Nominations for The 84th Annual Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday, January 24 and the results are predictable, in the sense that they’re disappointing and stale. The Academy has once again resorted to what is—for the most part—a “safe” and “popular” list on nominees, with the usual slew of upsets and snubs to generate talk. Since the press release, various media sources have noted how Leonardo DiCaprio was overlooked for his role in J. Edgar; none of Ryan Gosling’s long-rumored triple nominations happened; Bridesmaids didn’t receive a Best Picture nomination; Albert Brooks wasn’t nominated for Drive; and so on.
The theme of this year's ceremony is "Celebrate the Movies in all of us", which, in addition to not making sense, isn't really a new theme. Aren't we celebrating the movies every year with this awards ceremony? Anyway, perhaps the theme will give way to many deserving awards for the year's favorite "films about films" The Artist and Hugo, easily the two best titles of 2011.
My own commentary on the nominations, snubs, and general insanity present in some of these categories is below. For those who are watching on February 26, follow THIS LINK to Moviefone for a printable ballot and see how you do.
Brian Eggert
brian@deepfocusreview.com
(January 28, 2012)
BEST PICTURE:
The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse
Thoughts: Gee, which one these doesn’t belong? I can understand every choice except Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, an almost universally panned title chosen purely because of the post-9/11 subject matter and because it stars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Did Academy voters even see this movie? To contrast such a banal decision with an inspired one, the Academy nominates the little-seen independent landmark The Tree of Life, a harrowing achievement whose nomination will hopefully incite mainstream audiences to seek it out. At any rate, the clear leaders are The Artist and Hugo, but The Descendants has a strong chance too, having won the Best Drama award at the Golden Globes. Let’s hope the voters follow this year’s vague theme and choose one of the year’s exuberant films about the love of silent film, instead of yet another dramedy by Alexander Payne.
My Pick(s): The Artist; but if Hugo or The Tree of Life won, I could hardly complain.
Likely Winner: The Artist
BEST DIRECTOR:
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life
Thoughts: Wouldn’t it be a wonderful surprise if Malick, that poet of the cinema, won an Oscar? It won’t happen, but wouldn’t it be wonderful? Almost anyone but Payne could in this category and I’d be satisfied. Payne’s low-key approach simply doesn’t stand up next to the artistic flourishes of the other nominees. But, having won the Golden Globe for directing the Best Drama, he’ll probably win again here too, because that's just the kind of choice the Academy would make... My vote goes to Hazanavicius, who did something few filmmakers could do and made a film in a completely different era and style. Snubs? On the independent side, Steve McQueen for Shame and David Cronenberg for A Dangerous Method. The Academy doesn’t respect things like subtlety and ambiguity, and so these men were not nominated. However, where is Steven Spielberg for either War Horse or The Adventures of Tintin, both deserving?
My Pick(s): Michel Hazanavicius (or, in a perfect world, Terrence Malick)
Likely Winner: Alexander Payne
BEST ACTOR:
Demián Bichir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt, Moneyball
Thoughts: Michael Fassbender. Where is he? He delivered this year’s best performance in Shame, not to mention his appearances in several other great films of 2011. Also, where is Michael Shannon for Take Shelter? And, being one of the few who believe Moneyball was grossly overrated, it’s frustrating too see Brad Pitt nominated over Fassbender. From this lot, Dujardin gave the most impressive, delightful performance, but I expect Clooney’s favor with voters will earn him yet another statue.
My Pick(s): Jean Dujardin
Likely Winner: George Clooney
BEST ACTRESS:
Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Thoughts: In her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes this year, Meryl Streep noted that Mia Wasikowska gave a great performance in Jane Eyre. I would argue it was the year’s best female performance. Given the slim pickins amid the nominees, including Streep’s own highly overrated performance, by default I’m going with Rooney Mara, who electrified the screen and surpassed even Noomi Rapace’s performance as Lisbeth Salander. Williams gave more of an impersonation of Marilyn Monroe... Viola Davis was servicable but didn’t wow me... Snubs? How about Jessica Chastain in either Take Shelter or The Tree of Life; her 2011 was almost as impressive as Fassbender’s.
