As many have noted (including us), there are fears that this year’s Oscar telecast will be especially low-rated because few viewers have seen the nominated movies, so it’s unlikely that they’ll have enough emotional investment in the voting results to tune in. Fortunately, the AMC cinema chain is doing its part to remedy that situation. On Saturday, Feb. 24 (the day before the Academy Awards), many AMC screens across the country will be showing all five Best Picture nominees in a 12-hour marathon. For $30, you get to see all five movies (starting at 11 a.m. with Babel, then The Queen, The Departed, Letters From Iwo Jima, and wrapping with Little Miss Sunshine), plus you get all the popcorn and soda you want, as well as a collectible pass commemorating the event.
Now, PopWatch doesn’t have any marketing ties to this event, but we’re endorsing it for two reasons: first, because these are five fine movies, worthy of your rooting interest at awards time, and second, because we’d be fascinated to know what it’s like to sit through all five of these movies in one afternoon. So if any of you plan to go and risk movie-seat saddle sores, salt-and-cola-induced hypertension, and grim depression from all the death and misery in these five pictures, we’d love for you to report back on your experiences. If you can convince us below why we should pick you as our designated Oscar marathoner, we’ll post here on EW.com your account of your day spent watching all five films.
A word of caution: Babel is emotional and moving — literally moving, too much so. It features the shakiest, jitteriest steadicam work since Husbands and Wives, and watching it actually made me motion-sick, so much so that I had to run to the bathroom two-thirds of the way through and hurl my breakfast. So you might want to wait until The Queen to grab your snacks and drinks.
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Pick me! As an devoted EW reader and avid fan of the Oscars, I’m already planning on attending the screening at the Framingham Premium 1 outside Boston because I realized that though I’ve always read extensively about all the movies nominated for Best Picture, I’ve never ever actually seen them all before the ceremony. While perusing movie show times in a preliminary effort to acertain the feasibility of fitting those I haven’t already caught, plus Children of Men and Pan’s Labyrinth, into my schedule, I came across the ad on AMC’s website. It seems like a convenient, though potentially numbing, way to do it. Besides it’s frigid here and I welcome any excuse to stay indoors for an entire day. Plus, free popcorn!
Wow. That is intense. At least they broke up the heaviest ones a little bit. I don’t know if I could have taken “Babel” and “Letters from Iwo Jima” back to back. Well, I definitely think this would be great fun. Besides, as long as it’s a big enough theater, there will probably be plenty of room to lay down and take a quick nap during the boring bits. I would love it if you would pick me to write this up for EW. I’ve been doing film criticism for a little while and the ultimate goal has always been your magazine, so this would at least be a start for me. Don’t make me resort to bribing you (unless you’ll go for that sort of thing, because I’ve got a crisp $5 bill with your name on it).
A funny thing crossed my mind when I read about this Movie Bonanza–”Wouldn’t this be the WORST idea for a first date?”
Imagine combining these 2 mildly intimidating events–the thought alone terrifies me.
Which is why I am putting it to PopWatch to let me be the Guest-Blogger…because I will do it. I will make the Oscar Marathon a first date between myself and some (probably unlucky-gonna-leave-after-the-queen-and-never-talk-to-me-again) guy.
Whaddaya say? Sounds like internet gold to me!
I have to admit, I am disappointed. After reading this and realizing I’d only seen one of the movies (Little Miss Sunshine), I was going to offer my services live-blogging the good times from my Sidekick. Of course, AMC had to ruin my fun and leave Columbus out. I was kind of looking forward to seeing if man could live on popcorn and Coke alone.
like everyone else out there, i’ve been a subscriber for years, and refer to EW as “the bible.” but since i realize flattery will get me nowhere (although, have i told you how cute you’re looking these days ew.com? love the new design. have you lost weight?), so i only hope i get a chance to show you what i got, little mama. also, i’ve been going through ew’s list of movies to see before oscar night, and ironically, i haven’t seen any of the best picture nominees. what a coincidence! i have, however, seen dreamgirls 5 times in the theater. by myself. that has to be lead to something (besides the overwhelming realization of why i am single). think of what a great story to tell everyone at my annual oscar party (which last year i held at a rented-out imax theater – with food, alcohol, and oscar trivia during commercial breaks!). besides, i’ll need this gig because i’ll be fired from my job soon. too much time during the day on popwatch. so what do you say?
