The 81st Annual Academy Award Nominations

by Brian Eggert
01/23/2009

Every year Oscar nominations are announced and some minor controversy follows. Either centered around the unworthy winners or someone that was altogether snubbed in nominations, hullabaloo always ensues. For the 81st Annual Academy Award nominations, announced yesterday the 22nd by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, the talk will no doubt revolve around the utter disregard for several worthy films.

Take, for instance, the conspicuous lack of nominations for The Dark Knight and Revolutionary Road, two lauded motion pictures deeming high praise and award recognition. They’re unfortunately, even tragically denied acknowledgment beyond a minor nod or two. While the Academy’s show of esteem for Slumdog Millionaire, WALL•E, and love via thirteen nominations for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is commendable, the very best films of 2008 were left in the dust.

Below is the full list of nominations, followed by commentary on each category, my own favorite picks, and likely winners. Tune in on Sunday, February 22, 2009 to ABC Television Network at 7pm CST for the ceremony.

 

Best Picture:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

Take notice of the five nominated selections for Best Picture, because most of the other categories below include all or some of these films. What remains shocking is the absence of the most successful and one of the best-reviewed pictures of 2008, namely The Dark Knight. This just illustrates the Academy’s detachment not only from reality, but from what audiences love. My Pick: Slumdog Millionaire. Runner Up: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Likely Winner: Slumdog Millionaire.

 

Best Director:
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon  
Gus Van Sant, Milk  
Stephen Daldry, The Reader  
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Once again, where is the love for The Dark Knight? How else but through the superb talent of Christopher Nolan could that film have garnered the type of artistic and commercial success it did? Where are Sam Mendes, Charlie Kaufman, Andrew Stanton, and Mike Leigh? And while Fincher and Boyle are happily recognized for their impeccable abilities, the other nominees don’t deserve their places when you consider who’s missing. My Pick: David Fincher. Runner Up: Danny Boyle. Likely Winner: Ron Howard.

 

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

Leonardo DiCaprio is becoming the new Kate Winslet, meaning he’s giving deserving performances (see The Aviator and The Departed) and continues to be overlooked. Shame on the Academy. Presented are some fine performances, however. Jenkins won’t be acknowledged unfortunately. Penn already earned his Oscar for Mystic River. Rourke or Langella, I believe, will have voters' hearts, probably the latter, since he’s the veteran actor needing some much-deserved vindication in his twilight years. My Pick: Brad Pitt. Runner Up: Mickey Rourke. Likely Winner: Frank Langella.

 

Best Actress:
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Without a doubt, Winslet gave the best performance among these actresses and deserves the award more than any other. Her role in The Reader was daring and risqué yet brilliant, which is how I’d describe much of Winslet’s career. And yet, I can’t help but wonder why she didn’t earn a double nomination along with Revolutionary Road, the better of her two 2008 performances. Anyway, after several losses in past ceremonies, and her recent win of two Golden Globe awards, with any luck she’ll certainly go home with an Oscar. My Pick: Kate Winslet. Runner Up: Meryl Streep. Likely Winner: Kate Winslet.

 

Best Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

This category presents four performances that wowed me, and then Josh Brolin is in there too. I couldn’t complain if any of the other four actors won, but the obvious choice here is Mr. Ledger, who staggered and frightened a good portion of the planet’s population with his bravado performance as the Joker. Not only would it be a wonderful honor to the memory of a great actor, but it would also be a highly deserved award, since no other performance in 2008 was as anticipated and universally adored as Ledger’s. My Pick: Heath Ledger. Runner Up: Michael Shannon. Likely Winner: Heath Ledger.

 

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

This one could go any-which-way, though the likely direction is toward Cruz, who also won the Golden Globe. For some reason, and I’m not entirely sure why, but she’s suddenly being praised for her firecracker performance in Woody Allen’s somewhat overlooked dramedy. Personally, I think the two ladies from Doubt should share the award. My Pick: Amy Adams. Runner Up: Viola Davis. Likely Winner: Penelope Cruz.

 

Best Animated Feature Film:
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL•E

All great animated pictures, but the clear choice here is WALL•E, which should’ve been nominated for Best Picture, but at least in this category will earn a surefire acknowledgement. The bold and beautiful stylings of this film have been adored by audiences and critics, and suffice it to say my enthusiasm for this masterpiece hasn’t diminished in the least. My Pick and Likely Winner: WALL•E.

