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Stop the presses: random, anonymous people say it’s ‘Button’ vs. ‘Nixon’

Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:37 am · September 29th, 2008

The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonIn this otherwise solid piece from the New York Times’s Michael Cieply, I was taken aback by the following aside, taken anonymously from a publicist (or publicists) that obviously has a stake in this year’s Oscar race:

Some publicists who specialize in Oscar campaigns are privately predicting a year-end shootout between “Button” and “Frost/Nixon,” a planned December release from Universal Pictures, directed by Ron Howard and with Michael Sheen and Frank Langella in the title roles. The films have been seen by few, but the campaign machinery is already lining up behind them.

Huh?  What?  Says who?  Well, let it be so, as far as those associated with the true frontrunner are concerned, but this is a foundtationless aside to be just tossed out there in a major Times piece if you ask me.  Three graphs later, “Quantum of Solace” is slid into a list of expected Oscar heavies like it’s one of the boys.  What’s that all about?

Anyway, Cieply’s story goes on to discuss Paramount honcho Brad Grey’s Oscar successes, drops Oscar consultant Lisa Taback’s name and details the bumpy road for “Button” to the screen.  Check it all out here.

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→ 4 Comments Tags: , , , | Filed in: Daily

4 responses so far

  • 1 9-29-2008 at 12:58 pm

    The Z said...

    So despite the fact that “the films have been seen by few,” they’re the ones to beat?

    You know, if you compare the Oscar season to any major sports season this is like predicting a team to win it all in the preseason. You have to go through the season to find the players and contenders. Things change during the campaign and declaring the race this soon is just brash in my opinion. I’ll wait to make any decisions on the race until I’ve seen the films.

    Go Brewers!!!

  • 2 9-29-2008 at 1:25 pm

    Jonathan Spuij said...

    Damn I really want to know their sources. Bond Oscar talk? When? Based on the “talk” for Casino Royale for Craig or something? Then again, it’s Forster.
    But those two majors, how good are they? I’m gonna see Frost/Nixon in a month orso but Jeff Wells already hates it. Button had the best trailer of the year next to Dark Knight. Speaking of which, why ain’t that one mentioned? It’ll sure have the biggest campaign of the year.

  • 3 10-02-2008 at 4:20 am

    Mack said...

    Well aren’t you happy Kris that someone has thumb-thumped your Oscar pony TCCOBB aside from yourself?!!? :D