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The Oscar noms: Who was deserving/robbed?
Well, the nominations are in, and there were actually a few surprises this morning, both in who managed to get in, and how well I did, above the line at least. Below the line is another story … more on that later.
In the major categories:
BEST PICTURE: Atonement,” “Juno,” “Michael Clayton,” “No Country for Old Men,” “There Will Be Blood.”
I went 4 for 5 here; the Academy went for “Atonement” instead of “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and I can live with that. “Atonement” is a great film, and I was pleased to see it tapped when most people, myself included, said it was out. “No Country” is the favorite to win, though I would not rule out “Juno.”
BEST DIRECTOR: Julian Schnabel, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”; Jason Reitman, “Juno”; Tony Gilroy, “Michael Clayton”; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, “No Country for Old Men”; Paul Thomas Anderson, “There Will Be Blood.”
Reitman was the real surprise here; most everyone had written him off. Since he’s in, that means “Juno” could pull an upset in Best Picture. The Coens are the easy pick in this race.
BEST ACTOR: George Clooney, “Michael Clayton”; Daniel Day-Lewis, “There Will Be Blood”; Johnny Depp, “Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street”; Tommy Lee Jones, “In the Valley of Elah”; Viggo Mortensen, “Eastern Promises.”
The biggest WHOA of the morning was Jones’ nomination for “Elah”; since the film tanked, I and many others thought his chances were dead. I had predicted Emile Hirsch of “Into the WIld” instead. Still, I am very pleased to see both him and Mortensen here. Last year I had predicted both would miss the boat, and I’m happy to be wrong. In the end, though, Day-Lewis is a prohibitive favorite to win this one - and deservingly so.
BEST ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett, “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”; Julie Christie, “Away From Her”; Marion Cotillard, “La Vie en Rose”; Laura Linney, “The Savages”; Ellen Page, “Juno.”
I have to say it: Amy, dear - you were ROBBED! To the acting branch: You are a bunch of lazy sloths for nominating Cate Blanchett’s reprise of Queen Elizabeth instead of Amy Adams’ sublime work in “Enchanted.” SHAME on you!
I was also somewhat surprised to see Linney make it in instead of Angelina Jolie, but I like Linney better as an actress, so even though I haven’t seen her film yet, I’ll take it on faith that’s correct. Christie is probably the favorite, but again, with “Juno” coming on stronger than expected, I will not rule out Page.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Supporting Actor: Casey Affleck, “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”; Javier Bardem, “No Country for Old Men”; Hal Holbrook, “Into the Wild”; Philip Seymour Hoffman, “Charlie Wilson’s War”; Tom Wilkinson, “Michael Clayton.”
Aced this bunch. Bardem is the safest bet of the night, friend-o.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett, “I’m Not There”; Ruby Dee, “American Gangster”; Saoirse Ronan, “Atonement”; Amy Ryan, “Gone Baby Gone”; Tilda Swinton, “Michael Clayton.”
Aced this lot as well, but is the toughest race to call. My instinct says Blanchett, because she has the showiest part, but I wouldn’t be surprised by Ryan, a heavy critical fave, or by Dee, for a career award. Since the voters love flashy parts, I’m going with Blanchett for now; I may change my mind later.
The full list of nominees is here. Commentary on other categories after the jump.
BEST SONG: My consolation for Amy’s snubbing is that she sings two of the three nominated songs from “Enchanted,” so I want that strike settled DOUBLE quick in the hope that she’ll perform on the show. However, the award would not go to Amy, but to writers Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, who already have Oscars. So my pick here is the heart-swelling “Falling Slowly” from “Once.”
BEST SCORE: As suspected, “There Will Be Blood” was ruled ineligible, which is a shame. Were it not for those pesky technicalities, I would vote for it. Kudos, however, to the branch for nominating Michael Giacchino’s sterling score for “Ratatouille” after unjustly snubbing him for “The Incredibles.” I think “Atonement” will win, though - that typewriter is awfully hard to ignore.
BEST ANIMATED FILM: “Surf’s Up”? Really??
BEST EDITING: I stupidly left out “No Country for Old Men” of my picks after I started writing titles down, so I’m kicking myself hardest over that. Funny thing, though - I had meant to sub out “Into the Wild” for “No Country.” So whadaya know - they BOTH made it in. I’m rooting for “Bourne Ultimatum,” but I will be fine with a “No Country” win.
BEST MAKEUP: Yes, folks, it is possible for a film to be Golden Razzie nominated and Oscar nominated, with “Norbit’s” various grotesques making the cut.
‘300’ GOES 0-FER: I shot myself in the foot on the technicals by predicting “300” in effects, and both sound categories and it got none. I know some people had problems with that movie, but anyone who tries to say the film isn’t technically excellent is kidding themselves.
One final note: Many of the nominated films are, or will be, playing in theaters. “No Country” and “Michael Clayton” both go wide again this Friday, and all the other Best Picture nominees are still in their first runs. Don’t cheat yourself and wait for DVD to see these very fine films.
So who are you glad to see make the cut? Who was snubbed? What are you predicting/rooting for? Comment away!
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Oscars Sunday Night
Comments
By TJ
January 24, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
I happy Tommy Lee Jones got nominated. I think he’s under appreciated in Hollywood and deserves something. Love Viggo…I have to say, kind of hoping Hal Holbrook takes it for supporting.By SRCputt
January 22, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Amongst the top contenders, the biggest surprises was Atonement doing pretty well (although Knightly is another lead actress better than Blanchett) and only two nominations for Into The Wild. But the biggest surprise to me not mentioned by Eric: absolutely nothing for Hairspray.By SRCputt
January 22, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
The good: Oscar nominee, Sarah Polley. I like the sound of that. The bad: Oscar nominee, Norbit. Well at least Murphy isn’t nominated for it. He’ll just have to settle for his record breaking five Razzie nominations.By Allie D.
January 22, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
I gotta say, I winced for you when I saw the Best Actress category this morning. As such, I have no clear outlook on that particular category, but will be keeping my fingers crossed for Ellen Page. Elsewhere, I am more than satisfied with the picks. Tommy Lee Jones was a surprise. I was more hoping to see him nominated for “No Country”, but his work in “Elah” was great (although more overlooked, so this was a very surprising development). I commented on my blog this morning that I would love to see the Coens get Best Pic and PTA get Best Director just to split the difference, but I don’t think that’ll happen.By Rob
January 22, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Overall I’m pretty content with this year’s list. The nomination I thought might happen but I’m glad it didn’t is Sweeney Todd for Best Picture.