HURT LOCKER WINS PRODUCERS GUILD AWARD!!!

That's right, folks. The Hurt Locker triumphs with the producers and manages to steal one away from Avatar. There were many people within the industry who felt that this would be a cakewalk for James Cameron and Jon Landau. Avatar is a big-budget action movie with mass critical and audience appeal. It has generated the most box-office revenue of any of the possible Best Picture nominees and has an outside chance of becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time. Its production values are second-to-none and more often than not, the Producers Guild likes to reward the films of the moment. I'm talking about the films that rely heavily on their production values to generate respect and admiration throughout the film industry. And while Avatar certainly has a larger share of supporters than detractors, it is very surprising to see it miss with the producers in this particular situation. With that being said, The Hurt Locker has taken a giant step forward in the Best Picture race. Coming off the threshold of an Avatar victory at the Golden Globes last weekend, there were many people who were doubting whether or not The Hurt Locker had a chance to compete with the popularity of James Cameron's ambitious endeavor. Its victory with the producers illustrates a steady amount of support for the film among the various guilds. It is a film that is well-acted, well-directed, well-written, and illustrates a very intriguing commentary on the Iraqi War. It may be that time in Hollywood where the powers that be have decided to finally reward films that tackle such a controversial subject. The Hurt Locker not only showcases the deadly environment through which American soldiers encounter violence and bloodshed on a daily basis, but it also shows us the addictive power of war and how there are some men who find their higher calling hidden beneath all the chaos and destruction. This is a film that could eventually be recognized as a modern classic; a film that might ultimately stand the test of time and prove to be one of the greatest films ever made. In spite of the popularity of Avatar, The Hurt Locker is a resonating force that cannot be ignored. And I have a gut feeling that it will not be ignored come Oscar time. Avatar has the advantage of being the most technically sound film of the year and as a result, it will most likely clean up with all of the technical awards. But in terms of sheer impact and vitality, combined with its influence and sharp analysis of the Iraqi War, The Hurt Locker stands the best chance of ultimately being recognized as the definitive film of 2009. The producers have recognized this and have rewarded it justly. We shall see if the directors do the same next week with Kathryn Bigelow.