Hey Eric, I love AMC’s idea, and I think your twist could be potentially hilarious. I’ve only seen two of the five nominated films and would definitely participate in your little experiment. Unfortunately, I live in DC, which is not exactly convenient to Cincinnati…(wait, did I just ask someone out/accept a date on the Popwatch message board, that has to be a first!)
I would SO like to be the designated Oscar diarist for EW, and I’d like to submit my 5 best reasons: 1) The place will either be full of eager movie fans, or it’ll have 6 single guys who look like they just escaped the 30 Rock writers room–and yes, I’m counting myself; 2) After this week’s 24, I want to see if I can watch James Cromwell in “The Queen” without suspecting him of involvment in Diana’s death; 3) I may start thinking in region-specific accents during each film (The Departed, faux British after The Queen, self-help doublespeak for Little Miss Sunshine, etc.); 4) Ken Watanabe totally rules, even in a tunnel; 5) I can test out my endurance before my 900-mile drive to pepper spray the dude who stole my girlfriend in high school.
Agreed! During the Tokyo rave scene in Babel I had to duck out of the theatre to be ill because of all the jumpy camera/strobing lights. great movie but oh my…when I want to be moved by a movie, it’s not always to vomit!
I have the same problem, Cory, but that’s sure not stopping me. I can’t believe that Columbus isn’t doing it, but I think it sounds like fun anyway, so I’ll probably head down to Cincinnati or up to Cleveland for it. But what’s up with so many of us being in Ohio? EW should just hire us all and let us do this together. Or else just hire me. You know, either way.
(1) I will drive the 1.5 hours to the Cincinnati AMC location, rain, snow, or shine (I live in Dayton). (2) A salty popcorn and soda diet? I will start training today by hitting up my friend’s game night and survive on snacks and soda alone, and continue every day to build up my body’s dependence on said toxic diet. (3) I will take in some extra movies. For Babel, I’ll take in 21 Grams. And probably Husbands and Wives, per your suggestion. Letters From Iwo Jima? For a comparison, I’ll watch Flags of Our Fathers. (4) I’ll make myself watch Dreamgirls to see what all this “snub” business is about. (At the dollar theater, natch) (5) I’m a 22 year old recent college grad waiting on grad school acceptances…I have no real world responsibilities. The whole month of February will be a month in training (see above). (6) Last reason? I haven’t seen ANY of these movies!
I’d be all about signing up for you guys, but I’ve already seen 3 outta 5 of the movies. I fgot an e-mail from AMC earlier in the week promoting this event. I hope it pays off and gives the nominated movies a nudge at the box office that weekend! Good luck to whomever undertakes this task. I can not believe they are starting the day off with BABEL though, talk about about dark & depressing…
I’ll do it! The only one I’ve seen so far is the Departed, but I figure by 3:45 I’ll need to get some blood back into my butt. It’s weird, I was just thinking last weekend that some theater should do exactly this with the Oscar movies, especially since I had the whole weekend to myself and I didn’t want to ride endlessly up and down metro lines to find theaters that were showing these films (all those multiplexes can’t save room for more than one or two quality films at a time? Sheesh, but then, that’s a rant for another day). Also, it would be a good way to get my otaku-type 13 year old out for some culture..not one but two of the films have Japanese culture themes. See, EW! It’s like a blue plate special..2 opinions for the price of one (oops, my Hillary is showing).
Why is everyone so concerned with building up their tolerance to salt and soda? Don’t you realize that it’s hard to be snarky and eat at the same time? Besides, this will be a great story to tell when I make it on the World Series of Pop Culture. I’m not really going to be shut out twice, am I? Okay, I’m seriously going to stop trying to sell myself now. Probably. Have I mentioned that I really want to do this?
