'Zero Dark Thirty': From Hero to Zero on Oscar Night

The controversial film is a 'tough vote' for left-leaning Hollywood, which has gradually snubbed the film

Tonight's shindig in Hollywood will be celebrating the year 2012 in film. But one cinematic top dog is now looking more like the elephant in the room.

Bin Laden hunt-flick "Zero Dark Thirty" has seen its chances for garnering the Best Picture award nearly vanish since its release late last year, reports Bloomberg's Michael White. Despite being among the best-reviewed films of the year, and obtaining kudos from groups like the New York and Boston Film Critics Associations, word on the street is that ZDT will be getting the snub tonight. And it's got nothing to do with the acting, the editing, or the cinematography.

It's the film's seeming endorsement of torture. If not explicitly, then by the casual impression left on some viewers that it might have helped track down OBL.

"The outcry from Washington and influential industry voices has made 'Zero Dark Thirty' a tough vote for left-leaning Hollywood," writes White. "It's led to a split between academy members disturbed by torture scenes that imply harsh methods worked, and others who defend the filmmakers' right to artistic freedom." White lists politicos Dianne Feinstein and John McCain, and actors Ed Asner and Martin Sheen among its more vocal opponents.

So who's the new favorite to be crowned Best Picture? Ben Affleck's "Argo," which is not only a non-controversial feel-good movie (relatively speaking), but a flick that manages to make Hollywood itself the center of attention. And boy does the academy love that.

Via Bloomberg.

Does Zero Dark Thirty deserve better from the academy?

[Fishbone345]

Django Unchained is in the running too. I love Tarantino, but Django is about as accurate depiction of slavery as Basterds was WWII. Not at all.

[Zazziness]

When did "Yes, we like torture" become a conservative policy?

[armed_liberal]

Dick Cheney has "yes we like torture" on his bumper stickers.

[mudpike]

@armed_liberal - He does , honest ? Show us a picture or some proof .

[bsking]

@armed_liberal I like that one. I have bumper stickers making fun of the prophet.... I'm even thinking about making a YouTube video that perhaps Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton could use as a distraction to cover up future foreign policy
debacles.

[Bobolinsky]

I'm still trying to figure out why the media is so intent on keeping this particular reel of film in the spotlight. Could it be that the media likes to point out that Bush is a torturer?

[AlexMIA]

This is actually a good article, because if Bush was a torturer so is Obama, let the media roll with this. Personally I like the word effective instead of torture but hey lets not cry over liberal hypocracy.

[Bobolinsky]

@AlexMIA-- Ya got me dude. I didn't read it.:) Does it say that some libs approved of the "torture" that led to the killing of OBL?

No need to inform me if you don't care to. I'll read your reply but honestly I couldn;t give two shits about a film that the Left holds up as "definitive" about anything. I know I'm being lied to.

[marine1]

@AlexMIA Always remember, progressivs could not survive were it not for conservatives to take from.

[Bobolinsky]

@marine1-- Should I actually watch this movie or is it a waste of time?

[marine1]

@Bobolinsky it's a way to pass time, special effects are ok, best i can say

[AlexMIA]

I thought the movie was pretty good from an intelligence point of view, it wasn't a war movie. It doesn't surprise me that hollywood snubed it though. It validates water boarding and our interrogation methods on terrorists as far as finding UBL after the left talked so much crap about it.

[Zazziness]

I don't think these retired military leaders could be considered "the left."
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/2012/04/25/re...

[AntiPorcheria]

@Zazziness - Regardless of the position of retired military leaders the act of water-board interrogation still goes on and has done so under Republican and Democrat alike. Retired peoples opinions only seem to matter when voting.

[Zazziness]

@AntiPorcheria I agree that it hasn't been a partisan issue, so I'm not sure why it's getting phrased in terms of "left vs right."

[AntiPorcheria]

@Zazziness Grass for the sheep.

[AlexMIA]

@Zazziness Because when Bush was in office and the republicans were in the majority it was a battle cry of the left, but that's as far as it went.

[RealityOne]

It is pure propaganda about an event that probably never happened....definitely didn't happen as the official tale tells it. The movie is another political tool to keep Americans thinking about 9/11, fearful of the future, and willing to give up our most treasured rights in order to prevent another 9/11.

Considering all the fake Bin Laden footage that was unleashed before the "raid", I'd be surprised if the Bin Laden we have been told about ever existed.

