Well, the 2012 Oscar nominations just came out this morning, and it’s going to be interesting show this year. Although many people think that George Clooney is the frontrunner for Best Actor, but I think his position is soft, and I think the Best Actor category is far from decided. Sad news, though: NO FASSBENDER. Ugh. That sucks. Anyway, the only “sure thing” amongst the big acting awards is probably Christopher Plummer for Best Supporting Actor for the independent film Beginners. Plummer’s got this. Anyway, here are the nominations (I’m only including the big ones, not the technical ones):
Best Supporting Actress:
Octavia Spencer, “The Help”
Berenice Bejo, “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain, “The Help”
Janet McTeer “Albert Nobbs”
Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids”
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
Best Supporting Actor:
Kenneth Branagh
Nick Nolte
Jonah Hill
Christopher Plummer
Max Von Sydow
Best Actor:
George Clooney
Jean Dujardin
Gary Oldman
Brad Pitt
Demian Bichir
Original screenplay:
The Artist, Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris, Margin Call, A Separation
Adapted screenplay:
The Descendants, Hugo, Ides of March, Moneyball, Tinker
Director:
Hazanavicius, Payne, Scorsese, Allen, Mallick
Best picture:
War Horse, Artist, Moneyball, Descendants, Tree of Life, Midnight in Paris, The Help, Hugo, Extremely Loud
Some surprises: no Tilda Swinton for We Need to Talk about Kevin. No Fassbender. The inclusion of Rooney Mara is surprising too – I didn’t think she would have had a chance at a nomination. It’s also interesting that Gary Oldman ended up picking up a nomination, considering he’s been shut out of most other awards. It’s also great to see Melissa McCarthy up for Best Supporting, and Bridesmaids up for Best Screenplay. But I’m disappointed that 50/50 didn’t get a screenplay nomination – that was the most well-written film of the year, in my opinion.
Oh, and Angelina Jolie didn’t get a Best Foreign Film nomination for In the Land of Blood and Honey. It was a long shot anyway.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Brad & George must be wetting their panties 🙂
You mean their TENA pads.
That made me hoot myself 🙂
Cleaning coffee off my laptop screen. thanks!
I was going to say something about ‘them’, but I won’t. The panties comment will suffice. LOL.
Jonah Hill??? WTF?
Rooney Mara???
Bridesmaids in original script?
Are they serious?
I’m holding out for Gary Oldman and Meryl Streep.
..not only that – Midnight in Paris? they are really clutching at straws. If anyone else except woody allen had made that movie, it would have gone straight to dvd.
Midnight in Paris was GREAT! If anyone BUT Allen had made that movie, it’d be getting non-stop unconditional love.
I haven’t seen or heard about that film. It hasn’t been released where I live and will probably go straight to DVD.
Woody Allen’s films are annoying. They are all identical, way too much narration that undercuts the scenes. I recently ended up seeing Vicky Christina Barcelona and was disappointed.
Sorry Maya, but Midnight in Paris isn’t going straight to DVD, it opened last summer and did extremely well. Get a clue.
Elle, Maya said ‘Where I live’. That’s what I call a clue.
Midnight in Paris was my favorite movie of the year. Unfortunately I found out the details of Woody Allen’s pedophilia after seeing it. From now on I cannot watch his films because I refuse to support him. What a waste because his films are brilliant. Midnight in Paris and Matchpoint are my favorites. Again, I’m off his movies for good though, now that I know. Read the Vanity Fair article on Mia Farrow if you can handle an eye opening dose of what he is like outside of the industry.
After reading about how much you broads loved Midnight in Paris, I rented it. AND LOVED IT TOO! I think its a clever take on how we all feel about the past – everything is so idylic until you get there. Plus I love Paris so that helps too 🙂
I’m usually not a fan of woody Allen’s movies, but I loved midnight Paris.
Yea, Midnight in Paris rocked! I saw it twice, and I am extremely picky and rarelyl go to the movies. My ten year old saw it once with me and loved it, too. It played an extended run where I live, and was playing in most college towns [even smaller ones] and big cities, that I know of….
It’s NOT a straight to DVD film; it’s much better than that. i can easily see why it was nominated. It’s clean, polished and classic romantic comedy-the likes of which we rarely see anymore. And the time travel was a brilliant twist. Adrien Brody as Salvador Dali, Marion Cot. as picasso’s muse, and michael sheen was hilarious, too….A great cast with interesting cameos.Carla Brunei as museum guide….great film!
sooo agreed
Absolutely agree. And for God’s sake, why no Tilda Swinton?
I think the subject matter may have been too touchy for the Academy, their loss though. They inserted Mara instead which just mystifies me.
Also, no Fassbender for Shame? He gave a great, restrained, constructed performance. The guy proved his chops in that movie.
@ Elle, I live in Australia. So far, only the blockbusters are in the cinema. Unless Midnight in Paris is in a smaller independent cinema (and we don’t have many in the larger cities), then it will go straight to DVD.
Angelina film did not qualify for best foreign film… It’s an American movie
Righttttt!!!!AHAHAHHH
That’s why she did several special screenings of the film for the academy members. Oh Jolie wanted a nomination, but I guess they were smarter than that!
Maybe u should read the rules of the academy
It didn’t qualify for the foreign film category. But it did qualify for the more mainstream ones, so in holding private screenings she was obviously hoping for some kind of nod, script / director / editing / makeup wouldn’t have mattered.
all films have academy screening..she was never on ANYBODYS shortlist nor was she ever expected to be nominated(go read on oscar preditcion and experts sites), you haters are so funny..Angie will be fine with her PGA win and GG nom..meanwhile the ppl you should really feel sorry for are Leo Swinton and Fassy….did you know that Warner Bro campaigned for Horrible Bosses for JA as lead actress for the GGs..she lost out to Kristin Wiig for a nomination..yup I went there
You have to submit your film for consideration. So no, not all films are screened by the Academy, only the ones which have been submitted.
Can you imagine how many films are released world wide every year they would have to watch if ALL films are screened, as you claim? They wouldn’t have time for anything else…
yes and hundreds of films are screended i wouldnt be surprised if Horiible bosses was screened too since WB put out a for your consideration ad for the GGs..anyways the point is AJ was not on any oscar prediction forecast but fassy leo and swinton were so they should be the ones who are upset not AJ
Did I miss someone saying she was “upset”? No one said that.
I feel like my grandma is looking derisively at the Academy and muttering “geezers” under her breath.
Among the many things woefully missing from this list is SWINTON.
Really? Rooney Mara over SWINTON? WTF?
my thought exactly:how could that have happened?HOW?
They want younger viewers. That is the reason, promise.
Geez… a nomination for that Rooney chick… now she’ll be even more insufferable than before!
@ahoyhoy The Academy *voters* want younger viewers?? The producers of the Oscars might, but the voters — in this case, the acting branch — probably couldn’t give a fuck.
I saw both “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” movies. They were both equally fantastic~Noomie Rapace broke new ground with the Lizpeth Salander role, SHE should have gotten a nomination. As good as Mara was in the remake, its STILL a repeat of the original movie. No way should it be up for an Oscar, especially not when compared with Tilda Swintons original performance.
Have you guys seen ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’? I get that everyone hates on Rooney cause she gives off a stuck-up vibe, comes from a wealthy family, bites the hand that feeds her and has a creepy relationship with Fincher, but she was damn good in that movie in my opinion.
She was barely recognizable as herself, and in a very good way. There was a way she tensed her jaw at moments that really felt like Lisbeth and, not than I’m in any way an expert, but her faux Swedish accent sounded far better than the rest.
I’m not at all upset with her inclusion. Though I do miss SWINTON.
I know, RIGHT?!? Tilda Swinton should totally be on that list for We Need to Talk About Kevin.
That is some ridiculous shit right there!
Seriously, Rooney Mara? That ungrateful little snot from a “powerful” family who bad-mouths every other job she’s ever had? You have GOT to be shitting me!
While I totally agree about Swinton being robbed, what I really learned from your comment and the replies is that you don’t get moderated for saying “fuck” or “shit”. No more little stars in the center of words for me! Lol
So happy for Jonah Hill… And congrats to William Bradley Pitt for producing two Oscar nominated films
I finally saw Moneyball over the weekend and thought it was fantastic. Jonah Hill was surprisingly good as the straight man! I really hope Brad wins over Clooney. The Descendents was good, but Clooney has his Oscar. It’s Brad’s turn! 🙂
I was REALLY impressed by Jonah Hill in Moneyball.
Ditto Team Brad.
Loved Jonah Hill in Cyrus and thought he was the funnier one in Get him to the Greek. He has zero chance but his career will get a big bounce imo
Angie’s film wasn’t eligible bc its a US product in a foreign language.
It’s a shame for Tilda Swinton,Michael Fassenberg and Leo di Caprio!
I hope Gary Oldman will get it! Only because unlike Clooney he didn’t kiss every butt standing on his way to the Kodak theater!
