Oh yeah, I know. Oscars are supposed to be reserved for Important Biopics and Serious Costume Dramas. "Oh my, how she perfectly captured X's speaking cadence!" or "Dear me, he moved me to tears with that death scene in the rain!" But riddle me this: Isn't it just as (if not more) impressive that Raver convincingly sent audiences into the emotional fetal position as she played with her grotesque dentures, begged for another chance to catch up on her mortgage, and savaged wide-eyed Alison Lohman in a deserted parking garage? And let's not forget that in the process, Raver's character took a staple to the eyelid! When was the last time you saw Dame Judi Dench pull a stunt like that?
So yeah, Raver's a longshot for making it within a country mile of any kind of serious Oscar consideration, but the woman had me considering switching on my cellphone mid-movie and dialing 1-800-I-Want-My-Mommy. And that's enough for me to ask the Academy to give her a second look. You with me, horror-loving PopWatchers? If your answer is "no," please click here.
No arguments from this corner. and now with people like michael cera, paul rudd, james franco and seth rogen being invited into the academy that might actually be a possibility!!
You raise an interesting point about the near-complete dismissal of horror films from Oscar consideration. While some have been nominated in the “bigger” categories (‘Psycho,’ ‘Rosemary’s Baby’), most are relegated to technical nominations, if anything. What’s to say a horror film can’t be as well-done as ‘Schindler’s List’ or ‘Annie Hall’? (Or ‘Lord of the Rings,’ a FANTASY movie?) All movies should be given a fair shake.
That said, I can’t say I gave even a thought to Lorna Raver’s Oscar chances. I liked the movie as much as anyone (http://liftingfogblog.com/2009/06/23/haiku-review-drag-me-to-hell/) and her performance was nothing if not affecting, but I’m hesitant to praise what was really just a lot of crazy looks and…vomiting. So much vomiting. (With the potential dissolution of the ‘Best Song’ category in years where there aren’t any, maybe they could include a “Best Upchuck”?)
Haven’t seen “Drag Me to Hell”, so I can’t comment on this particular performance.
However, I remember very honestly and very clearly thinking that Marcia Gay Harden deserved a Supporting Actress Oscar nod for her work in “The Mist.” She was just as effective and believable in her role as anybody, including people who were actually nominated for Oscars (Ruby Dee in “American Gangster” for example).
The Oscars didn’t need five extra Best Picture slots – they need to get new voters in there who think outside the prestige drama/quirky indie box.
Also, I don’t know why, but the accompanying picture looks like an evil version of James Cromwell to me.
They won’t do it.
Oscars are for SERIOUS movies about historical crap and what not. Way to pretentious to ever consider a good role that didn’t require one to dress up like a 18th century british nobility.
I’d love to see Drag Me to Hell get a nomination, it will absolutely never happen though.
I LOVED this movie. I loved it. And hell yeah, give the lady an oscar nomination. Her performance was just as hilarious as it was terrifying, and I mean that in the absolute best, best way possible.
YES YES YES… I’m so sick of awards going to artworks that only have to do with big themes: war, refugees, war, politics, historic epics, children with problems, families with problems, racism, injustice… PLEASE someone recognize the brilliant talent it takes to scare the cheese-whiz out of you… Lorna Raver all the way. I mean, her name is frikkin’ Lorna RAVER. Do it.
EW– here’s an idea: have you folks ever considered having your own “Alternate Oscars” feature? After the noms come out, and about the same time as the real show, do your OWN noms for all the major categories, recognizing terrific work such as that of Drag Me To Hell (or WALL-E, or Zodiac, etc etc) that isn’t typically recognized by the Academy. I know I’d enjoy it, and I think it’d be a big hit with your readers!
Longshot, yes, but the Supporting Acting categories have always been slightly more lenient, so if there’s enough hype, I wouldn’t be beyond shocked.
I have not seen drag me to hell, but I do think that the academy needs to start looking out of the box.. I think that Betty White was super entertaining in the proposal, breathing life into a role she could have slept through, and I think she deserves a second look for that… So I agree with you Slezak.
Absolutely, it would be great is she was nominated. Having met and interviewed her (for JustSayNoWay.com), she’s a very nice lady in person, just a great actor!