 

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Eric Roth & Robin Swicord, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley, Doubt  
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon  
David Hare, The Reader
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire  

Does best adaptation mean it turned the original text into the best possible film it could, or that the script stayed true to the source material? If it’s the former, then The Curious Case of Benjamin Button should win, because though it only used the basic concept of the original short story, it made the best film. But if it’s the latter, then Doubt deserves the award, since the playwright made the best possible film he could from his Pulitzer Prize winning play by not changing too much. My Pick: Eric Roth & Robin Swicord, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Runner Up: John Patrick Shanley, Doubt. Likely Winner: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire   

 

Best Original Screenplay:
Courtney Hunt, Frozen River  
Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky  
Martin McDonagh, In Bruges   
Dustin Lance Black, Milk   
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter, WALL•E

While the sheer ballsiness of WALL•E demands recognition, the visual and auditory presences of that film should be awarded, not the writing. Not when placed next to wordsmiths like McDonagh and Leigh, who so brazenly play with subtle and not-so-subtle humor on the page. Imbuing deep and moral truths inside loving and thoughtful films, they should win, but probably won’t. My Pick: Mike Leigh, Happy-Go-Lucky. Runner Up: Martin McDonagh, In Bruges. Likely Winner: Dustin Lance Black, Milk.

 

Best Editing:
Kirk Baxter & Angus Wall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button  
Lee Smith, The Dark Knight   
Mike Hill & Dan Hanley, Frost/Nixon  
Elliot Graham, Milk  
Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire   

Given the breakneck pacing in Slumdog Millionaire, it’s hard to argue against it winning. Although, Nolan’s Batman film employed another kind of pace that worked extremely well for that picture too, keeping the momentum rolling while the epic unfolded in a dramatic style. My Pick: Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire. Runner Up: Lee Smith, The Dark Knight. Likely Winner: Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire.  

 

Best Art Direction:
James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis, Changeling  
Donald Graham Burt & Victor J. Zolfo, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Nathan Crowley & Peter Lando, The Dark Knight  
Michael Carlin & Rebecca Alleway, The Duchess   
Kristi Zea & Debra Schutt, Revolutionary Road  

Indeed, there’s some fine looking pictures here, but the time-treading drama of Benjamin Button explores some dark and beautiful territory that is at once unknown and yet oddly familiar. Fincher should be awarded for his film and his career’s visual style. My Pick: Donald Graham Burt & Victor J. Zolfo, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Runner Up: Nathan Crowley & Peter Lando, The Dark Knight. Likely Winner:  Donald Graham Burt & Victor J. Zolfo, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

 

Best Cinematography:
Tom Stern, Changeling  
Claudio Miranda, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button   
Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight  
Chris Menges & Roger Deakins, The Reader  
Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire  

Creating the illusion of vintage cameras, using uncountable filters, and employing impressive computer special effects to give the picture an incredible look, Benjamin Button’s visuals are what made that film amazing. Since its camera work was so clearly the focus of that production, hopefully it will be awarded. My Pick: Claudio Miranda, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Runner Up: Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight. Likely Winner: Claudio Miranda, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. 

 

Best Costume Design:
Catherine Martin, Australia  
Jacqueline West, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button   
Michael O'Connor, The Duchess  
Danny Glicker, Milk  
Albert Wolsky, Revolutionary Road  

Though I was completely taken by the lush costumes in The Duchess, no doubt voters will pick Benjamin Button, whose costumes spanned decades. My Pick: Michael O'Connor, The Duchess. Runner Up: Jacqueline West, The Curious Case of Benjamin. Likely Winner: Jacqueline West, The Curious Case of Benjamin.

 

Best Sound Editing:
Richard King, The Dark Knight  
Frank Eulner & Christopher Boyes, Iron Man  
Tom Sayers, Slumdog Millionaire  
Ben Burtt & Matthew Wood, WALL•E  
Wylie Stateman, Wanted  

Ben Burtt created the characters of WALL•E almost exclusively on his own by manipulating technology in that brilliant way he’s done since Star Wars’ R2-D2. In other words, he’s not just one of the many geniuses behind that film, but the inventor of the whole lovely humanity of the film’s little trash compacting robot. Without him, that film may not have worked. Thank goodness it did. He deserves this, and any other award this year related to sound design/editing. My Pick: Ben Burtt & Matthew Wood, WALL•E. Runner Up: Frank Eulner & Christopher Boyes, Iron Man. Likely Winner: Ben Burtt & Matthew Wood, WALL•E.

