Willem Defoe's performance - Shadow of the Vampire (2001) Discussion

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] movie_nazi 11 years ago

If it wasn't for his scenes I would never have given this film a second look. Because of him I own the film and I ave watched it at least 4 times.

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] movie_nazi 11 years ago

F_ck, I didn't even know that was him.

Oh schnap! Small world! I just saw you on The Master board.

But Defoe not getting the Oscar for this role is one of many many examples as to why The Academy is completely full of s^%t. There is no way that they are voting purely on opinion of who indeed did the best performance that year rather as to who they personally know and like or for whatever BS Hollywood politics. I mean if they honestly were just voting on who they actually thought did the best performance then they would have to be completely clueless about acting and since most Academy voters have been in the business many years it is very difficult to believe that to be the case.

I do pay attention to the Oscars because I think at least the nominees that are recognized deserve it and it turns one on to some decent movies to watch. But as far as who takes the trophy it's almost always political Hollywood BS. Joaquin Phoenix is completely right in this respect.

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Etherdave 10 years ago

Too much was made of Dafoe's makeup versus his performance, and I believe it was this that cost him the oscar. Hollywood has a historic difficulty recognizing the horror genre, due to lurid, often discomforting subject material. Actor Jeff Goldblum didn't even get a nomination for his tour de force performance in Cronenberg's 'The Fly'(1986), though his makeup did win an oscar for the film. Realistically, the Academy has very little influence over the horror genre; the genre's longevity is almost solely determined by popular appeal, and its ability to entrance audiences through innovative and fresh interpretations of its meaning and significance. In this respect 'Shadow Of The Vampire' broke even, the Academy be damned.

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[–] movie_nazi 10 years ago

Too much was made of Dafoe's makeup versus his performance, and I believe it was this that cost him the oscar. Hollywood has a historic difficulty recognizing the horror genre, due to lurid, often discomforting subject material. Actor Jeff Golblum didn't even get a nomination for his tour de force performance in Cronenberg's 'The Fly'(1986), though his makeup did win an oscar for the film. Realistically, the Academy has very little influence over the horror genre; the genre's longevity is almost solely determined by popular appeal, and its ability to entrance audiences through innovative and fresh interpretations of its meaning and significance. In this respect 'Shadow Of The Vampire' broke even, the Academy be damned.

Interesting points. I hardly even consider the film a horror film in the modern sense of the genre. But this film and Defoe aside I have never seen a year where the majority of the winners were the correct choices. Sure, here and there they nail it but most of the time they are off.

My Vote history: http://www.imdb.com/user/ur1914996/ratings

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[–] greenbudgie 10 years ago

As a horror fan I am relieved that the AA's don't really recognise the genre. I like to see horror virtually kept separate from the mainstream lovies. Willem Dafoe's performance as Shrek is fantastic. I'm not really bothered what awards he does or doesn't get. I would just like to see him in more horror films.

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[–] PoppyTransfusion 9 years ago

About a third of the way in I started wondering when Willem would appear. It was only then that I realised he was Schrek! Amazing transformation. I bet Dafoe loved the role.

A bird sings and the mountain's silence deepens.

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