Take notes Leo, if you want the oscar do as Clooney rent a hooker a la Stacy Keibler to escort you on the red carpets!
Yup, shoulda made BLEO stick!
Y’know what ticks me off
It’s that George’s incredible SHAMELESS campaigning obv. woks
And Colin Firth getting papped furtutously with Oldman worked wonders!!!!!!! The movie is not getting that much heat wonder what Colin said behind the scenes.
Yup Oldman’s nom is all about CF’s game. I had no idea he had so much pull.
This was not Leo’s year at all.
yes, Oldman needs to win it. I could not believe he’s never even been nominated before. That’s just… wrong! *shakes fist*
I just saw Shame and Michael Fassbender was excellent in it. He bared himself both literally and figuratively as an actor. I can’t believe the academy didn’t nominate him. I’m also surprised about Tilda Swinton not getting a nod. Maybe Shame and Kevin are too dark for the academy. They like their films with a heathly dose of uplift.
I’m here to announce how much I want to make love to that pink dress worn by Viola Davis!!!!!!!!
Rooney Mara?? how did she get nominated over Tilda Swinton? Seriously, how? I thought the Oscars were about talent….
*throws hands in the air*
i give up.
i’m more sad for Nomi Rapace who was more interesting as Lisbeth .Not that Mara is bad as Lisbeth but i prefer Rapace’s Lisbeth
Happy for Gary Oldman who finally has a nod or Malick who doesn’t care (even if i ‘m pretty confused by my feeling about TRE E OF LIFE)
Scotchy – The Academy loves nominating actresses who were violated in movies (Monster, Monster’s Ball, etc.) but do not feel comfortable nominating a mother dealing with reality (Swinton).
I don’t like Mara getting her nomination at all. It’s a fluke. It’s not a repeat amazing performance, like Swinton since she hit it with Orlando.
That Rooney Mara must have some connections SMH. She’ll never win.
I’ll be surprised if Rooney wins. But to give her a nomination instead of a much-more deserving Tilda, IMO, makes the Academy lose face.
I can’t believe that Rooney is even nominated, I think she did a good job but it was only good, not something spectacular. Now taking Tilda out of competition is totally unfair, she was (is) amazing. But yeah, I think Rooney’s family had something to do with it or maybe the “academy” is becoming more stupid throughout the years.
I was hoping that nomination list was a joke or a decoy, to throw us off the trail until the REAL announcement LOL
Depressing to say the least but I hope Oldman wins.
In what universe does Rooney Mara get a nomination but not Fassbender? Ugh
The Help??? Are you kidding ME?
Shows you how insensitive and dumb the academy is – The Help as a best picture nominee is a tasteless joke!
I agree that Swinton was robbed, and I’d rather see Charlize get a nom that Glenn Close.
Honestly don’t get the love for Moneyball, The Help, or Bridesmaids. All were pretty forgettable in my opinion.
I couldn’t sit through the tedium of the first 15 minutes of Bridesmaids; after reading about the author of The Help I refused to see it; and I’ve not yet seen Moneyball.
I’ve just seen The Descendants, which I really liked, but I’ve only seen previews for We Need to Talk About Kevin. And that should DEFINITELY have earned a nom.
i know best actor will probably go to Clooney, but i really want GAry Oldman or Jean Dujardin to win.
Rooney Mara over Tilda Swinton, BITCH PLEASE!!!
love, love, love CHICO & RITA and A CAT IN PARIS
The Oscars are a bit of a joke now. Whoever does the most sucking up in the months prior is guaranteed a spot. Some of the nominations are just ridiculous… No Fassbender or Swinton? But Rooney is on the list? What??? But I’m glad they did one thing right and incorporate Gary Oldman.
Gah! Infuriating. Haven’t seen Tinker Tailor but I heard Oldman was incredible. I f’ing hate the Academy and I HATE the Oscars.
ITA…the Oscars suck…I will bet that The Artist, a movie that very, very, few people have seen or even heard about, will sweep every award…and I think that sucks…
Love Oldman, he’s great in anything, a truly great actor. Just doesn’t play the ‘game’ I guess.
I was happy to see kristin wiig nominated for bridesmaids…it was extremely funny movie…I think all the noms are great except for brad and george….ugh. The dude from the artist will get in..imo.
Well some of these are disappointing. Rooney Mara? Seriously? Although it’s nice to see Gary Oldman up there.
Rooting for Gary Oldman too!
Once again, Hollywood kisses Hollywood’s a**. Ugh!
Melissa McCarthy? That is a surprise, good for her!! I am shocked 50/50 didn’t get a nom for best screenplay, too! I am also soo happy for Michelle Williams, I hope she wins! Yay for Jonah Hill ..Nay for Rooney Mara. Cannot stand looking at her!!
Also..soo cool, that Gary Oldman got nominated, but it is kinda weird that Kirsten Dunst didn’t get one nomination at any award show..
I want to hear Rooney Mara bitch the academy if she doesn’t get that Oscar. As I hope. Team Glenn Close!
Gary Oldman has a nomination, YAY!!! I would love for him to win, but incase he doesn’t, I would love for it to anyone but George. But it seems hollywood love him because he’s so unauthentic, ugh.
Fingers crossed for Gary Oldman.
Come on, Jean Dujardin! I am rooting for you! He was so beautiful in The Artist!
Yesssssss
Team Jean Dujardin ! Please God let him win 🙂
I would love to see him win. First, because he was awesome. Second, because I’m pretty sure that NONE of the other nominees (with the possible exception of Oldman) could have pulled that kind of a role, even in their own language, lol. And finally third because D*mn! He actually said yes to doing something like that.
I CANNOT believe Fassbender got snubbed. What a slap in the face. Just another year that I WON’T be watching the Oscars. I love Melissa McCarthy and I enjoyed Bridesmaids but as Gervais said-she was nominated for what..? Having diarrhea in the sink? The Oscars are a f’ing farce and have been for many years now.
Yeah, seriously, to consider any aspect of Bridemaids Oscar-worthy is twisted. I loved the movie but come on!
I can’t help but think that the resurfacing of the allegations of domestic violence had something to do with the Fassdong being passed over.
http://laineygossip.com/Articles/Details/22427/Michael-Fassbender-terrible-jeans-and-abuser
There are those in the industry who have done far worse. I’m looking at you Woody Allen, how is your step-daughter doing? SICK. Besides the charges were dropped against Fassy. Some say she had motive either way, with no case it isn’t fair, but he certainly would have been asked about it. Maybe the Academy didn’t want to go there. Two films with strong female casts were given several nods, one even for Best Picture. I see a lot of motive from The Academy with these noms. I mean Rooney Mara, in her first film of what will be a trilogy? Looks like they’re aiming for younger, and female audiences for The Oscars.
Um..Bridesmaids? Really?
so agree with you……I compare Bridesmaids to the genre of American Pie……..please……
if Bridesmaids wins, it’s over for me……might as well nominate Adam Sandler for best actor
Yeah. Maybe next year The Hangover 3D will get an Oscar nod.
I hope that dog comes back. Best part of the GG. Can’t wait for the Oscars though!
Rodney’s gonna be especially insufferable after this.. I can totally imagine her a few months after this giving some magazine interview and talking about how tedious the oscar’s were
Lol
I meant rooney
ROONEY Mara??!?!?! for what? for “paying homage” to Noomi Rapace’s performance 3 years earlier? do the academy members prefer to hear an English performance rather that read subtitles? Please.
+1
@ Clemence
Co-sign on that.
“do the academy members prefer to hear an English performance rather that read subtitles?”
coughmultiplenominationsforTheArtistcough.
Yeah, it’s called Harvey Weinstein could get a loaf of bread nominated for an oscar.
The Artist was fabulous and deserves every nom it got.
irrespective of how good or bad a film is, no one plays the oscar game better than HArvey WEinstein. No one but him could have got THE ARTIST to the oscars.
The Artist is mainly a silent movie. 😉
Yup. As much as the Weinstein Oscar push every year is annoying, The Artist is not Shakespeare in Love. It is VERY deserving.
I completely agree that there is a seriously problem with the American film industry in that they seem nearly incapable of making movies that are not sequels or remakes, but I don’t see how that has any bearing on awarding the quality of a performance. Rapace should have been awarded for her turn as Salander, no doubt, but the fact that the role has already been performed doesn’t mean that the new actors performances are inherently worthless.
I loved Shakespear in Love! I’m so surprised how it always gets dogged…Sure, Elizabeth was phenomenal, but SIL was great, and IMO deserving. A clean film, funny, charming and clever, sort of in the same vein that Midnight in Paris is.
Romantic comedies with smart writing are underrated.. Everything doesn’t need to be an over the top historical drama period piece, in order to be deserving of an oscar.
Besides this was before Goopy became so annoying as to be unbearable. And Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes? Loved it.
No Leo and no Fassie (sorry Kaiser).
Kinda wanted “In The Land of Blood and Honey” to be nominated for Best Original Screenplay…oh well. At least she already HAS an Oscar.
