The Oscar nominations are out and already I am irritated. Let's see them:
Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Best Director
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant, Milk
Best Actor
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Best Actress
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet. The Reader
Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
As you can plainly see, The Dark Knight only got one of the big nominations. Everyone assumed Heath Ledger would get his and he'll likely win as well. But I thought it was good enough to get a Best Picture nod, even if it may not win. As it is, and as usual, I have seen none of the current Best Picture nominations. Damn back end release schedule. In fact, of all the movies listed above, I've only seen two - The Dark Knight and Tropic Thunder.
I'll have to come back and look at the nominations again when I have my notes in front of me, but I can already tell that Kate Winslet adds her 6th (and may finally win.) And of course, Meryl Streep just adds one more to her record number of nominations. I think this makes the 15th. I'll double check that when I can.
Finally, it looks liek Jerry Lewis will be receiving the Hersholt award. That should be fun to watch. As I said, I'll be back later and look into these. I just wish I had a chance to see all the films before the awards. I'll do my best.
EDIT - Back now to see who added to their nominations tally. Of course, the biggie is Meryl Streep continuing her lead as the most nominated actor in the history of the Academy. This is her 15th, her first coming 30 years ago for The Deer Hunter. In fact, she has 12 nominations alone just as Best Actress, the other three for Best Supporting Actress. After her, the two others adding to their impressive totals are Sean Penn crossing that 5th nomination barrier, and Kate Winslet with her 6th nomination, with no wins. It might be her year.
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei are both seeing their 3rd nominations this year, while Brad Pitt, his wife Angelina Jolie, Robert Downey, Jr., Amy Adams, Penelope Cruz and Heath Ledger are all seeing their 2nd nominations, Ledger's almost exactly a year after his passing. Everyone else is a first time nominee.
For the directors, Ron Howard and Gus Van Sant are seeing their 2nd nomination while Stephen Daldry has received his 3rd. And though not nominated as director, Mike Leigh received his 6th nomination (4 for screenwriting and 2 for directing.) The oddity about this is of course that Leigh's films are almost entirely unscripted and improvised. They must do some good work to rack up 4 writing nominations.
I can't even begin handicapping the races this year, though I am fairly confident that Slumdog Millionaire is easily in the lead at present as is the director Danny Boyle. I love his work and I shall definitely have to see the film. I think Winslet looks good for Actress and Ledger is nearly a shoe-in for Best Supporting Actor. Best Supporting Actress is likely between Cruz and Tomei, I think. And I don't even know where to begin with Best Actor. I'll of course be paying attention to the race as the days count down to the show and I'll make my yearly picks right here. That is all.
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