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Benjamin Button leads all movies with 13 Oscar nominations

Associated Press

Latest comment posted at 3:01 PM EDT 22/01/09

Heath Ledger earns posthumous nomination on the one-year anniversary of his death; Milk, Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader, Frost/Nixon up for Best Picture along with Benjamin Button ...Read the full article

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  1. Derek Holtom from Swan River, Canada writes: batman got screwed
  2. The Economic Hitman jr. from Vancouver, Canada writes: There was a great video on You Tube (it's been pulled down now) that shows a side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Button and Forrest Gump. The similarities are outrageous. Ben Button should get sued, not get Oscars.
  3. Auroran Bear from Montreal, Canada writes: I think it's odd that they took Winslets supporting role from the Globes and made it a lead role in the Oscars.

    Mickey Rourke will win male actor
    Heath Ledger supporting
    Kate Winslet will win best female actor
    Viola Davis supporting

    Director: Danny Boyle
    Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
  4. joseph Cheng from Toronto, Canada writes: Clint Eastwood was left out in the cold. I guess his straight talk on a variety of topics had offended the 'politically correct' segment of the Hollywood clan. To me, Clint is a great actor, producer and director. I hope he will be around for a long long time and continue to make great and entertaining movies for the world to enjoy.
  5. Rollo 8>) from Belgium writes:

    I do not understand the fascination with Angelina Jolie, ski-slope nose, fake lips and the ugliest legs. Having seen a couple of her films, I'm even more surprised to hear that she was nominated for an oscar. Of course, it's all relative.
  6. K L Math from Saskatoon, Canada writes: Benjamin Button was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It is a chick flick all the way. If you care about interesting plot lines, or cohesive story elements, do not see that movie.
  7. john doe from toronto, Canada writes: K L Math from Saskatoon writes: 'Benjamin Button was one of the worst movies I have ever seen.'

    I'd say it was one of the worst of the year, but not the worst ever. But I squirmed on my seat and wondered if I should walk out more often than any movie I've seen in a long time. A very boring, pointless, and bad movie.
  8. john doe from toronto, Canada writes: The Economic Hitman jr. from Vancouver, Canada writes: '...a side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Button and Forrest Gump. The similarities are outrageous. Ben Button should get sued, not get Oscars.'

    You can't sue yourself. The same person wrote both movies.
  9. Joe Palooka from Toronto, Canada writes: This list confirms how weak the crop of Hollywood movies was this year. Heath Ledger is the only guaranteed win, but not for his performance - which, while good, was not Oscar-worthy - but because of the hype surrounding his death. The one pleasant surprise was seeing great character actor Richard Jenkins (Six Feet Under, among other roles) be nominated for 'The Visitor'. That is a wonderful little film. Do yourself a favour and see it.
  10. Auroran Bear from Montreal, Canada writes: Actually Melissa Leo getting nominated was a great surprise.
  11. Purple Rain from Toronto, Canada writes: I agree Benjamin Button was a lousy movie and was surprised by its nomination. But why would K L Math call it a 'chick flick'? Cause not enough things blew up? No car chases? Cause the women in it were more than decoration? I'm a 'chick' and I was bored by it almost as much as I would be a so-called macho 'dick flick.'
  12. Valkyrie 23 from Guelph, Canada writes: The Economic Hitman jr. from Vancouver, Canada writes: 'There was a great video on You Tube (it's been pulled down now) that shows a side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Button and Forrest Gump. The similarities are outrageous. Ben Button should get sued, not get Oscars.'

    ??? Benjamin Button was written by Fitzgerald in 1921, guys. And though it has a similar theme of setting the character through history, this is not an unfamiliar trope in books or film. The directors of the movie merely moved Benjamin into the modern day so people can see historical moments they remember, not events from the fin de siecle that probably have no relevence to them. Sheesh... before you cry 'plagurism', do some research. Or maybe read a book.

    Either way, I thought it was a nice story albeit a bit long. Who cares about the oscars anyway? I won't even watch them eventhough Hugh Jackman is the MC.
  13. Jane P from Toronto, Canada writes: Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder ALL THE WAY!!!!
  14. Wilf Kruggel from Canada writes: I, like others, find it hard to summons the time of day on trash that is preedetermined for one thing and secondly isn't worth watching. If, in these socalled blockbusters, one were to delete the grandois explossions, the high speed and dramatic car chases, the gun plays, etc, etc, really folks, that's it, only it's played over and over and over again and the fickle think they really saw something. When will the fickle ever learn. No wonder people are looking for other avenues of entertainment, Wilf
  15. Scott Livie from Canada writes: Being the first movie that my wife and I have seen for 8 months since our son was born, I have to say that despite it schmaltzy scenes and gaping plot holes it moved us both to the point of tears. Chick flick undoubtedly, but on a broad emotional level, it was powerful. It was also quite nice to be in a theatre where their were no kids; they were all seeing Mall Cop instead.
  16. Istvan P from Canada writes: Benjamin BORING...sorry, while the movie had its moments, it was completely unworthy of such attention.