For subject matter alone you’d think it was more worthy of a nom than, say, Bridesmaids.
I don’t think that “Best Subject Matter” is a catagory.
Maybe not, not but wish it was.
…and the award for best subject matter goes to…
I didn’t mean that “subject matter” was a category, I meant that when the Academy considers films (in this case in the original screenplay category), I’d think they’d think a movie about war atrocities might be more worthy than the trite subject matter of Bridesmaids. Yes it was funny and even heartwarming, but not the kind of movie that leaves you thinking and better informed.
Lots, if not most people go to the movies to be entertained. Or moved. Or both.
And while sure, subject matter *can* count, how it’s handled counts far more. Otherwise you’d be getting Borat like films on “heavy” subjects.
Angelina’s screenplay was criticized by critics as cliched and melodramatic. Not surprised. She takes herself too seriously.
Sorry, I just dont George Clooney as some fantastic actor. Certainly not above Fassbender. GC tends to play some version of the same guy in very role. Full disclosure: I have not seen The Descendants. A lot of it because GC. I may catch it one day.
I agree. I mean he’s really good at being George Clooney as… but I reckon Oscar winners should be able to play more than one role exceptionally well. For that reason I’m Team Oldman!
No Fassbender, I’m boycotting the Oscars.
Noooo LEO!! YES!!! Blake’s revenge…and she’ll be sure to present!
I’ll miss my Tilda but seriously everyone who has seen the movie says Mara is tots deserving.
I’m really excited to see what happens to Dujardin and Jonah’s careers!
re: Mara – I dunno. To me it’s not as much acting as looking differently and talking funny. If you’ve heard Bjork’s English you’ll know what I mean. I don’t understand why they went for that.
I’m not saying she’s bad, and yes, people do get Oscars for wearing prosthetic noses etc. but putting Oldman and Mara in the same league.. uh, no.
Her character is speaking English as a second language. Like Bjork who “talks funny” too because it’s not her native tongue.
Daniel Craig did’t even attempt an accent.
Well, I know that Bjork’s English isn’t her first language and that’s my precisely point. (No need to patronize, by the way.)
Does Lisbeth use foreign language throughout the novel – I mean, isn’t she Swedish? (I really don’t know, I’ve only seen the Swedish movie but from what I’ve gathered she’s Swedish and uses Swedish, so it should sound natural and not quirky). My point is, the effect of slight strangeness resulting from the accent is puzzling, especially as the actress is using her native language playing a character who also uses her native language. Was it to make Mara sound more “Scandinavian”? Or am I just getting the whole thing wrong?
I never mentioned Craig talking about the odd accent, so I don’t understand why he’s brought up.
edit: I’m not even saying this to bash her, I actually liked her performance. I was simply really surprised when I first heard her.
Bjork… i LOVE her 😀
True! Doesn’t make sense that two Swedish people are speaking English to each other.
But Mara (perhaps Fincher’s direction) did the accent while Craig played it straight. My point was she had the harder role and really carried the film.
I know everyone finds Mara insufferable, but I feel a need to defend her because she DOES have acting chops.
Agree about Mara. I think she was great. IMO, the role was a huge transformation from her crappy acting in The Social Network.
Clapping for Brad. Two nominated films. BRAVO..
hate that Tilda didn’t get a nod. She was amazing in that movie..
not surprised about Leo..the movie has not gotten much love. And Clint didn’t seem to care about a nomination either. Not impressed by Bridesmaids Melissa’s part was the best. The others in the movie were a bit meh to me. 50/50 was a beautiful film and overlooked too. It happens. We all want our favorites in the mix. I’m glad my favorites are.
Michael’s time will come. not to worry. I suspect next year he will get a nod for 12 Years a Slave.. looks like a great film on paper.
but I’m just happy for Brad. Win or not he had an outstanding year.
regarding Angie, I doubt she was expecting a nomination. She has gotten lots of praise and recognition. negative too, but so have loads of other films.
Yes, Fassie’s day will come. He had a great year, but next year will be good too.
Have all you guys querying Rooney Mara’s nomination actually SEEN her performance? She may seem like a jumped-up little madame in real life but she was abso-frickin’-lutely spot-on as Lisbeth. (See: all the reviews)
Otherwise it’s pretty much as expected, although I’m LOVING seeing Gary Oldman in “Leo DiCaprio’s slot”!
@Maya: WALL-E was nominated for Best Original Script. You know, the film that begins with 45 minutes completely devoid of dialogue and from then on consists mainly of cries of “Walllll-eeee!!” and “Eeeeee-vah!”
Exactly. Insufferable or not Mara’s turn as Sandler was one of the most criticly acclaimed of the year. She got way better reviews than Dicaprio who was largely accused of overacting. I am so glad he got knocked off.
It’s “Salander”..anyway, I agree. Her performance was actually remarkable. I’m going out a limb assuming all who are criticizing her in that role just simply didn’t see the film. And people need to calm down about the whole Tilda thing – she is not Meryl.
Superior to Tilda? Haha no.
To be honest, I find Noomi Rapace’s performance superior than Rooney’s. But the Swedish version is a foreign film, so Rapace’s chance is super small. Rooney got the support from big Hollywood studio, David Fincher (who just got nominated last year) and that insufferable overhype for her performance.
Mara fits the physical discription in the book much better than in the Swedish version. Actually both her and Craig do.
I think Rapace was more “badass” while Mara was more vulnerable. More in line with the vision of the books.
Lily, I’m with you on that. If Rapace didn’t get a nom, Rooney sure shouldn’t because she wasn’t as good as Noomi was for the same character.
And physical characteristics or not, it’s how you embody the character that ends up counting.
Seriously! I read the trilogy to see what the difference was between Mara and Rapace’s performance, and I agree that Mara’s was more true to the book in terms of vulnerability and physical description.
I know many people brought this argument up but I don’t find “playing true to the book” means better acting. And the fact that Mara got nominated while Swinton was snubbed is just unbelievable.
What movies are the men nominated for? The women’s nominations say it, but not the men’s…
I’m so glad for Oldman.But everyone in Hollywood seems to be so far in Clooney’s a§§ that I’m not exactly holding my breath here.
Is it still the habit that the female winner of the precedent year presents the Oscar to the male winner?
In that case, the little girl from Leon (Portman)could be on stage with the ruthless killer of her family!That would be great!!
I’d forgotten that Oldman was in that.
Great connection! And yes, I hope it happens.
I would love to see Gary Oldman win and get recognized for his acting.
Land of Blood and Honey was not eligible for the foreign film category according to the Academy’s rules so it couldn’t have been nominated even if anybody wanted write in a vote for it.
So nice to see Gary Oldman in the Best Actor list. They could’ve left out some of the bland actors in favor of Fassbender but I guess not. I hope Oldman wins.
Why was it nominated in the Foreign Film category for the Golden Globes though?
I’m not 100% sure but I think that the Golden Globes category is simply Best Foreign Language Film (it doesn’t matter if it’s produced in the US as long as it’s in a different language) whereas at the Oscars the film HAS to be produced by a foreign company/country and appointed/officially submitted by a foreign country’s committee (in order to be eligible for a nomination).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Foreign_Language_Film
Thanks Eve!
ROONEY MARA FOR BEST ACTRESS? HOLY EFFIN’ CRAP =O SERIOUSLY ACADEMY!!!!!????
Mara is better than Swinton! F*tards! I’m so over the Oscars, they just keep f* people over and over, no wonder Bening doesn’t even bother campaigning anymore when she’s in the running. Girlfriend knows how political and messed up it is!
Gary Oldman – surprising and long overdue! Puling for everyone from the Artist, but no nomination for Uggie the dog? He was robbed! Woof woof indeed!
YES to Gary Oldman (who I want to win) and Demian Bichir (he was great in A Better Life).
I am sure Leo has the sads 🙁
I’m not saying he didn’t deserve this, but maybe Fassbender made a mistake: campaining for a Best Actor nomination for Shame instead of A Dangerous Method (in this case, probably for a Best Actor in a Supporting Role). He even ditched the promotion for A Dangerous Method in Toronto in order to remain in Venice and collect his award for Shame (apparently, David Cronenberg was pissed off because of that).
I tend to agree. He might have rode the wrong horse to the Oscar nomination given how conervative many in the Academy can be.
Regardless, it’s a real shame (pun intended)
That said, A Dangerous Method is a terrible terrible movie:)
Psychoanalysis 101 with characters reciting monologues based on Cliff Notes.
I think that too. The role in A Dangerous Method actually seems more like the kind of movie the Academy would give nominations for since it’s a role based on real life people and events. Plus everyone knows that they love a period piece.
Or maybe Cronenberg (sp?) used his clout to prevent Fassbender from being nominated because of the fact that Michael abandoned the promotion for David’s movie.
As much as I love David Cronenberg, I don’t think he’s *THAT* influential in Hollywood (as to prevent Fassbender from getting a nomination for Shame).
