Below find The Academy of Motion Picture Arts Oscar Nominations announced this morning. In bold is who TGATP would like to see win, underlined are my predictions.
Best Picture
- “The Artist” Thomas Langmann, Producer
- “The Descendants” Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
- “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close“ Scott Rudin, Producer
- “The Help” Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
- “Hugo” Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
- “Midnight in Paris” Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
- “Moneyball” Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers
- “The Tree of Life” Nominees to be determined
- “War Horse” Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers
- I would love to see “The Artist” win this and I think it will. I smiled the whole movie. But I will be equally happy if the “The Help” wins. The story is so important and still resonates today. I still see legions of Black nannies wheeling their little Caucasian charges through NYC streets. Surprise upset might be “The Tree of Life” because it is so esoteric and Malick. “Midnight In Paris” doesn’t even belong here! I finally saw “Midnight In Paris” and it does not deserve the praise it has been getting. Just another Woody story about a schmoe who can’t commit.
Best Supporting Actor
- Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
- Jonah Hill, Moneyball
- Nick Nolte, Warrior
- Christopher Plummer, Beginners
- Max Von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
- I thought Jonah made “Moneyball” but Christopher Plummer will get this for the sentimental vote.
Best Supporting Actress
- Bérénice Bejo in “The Artist”
- Jessica Chastain in “The Help”
- Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids”
- Janet McTeer in “Albert Nobbs”
- Octavia Spencer in “The Help”
- So poignant and real, this is Octavia’s year. And I’m sorry but why is Melissa McCarthy, being loud and stupid to the point that the character is shitting in a sink even being nominated? Really? It’s an insult to the other nominees who delivered wonderful portrayals in this category.
Best Actress
- Glenn Close in “Albert Nobbs”
- Viola Davis in “The Help”
- Rooney Mara in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
- Meryl Streep in “The Iron Lady”
- Michelle Williams in “My Week with Marilyn”
- It’s time for another tie. Viola was so amazing and again, this story is so important. But Meryl left me speechless and amazingly, I even felt a bit sympathetic for the dreadful Maggie Thatcher. Glenn Close also looks amazing so will update this after I see her film.
Best Actor
- Demián Bichir in “A Better Life”
- George Clooney in “The Descendants”
- Jean Dujardin in “The Artist”
- Gary Oldman in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
- Brad Pitt in“Moneyball”I’ll be happy with either Jean or George in this category. Acting without words is a major feat and I LOVED Jean. But George is just so real and as in “Up In The Air” wears his heart on his sleeve. Major omission in this category is Dominic Cooper, who was extraordinary in a double role in “The Devil’s Double.” I would have replaced Gary Oldman with Cooper.
Best Director
- “The Artist” Michel Hazanavicius
- “The Descendants” Alexander Payne
- “Hugo” Martin Scorsese
- “Midnight in Paris” Woody Allen
- “The Tree of Life” Terrence MalickI love Terrence Malick who always delivers such stunning visuals. But “Tree of Life” was a confusing mess only for the most ardent film afficinado! Scorsese’s love song to movie making should win this. And where was Steven Spiellberg for “War Horse”?? Would’ve given nomination to him instead of Woody. I finally saw “Midnight In Paris” and it does not deserve all the praise it has been getting. Just another Woody story about a schmoe who can’t commit.
Best Adapted Screenplay
- The Descendants, Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
- Hugo, John Logan
- The Ides of March, George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
- Moneyball, Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. Story by Stan Chervin.
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Bridget O’ Connor and Peter Straughan
- I don’t have a pick here. The awful GLARING omission of “The Help”, which literally was as good as the book, renders this category irrelevant. Of the available choices, “Hugo” or “Moneyball” should win.
Best Original Screenplay
- The Artist, Michael Hazanavicius
- Bridesmaids, Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig
- Margin Call, J.C. Chandor
- Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen
- A Separation, Asghar Farhadi
- “The Artist” should win this for sheer creativity. I hated “Bridesmaids” which was a nasty, vile, piece of tripe! Have NO idea why this is even in this category as it was a cinematic hate crime on womanhood. Will probably go to Woody though since the Academy loves to award him for every thing he does even mediocre stuff like this. But “Bridesmaids” may win due to the power of women in Hollywood right now.
Best Animated Feature
- “A Cat in Paris” Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli
- “Chico & Rita” Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
- “Kung Fu Panda 2” Jennifer Yuh Nelson
- “Puss in Boots” Chris Miller
- “Rango” Gore Verbinski
- Another case of a GLARING OMISSION! Did “Tin-Tin” come out too late for this nominating process?? What are the first two films? Have never heard of them. Of these, I would love to see “Puss In Boots” win because it was so damn funny! But “The Adventures of Tin-Tin” was the best animated film of the year!
Best Song
Who cares? With Elton and Lady Gaga, Pink, Mary J, will.i.am, Zooey Deschanel, and Elvis Costello all snubbed, this award has no merit.