http://www.indy.com/posts/4328 en-us Robert Hammerle Chris: Last year I picked "Pans Labyrinth" as the Best Foreign Film. In doing so, I commented on the fact that while "The Lives of Others" had yet to be released here, I couldn't imagine it surpassing "Pans." I'm still not sure it did, although, like you, I also was "blown away." It was simply superb. As to the issue of foreign film nominees that have yet to appear in Indianapolis, why were we able to get them last year? Obviously, if they are not available to the country, then I stand corrected. However, I would like to hear from someone at Landmark concerning this issue. Finally, you certainly are correct concerning the arcane methods used to nominate foreign films. For example, how is it possible that the spectacular "Diving Bell and the Butterfly" was not its country's submission for best picture? The political intrigue in certain countries, particularly Spain and Italy, make this category less than it should be. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:27:34 -0500 http://www.indy.com/posts/4328#comment_12570 http://www.indy.com/posts/4328#comment_12570 Robert Hammerle I feel about Hal Holbrook the way I felt when Richard Farnsworth was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his lovely and affecting role in David Lynch's G-Rated "The Straight Story" (1999). If you haven't seen it, you should rent it. He plays an aging resident of a small town who learns that his alienated brother (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a heart attack and may be dying. Lacking a driver's license, he customizes his riding lawnmower for the 800-mile drive to visit his brother. Farnsworth didn't win, and to make matters more heartbreaking he died within a year. Hopefully Holbrook can give us some more performances. As to Eddie Vedder and "Into the Wild", it was clearly a tragic oversight. On the other hand, given the Oscar's aversion for any music more topical than the Lion King Theme (with due deference being given to "It's Hard Out There for a Pimp"), I'm ecstatic that the song from "Once" was recognized. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:31:14 -0500 http://www.indy.com/posts/4328#comment_12555 http://www.indy.com/posts/4328#comment_12555 Christopher Lloyd With regard to the foreign language films, I don't believe they've been released wider than New York and L.A., if they've even shown there. So I don't think we can necessarily blame our local cinemas. They just haven't been able to book the films. The rules for nominating foreign language films are so arcane that few people understand them. Only one movie per country can be nominated, and it's rare that the best or even the movie with the widest release is the one nominated. Hopefully they'll get here eventually. I was blown away by "The Lives of Others." Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:14:08 -0500 http://www.indy.com/posts/4328#comment_12551 http://www.indy.com/posts/4328#comment_12551 obeythedoberman Robert, your picks seem to be right on the money. It will be a travesty when Hal Holbrook's name isn't called. Best performance of the year! Why wasn't Eddie Vedder nominated for Best Song? He won the Golden Globe for the same didn't he? Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:09:48 -0500 http://www.indy.com/posts/4328#comment_12537 http://www.indy.com/posts/4328#comment_12537