UK Film Network

Beverly Hills, CA — The 82nd Academy Awards, which will be presented on March 7, 2010, will have 10 feature films vying in the Best Picture category, Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis announced today (June 24) at a press conference in Beverly Hills.

“After more than six decades, the Academy is returning to some of its earlier roots, when a wider field competed for the top award of the year,” said Ganis. “The final outcome, of course, will be the same – one Best Picture winner – but the race to the finish line will feature 10, not just five, great movies from 2009.”

For more than a decade during the Academy’s earlier years, the Best Picture category welcomed more than five films; for nine years there were 10 nominees. The 16th Academy Awards (1943) was the last year to include a field of that size; “Casablanca” was named Best Picture. (In 1931/32, there were eight nominees and in 1934 and 1935 there were 12 nominees.)

Currently, the Academy is presenting a bicoastal screening series showcasing the 10 Best Picture nominees of 1939, arguably one of Hollywood’s greatest film years. Best Picture nominees of that year include such diverse classics as “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Stagecoach,” “The Wizard of Oz” and Best Picture winner “Gone with the Wind.”

“Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going allow Academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories, but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize,” commented Ganis. “I can’t wait to see what that list of ten looks like when the nominees are announced in February.”

The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2. The Oscar® ceremony honoring films for 2009 will again take place at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network.

It’s so hard these days, when going to a movie, to know for certain whether you’ll enjoy it or not. Will it be too serious? Too boring? Too sweet? Not long enough? Not funny enough? The list goes on and on. Most of the time, you really have no idea what you’re in for. Except, of course, when you’re going to see a Pixar film.

When I buy a ticket for a movie made by Pixar, I know for a fact I’ll enjoy it. I know of no other group of people with the ability to blend an interesting story with likeable characters, and absolutely spot on animation. Such was the case with Up.  Only the second Pixar film to use “real people” as characters, Up begins by introducing us to Carl and Ellie, two adorable children with a common interest in adventure. In the first ten minutes, we watch Carl and Ellie grow and marry and build a home together. We feel their sorrow when we find out, with them, that they cannot have the child they so desire. I personally felt a distinct lump in my throat when we watch Carl lose Ellie, and go home alone for the first time. A full range of emotions, and only in the first ten minutes! That opening montage sets the scene for the story that follows.  Carl, looking to finally give Ellie her dream of having their house atop mythical Paradise Falls, sets off with nothing but a sea of helium filled balloons to carry him, and his house, up into the wild blue yonder. Before he knows it, he finds himself, and his three unlikely companions, running for their lives from his very own childhood hero. In that process, we watch him discover that his life isn’t over. In many ways, it’s just started.

On the technical side, as usual, Pixar does an amazing job with their animation. From the whiskers on Carl’s grizzly chin, to putting a slight rainbow at the bottom of a misty waterfall, Pixar’s amazing animators make it truly hard to remember that these characters, and the world they live in, aren’t real. In addition, this is Pixar’s first film available in 3D, and they did a lovely job pulling it off. However, it is absolutely not necessary to see Up in 3D. There are very few moments where 3D images actually jump out at you, and none that are 3D reliant. Though it’s a nice way to really “get into” the movie, seeing it in 2D will not take away from it at all. If you’re on a budget, and those extra few bucks just seem like too much, don’t hesitate to see it in 2D. It’s an excellent film just the same, and well worth the price of a regular ticket.

Funny, exciting, heartwarming, and at times heartbreakingly sad, Up was just as wonderful as all the Pixar films that came before it. You will fall in love with Carl and Ellie. Russell, Carl’s tubby, merit badge seeking sidekick will make you laugh, and break your heart. And I know I wanted to take Doug, the goofy but loyal talking dog home with me. Do yourself a favor, and go see it. You will absolutely not be disappointed.