    As for Heath, come on people...this was the best villain portrayal in recent memory and definitely worthy of acclaim.
  17. Jason Rothery from Calgary, Canada writes: BENJAMIN BUTTON WAS BORING!

    'Valkyrie 23 from Guelph, Canada writes: Benjamin Button was written by Fitzgerald in 1921, guys. And though it has a similar theme of setting the character through history, this is not an unfamiliar trope in books or film. The directors of the movie merely moved Benjamin into the modern day so people can see historical moments they remember, not events from the fin de siecle that probably have no relevence to them. Sheesh... before you cry 'plagurism', do some research. Or maybe read a book.'

    Eric Roth wrote the screenplays for both Benjamin Button and Forrest Gump. He should sue himself for plagiarism - and pay dearly.
  18. j wilson from vancouver, Canada writes:
    Wilf, while I understand your general sentiment, I dont think it fits the story here. Blockbusters were essentially shut out of these nominations.

    If anything, the lack of big nominations for The Dark Knight (which was fine and certainly a better movie than Benjamin Button) shows the predetermination you mention works against action films when it comes to the Oscars, not for them.
  19. Istvan P from Toronto, Canada writes: Side note: I really liked Gran Torino, but don't think either Clint or his movie was Oscar-worthy. It was a simple story driven by a protagonist who was channelling his inner Dirty Harry. Well done, but we've seen this before. Either way, Clint is mastering the art of flimmaking and his movies are a pleasure to watch.

    Slumdog Millionaire deserves to be rewarded and good on Danny Boyle for brilliant storytelling. Who would have thought that a show I can't stand (Who Wants to be a Millionaire) could provide the backbone for an Oscar contender...strange days indeed!
  20. Lee Turner from Canada writes: Hey, if John Foggerty can be sued for copying himself, then so can the wirter of Forrest Gump 2.

    Valkyrie, before you shoot yourself in the foot, the plot of both movies are identical, right down to both protagonists operating boats in the Gulf of Mexico, both of their single Southern US mothers spout 'life is random' wisdom, both protagonists overcome their physical disabilities that prevented them from walking, both befriend a black man during a time when it's socially unacceptable, both of them go to war while their blonde childhood sweethearts 'find themselves' in the big city... Literally the same movie!
  21. Gil Pemberton-Willy from Canada writes: Love Guru shut out!?! Oh the humanity!
  22. Valkyrie 23 from Guelph, Canada writes: Lee Turner from Canada writes: '... the plot of both movies are identical, right down to both protagonists operating boats in the Gulf of Mexico, both of their single Southern US mothers spout 'life is random' wisdom, both protagonists overcome their physical disabilities that prevented them from walking, both befriend a black man during a time when it's socially unacceptable, both of them go to war while their blonde childhood sweethearts 'find themselves' in the big city... Literally the same movie!' I'll admit there are similarities now that you pointed them out (I honestly did not pick that up while watching) - maybe the director just likes period peices that travel? I suppose the main difference is in the tone of the movie. Benjamin was sad, but it was more 'lost romance' sad. Forrest Gump was more political, and I think had more of a purpose - the intent to suggest that people of all types can make a difference (etc etc), whereas Benjamin just was a fantasy/romance. FG was darker too, what with Jenny and her brutal childhood and then drug addiction, Vietnam etc. Perhaps the director got the concept for FG from Fitzgerald's novel, then, because that went over so well, decided to make the book too. It's not plagurism, because it is a different movie with a different premise. People can borrow or reuse concepts (the travel through the decades), though I'll admit the framing could have been more original. At least he chose a different part of history. I'm not saying it's the best movie in the world, but it was cute.
  23. The Economic Hitman jr. from Vancouver, Canada writes: Okay, so maybe Ben Button and Gump were written by same guy, or maybe Ben Button was written in 1921 long before Gump.