Look at them all jump to your feet, EW. com, and beg for your little assignment. Until I see the fee for this film extravaganza included along with transportation costs, I will not be putting my hat in the ring for your special project. How about not treating readers like dogs when you don’t want to pay someone for an assignment.
I should be the one you pick. One: I’m incredibly witty, charming, and sexy. (Although I guess that last one doesn’t really count in print — which is good, cause it isn’t exactly true. Of course if it were true, the guy sitting next to me would be thrilled, which would make for a happier audience). Two: I can write real good. Three: I am a movie afficianado, I’ve seen 250 movies in my lifetime. (Thanks, Dwight). Four: I once got the weekly headscratcher, and I ALSO won the winning haiku in USA Today’s daily contest. (I’d recite it, but I think it actually kind of sucked). Five: I am open-minded and have no preconceptions. OK, that’s not true either, but my feelings about the current government and my mother will not(at least I don’t think) influence my opinions and reviews of the movies — er — films. Six: I can go at LEAST three hours without a cigarette or alcoholic beverage, and I assume there are breaks between movies, right?
Unlike junior, I am psyched about the idea of being treated like a dog in exchange for blogging!! I just bought tickets for my mom and me. I love movies, and she hasn’t seen a movie in the theater since Star Wars in 1977. I’ve put her on a strict training program so she won’t weigh our team down. She’s practicing sitting for hours at a time, drinking lots of soda, and limiting her bathroom breaks. (She asked if she can bring her knitting to the theater!!) EW… I think you need our perspectives on the marathon. We’re training, and we’ll be ready!!
RE: What’s up with so many of us being in Ohio?
Around the country there are a myriad of places devoted to art, culture and entertainment, and in Ohio we have to content ourselves with reading about them.
I’ll see you at the Cleveland showing.
Oops, forgot to add our name. I’m a little groggy from the popcorn diet I’m ingesting to prepare for the 24th!
Why me? Simple. I would have done this even without AMC’s promo. Granted, that would be near impossible to find one theatre that has all five movies playing in a day in convenient times, but that hasn’t stopped me before. I’ve taken in triple features many a time, especially in the weeks between the Golden Globes and Oscar night. I have a bizarre obsession with the Academy and have a great track record of missing only one award pick the last five years. (Yes, I said “Crash” would take home the prize last year.)
Beyond that, this time of year, my taste buds crave movie popcorn drowned in “butter flavoring.” I quickly forget that I gave up Coke for New Year’s, which I remember when I must dart to the restroom. I diligently try to catch all of EW’s “25 Movies to See Before Oscar Night,” even if it means ditching work to catch that rare 3:40 showing of “Cache.” I download the short film nominees off iTunes so I know what that category’s all about. And I reminisce about “Uma and Oprah.”
Pick me. I’m a devoted Oscar fan(and aspiring writer) who has never seen all 5 best pics. I’d love to sign up for this.
I’ve seen 3 of them already (still need to see Babel and Letters From Iwo Jima), since in the last year I’ve gotten to see many more movies than usual. I don’t think I’ve ever seen all the nominees in a particular year before the Oscar show, so it would certainly be unique. However, I think that being selected by EW.com to be their designated correspondent is the ONLY way to get me to sit through that overrated Little Miss Sunshine again!
there are too many other movies i would like to see to spend all day wastching movies i’ve already seen (tho i have the film festival endurance to pull it off), but i just wanted to second (or third?) that last note about babel. the movie gave me a serious headache.
While it’s difficult for me to execute a well thought out, enticing, and altogether delightful essay on “why you should pick me as oscar marathoner” within the confines of this 1″ x 2″ box, I shall soldier onward. I am the best choice for the job because I’ve made a hobby of Movie Marathoning. In High School, I hosted any number of memorable “movie nights”. Since then, I have dedicated nearly every weekend to the watching, studying and critique of Hollywood’s artistic offering to the world. I have seen every best picture nominee and have formulated a strong, cohesive opinion about each. But a second viewing may reveal to me things that I may have and probably did miss the first time. Furthermore, having sacrificed my hard-earned cash to the Gods of Hollywood, I think it is time you media folk re-imbursed me by offering 50 dollars worth of movie viewing. (are snacks included? Pop another 50 on that, if so).
