Early Oscar Buzz for Finding Nemo!

[Uncle Remus]

I read in USA Today that movie Finding Nemo has emerged this summer as an early possibility for best-picture Academy Award nomination. It may not win since it may come across Seabiscuit and LotR3 in the best-picture catagory but it may win in the best-animated film catagory. Do you think it may have a chance to win the Best Picture oscar?

[poco]

I think it may have a shot! Seabiscuit didn't do well during it's box office weekend debut, only placing 5th (with number one being SpyKids 3 that weekend). Nemo has done consistanly well since it opened. If box office tallies play a part (I don't know if they do), Nemo may have a chance.


I haven't been able to see Seabiscuit yet, but want too.

What is LotR3?

[Luke]

What is LotR3?

Lord of the Rings 3, i.e. Lord of the Rings - Return of the King, not to be confused with Return of the Mack:

<img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000 ... ZZZZZZ.jpg">

I'd love to see Nemo get a Best Picture nomination (and win), and I fully feel it deserves it at this point...but we all know the Academy will choose what comes out in December for the nominees and will eschew animated films.

At least, Nemo pretty much has the Animated Feature locked up. Even if something better comes out by the end of the year, 1) it won't put up the same box office numbers and therefore won't have been as widely seen...and 2) Nemo has the perfect timing...it came out when there were few good films, and by next winter, the DVD will be the most-owned DVD out there. So, the Academy people will see and enjoy it...and it will win. (See the Shrek/Monsters, Inc. case study.)

[Prince Adam]

Has any Disney movie been ever been nominated for best picture? that is, besides Beauty and the Beast.

[Luke]

Has any Disney movie been ever been nominated for best picture? that is, besides Beauty and the Beast.

Mary Poppins

[indianajdp]

Realistically and historically speaking, Finding Nemo really doesn't have a chance for Best Picture.

That's not to say that I don't think it should be nominated, because when you look at the landscape of cinema this year there's not a whole lot out there - comparatively speaking. I truly think FN will get a nomination in both categories, but my guess is voters will not take it as seriously for best picture because it's animation and because it's a virtual lock for Best Animated Feature...kind of the Best Picture award in another category.

[Luke]

You're right.

It will probably win the Best Picture (Comedy/Musical) Golden Globe that animated features do well in, but I'd be shocked by a Best Picture Oscar nomination, as deserving as it is.

[Loomis]

Realistically and historically speaking, Finding Nemo really doesn't have a chance for Best Picture.

I agree.
I think Beauty and the Beast will be one of the last greats to achieve the nomination.
Since the introduction of the Best Animated Feature, the Academy has effectively sidelined all animated features.
Given that there are only a handful of films to choose from each year, the sub-category seems like the only award any animation has a chance of winning.
But what would the Academy know about best Picture? These are the same group of people who awarded Chicago, American Beauty, Shakespeare in Love, Titanic and Forrest Gump with that dubious honour.