[frigginhell]

Propaganda, pro-torture, whatever else you want to call it. The movie was boring. The characters were bland. The acting was sub-par. The hype is just that, hype. It shouldn't win because it was not entertaining and the information it presented was to questionable to make it a documentary.

[Knightkore]

Indeed....where are the photos and the body?

[jessejaymes]

It was easily my favorite of all the nominated movies. I don't see the problem.

[harold_lloyd]

I haven't seen it, and likely will not, but if history is any guide, the subject is too new for any film treatment to be particularly accurate or insightful.

[bigsleep]

So Kathryn Bigelow has the courage of her artistic vision- and the PC police in Hollywood snub her (and now, apparently, her film). Watch uber-lefty Seth McFarlane savage her. She's not nominated for Director; I wouldn't blame her if she stayed home.

[mudpike]

Amazing that the out of touch moonies in Hollyweird continually ignore anything that perhaps will raise some American pride or attempts to appease the average Americans joy at destroying terrorists, tyrants & despots. After all the B - grade remakes of decent , old movies - it just proves the lack of direction & imagination which equates to dull , boring entertainment . The public cares little of the constant attempt at the ' need more victims type ' political agenda movies . We don't want or care to see or hear some celebrity's opinions . Just like clowns or comedians , we pay to see you entertain us - that's the extent of your worth to us . Can't wait to see 'Zero Dark Thirty', if needed I'll buy copies to give out to the few liberals I know .

[stepped_in_it]

It been my opinion that the "best picture" hasn't always been the BEST picture. Just more Hollyweird hype mixed with stinky BS. Of course Hollyweird wants (and I mean WANTS) John Q Public to think they are liberal biased, as most film goers are liberal biased and live in a fantasy world (IMO)!
"academy members disturbed by torture scenes that imply harsh methods worked". And (another IMO), if "harsh methods" don't work, try harsher methods. They (terrorists) would/do not have no "scrubbles" in maiming/killing innocent people! Why should we? And don't give me that "we are better" or we create more terrorists C R A P

[RayTom]

Torture: All nation's "dirty little secret." Most particularly with terrorism -- where there is no sovereign country to recon with -- a necessary evil. Kill... or be killed. By the way I am a liberal who is only a few ticks left of center.

[RealityOne]

And the torture will breed more resentment and cause more terrorism. When does it end? It is war forever? I think it's up to us to set the right example.

[RayTom]

No middle ground on this slippery slope. "See, hear, speak no evil." We can all live with that. So, how about that NRA?

[NavinRJohnson]

And here all along I thought it was about what time to get off the streets of Chicago. I won't been to a movie in years.

[mudpike]

Funny , & fits most US cities also .

[Sonny]

I didn't feel that the movie "endorsed slavery". But I also felt that it was just "so-so". So if it does not win any major awards tonight...Well, It won't surprise me one bit.

[Sonny]

I met to say that I didn't feel that it endorsed "Torture". not slavery.

[Bobolinsky]

So you approve of slavery?

[Sonny]

@Bobolinsky Can't say I do, old friend.

[FollowTheMoney]

I could really care less. Really.

[drahos]

LOL I couldn't. I already give negative amounts of 'a shit' ;)

[Bobolinsky]

Holy Long Ass Show!

4 Hours to find out who the snooty Hollywood asshats think are the best of the asshats?

I really wish I had the ability to zap worthless asshats into hyperspace.

[tomincali]

is this the movie out to make obama a super hero or the real one the libs are against?

[drahos]

This is what happens when you call a piece of fiction non. bin Laden died a decade ago of renal failure caused by Marfan Syndrome. Gullible morons. http://blog.thedrahos.net/2011/05/us-governme...

[TDriver04]

Does anyone think that the libs in Hollywood would respect any movie that didn't give their liberal message. Just goes to show that its never been about the ART of acting just the message it delieveies.

[culinary]

Endorses "torture"? Blah, blah, blah...

People need to get off their high horse and realize that unless you are in that exact situation at that exact time, you have no idea what you would do. I think torture is justifiable at times. I feel this way about the death penalty as well. Until someone kidnaps your family member and kills them in a horrific fashion, don't preach at people who HAVE had this happen and want the murderer dead.

Bleeding hearts...smh.

[Vance1]

This movie didnt show the truth at all, No where did it show "The Obama" jumping out of the chopper and running into the stucture in Pakastan to kill Bin Laden.