MOVIE BUZZ: A group of devoted Batman fans have started an “unofficial grassroots effort to support The Dark Knight” for Best Picture at the Oscars. This is apparently what Obama supporters are doing with their free time and political energy now. The Will.I.Am remix of that hospital scene should be especially moving.

Contribute: Add an image, link, video or comment »

The Best Links:

1. the Dark Campaign
2. Fans pick up Oscar slack
3. Dark Campaign on Facebook
4. Support the Dark Campaign!
5. Dark Knight “For Your Consideration” Ads”
6. How Obama helps Batman

MOVIE BUZZ: People are saying Danny Boyle's new movie is an underdog contender for Best Picture… but rave reviews and a strong opening weekend are making it look less like an underdog and more like a favorite.

Contribute: Add an image, link, video or comment »

The Best Links:

1. Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Reviews
2. A “sure bet” for a nomination with a “serious chance” to win
3. Slumdog Millionaire hits jackpot in first round
4. Slumdog Millionaire - Trailer
5. Why Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Could Be 2008’s Best Picture

The movie, based on the award-winning play, is centered in a parish in which Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is accused by Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep) of abusing a student, despite her having no evidence. The film also stars Amy Adams, making it to the Oscars what Beverly Hills Chihuahua is to the Razzies. (Although can you ever really go wrong with a George Lopez flick?)

Contribute: Add an image, link, video or comment »

The Best Links:

1. Beverly Hills Chihuahua Trailer

MOVIE BUZZ: Daniel Day-Lewis may have just won his second Oscar for There Will Be Blood, but some have already begun challenging the praise he’s received for his scenery-chewing performance. They say that Day-Lewis’ motivations are unclear, that his acting is gimmicky, and that his histrionics take the viewer out of the action. In other words, they think he’s a ham. Of course, hamming it up has always been a pretty good way to win yourself a gold statue.

The Best Links:

1. There Will Be Backlash
2. Daniel Day-Lewis, Too Great to Be Good
3. The Great(ness) Debate: Flesh, Blood, Day-Lewis (and Oscar)
4. Acting You Can See
5. Biggest Acting, Best and Worst: Over the Top, Ma!
6. There Will Be Ham: Over the Top with Daniel Day-Lewis

MOVIE BUZZ: With Juno a huge box office success and now a multiple Oscar nominee, the haters are out in full force. Among their chief complaints: the film’s treatment of pregnancy, its “horribly precious” soundtrack, and especially its arch lexicon. Seriously, honest to blog! But never fear, the backlash-to-the-backlash has already begun.

The Best Links:

1. The False Humility of “Juno”
2. Carpetbagger: Juno Laid Low by Success
3. Juno: From Stereotype to Critique
4. Backlash Bait: ‘Juno’ DVD to be Sold in Starbucks!
5. “Leaked Diablo Cody Screenplay”
6. A Short History of the Backlash
7. The Smug Get Smugger
8. “Juno” Soundtrack More Goo-Goo Than Gaga
9. The Oscars: Is It So Wrong To Have Liked Juno a Little?
10. More on Juno, Pregnancy Films: “Could This Be the Beginning of the ‘Juno’ Backlash? (I hope so!!!!)”
11. Jumping the Snark: The Juno Backlash (Backlash)
12. Oscar Nominations: A Sad Day Indeed
13. The Rise and Fall and Rise of Juno
14. “I Hate Juno” Facebook Group

MOVIE BUZZ: Tim Burton gets left out of the Academy Awards nominations, again. Sure, Sweeney Todd is in the running for best art direction and best costume - and Johnny Depp is up for best actor - but otherwise Burton’s latest is being snubbed by Hollywood. The closest he’s ever come to touching Oscar was a nomination for best animated feature in 2006 for Corpse Bride.

The Best Links:

1. List of 80th Annual Oscar Nominees
2. Burton Snubbed At The Bafta Awards, Too
3. Tim Burton’s Palpable Lack Of Awards
4. Ellen Page, Best Actress Nominee
5. Diablo Cody, Best Original Screenplay Nominee
6. No Country For Old Men, Best Picture Nominee
7. Juno, Best Picture Nominee
8. There Will Be Blood, Best Picture Nominee
9. Persepolis, Best Animated Feature Film Nominee
10. Ratatouille, Best Animated Feature Nominee