theguardian.com
NBR Names "Wicked" Best Film of 2024
The National Board of Review, a key Oscar predictor, awarded its best picture award to the musical film "Wicked," starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, which has grossed over $356 million worldwide since its release last month.
- What factors beyond the NBR award contribute to "Wicked's" success and Oscar potential?
- This NBR win follows a pattern of "Wicked" receiving largely positive reviews and strong box office performance. The NBR, known for its predictive power regarding Oscars, positions "Wicked" as a frontrunner in the upcoming awards season. Previous NBR best picture winners include films like "Green Book" and "Top Gun: Maverick," further strengthening the film's Oscar prospects.
- What is the significance of the National Board of Review awarding "Wicked" its best picture award?
- The National Board of Review (NBR) named "Wicked" as the best movie of 2024, a significant indicator of potential Oscar success. The film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, has already earned over $356 million worldwide. Director Jon M. Chu also received the NBR's best director award.
- What broader trends or implications might "Wicked's" success reveal about the future of musical adaptations in cinema?
- The early success of "Wicked" in the awards season suggests a potential trend of musical adaptations gaining wider recognition. This could indicate a shift in audience preference and industry focus towards this genre, influencing future film production and distribution strategies. The film's financial success also speaks to a potential impact on the commercial viability of high-budget musicals.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is positive towards Wicked, highlighting its major win and positive reviews. The headline directly announces Wicked's win, setting a celebratory tone. The quote from the NBR president is effusive in its praise. While this is newsworthy, the extensive detail devoted to Wicked's success, contrasted with briefer mentions of other award winners, might disproportionately emphasize this one film's achievement over the broader range of cinematic accomplishments this year.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, but phrases such as "pure magic," "beautifully crafted," and "transporting experience" are subjective and positively loaded when describing Wicked. These terms convey a strong emotional response and could be considered subjective rather than objective reporting. More neutral alternatives might be "visually impressive," "well-made," and "engaging."
Bias by Omission
The article omits mention of several films that received significant critical acclaim or awards recognition elsewhere, such as Emilia Perez, Nickel Boys, and The Brutalist. These omissions could create a skewed perception of the year's most significant films, particularly since The Brutalist won best film at the New York Film Critics Circle awards. The absence of these titles might inadvertently minimize their contribution to the cinematic landscape of the year. While space constraints might be a factor, acknowledging these omissions would improve the article's completeness.
Gender Bias
The article maintains a relatively balanced gender representation in highlighting both male and female winners (Nicole Kidman, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Daniel Craig). However, it focuses more on the film Wicked and its male director, which might subtly reinforce a gender imbalance by giving more space to a male-centric perspective within the narrative.