Well, the academy released the Oscar nominations for this year’s Academy Awards. Again, some surprises, some not so surprising. I usually like to take a look at the most popular categories and give you some of my thoughts on the decisions. Looking back, I see I’ve done this recap since 2007 (for the 2006 movie year). Here are those articles:
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
Normally, by now, I’ve posted my Movie Board articles telling you guys what my favorite/least favorite movies of the year are. However, I’m still catching up on Oscar eligible movies, so I’ll have those up in a few weeks. I have my preliminary list, but there are some good ones I need to see just to be sure.
Anyway, back to the Oscar nominees for this year. You can find the full list of nominees at Oscars.org. Now, let’s take a look at the “money” categories and judge how the Academy did this year.
Actor in a Leading Role
Demián Bichir in “A Better Life” – What? Who?
George Clooney in “The Descendants” – Man, Clooney no longer does the “one for you, one for me” formula. He pretty much just does whatever the hell he wants to do. How else do you explain The American or Men Who Stare At Goats? I miss the Clooney from Ocean’s 11, Goodnight and Good Luck and Intolerable Cruelty. I’m not having as much fun with the current version.
Jean Dujardin in “The Artist” – This movie actually doesn’t sound that bad, but I have yet to see it.
Gary Oldman in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” – Looks amazing. Really want to see this movie. Oldman is great in pretty much everything.
Brad Pitt in “Moneyball” – Again, I really want to see this but have not yet had the opportunity.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Kenneth Branagh in “My Week with Marilyn” – This movie doesn’t look great.
Jonah Hill in “Moneyball” – Props to Jonah for dipping his toes into the dramatic pool.
Nick Nolte in “Warrior” – I hear this movie is great, but I can’t support a Nolte nomination. For anything.
Christopher Plummer in “Beginners” – Meh.
Max von Sydow in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” – This movie looks amazing. But I’m reluctant to see it because as a new dad, I feel the heavy father-son relationship at the center of this plot will completely undo the macho-man hold on my emotions and cause me to bawl like my wife at cheesy cell phone commercials.
Actress in a Leading Role
Glenn Close in “Albert Nobbs” – Close may be fantastic in this, but it just “feels” tailor made for the Oscars. Like they were trying to get Close a nomination. Julie Andrews did gender bending first in Victor/Victoria. Close’s makeup in this just looks like posturing for an Oscar. See also Nicole Kidman’s makeup in The Hours and Charlize Theron’s in Monster.
Viola Davis in “The Help” – Better movie than I expected and Viola was great in it.
Rooney Mara in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” – Really, really good movie. Hard to watch, but very good. Rooney Mara is also great in it.
Meryl Streep in “The Iron Lady” – I imagine this is good. I want to see it.
Michelle Williams in “My Week with Marilyn” – Not a fan of Michelle Williams.
Continue reading →
Cavalcade of Awesome 