Academy invites 135 new members

[Big Magilla]

Funny, but also sad and true.

[dbensics]

Come next January, a new set of gardeners, massage therapists, nannies, best friends, parents, siblings, etc., will experience something for the first time.

They will receive a ballot from an Academy member and be asked, "Can you fill this out for me?"

[FilmFan720]

I can´t believe that James Gandolfini was not invited earlier.

Gandolfini is a big name, but this was really his biggest cinematic year yet, with Where the Wild Things Are and In the Loop. Previous to this, he had some notable film work, but he is more of a television star.

[Damien]

My first thought as well.

I've always wondered this -- is he the same Jon Landau who, as a rock critic for Rolling Stone, declared Springsteen the future of rock 'n' rollin the mid-70s and later was his producer?

They're not the same person. The Jon Landau, born 1960, they're inviting is James Cameron's producing partner and an Oscar winner himself (for Titanic). His father was the producer Ely Landau (1920-1993), the man behind the American Film Theatre (The Iceman Cometh; A Delicate Balance, etc.).

Thanks, Big. I was wondering about this since Titanic. Had no idea Cameron's Landau was related to Ely.

[Hustler]

I can´t believe that James Gandolfini was not invited earlier.

[Big Magilla]

Another question: how is it Jon Landau is only being invited now?

My first thought as well.

I've always wondered this -- is he the same Jon Landau who, as a rock critic for Rolling Stone, declared Springsteen the future of rock 'n' rollin the mid-70s and later was his producer?

They're not the same person. The Jon Landau, born 1960, they're inviting is James Cameron's producing partner and an Oscar winner himself (for Titanic). His father was the producer Ely Landau (1920-1993), the man behind the American Film Theatre (The Iceman Cometh; A Delicate Balance, etc.).

[Damien]

I think that Saoirse Ronan is a wonderful actress, and potentially a great one, but I really do have a problem with kids getting to vote for the Oscars. Let 'em stick with the Nickelodeon awards til they reach 18.

I've always liked Miguel Ferrer, but for the life of me I don't understand whyhe is only just now gaining admission, rather than back in the 90s. Same with Peter Reigert who was kind of a big deal in the 80s.

Adam Shankman?

[Damien]

Another question: how is it Jon Landau is only being invited now?

My first thought as well.

I've always wondered this -- is he the same Jon Landau who, as a rock critic for Rolling Stone, declared Springsteen the future of rock 'n' rollin the mid-70s and later was his producer?

[dws1982]

All Oscar nominees and winners are automatically invited if I remember correctly. So, Fisher Stevens (to someone's chagrin) is probably a member.

They aren't always invited. Michelle Williams wasn't invited the year she was nominated, and there was much bitching and moaning about it on other boards.

Nominees and winners who aren't already members may be invited, but the other people on the list--those who weren't nominees this year--have to apply with the sponsorship of a couple of Academy members.

[OscarGuy]

All Oscar nominees and winners are automatically invited if I remember correctly. So, Fisher Stevens (to someone's chagrin) is probably a member.

But if Tobin Bell can be an Academy member, Robert Englund sure as hell should be...And who knows, maybe he is...and maybe others are for all I know, but the Academy's just quiet about who's already members and if people like Sandler and Bell are the reason, I'm not surprised.

[anonymous1980]

That's my point. It makes me wonder if Robert Englund, Wes Craven and/or John Carpenter are members.

I believe Wes Craven and John Carpenter already are. I mean, Scream got Neve Campbell in.

It's funny about this list. There are people who are being invited who either already have nominations or even actual statuettes and are still not members. Yet people like Gabourey Sidibe get invited with just one movie under her belt.



Edited By anonymous on 1277521805

[The Original BJ]

Another question: how is it Jon Landau is only being invited now?

My first thought as well.

[Mister Tee]

Another question: how is it Jon Landau is only being invited now?

[OscarGuy]

That's my point. It makes me wonder if Robert Englund, Wes Craven and/or John Carpenter are members.

[Big Magilla]

I was going to ask "who the hell is Tobin Bell?" but decided to look him up on the IMDb. first. Now my question is "why the hell Tobin Bell?"