The nation is buzzing once again about the recently Academy Award nominations  and Bucks faculty and students are no different.
Bucks is full of engrossed film buffs and simple moviegoers looking to escape for an hour and a half of entertainment.  Everyone has their own opinions about which films deserve to win top honors and which films should be stricken from the record altogether.
When asking Danielle Gallo, 19, a liberal arts major, what her top picks were for the year, she stated that she liked “The Artist” the most. She added, “The only other one I saw was ‘Extremely Loud’ which I can’t say I hated since I love the book but it was a disappointment.”
Adding to the argument against the Stephen Daldry film adapted from a novel by Jonathan Safran Foer is Harry Hippel, 23, a communications major, who said adamantly, “’Extremely Loud’ shouldn’t be up there for Best Picture.”
When it comes to which movies should be recognized for the year, Hippel says that “The Artist” and “Drive” were his favorites; the latter of which was snubbed by the Academy for top nominations. Many have criticized the Academy for neglecting acclaimed films like director Nicolas Winding Refn’s violent and stylized “Drive” as well as director Steve McQueen’s sex addiction tale “Shame” starring Michael Fassbender.
“We have a very adult range of films,” comments communications Professor Douglas Rosentrater. He adds that this style of film “talks to the reality of the world.”
Selections for Best Picture this year were “The Artist,” “The Descendants,” “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,” “The Help,” “Hugo,” “Midnight in Paris,” “Moneyball,” “The Tree of Life,” and “War Horse.”
“The Help” was an incredible film in the sense of mutual racism,” Rosentrater states. He adds that both the upper class characters as well as the maids are both confined and restricted in their own ways. “Both are to blame.”
But what was Rosentrater’s favorite film? ““Hugo” because it was so unusual.”
Martin Scorsese’s nostalgic  film won him a best direction Golden Globe and was widely liked. Rosentrater speaks favorably on the Scorsese’s recent work, saying, “he’s in the last years, the golden years.”
English Professor Chris Bursk is no stranger to the movie theatre and had kind words to say about Tate Taylor’s adaption of the Kathryn Stockett novel “The Help.” “The Help” pushed incredibly deep.”
Bursk adds, “Viola Davis was amazing.” Davis is a nominee for Best Actress as well as Jessica Chastain for Best Supporting Actress.
But Bursk gace a thumbs-down to another film out this year. When asked what film was his favorite, Bursk was adamant, saying, “not “The Descendants.”” He said the George Clooney picture didn’t dig deep enough for his liking.
Bursk also said he disliked Kristen Wiig’s female spin on debauched comedy, “Bridesmaids.” “It was cheap,” says Bursk.
But with all the stuffy films nominated and all the serious themes and undertones presented in this year’s selection, when asked what was his favorite film of the year, Bursk got a little smile across his face before beginning to sing, “I’m a muppet of a man!”
The lyrics borrowed directly from “Man or Muppet” by Bret McKenzie, which is one of two nominations for Best Original Song.
From silent films to dramatic wonders, the variety of films is only rivaled by the variety of opinions on who should take top honors this year. Eight-time Oscars host Billy Crystal is slated to return for the 84th annual Academy Awards celebration set to air Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4p.m.
Be sure to tune in to see who walks away with a golden statue.