    Regardless, the similarities are more than coincidental. Check it out:

    http://www.gigglesugar.com/2715654

    It's the same movie people. I'm not judging, I'm just sayin'
  24. Red Suspenders from The Big Chair, writes: The premise of this film just never worked for me. How did Button's mother birth a full-size senior citizen in the first place? Goofy.
  25. g h from Canada writes: Red Suspenders: What are you saying; that you found Batman to be plausible?
  26. J S from Canada writes: Baby sized senior citizen.
  27. The Work Farce from Canada writes: Valkyrie 23 from Guelph, Canada write: I agree with you. I loved Benjamin Button and loved Forrest Gump. I've seen Forrest Gump several times and read the book (It's one of the few books that ever made me laugh out loud), yet when I saw Benjamin Button I never once connected it with Forrest Gump. Historical narratives are common and always enjoyable. Characters overcoming disabilities are also common and enjoyable. I found the premise of an old man growing younger fascinating. The plot was fairly good. The romance was intriguing.The settings and cinematography were beautiful. While I now acknowledge the cynics are right about some plot similarities, I recommend it, largely because of the original premise of reversing time and an old man growing progressively younger.
  28. Jenny any Dots from Canada writes: I though Button was a great film...Dark Knight didn't really have a cohesive plot...the only draw was Ledger...
  29. David Parkinson from Toronto, writes: OK, as long as we're going to continue this discussion, let's at least do so from a factually informed standpoint.

    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, not a novel. The basic premise of the short story and the film are the same - Benjamin is born an old man and gradually becomes younger and younger until he dies as a baby, 70 years later. Beyond that, the two stories bear little resemblance.

    While watching the film, I sat there thinking, 'This is interesting enough, but it sure feels an awful lot like Forrest Gump'. I didn't know at the time that Roth had written both screenplays. He absolutely ripped himself off for many of the plot elements he inserted into his version of Benjamin Button. The Fitzgerald story doesn't resemble Forrest Gump at all (save for some fanciful heroics on a football field at Harvard), and it barely resembles the Benjamin Button movie.

    Anyone interested can read the complete short story online, at the following link: http://www.readbookonline.net/read/690/10628/
  30. wwww bbbbb from Toronto, Canada writes: Hilarious quote at the end by Chris Rock.
  31. Gil Pemberton-Willy from Canada writes: Red Suspenders from The Big Chair, writes: The premise of this film just never worked for me. How did Button's mother birth a full-size senior citizen in the first place? Goofy. _____ Hormone supplements. Happens all the time in South America.
  32. Stephen Dedalus from Canada writes: Read the original Fitzgerald (short) story instead. It's quite humorous, and rather poignant.

    As for the poster who asked how a woman could give birth to an adult-sized senior citizen, I gather Fitzgerald had a poor grasp of biology.

    Just yankin' yer chain. It's a fantasy, son.
  33. David Parkinson from Toronto, writes: In the Fitzgerald short story, Benjamin Button is born as a full-grown old man, able to converse fluently, with old-man interests and sensibilities. In the film, Benjamin Button is born as an infant, baby-sized yet with physiological traits that displayed advanced stages of aging - a baby with an old man's biology.

    I suspect this will be one of those films that gets a lot of nominations but wins only a couple of awards in minor categories. It was a pleasant film, not a brilliant film. The acting was measured, but not outstanding. It looked wonderful, so if it is up for any costume or make-up or cinematography or design awards, those will be its best bets. For Mr. Pitt, hey dude, it's an honour to be nominated, have a nice night at the party.
  34. Andrew Chong from Toronto, Canada writes: Auroran Bear from Montreal, Canada wrote: I think it's odd that they took Winslets supporting role from the Globes and made it a lead role in the Oscars.

    On the contrary, it's odd that she was considered a supporting role in The Reader. There were only 2 main characters. The male was played by 2 different actors. Winslet (with help of make-up) played the female all the way.

    Various writers commented on Benjamin's age vs. size. Since he had to be born small but old, he should have died adult-size but otherwise baby-like. I was disappointed that, in the movie, BB actually shrank to the size of a normal infant, violating this symmetry. Even fantasy should have some degree of logic.

    BTW, I didn't like the 'The Notebook' diary-reading style of storytelling BB used.
  35. Vasili Yeremenko from Canada writes: Derek Holtom speaks the truth. Batman got screwed.

    The final straw was the fact Hollywood decided it had a right wing 'law and order message.'
  36. edward prior from Montreal, Canada writes: I liked Langella, Rourke and Penn, but appreciated Langella's Nixon the most. Button was cute but a yawner. Millionaire, pretty, but also pretty boring especially when compared with Transsiberian.
  37. Da Puma from Stab City, Canada writes:
    How does The Wrestler not get nominated for best picture? Or Darren Aronofsky for best director? Or Bruce Springsteen for best song?

    What a shame. No, a sham.
  38. j.r ewing from Canada writes: Fitzgerald was a great story teller and Button is a great story. The complexity of the characters may have been lost on some, but really interesting to see or think about how differently you would view the world and conduct your life if you were going in the opposite direction as everyone. Having said that, I don't think it was nearly the best this year.
    The Wrestler was amazing and Rourke should get the Oscar.

