The Cuts: Oscar nods arrive
Beau Stucki
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Limited release pictures "An Education" and "A Serious Man" both made the cut. Even "District 9" (making that two sci-fi movies in the running this year - rare for the Academy, which usually favors realist drama) is getting a chance.
The strangest nod goes to "The Blind Side," a box office success with an excellent performance by Sandra Bullock (who will most likely take Best Actress), but not a great a film. Clint Eastwood's "Invictus" is surprisingly absent.
The Academy does not release the number of votes, but it's probable that the top five for Best Picture correspond directly with the five nominations in the Best Achievement in Directing category.
In acting the predictions seem easy enough. Jeff Bridges' performance as an alcoholic country singer in "Crazy Heart" will take Best Actor. Christoph Waltz's crazed Nazi in "Basterds" has taken the Supporting Role award everywhere else. I see no reason why that would change here. The favorite for Supporting Actress in other awards has been Mo'Nique of "Precious," though Vera Farmiga's deceptive role in "Up in the Air," is also deserving.
Miyazaki's "Ponyo" was omitted from the animation nods. Disney is in again with "The Princess and the Frog." "Fantastic Mr. Fox" was an excellent film and with "Up" in the run for Best Picture there's no telling who will take home the Animation Oscar.
Up for the Original Screenplay are greats like the Coen brothers and Quentin Tarantino. "Up's" Bob Peterson and Pete Docter as well. All are worthy contestants. If Tarantino doesn't take it, it will be Mark Boal for "The Hurt Locker."
For Adapted Screenplay, favor seems to be with Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner for "Up in the Air."
In both visual effects and editing there is no real contest against "Avatar." However, cinematography boasts a stiffer competition, but will probably still go to "Avatar."
The increased number of nods will bring an interesting edge, but in the end it feels more like a publicity stunt. Although it allows for more to make the nominations (Is this a way to make up for not giving "The Dark Knight" a nod last year?) the revised vote-tallying system could skew the final result.
The strangest nod goes to "The Blind Side," a box office success with an excellent performance by Sandra Bullock (who will most likely take Best Actress), but not a great a film. Clint Eastwood's "Invictus" is surprisingly absent.
The Academy does not release the number of votes, but it's probable that the top five for Best Picture correspond directly with the five nominations in the Best Achievement in Directing category.
In acting the predictions seem easy enough. Jeff Bridges' performance as an alcoholic country singer in "Crazy Heart" will take Best Actor. Christoph Waltz's crazed Nazi in "Basterds" has taken the Supporting Role award everywhere else. I see no reason why that would change here. The favorite for Supporting Actress in other awards has been Mo'Nique of "Precious," though Vera Farmiga's deceptive role in "Up in the Air," is also deserving.
Miyazaki's "Ponyo" was omitted from the animation nods. Disney is in again with "The Princess and the Frog." "Fantastic Mr. Fox" was an excellent film and with "Up" in the run for Best Picture there's no telling who will take home the Animation Oscar.
Up for the Original Screenplay are greats like the Coen brothers and Quentin Tarantino. "Up's" Bob Peterson and Pete Docter as well. All are worthy contestants. If Tarantino doesn't take it, it will be Mark Boal for "The Hurt Locker."
For Adapted Screenplay, favor seems to be with Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner for "Up in the Air."
In both visual effects and editing there is no real contest against "Avatar." However, cinematography boasts a stiffer competition, but will probably still go to "Avatar."
The increased number of nods will bring an interesting edge, but in the end it feels more like a publicity stunt. Although it allows for more to make the nominations (Is this a way to make up for not giving "The Dark Knight" a nod last year?) the revised vote-tallying system could skew the final result.
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