Academy to Allow 10 Best Picture Nominees

Published by Jeff Leins on: June 24th, 2009

In a shocking announcement, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will allow 10 films to be nominated for “Best Picture” at the 82nd annual ceremony on March 7.  The dramatic change from a category of five elite nominees breaks 67 years of tradition for the most prestigious award in cinema.

The move is an obvious attempt to grab more viewers as the ratings have declined to record low numbers in recent years.  Hugh Jackman’s musical dance routine was a departure from joke-telling hosts, they tried an ensemble cast of presenters, and now this “Best Picture” tampering.  It basically means larger audiences will tune in and studios will campaign for movies that have no shot at winning.

Movies like last year’s Wall-E and The Dark Knight would have shown up in the category, but were probably outside chances of picking up a statue from the still exclusive list of Academy voters.  Though the “Best Picture” winner will obviously still be awarded to the highest vote earner, the change diminishes the value of the nomination for the sake of selling more toilet paper and designer dresses.

It should make it interesting how they plan on featuring those 10 nominees throughout the show like they usually do.  The host will have a lot of sets to tap dance around in, I guess.  (Please get Stephen Colbert.)  As long as this thing doesn’t turn into “Let everyone decide!” or we’ll be handing out Twilight “Best Picture” Oscars for the next few years.