My guess is that Best Actor in a Leading Role is a much more competitive category — if even A-listers, well-connected people like Pitt and Clooney have to campaign hard for a nomination, I don’t think a (relative) newcomer like Fassbender had much chance.
@Eve: Maybe, but just like you said Fassbender isn’t really a heavyweight yet in the industry so maybe it wouldn’t take that much pull on Croenberg’s part to ruin Fassbender’s chances.
As for Clooney and Pitt campaigning really hard this year, I think it has more to do with their ages than anything else. Neither really strike me as the kind of actors that are going to be getting meaty, interesting roles well into their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s; as much as people like them they aren’t on Sir Ian McKellan or Dame Judi Dench’s level of acting.
I feel like a loser for not having watched any of the Best Picture nominations yet. But I’m going to start with War Horse tomorrow!! So… yay?
Don’t hate on Jonah until you’ve seen the movie. Even I can see he was good. I can’t believe there’s no Albert Brooks for Drive. I can’t believe no David Fincher for Dragon Tattoo. So happy for Malick, The Tree of Life, Rooney Mara and Michelle Williams. This Bridesmaids mess needs to stop.
I’m disappointed Fassbender wasn’t nominated, but not shocked. People really did not like Shame and people are still hung up about sex. He’s got plenty of time to get invited to the dance.
The real sadness is for Leo. Who’s girlfriend did he steal? Really!
Thank you for mentioning Drive!!! That movie and everyone in it got robbed!!! Best movie of the year IMO. Absolutely breathtaking and all the actors are beyond reproach.
No problem. Drive is my favorite movie of 2011!
and the soundtrack is awesome
the oscars have sucked ever since titantic won.
so disappointing about tilda…can’t believe george gets a nomination and she doesn’t. c’mon!
“the oscars have sucked ever since titantic won.”
LMAO! Good call!
I like eto know how Extremely Loud got a nomination. I thought there was a cut off date for movies that could be considered for this years Oscars. Did Tom Hanks pay money?? I just don’t get it, and it was a PANNED movie, no one liked it!!!!!
As for Fassbender. I don’t get it, Golden Globe nomiations are usually and indicator of who will be nominated for the Oscars. And he was included in the Oscar Roundtable. But I think the old people who vote on the Academy are not ready for subject matters of his sort as well as a lot of full frontal male nudity. So I don’t know.
Normally I do not like a sweep at the Oscars, like with Slumdog Millionaire, but now that I’m so upset with the nominations I would like The Artist to do a sweep.
Oh and Rooney Mara and Jonah Hill? Meh I don’t get it.
Never saw Extremely Loud because I thought it looked god-awful. Not surprised it was panned but I’m also not surprised that it was nominated. Even from the trailers, it just LOOKED like something the Academy would like. Which is to say, they are biased.
I didn’t see it either, for the same reasons. I’m sorry, it did poorly at the box office as well. I have a feeling this Oscar thing is a good old boy system. You can link everyone to BIG names. It’s just a shame. There are so many great little movies out there, and movies that might not have made a lot of money but every one (including critics) loved and they don’t get looked at. The Academy and MPAA needs to clean house.
The criteria for the Academy is that film should have been shown theatrically in the Los Angeles area by 25th December. They don’t care if it’s only shown in one cinema for one showing only.
That’s how that film would have qualified even though general release wasn’t latter.
Thank you LAK. Now I wonder if that movie did come out then. IF not I call Shananegans
Rooney Freakin’ Mara?!
I am so delighted by Demián Bichir’s nomination. He is brilliant.
No Albert Brooks for Supporting Actor? I thought he was supposed to be one of the frontrunners.
Jean Dujardin is sooo hot! And a good actor.
Hope Brad win this one!
I hope Brad wins also but we all know pretty boys don’t win. They finally gave Paul Newman an Oscar in his 60’s and not his best role, Robert Redford nothing for acting, Cary Grant, Richard Burton nada.
The actor for “the artist”. Please tell me what it’s going to do for his career in HW since he can’t speak English.
And forget the actresess.
Who would want to win an Oscar? only Streep seems to get more Oscar-worthy roles and not winning the last 10 if not more noms. The other actresses have done nothing Oscar-worthy since they won. Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon, Hilary Swank, Helen Miren (who I love), kate Winslet, jennifer Hudson, Monique.
Probably why I haven’t watched the Oscars in 40 years, stopped in the 70’s 🙂 now just watch Fashion Police for the jokes after the Oscars. Thank goodness for the internet and Celebitchy. By the time Paul Newman won I was exhausted from rooting for him and had stopped watching.
The actor from The Artist, Jean Dujardin. Well, aside from the fact that monolinguism isn’t incurable and he’s probably doing intensive English lessons, the man also writes, produces and directs. Even if he doesn’t want to persue a career in HW and remains in France, winning an Oscar or even being nominated for one will make it easier for him to get his projets financed and distributed.
I don’t think that his English is any worse than Marion Cotillard’s or say, Penelope Cruz.
I see him staring in some big budget hwood film about an epic Frenchman like Jacques Cousteau or Jules Verne.
I forgot Jeff Bridges. In his 60’s finally getting an Oscar.
And how can I forget GOOP. Country Song?
Detox Diet?
@wendy
I thought he was already well-known in his native country.
What happen to Roberto Benigni?
Best Actor in 1998 for “Life is Beautiful”. The oscar did wonders for his career. He won a razzie for worst actor a few years later for “Pinocchio”. A film he also directed.
I just looked up the other nominations and had to share this with you all:
Music (Original Song)
“Man or Muppet” from THE MUPPETS
Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
“Real in Rio” from RIO
Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown
That’s it… TWO SONGS. How strange is that?! I love Flight of the Conchords so I’m backing Bret for a Muppet win!
In related news, early this morning, there were reports of blood curdling screams and rampant chaos at the home of Elton John and David Furnish.
LOL. Karma, bitches!!!
“Real in Rio” is so cute! Not my favourite song in that movie though — I loved Jemaine Clement’s song for Nigel, the evil cockatoo. Also, I don’t get why Rio wasn’t nominated for Best Animated Feature…I honestly think it’s a very good movie: a cute, relatable story (you don’t have to be a Brazilian to enjoy it because it’s about animal trafficking and the bond between humans and their pets), funny dialogues and catchy songs. Don’t get it, really…
But I’m happy Puss in Boots and Rango were nominated (and NOT Cars 2, by Pixar).
That would have been epic! Bret and Jermaine against eachother for an Oscar?! Only made better if Murray/Rhys Darby gave out the award 🙂
Imagine if Madonna had been nominated lmao unfortunately the song started 2 minutes after the end credits started rolling so it isn’t eligable, it would have been hilarious to hear Elton and GAYvid’s reaction though.
Fassbender! Did you see him in Haywire? A Dangerous Method? All in severe black whipping and spanking Knightley?
I worship him…shouldn’t Angelina Jolie take him as a co-star? Imagine him as Marc Antony and Russell Crowe as Julius Ceasar.
“shouldn’t Angelina Jolie take him as a co-star?”
She should what Depp or Paradis have done (split), and take him as her next partner. I know, it’s probably mean to say that, but Pitt has been the pits of late. That, and interviews with Pitt are annoying.
If Gary Oldman doesn’t get that Hollywood can suck it. Not that they don’t already, but still.
This isn’t a “big” award, but I have to share. My dear brother’s company was nominated in the Best Animated Shorts category for The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore. He said they are at the office drinking champagne right now…and it’s only 9. I’m so proud of him and all his coworkers. They worked REALLY hard on this book. If you’ve got an iPad, + children, I definitely suggest buying the app (AND Numberly’s…their new app). My son loves BOTH of these interactive books. He’s 4, and he reads/plays the books every day!
Now, I won’t plug MoonBot anymore. I’m just so proud of my baby brother!
That’s awesome. Congrats to your brother. 🙂
That’s amazing! Maybe you can get him to take you as his date!!
HAHAHA. Only the owners of the studio will go (if anyone goes at all)…he’s just a minion 🙂 But, it’s terribly exciting for us.
Also, he just told me a video he made of my son playing Numberly’s will be used in a commercial to plug the app. It’s an exciting morning for all of us, lol.
That’s great! Good for them! And how fun for you and your son 🙂
No Swinton for “Kevin”? Instead Williams-she was just okay. I saw all the movies and Mara shuld not be on the list, Swinton deserves a nomination.
Sympathy win vote for Plummer – his character says not one word! People, its a PR game – no one saw that terrible movie.
yay brad!!!!, but honestly if any one else in that category wins besides George, i wouldn’t be mad, also no Tilda?.
I loved Rooney Mara in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!!! But the rapescene was way too much for me..
Wow, I bet DiCaprio is having a huge hissy fit this morning. They probably didn’t touch Fassbender/Shame cause of the subject matter- wusses!!
And no Swinton, no Dunst. The Academy sucks.
My thinking re Rooney Mara…Hollywood seems to love a newcomer success story — reminds me of all the hoopla surrounding Hillary Swank and her “transformative” role in Boys Don’t Cry, which instantly catapulted her from virtual nobody to A-lister.
And I’m sure that year there were strong performances by veterans that got overlooked, a la Swinton this year.
In Swank’s case, I think she deserved the win, she was amazing in that film. I didn’t see TGWTDT, though, so I can’t speculate if Rooney truly deserves this (nom and/or win).
Yes, but at that time Swank had been around for a while already. She was the star of The Karate Kid 2!! HAHAHAHA!!
Academy awards are a farce . They have deliberately put Brad pitt there so that he can walk away with this award. He does not deserve it. He is not talented. Only person in hollywood that deserves an oscar is Leonardo Di Caprio.The fact that even a non actress like Angelina Jolie has won an Oscar means there is no value for this award. All she can do is stare seductively,pout,frown etc .There is no range.Only reason I can think of is that she may have worked very hard with the right people. Now she is into charity and any contributions made by her is made public by her army of PR team.They work hard to make her image as holier than thou as if she is the only one doing charity. Everybody does it but they do it quietly. When Angelina does it she becomes Mother Teresa.
Even a shit film like Slumdog Millionaire won an oscar. It is just about political correctness not talent and for somebody connected to the committee. Brad might win it this time as he and Anjelina has made all their donations to charity public.The PR team has managed to make a positive image of them to the public.So lets see
They are a farce
The fact that it’s so brazen about its ridiculousness baffles me!
Extremely Loud got mixed reviews at best and no mojo at the box office. Bridesmaids? The Help?
Once upon a time Oscar winning films stood the test of time.
Who the **** considers the film ‘Chicago’ a classic now????
You are so right. As someone said, the Titanic win might have been the beginning of the decline. What a cheesy crapfest of a film that was! When you compare to Best Pictures of yore, it really is a joke.
Have you actually seen “Girl interrupted”? Angelina was amazing in that film and 100% deserved her Oscar.
I saw the film. Jolie was playing herself. Same thing for Gia, Foxfire, Hell’s Kitchen, Mojave Moon (which I saw too). Entertaining? Yes. Talent? Not so much since it doesn’t take much to play “crazy” (or bad-ass girls) for her if you are crazy (that period of her life). It’s like playing a personal trait of yourself but more over the top. I find Murphy’s performance in GI much more intruiging but the whole films gave me “Cuckoo’s Nest but With Chicks” vibe. I liked Jolie better in True Women.
I think it’ funny when people try to discredit angelina’s acting by saying she was just playing herself… Like you know her personally. I guess Pitt was just playing himself in moneyball… Lmao !
@fun: At the time Girl Interrupted came out, Jolie’s image was all about her ‘bad, crazy girl’ ways. And she was playing a bad, crazy girl. Thus, as her image suggested at the time, she was basically playing herself.
She was. But that was also during the “crazy” time in her life so how much of that was acting versus reality mixing in? Not an Angelina loonie or a Brangie fan or an Aniston fan, I have just always honestly wondered that. It was such a raw and real performance that a lot of it wasn’t acting, IMO.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001401/bio#quotes
By her own admission, she had a tough girl image and her film choices and quotes re-affirm that. She was definitely typecast and to this day, she only excells in one genre despite the fact that she can act in other genres (like True Women). Even in animation they give her a one-note role (sexy and bad-ass). Surely, people can derive the obviousness in her career?
So sorry, but she didn’t fill in a role for me, she just was Angelina Jolie but scripted and then some. It’s the best role she ever played and she knows it. Acting is pretending you’re somebody else so by that account Samantha Morton deserved that Oscar the most.
was she playing Angelina when she won her GG for George Wallace?
I didn’t see George Wallace so I can’t form on opinion on that role. Nice of you to mention another film where she wasn’t typecast in that period, just like I did with True Women. Again, I didn’t say she isn’t talented, I just said her career is based on mostly typecasting.
Brad and Angelina do not have a PR team. I can tell you simply don’t like either one so now I really hope Brad wins. 🙂
@Heine who cares if she was crazy at the time, she had a role, she filled it fantastically and she deserved her award.
BTW i think she’s a good actress in general and she has played diverse roles so unless she has split personality that probably negates your argument.
Thatboyluke: I didn’t say she didn’t deserve the award.
And what are you talking about with the ‘split personality’ nonsense? She’s an actor. Actors play characters that are nothing like them in real life quite a bit, it doesn’t mean they have split personalities.
She presented herself as crazy and was playing a crazy character. It seemed like she wasn’t ‘acting’ or creating a character so much as just behaving as was normal for her at the time. It doesn’t mean she didn’t deserve the award, it’s just an observation. Stop being so defensive, jeez.
I don’t think that the amount the Jolie-Pitts donate really makes a difference and I know it’s controversial to say, but Jolie can make as many films as she likes and donations, but she too has upset the delicate pH balance (and I mean that sarcastically) in Hollywood and it has rubbed off on Pitt. I doubt he’ll win.
Then there is the reality of the snub for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (for a film like Moneyball and Extremely Loud – which has gone straight to DVD in some countries), which may weigh in Oldman’s favour and I hope it does. Pitt and Clooney aren’t even fit to do voice work in cartoons – they always sound the same in every film they’re in, and even when they try to be different, they are so obvious.
This is why the Oscars are so pathetic. It is not about good movies anymore – it is about campaigning and taking to the right people. Incredibily Loud – is only like 50% at rotten tomatoes. Everyone knew exactly who and which movies were going to be chosen before it happened. The oscars are as bad as the Gloden Globes.
Please!!! GG was super boring, imagine the Oscar’s?! not watching it!
* disapoointed about fassbender, but happy for Garry Oldman and Dujardin*
disappointed*
I really want Viola Davis to get Best Actress, but somehow suspect Michelle Williams will win for that zzzz Monroe movie.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy may not have gotten a lot of publicity, but let me tell you, after seeing that, I can say with confidence that Gary Oldman deserves the Oscar for that movie more than anyone else in the Best Actor category. Don’t think he’ll get it, though. Also, WTF with no Fassbender?
Don’t really care about the rest of the categories.
I think it’s either down to Viola or Meryl personally.
Actually I think it’s between Harvey’s girls Willams and Streep, so I’m team Viola.
Yay at Gosling and Fassbender being completely shut out. Mediocre performances being hailed as great.
Did anyone watch that snl moneyball skit a few weeks ago? I don’t know the snl actors name but if brad Pitt deserves an Oscar so does the guy from snl. He nailed it. The oscars = shinier golden globes
poor Leo… 🙁 Hope he shows up at the awards show anyway so i can be all creepy and stuff.
Was Shame a subject too close to Hollywood? lol. They are so prude…
@Kaiser: I couldn’t help myself and checked cray cray’s twitter page. She put a smile there, i think she is celebrating the opportunity to go to the Oscar’s red carpet. Oh, I meant to say to celebrate George’s nomination!
I agree Slumdog Millionare was terrible.Danny Boyle is a great director, but I am suprised that movie got so many awards.The acting was terrible execpt for that tall guy and the little kids.It doesn’t belong in the catagory of all those great best picture films.I hardly watch the Oscars anymore ,especailly since last years flub(James Franco & Annne Hathaway hosting). The movies they chose are awful and the actors are all people who have already won it, been nominated or untalented newcomers. If Rooney Mara(whom I have never heard of)could get a best actress nom, why not give all those first time actors and actresses nominations too? What ever happened to working for it? Suddenly it’s so easy to get an Oscar nomination.
Where the f–k is my blonde lover Charlize?!
Very disappointing nominations, the only worthwhile one was.Oldman. I’m tired of my favorite actors being consistently overlooked . Everyone says Fassbender’s time will come but Ralph Fiennes time still hasn’t appeared. Well Fassy I will support your movies as soon as I can find one near where I live!
Oh maramania ! Does this mean I have to endure another insufferable interview from her, especially on Oscars red carpet ?
“Incredibly Loud and Close By or whatever” came out this year though. I thought the Oscars are meant for last years movies and performences. I smell faviortism here since it stars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.
I know I’m in the minority for this, but I’m glad Fassbender didn’t get a nod. He wasn’t THAT great in Shame. Bichir or Shannon were far better.
OK Kaiser.. did you see that Fass is on the Oscar Round table with Clooney, Tilda, and Plummer..
anyway I was trying to see in the clips if there was any chemistry between Fass and Charlize.. I didn’t see any, but who knows. I’m still thinking of a match. But Charlize is a difficult ticket for me to figure out.
Clooney dominated the discussion. ugh.. I’m being ugly but I don’t want him to win. Sorry but I don’t..
now I’m ashamed of myself.. but still I don’t want him to win. I just hate that he seems like he has gotten some inside track that he already won.
No Fassbender means I don’t have to sit through that borig ass show.
