A fight for film's future

Old school versus new school, low-budget realism versus high-budget fantasy and $18 million versus $2.4 billion: Nearly any way it’s sliced, “The Hurt Locker” and “Avatar” represent two extremes of filmmaking.

At this weekend’s awards, no two films will be discussed or announced more. Oscar voters promote certain values through winners, and a Best Picture win for one of these two films could send tidal waves through the industry.

If the realistic “The Hurt Locker” walks away with the biggest award in entertainment, it signals that Hollywood has officially accepted the second war in Iraq. Though Iraq movies have been hitting theaters for years, the Academy just wasn’t ready until now.

A win for “The Hurt Locker” also signifies that despite all the populist posturing, the Academy still wants to celebrate the “important” films like they have done for decades. Those are all the winning films that make us say, “Who the hell even watched that?” It must be important to them to keep the taste distinctions and credibility alive.

Finally, a victory for “The Hurt Locker” would be a celebration of the somewhat-independent film — it only cost $11 million to make — in the time of the hundred-million-dollar blockbuster. A feature made with almost all practical effects, “The Hurt Locker” is an action movie that is the anti-“Transformers.”

But despite “Locker” being a traditional Oscar-bait film, “Avatar” represents the other end of the spectrum, which could usher in a new era of award criteria.

“Avatar” winning only furthers the populist direction the awards are taking. The 10 nominees, the “feel good” winner “Slumdog Millionaire” last year — all these mean a more mainstream affair, one that tries to get more people to watch and awards films that have been seen by those people.

If Cameron’s 3-D Smurf/cat-people epic is successful, it’s also a sign of acceptance for 3-D, motion capture and CGI technology. It might mean more nominations for animated films or less in-the-flesh acting in the future.

Not too often does the Best Picture competition mean anything other than “Hey, that film was great.” This year, much more is on the line, and your imaginary vote should go to whichever side furthers your view of the direction the industry should take.