My Pick(s): Rooney Mara
Likely Winner: Meryl Streep
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Thoughts: It's good to see Branagh and Nolte nominated. Those were strong performances both. But what happened to Andy Serkin being nominated for his Rise of the Planet of the Apes mo-cap work? Where is Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Ides of March? And look at Jonah Hill... Will trailers start saying "Oscar nominated actor Jonah Hill" now when they're introducing whatever lame comedy he's appearing in? This second undeserved Moneyball nomination gives way to a much-deserved, and likely win for Christopher Plummer in Beginners, a delightful film I hope more people see.
My Pick(s): Christopher Plummer
Likely Winner: Christopher Plummer
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help
Thoughts: Are we sensing a pattern here? For almost ever award that The Artist was nominated, it deserves to win. This includes Bérénice Bejo, who lit up the screen with her smile and energy. Chastain could also win, as she was unrecognizable in her role in The Help. Still, since Octavia Spencer won the Golden Globe, she'll probably get the Oscar too...
My Pick(s): Bérénice Bejo
Likely Winner: Octavia Spencer
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:
A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango
Thoughts: This category contains the most snubs. Where the hell is The Adventures of Tintin, that gorgeous and entertaining international hit that proved how motion-capture technology could expand the limits of an animated film instead of creeping us out? Where is Cars 2? Nevertheless, even if these films were present, the clear winner would still be Rango, an innovative stunner whose animation and story were made to test the limits of the medium.
My Pick(s): Rango
Likely Winner: Rango
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:
Bullhead (Belgium)
Monsieur Lazhar (Canada)
A Separation (Iran)
Footnote (Israel)
In Darkness (Poland)
Thoughts: I live in Minnesota, where movie studios don't quickly distribute foreign films, if ever. None of the nominees have made it to my area, so any opinion I put forth is pure guesswork. Since it won the Golden Globe and has remained one of the best-reviewed films of 2011, I'm guessing A Separation will win.
My Pick(s): A Separation
Likely Winner: A Separation
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:
Alexander Payne, Jim Rash, and Nat Faxon, The Descendants
John Logan, Hugo
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon, The Ides of March
Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian, Moneyball
Peter Straughan and Bridget O’Connor, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Thoughts: While Scorsese's visual tenacity drove Hugo more than the script itself, and the slick dialogue of Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian's Moneyball script was impressive, the writing on The Descendants was emotionally convincing and raw in a way that lasts with the viewer. Having won the Golden Globe for Best Adapted Screenplay, they will (and probably should) win here too.
My Pick(s): Alexander Payne, Jim Rash, and Nat Faxon, The Descendants
Likely Winner: Alexander Payne, Jim Rash, and Nat Faxon, The Descendants
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
J.C. Chandor, Margin Call
Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Asghar Farhadi, A Separation
Thoughts: Woody Allen has been nominated about a dozen times for Best Original Screenplay and has won twice, for Annie Hall and Hanna and Her Sisters. As I'd rank Midnight in Paris among his most accessible and funny films, he should win; given he's the obvious favorite in the category, this is a no-brainer. Don't expect him to show up for the ceremony, though.
My Pick(s): Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Likely Winner: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
BEST EDITING:
The Artist, Anne-Sophie Bion and Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants, Kevin Tent
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
Hugo, Thelma Schoonmaker
Moneyball, Christopher Tellefsen
Thoughts: Whenever Thelma Schoonmaker is nominated, she should win. 'Nuff said.
My Pick(s): Hugo, Thelma Schoonmaker
Likely Winner: Hugo, Thelma Schoonmaker
BEST ART DIRECTION:
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
War Horse
Thoughts: Not only does The Artist bring to life a black & white world, it brings forth a 1930s-era world, both in its highs and Depression-lows. This was a meticulous film, complex in design but deceptively so because of the sheer delight of the storytelling. Take another long, hard look at how much visual panache is injected into the production and you'll see this as the clear winner.
