Originally Posted by
A-Tex Devil
My thoughts on director:
- Agree to an extent with Bigelow and Affleck. But just because they are "faux" documentary doesn't make the directing any less difficult
- I think Hooper's style (weird angles, close ups) was off-putting to a lot of folks based on reviews I've read. Even those who enjoyed the movie otherwise. I disagree, but it is what it is.
- Frankly, as good as SLP may be, that doesn't seem like a "directors" movie. That's and actors and screenplay movie.
- I saw and like Beasts of the Southern Wild, but I think the director and best picture nominations there was overcorrecting on the Academy's part trying not to seem too ensconced in the mainstream. I am fine with Wallis getting the Best Actress nomination, though, and thought that + a screenplay would have adequately honored a nice first film.
So in that category, I'd have removed Russell and Zeitlin and added in 2 of the 3 of Hooper, Affleck and Bigelow.
I think there is a Paul Thomas Anderson backlash. I haven't seen the Master yet, but I've heard it's really hard to watch, as good as it is.