Oh Fassy, you’re a shark!
http://ismichaelfassbenderashark.tumblr.com/page/3
LMAO! I’ve never seen this before. Too funny!
lol mara would say something like”the acadamy is stupid ,afwul ,they didnt understand my acting that why I didn’t win” hehe. I dunno ,she seems nice when she is being interviewed in person or on the red carpet BUT when she is interviewed by a magazine or newspaper, she talks however she likes.
No Ryan Gosling or Joseph Gordon-Levitt? Wow. But Rooney Mara????? Really? Very,Very poor choices they have this year.
JGL was always a long shot, so not really surprised…but yeah he definitely was deserving.
However, I’m really happy that Rooney Mara got a nod. She was GREAT in GWTDT!
I feel bad for Octavia Spencer. Even if she wins, she still will have trouble finding roles. Hollywood will still give her roles like maid ,broken black family home member,cook etc.Sad.
Agreed about Octavia. She is great but tends to get crappy roles. Don’t know if anyone who saw ‘Win a Date with Tad Hamilton,’ but she had a minor role as an ignorant grocery store worker. Sad.
I am going to be watching a lot of movies by the time the Oscars air!
I have seen Bridesmaids and The Help. I loved Melissa McCrthy in Bridesmaids but must say its not really the type of role the Academy would usually honor. I can see the screenwriting one.
I don’t think there was anything Oscar worthy about the help. It was ok. I didn’t find the acting spectacular at all.
I wanted to see that Tilda Swinton movie and just Tilda being Tilda I’m surprised that she was not nominated.
I have to check now what is out on video and what is still playing…
No way in hell am I seeing the redo of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo though 🙂
Go see The Artist if you can. You’ll walk out of the theater remembering how it feels to find a film enchanting like it used to do when you were a kid.
How come we never see those Harry Potter actors at the oscars? Even for presenting awards? I find it weird because they have been around for 10 years and not once did I ever see them at the oscars.
The Oscars have always been a popularity contest with occasional ‘surprises’ (the year all the black people won! The year the stripper turned screenwriter won! The child noms!) to garner ratings.
Really, for everyone involved, it is a fantastic networking opportunity.
I think it’s interesting that Jolie’s movie got shut out completely. Normally the in-crowd gets at least one random nomination so that the film can carry the ‘nominated for an Academy Award’ sticker for the foreseeable future.
Why not throw her a bone and give her a nomination for the design categories? Or even best original screenplay?
Either she isn’t as popular as she seems or the film was just not that good. The critics were split so I’m gonna go with it just was not that good.
Lastly, I think Clooney deserves his nomination, as does Brad. And I’m giddy about Gary Oldmsn getting a nomination. He is an extraordinary actor.
Well I guess the same could be said of Charlize, Sandra and Jessica.
really your rant is so off. Jolie was not nominated for any of the critic awards. So why would anyone expect the Oscars for her first film.
I think Angie is happy that the film has gotten what it has. And yes there are negative reviews. but why do they weigh more than the equally positive one.
There were many actors/films not nominated. but you and a few others are forever focused on Angelina.. girl sure can stick in your minds.
lol
Um, that was decidedly not a ‘rant’. No exclamation points, no ALLCAPS yelling, no obscene language. I was just expressing some thoughts on the nominees and why, if Jolie is so popular and powerful, according to some people, her first film got shut out of every category.
Her fans have been talking about it for months; about how it was going to sweep the awards season and she’ll show all the ‘haters’ when she gets nominated for an Oscar.
And then the film faltered. The critics were split, the good reviews were mostly pats on the head for trying to tackle a difficult subject. The negative reviews don’t weigh more heavily at all. The positive ones weren’t glowing reviews, either. Mostly the critics either didn’t like it outright or said, ‘Good try, that was some hard subject matter.’
To answer your question, the people who expected her to at the very least get nominated for an Academy Award were the Brangeloonies.
I think Jolie would have been happy to see it released at all. And I’m glad she managed to put it together because getting a film made is one massive headache that can take years.
And yes there are a lot of other films and actors who weren’t nominated but who’s name and film are in the write-up talking about how the film wasn’t nominated in the foreign language film category? Can’t exactly forget someone of they are constantly shoved in your face.
Yup, she’s probably thrilled with the $200,000 in 31 days box office. 😉
I don’t get your logic about Jolie’s film.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy wasn’t nominated either, and it had a known cast of established actors, including Gary Oldman.
Ok. Guys the nomination is process is a multifacted politicking system that includes a confluence of politcal jockeying, timing, and previous Academy dispostion.
Fassbender did a very good job in Shame, but the Academy is notoriously shy when it coems to nominating NC-17 rated movies for anything. Midnight Cowboy was an exception, and that was nearly 40 years ago. If you pay attention to critics and blogs that predict these things, they have been saying this from the get go. Not to mention that Fassy is a rising star, and if he maneuvers his career in the right direction this is not the last that we’ve seen of him. I also suspect that nominating members (when they aren’t slapping their friends on the back) tend to think in terms of career context and longevity. You know, Fassbender is likely to get the type of work that could see him nominated in the future and Chris Plummmer will probably be dead soon.
I’m just happy that they left DiCaprio off of the list this year. He’s a good ole boy Hollywood insider who out of all of the performances could have afforded to be left off this year (for what many are calling a second-rate performance anyway) in favor of stronger performance and performers who are long oversude for recognition. My personal thought about DiCaprio is that he is rather monochromatic as an actor to begin with. I think that he’s good at affecting pathos on screen, but he hasn’t yet learned to master the art of nuance. He’s like a one-trick pony as this stage in his career, and I think that he’s going to have to play against type effectively before they are going to give him the award. Ask Gary Oldman. He knows. Not to mention that Baz Luhrmannn is alreadty seting Leo up for next year’s race with the Great Gatsby. Trust me, DiCaprio can sit this one out cuz he’ll be back next year.
However, I do agree with everyone about Rooney Mara over Tilda Swinton. Considering that Mara has to finish the rest of the trilogy there are two more built-in performances suggestive of a potentional nod. No need to have included her here this year.
This is already long-winded, but I just want to add that I just wish they’d get off Clooney’s dick, I’m really tired of tuning into award shows to see his golfing buddies patting him on the back at the water cooler. I, for one, hope that Gary Oldman makes like a dark horse and snatches that gold statuette right out of his grubby fingers.
Wow
Thanks for that deconstruction
I totally agree except for your rooting for Gary Oldman.
That would be on par with rewarding Plummer for being at death’s door. Though I have no probs with this
Dujardin gives a virtuoso performance, what the awards actual used to BE about before campaigning and politicking!
Agree for the Dujardin nod. Sarko, shouldn’t you be running a country instead of posting on the internet? Lol
I’m going to have to respectfully disagree about Oldman. His was a very nuanced, insular performance as the character of George Smiley is notoriously difficult to play due to his introversion. I think that he deserves to be nominated less because of his previous body of work but precisely because it’s NOT the type of De Niro-esque, histrionic performance that tends to read more accessibly to the audience. I would love to see Leo or Brad Pitt or George play a similar character. I don’t think that they would be as effective. (Although George’s performance in ‘The American’ was underrated, IMHO.) Admittedly, Smiley is not the sort of character that appeals to everyone, but unbridled displays of violence and intensity aren’t the only oscar-worthy performances. Thank you for your comment, however 🙂
I agree with most of your assessment, Viktory. I didn’t make the NC-17 connection with Shame (interesting) and I never had any illusions that Fassy would win but I thought he would at least get a nom. Not that any of this matters because I don’t think of the Oscars as the ultimate validation of a film or an actor’s performance. It’s been political for many many years now.
I’m hoping George and Brad split the vote (easily could happen, considering how many friends each have in hollywood), and that enables Jean Dujardin or Gary Oldman to swoop in and nab that Oscar.
Leo and Fassy will be back. No doubt it my mind. I’m annoyed about Mara though. No way in hell she is better than SWINTON….at anything.
I completely agree with your thoughts on career context and longevity. IDK how many times I’ve heard “Well he/she probably got the Oscar this year because he/she was snubbed last year for someone who’s been deserving of an Oscar for a long time so this Oscar is actually for last years film”. It’s all political, and yes based upon things like how much time any actor has left, or how long they’ve already been around. And, can’t forget campaigning for the right films etc.
I wish it was Tilda over Glen Close and Kiki over Mara.
Any of them over George.
Kiki is unfortunately paying for Von Trier’s remarks in Cannes.
The Oscars look very boring this year. A really good movie to watch is Mother and Child – with Annette Benning and Naomi Watts Samuel L Jackson.
Are we supposed to take the Academy seriously when Leo is not an Oscar contender for his work in J. Edgar?!?!
Not that exciting, but I always ends up watching.
Very happy for Melissa McCarthy, though I think Octavia will win. Also happy for Viola, regardless of the message of the film or whatever, her performance was wonderful.
Yay for Midnight in Paris! I am not a Woody Allen fan, but I LOVED that movie. It was so charming.
I thought the acting in the Descendants was really good, but the film as a whole was a bit underwhelming for me. Just for the work in his whole career, it’d be nice to see Gary Oldman win.