My Pick(s): The Artist
Likely Winner: The Artist
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Guillaume Schiffman, The Artist
Jeff Cronenweth, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Robert Richardson, Hugo
Emmanuel Lubezki, The Tree of Life
Janusz Kaminski, War Horse
Thoughts: The imagery captured by Emmanuel Lubezki for The Tree of Life spans centuries and vast emotional planes, renders dreamlike fantasies and natural wonders, and fully transports the audience to someplace cinema has never taken them. I wish the Academy would recognize this, but I think it's unlikely that they'll be so perceptive. Chances are, Janusz Kaminski or Robert Richardson will win, the latter for his informed integration of 3D technology. Any of these nominees are worthy, however.
My Pick(s): Emmanuel Lubezki, The Tree of Life
Likely Winner: Janusz Kaminski, War Horse
BEST COSTUME DESIGN :
Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.
Thoughts: A part of me wants that silly costume spectacle Anonymous to win for Best Costume Design, only because, along with the film, they were over-the-top. But there was greater diversity and storybook sheen behind the costumes in Hugo.
My Pick(s): Hugo
Likely Winner: Hugo
BEST SOUND EDITING:
Drive
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse
Thoughts: Immersing its audience in a wide-range of aural period details was War Horse, whose only audio competition was Hugo. Perhaps because of the changing scenery throughout Steven Spielberg's picture, my vote goes for the former.
My Pick(s): War Horse
Likely Winner: Hugo
BEST SOUND MIXING:
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse
Thoughts: In War Horse, the range of complex wartime scenes, pastoral scenes, and everything in between contains more diversity than the other nominees. Do I think the Academy will recognize that? Probably not.
My Pick(s): War Horse
Likely Winner: Hugo
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Thoughts: More than the realistic rock-em sock-em robots from Real Steel, more than the train bursting into the station in 1930s Paris from Hugo, the apes in Rise of the Planet of the Apes created whole characters that audiences could root for even more than the humans onscreen. Once again, Andy Serkis deserved a nomination, but giving this film an Oscar for Best Visual Effects would be just as validating.
My Pick(s): Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Likely Winner: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY:
Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated
Thoughts: Once again, making an informed guess is impossible due to my location, and the utter lack of independent, foreign, and documentary features ditributed in Minnesota. As these films make their way to Blu-ray/DVD in the coming months, we'll find out if the Academy made the right decision or not. In the meantime, Wim Wenders' doc Pina looks splendid.
My Pick(s): Pina
Likely Winner: Pina
BEST MAKEUP:
Albert Nobbs, Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston, and Matthew W. Mungle
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk, and Yolanda Toussieng
The Iron Lady, Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland
Thoughts: The less-is-more approach on Glenn Close will most certainly earn the crew of Albert Nobbs the statue, but Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 might win something just because it was the last one.
My Pick(s): Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Likely Winner: Albert Nobbs
BEST MUSIC SCORE:
The Adventures of Tintin, John Williams
The Artist, Ludovic Bource
Hugo, Howard Shore
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Alberto Iglesias
War Horse, John Williams
Thoughts: Ludovic Bource was slammed by Kim Novak who censured his use of Bernard Herrmann's Vertigo score in The Artist, but then she's sort of missing the point, isn't she? The sophisticated level of homage taking place in that film is captures the spirit of the Silent Era and transports us more than any other score. Bource or bust.
My Pick(s): The Artist, Ludovic Bource
Likely Winner: The Artist, Ludovic Bource
BEST ORIGINAL SONG:
“Man or Muppet” from The Muppets, Bret McKenzie
“Real in Rio” from Rio, Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown, and Siedah Garrett
Thoughts: “Man or Muppet” is an unforgettable song. I don't even remember "Real in Rio".
My Pick(s): “Man or Muppet” from The Muppets, Bret McKenzie
Likely Winner: “Man or Muppet” from The Muppets, Bret McKenzie
(NOTE: Check your theater listings, because there will be a Short Film roadshow coming to your town over the next several weeks, giving Oscar viewers a chance to form their own opinions about the nominated shorts. The titles in the three categories below haven’t yet made their rounds in my area, so I cannot hope to make predictions.)
BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT:
Pentecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic
BEST ANIMATED SHORT:
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT:
The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
God Is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom