The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
#151
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
I did a quick scan of the 2025 Oscars, and there were thirty-three feature-length films nominated across the major categories.
To me, that seems like one hell of ask for the Academy members to have seen all of these films. Most of these people are working in the industry and have long hours, crazy schedules, and location shoots, so it's going to be difficult for them to see all of these films in the time frame they're required to. Especially when the studios tend to delay the release of Oscar bait films until the end of the year.
And I doubt this is unique to the Academy, either. The time requirements also likely apply to a lot of other creative arts professions like television, stage, music, and books. And a lot of entertainment industry people are probably eligible to vote in multiple awards to boot.
To me, that seems like one hell of ask for the Academy members to have seen all of these films. Most of these people are working in the industry and have long hours, crazy schedules, and location shoots, so it's going to be difficult for them to see all of these films in the time frame they're required to. Especially when the studios tend to delay the release of Oscar bait films until the end of the year.
And I doubt this is unique to the Academy, either. The time requirements also likely apply to a lot of other creative arts professions like television, stage, music, and books. And a lot of entertainment industry people are probably eligible to vote in multiple awards to boot.
Tommy Lee Jones once said, that he watches every nominated movie in his trailer, while on set, because waiting is what's taking up most of the time on set and you can still cheat, if you really want to. If you know that you hate musicals, just turn on Wicked and Emilia Perez and go to bed.
#152
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
It still just pisses me off that the Stunt Oscar kicks in for 2026 movies and here we have Tom Cruise climbing all around the wings of a biplane in a 2025 movie. Dude is gonna die for us on camera. Can't we get him the first-ever Stunt Oscar before he does??
#153
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
The Academy announces all members must watch all nominated movies in each category to be eligible to vote at the #Oscars.
I don't even watch the Oscars for a reason, they are mostly a popularity contest, decisions are made based on who had the best Oscar campaign, or because such and such director is well known. Well, at least this explains the Emilia Perez mystery, i.e. how the fuck did such a mediocre film completely out of touch with it's subject matter, manage to garner 13 Oscar noms. Because of Audiard's reputation, the same reason why the film won 5 Cesars including best film.
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Alan Smithee (04-25-25)
#154
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
I’d still have even more stringent requirements, like if you’re going to allow streaming it has to be with a good sound system and decent size screen, not on a computer.
The Razzies needs to require this also. I’m sure many voters hadn’t seen all the Worst Picture winners, they just voted on their reputation.
The Razzies needs to require this also. I’m sure many voters hadn’t seen all the Worst Picture winners, they just voted on their reputation.
#155
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
I’d still have even more stringent requirements, like if you’re going to allow streaming it has to be with a good sound system and decent size screen, not on a computer.
The Razzies needs to require this also. I’m sure many voters hadn’t seen all the Worst Picture winners, they just voted on their reputation.
The Razzies needs to require this also. I’m sure many voters hadn’t seen all the Worst Picture winners, they just voted on their reputation.

Computerized ballot sheet:
"Did you see this on a phone?"
(Checks "Yes")
"Your vote is invalid."
(Stream of profanity from frustrated would-be voter)

#156
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
Okay, but take last year : Say I can't handle body horror films. They churn my stomach. I don't care how good The Substance is, I'm not watching it. Should I not vote for Actress, Director, Original Screenplay or Best Picture now? Or should I grumble through hate-watching it just so I can vote for something else? I'd probably log in on my computer, start playing it, leave the room. I don't know if that really makes for a better voting body. In theory it should, but there are work arounds.
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IBJoel (04-29-25)
#157
Administrator
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
I’d still have even more stringent requirements, like if you’re going to allow streaming it has to be with a good sound system and decent size screen, not on a computer.
The Razzies needs to require this also. I’m sure many voters hadn’t seen all the Worst Picture winners, they just voted on their reputation.
The Razzies needs to require this also. I’m sure many voters hadn’t seen all the Worst Picture winners, they just voted on their reputation.
#158
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
Yup, that's what they do.
https://x.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1917330957469900897
https://x.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1917330957469900897
I took bowling for a semester in college. It was a 9AM class Tue and Thur. It was really fun - I could get in two and a half games in during classtime. The class always filled up quickly so I was lucky to get a slot.
I'll never forget our TA said on the first day, "this is BOWLING. If you're going to skip this class, just drop it because other people want to take it."
That's how I look at this - if you can't be bothered to watch the movies or have to do some kind of workaround to meet the requirements, just get out of the process altogether.
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#159
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
#160
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
Yup, that's what they do.
https://x.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1917330957469900897
https://x.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1917330957469900897
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IBJoel (04-30-25)
#161
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
I'm guessing a lot of Academy members like the perks of free screenings, free lunches and other events and find voting an absolute slog, except when a friend of theirs is nominated and they can throw a vote their way to support them. I imagine a lot of old-timers, when voting in categories filled with movies they've never seen and people they've never heard of, simply call out to their spouses, "Pick a number between 1 and 5" and the spouse's choice determines their vote.
#162
Administrator
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
I'm guessing a lot of Academy members like the perks of free screenings, free lunches and other events and find voting an absolute slog, except when a friend of theirs is nominated and they can throw a vote their way to support them. I imagine a lot of old-timers, when voting in categories filled with movies they've never seen and people they've never heard of, simply call out to their spouses, "Pick a number between 1 and 5" and the spouse's choice determines their vote.
Mobile watching is such a boon to people who are actually putting in the work to make these movies and they allow a broader range of voters than some old guys picking the same kind of shit over and over again.
#163
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
Are these people able to vote in only certain categories? Like, they don’t NEED to watch every movie in every category to vote, they just need to watch every movie in the categories they vote in, right? So if they watch all the best picture nominations they CAN vote for Best Picture but if they don’t get around to seeing all the movies for Best Actor, they CAN’T vote for best actor.
Is that right or is the expectation that they see ALL the nominated movies to vote at all?
Is that right or is the expectation that they see ALL the nominated movies to vote at all?
#164
Moderator
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
My understanding is it's always been the former, and it's ridiculous that even the bare minimum of 5-15 movies for the biggest award in your industry gas been too much for some people.
Don't want to vote? Fine. I'll take your place!
Don't want to vote? Fine. I'll take your place!
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IBJoel (04-30-25)
#165
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
I didn't know where to put this news but Tom Cruise is getting an honorary Oscar at the Governor Awards this fall for his contributions to film. I thought he would have won an Oscar eventually but it's still deserved.
https://www.aol.com/tom-cruise-recei...180100176.html
https://www.aol.com/tom-cruise-recei...180100176.html
Last edited by Bluelitespecial; 06-17-25 at 07:02 PM.
#166
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
Good for him. I wanted him to win the Stunt Oscar, but that won't be in effect for 2 more years. This is a decent start at least. Jackie Chan won the same Oscar in 2016.


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Bluelitespecial (06-17-25)
#167
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
Tom accepted his honorary Oscar tonight.
#168
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
Very happy about these new rule changes :




The Oscars just announced some juicy, long-overdue rule changes. One biggie: An actor can now be nominated twice in the same category for separate films, as long as both performances receive enough votes. Also…
Now, in addition to being selected by country, International Film contenders can also qualify by winning a major film festival award. It’ll be invaluable for dissident directors whose home countries would never select them. And the statuette will now include the director’s name
Now, in addition to being selected by country, International Film contenders can also qualify by winning a major film festival award. It’ll be invaluable for dissident directors whose home countries would never select them. And the statuette will now include the director’s name




#170
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
Decker how can they prove a human wrote a screenplay though? Seems like a tough verification step…?
This probably came about because of The Brutalist, which was nominated for Set Decoration & Production Design (the Oscar formerly known as Art Decoration). It was the heavy favorite to win (it was a film about an architect with brilliant original sets) until it was revealed that there was AI used in the set decoration (blueprint designs on the wall of an art exhibition celebration of the lead actor, in the coda) were made with AI. The backlash kept it from winning that Oscar and there was a bit of panic -- understandably-- that thwy never want to award an Oscar to an AI. This is a step to remedy that by making a film that uses AI screenwriting tools ineligible.
The Brutalist should have still won that Art Decoration Oscar. AI didn't design those incredible sets.
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MisterMike (05-03-26)
#171
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
I'm not really sure there's any way to prove that a writer didn't use AI to assist with a screenplay unless they actually admit it. A fully AI generated script might be detectable, but either using AI to assist in the writing or rewriting an AI written script would likely be impossible to detect or prove.
As I mentioned elsewhere regarding visual art, AI is getting better all the time and human artists will start being influenced by AI, so it seems like something that can become a feedback loop.
As I mentioned elsewhere regarding visual art, AI is getting better all the time and human artists will start being influenced by AI, so it seems like something that can become a feedback loop.
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MisterMike (05-03-26)
#172
Re: The Oscar Rule Changes - Discussion Thread
I'm not really sure there's any way to prove that a writer didn't use AI to assist with a screenplay unless they actually admit it. A fully AI generated script might be detectable, but either using AI to assist in the writing or rewriting an AI written script would likely be impossible to detect or prove.
As I mentioned elsewhere regarding visual art, AI is getting better all the time and human artists will start being influenced by AI, so it seems like something that can become a feedback loop.
As I mentioned elsewhere regarding visual art, AI is getting better all the time and human artists will start being influenced by AI, so it seems like something that can become a feedback loop.