 

Best Sound Mixing:
David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 
Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, Ed Novick, The Dark Knight  
Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty, Slumdog Millionaire  
Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt, WALL•E
Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt, Wanted  

Again, Ben Burtt, no question. And why the heck is Wanted being nominated? Is the Academy suddenly acknowledging shoddy action yarn? My Pick: Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt, WALL•E. Runner Up: Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty, Slumdog Millionaire. Likely Winner: Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt, WALL•E.

 

Best Visual Effects:
Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button  
Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber, Paul Franklin, The Dark Knight  
John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick, Shane Mahan, Iron Man

Any of the nominated films could win and I would not complain. But those magicians that made Brad Pitt morph from old to young with flawless ease, and who invented new technology to accomplish that task, should be recognized. My Pick: Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Runner Up: Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber, Paul Franklin, The Dark Knight. Likely Winner:  Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

 

Best Feature Documentary:
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden  
Man on Wire  
Trouble the Water  

Okay, so I missed some of the documentaries nominated, but they don’t get much more interesting or exciting than the wonderful story in Man on Wire. And what, was Religulous too controversial to nominate? My Pick: Man on Wire. Runner Up: Encounters at the End of the World. Likely Winner: Man on Wire.

 

Best Makeup:
Greg Cannom, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button  
John Caglione, Jr. & Conor O'Sullivan, The Dark Knight  
Mike Elizalde & Thom Floutz, Hellboy II: The Golden Army  

After revisting Guillermo Del Toro’s superhero sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army on Blu-ray recently, I realized what a gorgeous if silly film he made. The creatures are beautifully horrific and stunning to view, and the movie improved on the second screening (enough to prompt me to potentially rewrite my review in a more positive light.) The film should probably win this award, but my guess is that voters will mistake Brad Pitt’s transformation as makeup, when really it was ingenious computer effects. My Pick: Mike Elizalde & Thom Floutz, Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Runner Up: John Caglione, Jr. & Conor O'Sullivan, The Dark Knight. Likely Winner: Greg Cannom, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  

 

Best Music Score:
Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button   
James Newton Howard, Defiance 
Danny Elfman, Milk  
A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire   
Thomas Newman, WALL•E

Desplat arranged a delicate and haunting score for his respective film, leaving more of an impression musically than any other choice presented. And since the others used a lot of popular period music, the choice should be obvious. My Pick: Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Runner Up: Thomas Newman, WALL•E. Likely Winner: Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.   

 

Best Original Song:
“Down to Earth”, WALL•E
“Jai Ho”, Slumdog Millionaire   
“O Saya”, Slumdog Millionaire   

The catchier tune was Pixar’s message-fueled melody. But surely the Bollywood stylings of “Jai Ho” had audiences flocking to buy soundtracks. My Pick: “Down to Earth”. Runner Up: “Jai Ho”. Likely Winner: “Jai Ho”. 

 

Best Documentary Short Film:
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki  
The Witness  

I could pretend I saw any of these shorts, but I didn’t, so I won’t. They’ll tour the United States in a group sometime in the coming weeks. I’ll make an informed decision then. But those of us in Minnesota don’t have a market for documentary shorts. Does anywhere?

 

Best Foreign Language Film:
The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
The Class (France)
Departures (Japan)
Revanche (Austria)
Waltz with Bashir (Israel)

Again, living in the midwest really hinders our exposure to foreign or short films. They’ll make their way here in the coming weeks or months, so an informed decision is way off. From a blatantly uninformed point-of-view, I’d vote for Waltz with Bashir, only because the animation looks unique.

 

Best Animated Short Film:
La Maison de Petits Cubes  
Lavatory - Lovestory  
Oktapodi  
Presto  
This Way Up  

Pixar had me rolling with Presto, the gloriously clever short about a magician and his hungry bunny. My Pick and Likely Winner: Presto. 

 

Best Live Action Short Film:
Auf der Strecke (On the Line)  
Manon on the Asphalt  
New Boy
The Pig  
Spielzeugland (Toyland)  

My pick? Who knows. These short films will be on tour along with the others nominated, allowing all those audiences unable to attend film festivals a chance to develop their opinion.