Fandango Awards Watch
Fandango Film Commentator
Fandango Film Commentator
Spirit Awards 2008 Nominees
Stacie Says:
The Spirit Awards…they’re not just for the IFC Channel anymore.
Slowly but surely, indie films have crept into the major awards categories at the Golden Globes and Academy Awards, and Film Independent’s Spirit Awards are being considered more and more as a barometer of which indies will be up for consideration. Just look at last year, when Little Miss Sunshine won in four major categories including best feature and best director. Sunshine went on to win Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay and nominations for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress. (Of note: writer Jason Reitman, who won a 2006 Spirit for his Thank You for Smoking screenplay, directed this year’s nominee Juno).
© Fox Searchlight
Speaking of Juno…what a terrific little film. Will Juno follow Little Miss Sunshine as the “little indie that could”? Its main competition in the best feature and best director Spirit categories is the ambitious Bob Dylan biopic I’m Not There, whose reviews and buzz haven’t reached Juno’s level despite its Oscar-baiting subject and stars. Also earning critical buzz is The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, about a man imprisoned in his own body after a stroke, but its nominations are recognition enough. Filmed in French with English subtitles and shot mostly from the point of view of the stroke victim (as if you’re looking out from his eyes), it’s almost too indie for the Independent Spirit Awards.
Juno’s star, nominee Ellen Page, shined in practically every scene of the movie. Her competition for best actress is Angelina Jolie for A Mighty Heart—a worthy performance, sure, but that movie came out a looong time ago. I’d definitely like to see a fresh new face win.
© Paramount Vantage
I think Juno’s screenwriter Diablo Cody will walk off with the win for best first screenplay, with its snappy dialogue, clever insight and heartstring-tugging moments (I’m a tough sell, but I admit having a tear in my eye here and there). Cody’s all over the place being touted as the next Judd Apatow, and as we’ve seen this year, that’s high praise indeed.
So as you can see, I’m all about Juno this year. What do you think, Chuck?
Chuck Says:
I've heard a lot of people debating whether 2007 really was a great year for movies. The main complaint being that we still have no clear frontrunner for the Spirit Awards, the Oscars and every awards show in between. I actually think it's a sign that 2007 was an amazing year for movies, and especially independents. No one film was the be-all and end-all; so many of them were incredible.
I'm a Juno lover, too. 2007 may have been the year of smart, youthful filmmaker Judd Apatow, but I don't think Knocked Up or Superbad (not nominated for Spirits) can hold a candle to the little indie dramedy that could.
© Getty
It took a while for me to buy Juno’s characters spouting Diablo Cody's ultra-witty dialogue, but I was eventually won over (?) by Cody’s real story about real people. Jason Reitman's direction is innovative and honest. And few female leads have shined as brightly (Enchanted's Amy Adams comes close) as Ellen Page. She's smart, heartbreaking and perfectly cast (?) as Cody’s wholly original creation.
Many of the Spirits’ other Best Feature selections -- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and I'm Not There -- are likely to get get nominated for Oscars as well. However, another front runner for the Oscars, No Country for Old Men, apparently was “not indie enough” for the Spirit Awards.
I’m a little surprised that Into the Wild and Once weren't recognized for their original sensibilities. That lack of recognition may dim the spotlight on eventual Oscar glory, but then again, maybe the Academy will take its own initiative with these critical gems.
I wouldn't be surprised if Cate Blanchett sweeps the awards season for her portrayal of Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. The same goes for Persepolis, an animated wonder about an Iranian girl that won the Jury Prize at Cannes, and should follow up with a Spirit win and Oscar notice.
It’s great seeing this Spirit Award nominations list follow the beat of its own drum. A Mighty Heart had fallen off the radar somewhat, but was still nominated for Best Feature.
Although Stacie differs on this one, I think Diving Bell will take the top prize. It's foreign, yes, and about as independent as a film can get, but it's won huge raves and is continuing to gather momentum.
© Fox Searchlight
Here's hoping Phillip Seymour Hoffman in The Savages (brilliant this year also in Before the Devil Knows Your Dead ) can garner a Spirit win for Best Male Lead, and that I'm Not There’s 14-year-old sensation, Spirit nominee, Marcus Carl Franklin is noticed for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, too.
The race only heats up more this month, as all the critic groups get their top lists out.
Next up for our debate is the actress in a leading role.