    Dark Knight is a hoopla blockbuster movie that was for the senses only and although Ledger did a great job, it is not a great movie. Although maybe the technical awards are warranted.
  39. Da Puma from Stab City, Canada writes:
    By the way, does anyone know if this was the first time a husband and wife were nominated for best actor & best actress? Not that either are going to win - no chance on that. Although given the sham with the nominations, this just might be the Hollywood story that gets spun into play.
  40. Red Suspenders from The Big Chair, writes: David Parkinson from Toronto, writes: In the Fitzgerald short story, Benjamin Button is born as a full-grown old man, able to converse fluently, with old-man interests and sensibilities. In the film, Benjamin Button is born as an infant, baby-sized yet with physiological traits that displayed advanced stages of aging - a baby with an old man's biology.

    ==================

    How absurd! A 70 year old physiology couldn't possibly grow a baby-sized person into a person the size of Brad Pitt.
  41. 7370 Km to the East Please from kelowna to heathrow, Canada writes: Just terrible. The Reader has no place being in the BP nominee's, there were at least a dozen or more films that were better. The snubbing of The Dark Knight/Wall-E show that the Academy still has prejudices, and the inclusion of the Weinstein's 'Reader' proves the Academy is all about Hollywood politics.
    Also, the Wrestler was another film that was deserved of the BP spot The Reader took, not to mention Springsteen got absolutely snubbed by not being nominated for song (anyways, what's up with only 3 songs?). The Dark Knight not up for Best Score? How? Sally Hawkins not there for Best Actress? Why not? Dev Patel not nominated? Really, Robert Downey Jr was better? Or if they wanted Best Actor, Brad Pitt was better?

    The ratings are probably going to break record lows at least, so the Academy will have what is coming to them.
  42. 7370 Km to the East Please from kelowna to heathrow, Canada writes: Oh, I forgot to mention: Good for Teraji. P Henson. Much deserved nomination, one of the only good surprises of the nominations. Also good for M.I.A's O....Saya.
  43. a brown from GoWest, Canada writes: Hilarious...the line accompanying Benjamin Button/Forrest Gump side-by-side vid at FunnyorDie:

    ' Benjamin Button was great. I also enjoyed it 15 years ago when they called it Forrest Gump. '

    http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/1d76506803/the-curious-case-of-forrest-gump-from-fgump44
  44. T J from Canada writes: It was an amazing production for sure. But I didn't buy in to Brad Pitt's character effortlessly sliding in to relationships and social situations. He was a sheltered hick who worked on a tug boat. Come on. I didn't buy it one bit. At least Forrest Gump poked fun at itself.
  45. Dude, where's my Canada? from Canada writes: 7370 Km, I agree with you that The Reader shouldn't be a Best Picture nominee. It was good but not great. But I don't think that The Dark Knight was all that interesting either. It's a great roller-coaster ride but after that's done nothing stays with you beyond Ledger's Joker.

    But I do agree with you that WALL-E would have been worthy.
  46. Jessica Lovejoy from Canada writes: Da Puma from Stab City, Canada writes:
    How does The Wrestler not get nominated for best picture? Or Darren Aronofsky for best director? Or Bruce Springsteen for best song?
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    Da Puma, I agree. What a snub! My husband and I saw the wrestler two weeks ago and are still talking about how good it was. Revolutionary Road was good but does not even compare, nor many others on the list. And Spingsteen's haunting ballad brought tears to my eyes at the end.

    I bet, though, out of anyone Bruce himself would be the least likely to care he did not get nominated.
  47. Jessica Lovejoy from Canada writes: a brown from GoWest, you just left me rolling! HILARIOUS! Thanks for posting that.
  48. F Nisbet from Canada writes: Lots of other actresses should have got a nomination for Best Actress before Angelina Jolie.Brad Pitt wasn't playing Benjamin Button all the time it was a CG head and other peoples bodies.Don't think I call that best acting.Hopefully Milk wins best picture.
  49. Johnny Choy from Canada writes: Benjamin Button is a good movie...but the Wrestler is waaaaay better than that...I can't believe The Wrestler should have more nominations...
  50. Jeff Pritchard from Canada writes: Is it just me or is the entire premise of this movie completely incoherent? Nominating this movie is nothing short of an intellectual insult.

    What's next? A movie about a man who is nourished by going to the bathroom and is starved when he ingests food? Whoa dude - what a concept.
  51. Square Root Of 69 from Edmonton, Canada writes: I saw Slumdog Millionaire last night. It was OK, but the only Oscar it should get is for the loudest, most annoying sound track in movie history.

    .
  52. M Weber from Canada writes: Someone tell me how Brad Pitt got an acting nomination for Benjamin Button. He's as vacant as his wife. For brilliant acting, look no further than Mickey Rourke's portrayal of a broken man, inside and out, in The Wrestler.

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