HOLLYWOOD, United States: “Once Upon a Time in Everywhere,” a strange sci-fi film spanning multiple universes, entered Sunday’s Oscar ceremony as the most unconventional front-runner for best picture.
Academy bosses hope audiences will tune in to see if the $100 million-grossing hit can claim Hollywood’s most coveted prize — and for Will Smith’s infamous slap at last year’s gala. Draw a line below.
“Everything Everywhere” — which brings its total number of nominations to 11 — follows a Chinese immigrant laundromat owner who is locked in a battle with an interdimensional supervillain who also happens to be his own daughter. .
The film has dominated nearly every Hollywood award show, with its charismatic, especially Asian stars becoming the feel-good story of the season.
“It’s a group of very likable people behind the film that it’s impossible not to be happy for,” Hollywood Reporter awards columnist Scott Feinberg told AFP.
But while the quirky film is widely expected to dominate Oscar night, it could stumble out for best picture.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences uses a special “preferential” voting system for this award, in which members rank films from best to worst.
The approach penalizes polarizing films.
One Oscar voter, who asked not to be identified, told AFP that some members – particularly among the academy’s older ranks – were “more divided about ‘everywhere everywhere at the same time.’ are.”
“It was very bold and unique, but not a traditional film… it might have been further down in the voting for a lot of people,” Voter said.
If any rival can take advantage, it’s likely “All Quiet on the Western Front,” Netflix’s German-language World War I film that dominated Britain’s BAFTAs.
Another potential beneficiary is “Top Gun: Maverick,” Tom Cruise’s long-awaited sequel — none other than Steven Spielberg recently said the actor and his film “maybe pandemic the entire theater industry.” saved from”.
“This was the movie that brought audiences back to theaters,” said the anonymous Oscar voter. (AFP)