I’ve seen all the nominated films and enjoyed them all, but this may be the first year I don’t watch the Oscars (or at least don’t devour the Oscars). Everything just seems so predictable. Not that I don’t want to see Forest and Helen win their much deserved awards. I just wish I could see it and be surprised. And, frankly, what happened to Children of Men?!
Seriously. What did happen to “Children of Men”? I definitely thought it was one of the year’s best. But I have to say, for the first time this year, I’m really happy it didn’t get nominated. After 12 hours of movie watching, I don’t think I could handle watching something that bleak. Damn good movie, though.
Dear Entertainment Weekly,
Re: Why I Deserve To Be EW’s Oscar Marathon Watcher:
1. I’ve had to endure the awkward silence, confused stares, and complete embarrassment that occurs when your fraternity brother comes over to your desk, flips over to front cover of the magazine you just finished reading, and sees a picture of Matthew McConaughey looking lustily back at you with the caption of “Sexist Man Alive?” You owe me big time for that one, Entertainment Weekly.
2. Being a college freshman, I’ve had to endure such classics as Gridiron Gang, Smokin’ Aces, and Snakes on a Plane (as well as White Chicks on DVD) all for the sake of good roommate relations. I deserve to see something good for a change. Or at least something with an intelligible plotline. I’m really desperate here.
(to be continued)
(continued from below)
3. “And I’m Telling You,” I’m not getting the Dreamgirls soundtrack out of my head unless I do something desperate. A day in the darkness, on a complete salt, butter and Cherry Pepsi high, might just be enough. If that’s not enough, I may just end up singing “Listen” in the shower for the rest of my life.
4. Okay, so I’ve seen “The Queen” once, but it was on an airplane on the way back from Christmas vacation. And it featured such memorable lines as “(Bleep) save the Queen.” I’d love to be able to actually see how vulgar the film really is in its unedited glory.
Sincerely,
Chris.
Pick me. I ‘practiced’ by going to Sundance and sat thru 7 movies one day- and one of them was HOUNDOG. Lord, I deserve it!
I would love to write this up for EW (my Bible), seeing as there is no way I’m NOT going to do this anyway. I’ve seen 3 of 5 films already (Letters and The Queen are my holdouts), but I don’t mind watching them again, plus I’m pretty sure I’ll have a companion: my 59 year old mother. Although I’ve been a lifelong film fanatic (it’s my major in college and my true love in life), it has taken my mother nearly 25 years to finally acquiesce to my way of thinking. Granted, she’s always been a movie fan (she took me to my first theatrical movie in 1985 – Follow that Bird), but she’s only recently been able to look at movies from the critical perspective I’ve enjoyed since I was a little girl. Last year, we did something similar (my dad won’t watch a lot of the artier or more intellectual films and I like finally being able to have a conversation about my passion with my mom), making a point to see all 5 nominated films, to be cont.
Cont. even if it meant seeing Good Night and Good Luck 20 hours before the Oscar ceremony (I saw it back in October but it was the one remaining notch on my mom’s list). Before it became clear that Brokeback would indeed go into wide release, we actually took a mini-trip over Christmas just so we (well, really “she” – I had plenty of people who would watch it with me) could see it. We saw Munich near her house, and drove 45 minutes to Atlanta (where I live) to see Brokeback. We’re already planning to do the AMC thing together because she’s only seen Little Miss Sunshine (with me, the first week it opened at an arthouse theater in Atlanta) and The Departed, and one of the theaters is pretty close to her house. Come on, how many 24 year old hipster chicks will be spending the entire day at the movies with their moms? We don’t even watch the Oscars together (I have my own party, she watches with my dad), we just talk during commercial breaks. Two generations for the price of one! Pick me!