I don’t understand the noms for Jonah Hill and Melissa McCarthy. Kristen Wiig’s character and performance was so much more layered and deserving from that film.
I’ve never agreed that the Academy shouldn’t nominate for comedic acting so I am all about the F*CK YAH for Melissa McCarthy. It was literally the funniest thing I had watched in years (I’m more of a dry indie type so maybe that explains it) and completely agree that it should get recognition. I do not agree that Octavia Spencer was worthy of a nod. She was funny but if her role wouldn’t have existed, I wouldn’t have noticed. This has more to do with how the superficial role was written more than her acting. She gave it what she could but it wasn’t enough, IMO.
And I am thoroughly confused with the near obsession with Chastain. I had completely forgotten her character until I read the nominations. *shrug*
I think Chastain’s nom was more for an entire year of amazingness. I don’t think The Help was her best at all though. Still happy to see her recognized.
Brad Pitt SUCKED!
Congrats to the nominees, especially Brad Pitt and Gary Oldman!
I think The Artist will clean up everything. And most likely Clooney will win, but I hope he doesn’t.
I am bummed that Fassy and Tilda Swinton didn’t get nominated :(. Maybe they will get to present?
And I see that Charlize Theron was shut out too. And she was campaigning as much as any of them.
Winners for acting are most likely gonna be:
1. George Clooney(due to hype)
2. Michelle Williams
3. Octavia Spencer
4. Christopher Plummer.
As for the host, I hope Billy Crystal is better than the two idiots they hired last year. Lol James Franco? He is not even a comdian and hasn’t done many comedy movies either.
I thought they were awful too!
I don’t know how I’ll feel looking at Billy Crystal’s puffy, tweaked face for that long though!
FYI James Franco got his start in comedy. He was part of the show Freaks & Geeks. He was also in the movie Pineapple Express which was one of those stoner comedies. 🙂
Agree with you on all of those. I am keeping my fingers crossed for an upset in Best Actor though.
JGL keeps getting overlooked. Man he should get a nom.
Agreed! JGL needs to be noticed! 🙁
JGL nom nom!
This has to be one of the worst compiled Nominations lists I have seen from the Academy in years. If I see George “I play myself in every film” Clooney one more time, I’m going to scream.
Second.
GC had really been crazwling up my a$$ lately for this very reason.
and no Ryan Gosling in Drive?! I’m pissed.
ME, TOO!!!!!! That movie was so amazing and original!! MSNBC had an interesting article about the possible reasons that Drive was snubbed. They theorized that perhaps it was misunderstood by those who just saw the trailer. Some woman actually sued because she thought it was going to be like a Fast and Furious film, and instead it turned out to be… well..let’s be honest, no doubt too deep for her.
No Coriolanus
Maybe they didn’t want to say the word Coriolanus?
Coriolanus got rather tepid reviews. Criical reception is a huge deciding factor, whether it’s justified or not.
I was hoping for better as well. I really like Ralph Fiennes and was really wanting to him to hit it out of the park with his directorial debut.
Congrats to Brad for the nominations.. So happy for him and the others.
It is a nice honor win or lose. Only one is selected. But doesn’t discount the nomination.
Congratulation to Brad Pitt! Since he’s moved on with his life he’s been nominated for his 2nd Oscar and produced several oscar nominated films (TOL , Moneyball and the Departed).
Oops! I forgot “The Departed” won an Oscar in 2007.
Yes, because he burst forth from his divorce with divinely bestowed new acting talents. He had none before and hadn’t been honing his craft for years.
Sorry not true
Fight Club, Snatch.
Brad has great skills. I think his movie choices the last 6 years have been spot on. Babel, IB, Benjamin Button, Burn After Reading, Jesse James, Tree of Life.
Very nice Filmography. He is finally doing the Actors Studio on the 31st. I like that he has turned it down because he didn’t feel his work merited the appearance. Funny because there were loads of other actors that went and should have said the same.
but I’m glad for him. Can’t help it.
what an incredibly uninspiring set of nominations
I really prefer George as a director – he has no range acting wise – he’s just Dr Ross in everything!!!
Gary Oldman FTW
So dumb the way people are boycotting the Oscars just because Fassbender wasn’t nominated. Look I LOVE Fassy, but come on. I watch the Oscars (and have been for past 15 years) because I love MOVIES. And there are so many wonderful nominees to root for. GARY OLDMAN PEOPLE! FINALLY! And Damien Bichir? Mr.Bichir was OUTSTANDING in A Better Life. Glad Nick Nolte got a nomination, it was nice to see such and underrated movie like “Warrior” get come recognition. And yes, we do have to sit and watch Clooney take home Oscars, and even though I didn’t think it was the best performance, it was still very good. I know a lot of people have been snubbed. Gosling, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tilda Swinton, and of course our baby Michael Fassbender. Lets get real here though, Michael Fassbender is going to win an Oscar. Not on Feb. 26, but this WILL happen. It is inevitable. Am I upset but the Snub? Hells yes, but I will most certainly be there watching the red carpet pre-show and the entire program itself. There were a lot of things I was looking forward to this year. I was pretty passionate about a number of films and performances, not just Michael/Shame. I’d like to support the nominees no one was expecting to get one. Hopefully one of them wins, becuase we will have many future opportunities to support Fassy, more than once I’m sure. I see multiple Oscars for him to come. PLUS they have Billy Crystal. Thank God for that, Hathaway/Franco was a nightmare =(
No Leo, no Fassbender, no Tilda…I don’t understand a lot of these noms. Looks like they’re trying to appeal to a younger audience, too bad. A lot of good actors were snubbed for newbies. And, Bridesmaids? The female equivalent of The Hangover? It’s all political as far as these nominations, the tried and true will win, but they want to pull in younger audiences with this crap.
I don’t necessarily agree w/ Melissa McCarthy’s nom, but I do think Bridesmaids deserves the Screenplay nom it got. It was great writing.
WHAT?!! NO FASSBENDER??!!! Have the Gods gone mad?!! They’re jealous of you Fassie, jealous of that Kielbasa!
no Melancholia nominations 🙁
Are you surprised after that Nazi rant in Cannes???
Considering that Tinseltown as a significant Jewish presence, don’t think so.
Anyone else notice that they misspelled the word Ideas in the title of The Ides of March?
But seriously I think the awards will be dominated by the Artist and Meryl Streep. Meryl’s a lock to win Best Actress.
I love Meryl, but she’s won twice already, and just hit a record 16 Oscar noms (!). At least if she does win I’ll truly know she deserves it the woman is phenomenal.
No they didn’t. The word ‘ides’ comes from latin and usually refers to calender date of certain months, usually the half way date or 15th day of that month. the phrase ‘ides of March’ refers to 15th day in March in the Roman Calender. It was popularised by the shakespeare play ‘Julius Ceasar’ in which the title character is warned to ‘beware the ides of March’
LAK, I do believe The Bechdel was joking when she said that. It was the “But seriously” part that gave it away. 😉
Whoever said it upthread is right…the Academy and Hollywood in general need to get off Clooney’s dick. He seems like an insufferable egotist to me. If Jean Dujardin can’t win, I’d like to see Brad get it…only cuz I think it would be great to see him beat this good buddy George.
“the Academy and Hollywood in general need to get off Clooney’s dick.”
LMAO…I couldn’t put it any better than that.
Congrats to Brad, Jonah, Moneyball and Tree of Life. Also to Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer.
A little disappointed that Fassy didn’t get a nod. Mind you, I haven’t seen Shame yet, and still intend to see it, along with The Artist. For some reason, seeing Fassy at the Newsweek roundtable (despite Inside Edition fixating on Clooney) has reignited my tendency to crush on red-headed men. Add to it Fassy’s sparkly eyes… And yes, I have been a presence on Fassy mag threads, but there is something to be said about ‘Fassy in motion’. There is no doubt he will have his time.
Shiiitttt Fassy is not worried he is somewhere right now bout to wreck some poor lady’s sweetshop all the fuck up.(lol) He will be back. Kaiser do not despair.
OK, I can see now (after just watching it) how We Need to Talk About Kevin could be a challenge to the lower-brow’d, pandering-to-the-lowest-common-denominator crowd.
It’s hard to follow (flashbacks; later flashbacks; present day, etc…) and the shaky camera stuff was a little nauseating.
BUT, all in all a stellar performance by Tilda and a creepy one by “Tucker” (from Royal Pains).
What if Rooney Mara won? Who would she have to thank ? Just curious since so far all she has done is diss her former acting jobs.LOL.
She’d have to thank the Hollywood penis she interacted with to get the nomination?
The fuss around The Artist bothers me so much (and i’m french). Best script? Are you kidding? One cliché after the other without any link between them. Best actor ? If you knew how Jean Dujardin really acts, how absolutly not interesting this actor is…But i guess it’s the french touch. Like what happens with Marion Cotillard.
People says Fassbender is a newcomer, how about Dujardin. It annoys me so much.
Im with you on Dujardin. I find him completely annoying.
