at the Hollywood trade papers come voting season! Hello!

I think it's awful to say Disney would be disappointed because they only got 4 oscar nominations... They're still Oscars! The Darjeeling Limited was, in my opinion, one of the, if not the, best film of the year, and that hasn't had any Golden Globe, BAFTA, or Oscar nominations. So Disney have done pretty well, and I think they would know that and be proud.

Regarding Goofy... might the reason simply be exposure?

Goofy was in front of National Treasure II... which I'm sure no one is surprised that it's not in the running for Best Picture. And did Disney do any promotion of the fact that there was an animated short film in front of NT2? Not that I saw.

I doubt that most voters even knew it existed.

Is anyone pissed that Meet the Robinsons got snubbed of a nomination for Best Animated Film.  I know I am.  Though I haven't seen Surf's Up, I can't help wishing it was not on the nominees list. :(

Isn't inevitable that Disney doesn't get as many nominations since they've cut back on their number of releases?

Definitely would've preferred MTR to have gotten the third nod... I think it's a race between Rat and Persepolis, though.

Stupid academy voters...  They think the Weinsteins are still at Miramax!

bonk!

bonk! said:"Stupid academy voters...  They think the Weinsteins are still at Miramax!"

What?! When did this happen?

My all time favorite Miramax film was "Scandal". Brilliant acting, plot, nude babes and a story about the historical results of sexual relationships in the late 50s Conservative party in Britain. Not exactly Disney material, what? Which is why I'm glad Miramax is no longer part of the Disney "family".

Still waiting for something about $200million domestic grossing, $300+million total  family friendly "National Treasure 2" Jim.

Jim?

rufus3699 said:

"Which is why I'm glad Miramax is no longer part of the Disney "family".

It still is in the "family". The Weinsteins no longer run it, they started their own production company.

Jim claims to be a fan of the mouse, but his articles often paint a different picture.

He writes about "a pretty impressive performance by Miramax Films. Particularly when you take into consideration the meager number of nominations that the Walt Disney Pictures side of the studio received this year."

FACT: Buena Vista earned 10 nominations, tied with Warner Bros. for 3rd. Only Miramax and Paramount Vantage received more, and he credits the Max with PV's nominations.

While he lists each and every Miramax nomination to make it look so impressive, he waves off Disney with a simple, "The Walt Disney Pictures side of the studio had to settle for a number of tech-related nominations."

"To just to recap here ... If you work for the Miramax Films side of the Mouse House, Tuesday was a very "good news day" indeed. If -- on the other hand -- you work for the Walt Disney Pictures side of the studio and/or ABC ... Well, let's just say that Blue Monday arrived one day late."

The article is just mean, mean, mean. I can only read into it that Jim has some kind of grudge with Disney and doesn't miss an opportunity to take cheap shots.

bonk!: "Stupid academy voters...  They think the Weinsteins are still at Miramax!"

bobbydafan: "What?! When did this happen?"

bonk!: In late 2005.

Some stats from Associated Press re; Ratatouille and the Oscars

The Rat has grossed $206 million domestically -- more than any of this year's Best Picture nominees --- and $410 million internationally. In fact, the five nominees together haven't grossed domestically as much as Rat.

The Rat ran at No. 1 for six straight weeks in France's box offices, beating previous record-holder "Titanic."

Rat, ranked by most critics among the year's best movies, scored a 96 on Metacritic.com, beating "Pulp Fiction," never mind 2007's five Best Picture nominees.

Rat's five Oscar nominations are more than any animated film has received, other than "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," which garnered six. That film, by the way, was the only animated film to be nominated in the Best Picture category, possibly motivating the geezers in the Academy to create the Best Animated category and thereby ghettoize animation, hurting Rat's chance for a Best Picture statue.