Over at MTV Movies main, we posted an article exploring whether the Oscar nominations for “District 9” and “Avatar” could finally snap the Academy’s long-held sci-fi stigma. While writing it, I took a look at the list of the greatest sci-fi films of all time on IMDb -- ranked by hundreds of thousands of votes from moviegoers -– and was floored by some of the titles that earned little or no Oscar recognition.

Below are some particularly egregious crimes against the genre – with the actual Best Picture winner listed in parenthesis. You tell me – all these years later, which film is better remembered? Read more...

FROM MTV.COM: In the grand scheme of the Academy Awards' 82-year history, it's no secret that comedies are typically overlooked on Oscar night. But if that's the case, then this week's surprising "District 9" Best Picture nomination — teamed with the likely domination of Oscar favorite "Avatar" — reminded us that sci-fi takes a close second in the race for Oscar irrelevance.

What do "The Empire Strikes Back," "The Matrix," "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," "Alien," "Back to the Future" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" have in common? Each are among the top-rated science-fiction films of all time, as rated by hundreds of thousands of fans on IMDb, and not a single one earned a Best Picture nomination. In fact, if you don't include such debatable sci-fi fare as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," the genre hasn't been represented on Oscar night since "The Lord of the Rings" films broke through at the beginning of the new century. Go back further, and the last true sci-fi nominee was "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" in 1982.

Continue reading Have 'Avatar' And 'District 9' Shattered The Oscars' Sci-Fi Stigma?

Yesterday, “A-Team” week kicked off with our revealing look at the new B.A. Baracus. Now, with the movie crashing into theaters June 11th like B.A.’s van flying through the wall of a badguy’s warehouse headquarters, we take a look at the veteran mercenaries’ off-his-rocker copter captain: Sharlto Copley as “Howling Mad” Murdock.

“Sharlto's such a ridiculously-talented guy in so many ways,” sai Joe Carnahan, director of the new film, told us about the fast-rising actor who rose to notoriety last year with “District 9,” now an Oscar-nominated Best Picture contender. “Sharlto's a producer, he directed his own film, and he was a huge part of 'District 9' in a way that a lot of his stuff was improvisational.” Read more...

FROM MTV.COM: "District 9" director Neill Blomkamp might want to call up "The Dark Knight" helmer Christopher Nolan and say, "Thanks, bro!" That's because Blomkamp's film might never have nabbed a 2010 Best Picture Oscar nomination had it not been for Nolan's best pic snub last year.

While "Dark Knight" was by far the highest-grossing film of 2008, it failed to garner a Best Picture nod, leading some to speculate that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters were hopelessly out of touch with the tastes of the American public. Enough with the art-house flicks no one watches, some complained, it's time to honor the films we actually like. In other words, be more like the Golden Globes, which nominates 10 best picture films over two categories.

Continue reading 'District 9' Slips Into Expanded Oscar Best Picture Race

FROM MTV.COM: Days after winning its seventh-straight weekend at the box office, "Avatar" nabbed nine nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, tying "The Hurt Locker" for most Oscar nods in 2010. "Inglourious Basterds" garnered eight nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, while "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" and "Up in the Air" collected six and "Up" secured five.

For the first time since 1943, when "Casablanca" triumphed, the Oscars have selected 10 nominees in the Best Picture category, rather than the usual five. Despite the increased number, there were few surprises. Joining Cameron's big blue-alien epic are "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "Up in the Air," "Precious, "District 9," "An Education," "A Serious Man," "Up" and "The Blind Side."

Continue reading Oscar Nominations Led By 'Avatar,' 'Hurt Locker'

FROM MTV.COM: The 2010 Oscar nominations are in! "Avatar" and "The Hurt Locker" are the two leaders, each with nine nominations, including the big ones for Best Picture and Best Director. "Up" and "District 9" are among some of the surprises in the newly expanded Best Picture category, which now features 10 nominees. Expect to see plenty of opining in the days and weeks leading up to the March 7 awards show. But for now, here's your list of nominees!

Best Picture
"Avatar"
"The Blind Side"
"District 9"
"An Education"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
"A Serious Man"
"Up"
"Up in the Air"

Continue reading Oscar Nominations 2010: The List Is In!

One of the best films of last year was "District 9," a Peter Jackson-produced twist on the traditional "alien invasion" story from newcomer director Neill Blomkamp. It's an exceptional example of filmmaking, mixing equals parts mockumentary and traditional narrative to tell the story of a government drone who ends up defending the very aliens he previously helped subjugate.

As we learned in October, Blomkamp intends to stick with the sci-fi for his next effort, which he confirmed is not a "District 9" sequel. That's all he would say at the time however, leaving fans to speculate and dream. Well now we have a little bit more meat to pin those dreams to, thanks to a new interview with Blomkamp on the Los Angeles Times' Hero Complex blog. Read more...

FROM MTV.COM: Even as moviegoers look ahead towards 2010, it cannot be denied that 2009 was a banner year for blockbuster cinema. Hot off the heels of the domestic box office's single most lucrative weekend ever, there is no question that both Hollywood and the indie scene alike had their best game-faces on this year, resulting in a science-fiction renaissance through the likes of "District 9" as well as more intimate (though no less dangerous) affairs as seen in "The Hurt Locker."

While a movie is only as good as the sum of its parts, it's clear that the films of 2009 had some very, very good parts. From intergalactic space battles to an intense conversational showdown over a glass of milk, these are our nine favorite movie moments of 2009, in no particular order. There are some minor spoilers ahead, so proceed with caution.

Continue reading From 'Avatar' To 'Watchmen,' Our Top Nine Movie Moments Of 2009

2009 was a year of delights at the movies. The list below testifies to that. It doesn't rival '07 when two examples of virtual moviemaking perfection were released--namely "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" but '09 may have been filled with as many unexpectedly joyful film going experiences as I can remember in a single calendar year.

From sitting in the first public screening of what should have been a forgetful and frivolous romantic comedy on a frigid night in Park City (see #8) to being flabbergasted by the inventiveness of a would-be sci-fi auteur (whose name I couldn't spell or pronounce at the time, see #7) for 112 riveting minutes. Franchises were reborn. Genres were injected with new life. Stephen Sommers made a watchable film called "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra." Young filmmakers came of age. And one mad genius with the heart of a pussycat and 300 million at his disposal opened our eyes once more to how a night at the movies can make us feel.

THE TOP TEN (er ELEVEN) Read more...

FROM HOLLYWOOD CRUSH: It's coming down to crunch time, people. Today the Golden Globes have announced their list of 2010 nominees. There were some pleasant surprises, some let downs (my heart breaks at "District 9" only being nominated for Best Screenplay), but still plenty of noms that have we at Hollywood Crush pretty darn excited.

First and foremost, both Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga got nominated for their outstanding roles in "Up in the Air" (press play above to hear Anna talk about her role). While it's unsurprising, the news bodes well for the two in terms of Oscar talk. However, they're up against some pretty stiff competition with Mo'nique in "Precious," and Julianne Moore and Penelope Cruz are never actors to be taken lightly.

Continue reading Golden Globe Film Noms We Love: Anna Kendrick! '500 Days Of Summer'! 'The Hangover'!

The Golden Globes air January 17th on NBC. Make sure you stick with MTV News for the latest coverage leading up and during the awards ceremony!