Claire, you can’t look at it from a French point of view, you have to look at it from a Hollywood point of view. First, this film would NEVER have gotten made in Hollywood. Merci “the French cultural exception”. Second, at a time that the US film industry seems to be moving more and more away from “real” actors and closer to animation and motion capture films, the theme has a timely relevence. Third, unlike most French films, you walk out of the theater happy. While I loved “Un Prophet”, it didn’t exactly leave you wanting to tap dance your way home. And in tough economic times, “happy” films tend to appeal more. And fourth, to the mostly older Academy voting crowd, being reminded that what is old can be new again has probably won more than a few of them over.
I don’t see it from a french point of view, when i say the french touch. Hollywood saw that movie and thought “Thaaat is so cute! What a beautiful hommage ! Of course the french made it only they could have such an original idea!” It is not original. It is not brilliant. I can understand you spend a good time watching it..i love movies more than i can say, but on this one it’s just Hollywood congratulating itself.
But ! I acknowledge the fact that a silent black and white movie beeing financied is a great thing. It is. On paper. I just think he could have done so much more.
Claire/Wendy: You both have valid points. I understand what both of you are saying.
What’s funny is how differently this film is viewed by American and French audiences. It’s being re-released here in France because of the Oscars, but the first time it wasn’t really well received. It’s not on any big French critic’s top film lists. The film that is: Drive.
I am beginning to lose faith in the Academy. War Horse? Really?! Only b/c Spielberg was involved did that get a nomination. And the BRILLIANT Drive got no major nominations? Ugh, it is all politics. Sad.
I saw War Horse, and I liked it, but have to agree. I don’t think it is best film worthy and not because it is ‘crap’, but because it is limited in its narration – because it had to be (sort of) focusing on the horse’s perspective, so there are no major character arcs.
But we’re talking about Spielberg here. Is there such a thing as a Speilberg snub at the Oscars?
The Oscars have sucked for a few years. Don’t know if this year will be any better.Oh well atleat Billy Crystal is back. I hope he makes tons of jokes targeted at Franco and Hathaway for their awful hosting.
Sorry, but both my husband and I hated the movie Tree Of Life.It was so bad that after 20 minutes we fast forward the DVD just so that we could tell our friends we saw it.
I’m here to add my seriously? Goddamn it seriously? Rooney Mara over Tilda Swinton?
The good news is that Tilda will continue to give award winning performances (plus I think she already has one Oscar yes?) While it’s left to be seen if Mara can deliver beyond the Lisbeth Salander role.
Now as for the best actor noms, I’m torn between wanting Gary Oldman and Brad to win. Oh and poor Leo. So close but no cigar. I’m also not sweating the Fassbender exclusion. He will be nominated in future and he will win. Trust.
I’m pulling for Christopher Plummer for BSA.I feel about him the way most of you feel about Pitt and Fassbender.
Rooney Mara got a nom, but NO TILDA!?!? I think I may finally have to agree with what everyone has been telling me in the last few years: Award shows are grade-A Balogna.
I don’t see it from a french point of view, when i say the french touch. Hollywood saw that movie and thought “Thaaat is so cute! What a beautiful hommage ! Of course the french made it only they could have such an original idea!” It is not original. It is not brilliant. I can understand you spend a good time watching it..i love movies more than i can say, but on this one it’s just Hollywood congratulating itself.
But ! I acknowledge the fact that such an unconventionnal project beeing financied is a great thing. It is. But the execution..he could have done so much more !
Which movie are you talking about?
Oh sorry! I was talking about the Artist.
I loved the Artist and Midnight in Paris, even if it was Woody Allan. Pitt’s performance was very good but my loonie is on Oldman, he’s an excellent actor, love him in anything.
Brad WAS nominated before for 12 Monkeys in 1995, then he had the lean years where he was bored and uninterested.
He got a new desire for acting and life, then 2 best actor nods and a host of other noms and wins. So, yes he did improve his acting skills with a new love for acting by also working on his life.
He puts in his work and BOTH his films are recognized. He can win just as any of the other actors can. It’s not easy to get nominated as some of your favorites who campaigned hard or harder did not get the call.
Brad’s next film is WITH Fassy and Chiwetel Eliofor and Brad as producer too, so we could be having this same convo next year. Get ready.
Amazing to see and I wish him well. KFP2 also nominated just like KFP1. Must be nice.
BTW, it thought that crazy people can NOT play crazy. Playing crazy is one of the most difficult things to do, that’s why it wins awards. It’s the effort and skill it takes to master. So, Jolie could not have lost that year if she tried. 3 Golden Globes, 3 years in a row, for 3 different movies I think still has not been duplicated. You don’t have to like them to appreciate their skills.
As to the power of Jolie, honestly you can not overlook the fact that she wrote, directed and produced her movie on her terms and it GOT made in short order. She made a feature film then took the cast to the GG with her, where most films don’t get made and sit on the shelf for years. Can’t knock that even if you want too.
Once again, Kodak Theater will welcome the Jolie-Pitts.
yeah i find it interesting he has worked more (i.e. producing and starring) while having kids ‘and being fulfilled’ than when he didn’t have kids. Strange isn’t it?
He may get more oscar nominations now, but back then he was COOL – Fight Club, Snatch, Ocean’s eleven… I don’t think the Academy is a barometer of great film-making or performances any more. It’s all about the politicking and campaigning, and ‘social messages’.
I’m holding out for Christopher Plummer. It’s pathetic and juvenile, but I had such a bad case of the hots for him in The Sound of Music (and now he hates me, because he abhors anyone who is stuck on him in that role). Sure he’s a wrinkly old fart now, but still a great actor in my estimation. I’m just helpless around handsome men with intense pissed-off stares.
P.S. When the hell is the Academy going to give Viggo an Oscar? More like “try” to give him one, he’s probably tell them where to stick it, and maybe he hasn’t done anything worthy of a nomination (?!) but please, give the man an award for being alive. We should feel honoured to watch that performance. *Sigh*
Gary Oldman should win already… Genius performances and unsurpassed range. Pitt & Rooney bore me. I can never get past their pretty faces, and their mannerisms are the same no matter what roles they play. Meh.
I’m glad that the Academy finally decided to recognize Gary Oldman. I didn’t really like living in a world where Sandra Bullock had an Oscar but Gary Oldman had never been nominated.
God Rooney Mara? Giving her an Oscar nod is like giving Toby Maguire( who I like an an actor) an Oscar nod for playing Peter Parker in Spiderman. And same goes to ELijah Wood for playing Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings. Those two should have gotten Oscar nods for their acting if she got one. And I heard her movie tanked. Atleast theirs were blockbusters.Don’t understand why Hollywood is acknowldging her acting and not other people who have acted in trilogies too.
Ian McKellan got a nod for LOTR
Spielberg is a big guy in Hollywood. If he makes a movie or was apart of it~no matter how bad it was~ they still HAVE to give him a nomination for something. The same goes for Woody Allen. He was great in the 70’s and 80’s but alot of his recent movies are bad and have terrible actors in them i.e. Scarlett Johansson. You cannot snub Allen or Spielberg during awards season, thats how works.
Bridesmaids, Moneyball, McCarthy and Hill baffle me. Really not what I think of as “Oscar”. I’m also surprised that Fassbender didn’t get it. How could Moneyball be inclduded but not Shame, which is what I’d consider more of an “Oscar” movie.
Of course this isn’t just Fassbend-Me Ov-er love talking, from a cinephile standpoint it just doesn’t make any sense.
That said Von Sydow and Plummer going head to head? Poor Gary doesn’t have a chance.
Oh and Mara was good in GwaDT but come one, an Oscar nom? Hopefully Streep takes it (though I haven’t seen Iron Lady yet).
The first ctagory doesn’t interest me. I guess not a lot of great movies came out last year.
Put simply, because “Shame” is NC-17 which is problematic. I think it deserves the rating by pure virtue of the sexual content. HOWEVER, NC-17 immediately attaches to a project a repelling stigma that riles up the Academy’s hypocritical moral sensibilities. Like the movie is nothing more than Deepthroat with half-decent acting. And it’s not fair, especially in this case, where the sex is tantamount to watching a crackhead take a hit.
The AMPAS needs to get off the pin that it’s chronically sitting on. It’s not the Kid’s Choice Awards, for f*ck’s sake.
Rooney Mara doesn’t stand a chance this year. Her nomination must have been some spot filler or something like that , because I see no relevance for her being included this year. I mean she is competeing with the likes of Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams. Both actresses have played iconic females this year and she is redoing a role that someobody already did and is known for. Sorry but Naoomi Rapace will always be known as Lisebeth Salanader , and Rooney will be known as the girl who played the role for the second time. And yes,in a few months she will be giving an interview and have this holier-than-thou attitude since she is an “academy award nominee” now.
Most of these movies are not Oscar worthy. Bridesmaids? Moneyball? Hugo? Such bad choices. But then again last years moves were crap so I guess they did not have much of a choice.