DVDizzy Forum

2099net wrote:Depp had a good performance in a part not written as a creditible Oscar® contender.

That's the whole point! the beauty of it! Depp takes a non-oscar role and turns it into an oscar worthy perfomance! thats why there's such a fuss about it! because no one would have dreamed that a disney theme park ride-based movie would have a chance at any academy award, let alone best actor. but Depp's perfomance was so unique, that it was put up for an oscar anyway! don't you see? that's what the whole thing is about!

IggieKuzco wrote:

2099net wrote:Depp had a good performance in a part not written as a creditible Oscar® contender.

That's the whole point! the beauty of it! Depp takes a non-oscar role and turns it into an oscar worthy perfomance! thats why there's such a fuss about it! because no one would have dreamed that a disney theme park ride-based movie would have a chance at any academy award, let alone best actor. but Depp's perfomance was so unique, that it was put up for an oscar anyway! don't you see? that's what the whole thing is about!

I'm still not sure it is. It still doesn't have the range traditionally associated with Oscar winning performances.

Given that Depp's performance was significantly inspired by Keith Richards, you may as well say Matthew Lillard's performance as Shaggy in the dreadful Scooby Doo movie was just as worthy. I think Lillard was stunning in Scooby Doo - the only thing worth watching the movie for. And he undeniably showed incredible talent. But I doubt anyone would creditably suggest it was Oscar worthy.

Depp read the script and had fun with the role by adding his own vision to the part. I still don't think it's Oscar worthy.

2099net wrote:Depp read the script and had fun with the role by adding his own vision to the part. I still don't think it's Oscar worthy.

But that's the whole point! that's what makes it Oscar worthy!

2099net wrote:
I actually think Penn is an underrated actor. No having seen Mystic River, I cannot say if he deserves an award or not [...] I think Penn will win based on Mystic River (which has good reviews all round - including his performance) plus the body of work factor - including I Am Sam and 21 Grams - both of which have had good performance reviews.

I personally think he is overrated, and is not the "great" actor he has been made out to be. But then again, I don't think anybody is. I also think his performance in 21 Grams was much better - in the sense that more 'performance" and "emotion" was involved, as the Mystic River one seemed very 2D - and I am surprised he was not nominated for that instead. Regardless, he could have been nominated for a role in a chicken costume and still win this year. I think once the Academy have made their mind up, it does not matter how good the others were.

2099net wrote:But that sort of defeats the whole point? You know, I'm not blind to the realities, but it is disappointing.

The poiunt of the Oscars, though, has never been to award talent, but to award celebrity. Usually, the high-profile movies - or ones that are made high-profile - win things. Depp, Penn or Murray will win because they have decided to award them, not based on the performance. There is no point beyond back-patting. Look at the "gifts" the nominees get!!! $100,000 + worth of stuff. They are not awarding the best performance - they are awarding celebrity.

The Oscars are nothing more than a popularity contest, a continuation of America's obsession with catgorising and awarding everything, so every person feels as though they have achieved something. The $40 million someone gets for a movie is not enough anymore, you have to get a golden statue and a gift pack as well, just to feel "validated".

that's a big reason why many actors get annoyed with the whole thing.

As Bogurt once said "How can you compare actors who havent played the same role?"

He went on to state how he didnt think it was fair. i tend to agree, i couldn't see penn or murray playing captain jack but honestly I could see Depp playing either of their roles.

Depp's greatest attribute as an actor is that you never think of him as an actor. you think of him as his characters, whether they are Edward Scissorhands, Jack Sparrow, or serious roles like Donnie Brasco, the guy from Blow or From Hell.

For me {and this isnt a slam on Penn or Murray} neither of their roles were really a stretch.

Murray again plays a sarcastic, grumpy sort of character.

Penn again plays a guy hanging by a thread {his character in 21 grams and mystique river was almost identical in approach}.

And they are great actors.

Depp to me though is just different. He plays the weird one's that none of those guys would touch. Bottom line is that without Depp, pirates is probably an okay movie but it certainly doesn't generate a nomination for best actor, it certainly doesnt win a SAG for that guy and it probably doesn't draw $300 million dollars.

Even having said that, pirates might have been the quietest $300 million dollar movie i've ever seen.

I'm with Iggie on this... Depp deserved the Oscar. It doesn't matter what kind of movie this was, what matters is how well an actor portrayed the character, and no one has ever done that as well as Johnny did with Jack Sparrow.

And someone mentioned that Depp was gonna be in the new Wonka movie... is this right? I thought Christopher Walkin was the big star of this one? And yeah, I'm sure it will be WB.

-Aaron

yup he is the star. him and tim burton hooking up again.

That's good news, I see this on www.upcomingmovies.com now. I think either Depp or Walken would be good for this, and I think Depp is one of the best in the business right now. Can he sing, though?

-Aaron