# Awards Season 2011-2012 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 12, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871 "2011-12-12T03:12:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/1 "2011-12-12T03:12:19Z")
I know a lot of people don’t care but some do, and others like to keep up just so they can do well in their office Oscar pool. Please take your disdain to the Pit if people talking about this stuff really irks you. There really are lots of other things to occupy your time. Awards season started a couple of weeks ago with the Gothams, the Golden Satellites, the National Board of Review and others. I’ll catch up with those and try to stay somewhat current. None of the early awards influence final Oscar winners (wait for the Guild Awards for that), but they matter because they can influence Academy members’ nominations by throwing out titles that they should seek out and\*\* watch, and maybe nominate themselves when the time comes. It’s titles like Winter’s Bone\*\* and **The Hurt Locker** and **Slumdog Millionaire** that really benefit from these early season awards. I think it’s an exciting year, lots of great films and no one film dominating though The Artist soon will. It’s right up the Academy’s alley. While movies I love most rarely get or even get nominated for top prizes it’s great to see them mentioned when it happens. Last year it was Winter’s Bone, this year it’s Beginners. Even Attack The Block got an award today, which surprised the hell out of me. These “lesser” awards can often have some wacky and wonderful titles in the mix which is why they’re fun to me. To avoid big long lists I’m putting these in spoiler tags. **The 2011 Gotham Independent Film Awards Nominees/Winners** (given by [IFP=Independent Filmmaker Project](http://gotham.ifp.org/)) [spoiler] BEST FEATURE _ **“Beginners” – WINNER – TIE** _ Mike Mills, director; Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Miranda de Pencier, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, producers (Focus Features) _ **“The Tree of Life” – WINNER – TIE** _ Terrence Malick, director; Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Grant Hill, producers (Fox Searchlight Pictures) “The Descendants” Alexander Payne, director; Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, producers (Fox Searchlight Pictures) “Meek’s Cutoff” Kelly Reichardt, director; Neil Kopp, Anish Savjani, Elizabeth Cuthrell, David Urrutia, producers (Oscilloscope Laboratories) “Take Shelter” Jeff Nichols, director; Tyler Davidson, Sophia Lin, producers (Sony Pictures Classics) BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE _**“Beginners” – WINNER Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, Kai Lennox, Mary Page Keller, Keegan Boos (Focus Features)**_ “The Descendants” George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Beau Bridges, Robert Forster, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard, Nick Krause, Amara Miller, Mary Birdsong, Rob Huebel (Fox Searchlight Pictures) “Margin Call” Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, Aasif Mandvi (Roadside Attractions) “Martha Marcy May Marlene” Elizabeth Olsen, Christopher Abbott, Brady Corbet, Hugh Dancy, Maria Dizzia, Julia Garner, John Hawkes, Louisa Krause, Sarah Paulson (Fox Searchlight Pictures) “Take Shelter” Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Tova Stewart, Shea Whigham, Katy Mixon, Kathy Baker, Ray McKinnon, Lisagay Hamilton, Robert Longstreet (Sony Pictures Classics) BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR _**Dee Rees, “Pariah” (Focus Features)**_ – WINNER Mike Cahill, “Another Earth” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Sean Durkin, “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Vera Farmiga, “Higher Ground” (Sony Pictures Classics) Evan Glodell, “Bellflower” (Oscilloscope Laboratories) BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR \*\*\*Felicity Jones, “Like Crazy” (Paramount Vantage) \*\*\*– WINNER Elizabeth Olsen, “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Harmony Santana, “Gun Hill Road” (Motion Film Group) Shailene Woodley, “The Descendants” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Jacob Wysocki, “Terri” (ATO Pictures)[/spoiler] **16th Annual Golden Satellite Awards nominees** (given by [International Press Academy](http://www.pressacademy.com/)) _Motion Picture_ ``` The Artist The Descendants Drive The Help Hugo Midnight in Paris Moneyball Shame Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy War Horse ``` _Director_ ``` Tomas Alfredson, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist John Michael McDonagh, The Guard Steve McQueen, Shame Alexander Payne, The Descendants Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive Martin Scorsese, Hugo Steven Spielberg, War Horse Tate Taylor, The Help ``` _Best Actress in a Motion Picture_ ``` Olivia Colman, Tyrannosaur Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs Viola Davis, The Help Vera Farmiga, Higher Ground Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady Charlize Theron, Young Adult Emily Watson, Oranges and Sunshine Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn ``` _Best Actor in a Motion Picture_ ``` George Clooney, The Descendants Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar Michael Fassbender, Shame Brendan Gleeson, The Guard Tom Hardy, Warrior Woody Harrelson, Rampart Gary Oldman, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Brad Pitt, Moneyball Michael Shannon, Take Shelter ``` _Actress in a Supporting Role_ ``` Jessica Chastain, Tree of Life Elle Fanning, Super 8 Lisa Feret, Mozart’s Sister Judy Greer, The Descendants Rachel McAdams, Midnight in Paris Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs Carey Mulligan, Shame Octavia Spencer, The Help Vanessa Redgrave, Coriolanus Kate Winslet, Carnage ``` _Actor in a Supporting Role_ ``` Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn Albert Brooks, Drive Colin Farrell, Horrible Bosses Jonah Hill, Moneyball Viggo Mortensen, A Dangerous Method Nick Nolte, Warrior Christopher Plummer, Beginners Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes Christoph Waltz, Carnage Hugo Weaving, Oranges and Sunshine ``` _Motion Picture, Foreign Film_ ``` Faust Kid with a Bike Las Acacias Le Havre Miss Bala Mozart’s Sister Mysteries of Lisbon A Separation 13 Assassins The Turin Horse ``` _Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media_ ``` The Adventures of TinTin Kung Fu Panda 2 The Muppets Puss in Boots Rango Rio ``` _Motion Picture, Documentary_ ``` American: The Bill Hicks Story Cave of Forgotten Dreams The Interrupters My Perestroika One Lucky Elephant Pina Project Nim Tabloid Senna Under Fire: Journalists in Combat ``` _Screenplay, Original_ ``` Tyrannosaur, Paddy Considine Mozart’s Sister, Rene Feret The Artist, Michel Hazanavicius The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick The Guard, John Michael McDonagh Shame, Steve McQueen, Abi Morgan ``` _Screenplay, Adapted_ ``` The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Lost Unicorn, Steven Moffat, Joe Cornish & Edgar Wright Albert Nobbs, Glenn Close, John Banville The Descendants, Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash The Help, Tate Taylor Moneyball, Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin story by Stan Chervin War Horse, Lee Hall and Richard Curtis ``` _Original Score_ ``` Marco Beltrami, Soul Surfer Alexandre Desplat, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Michael Giacchino, Super 8 Cliff Martinez, Drive James Newton Howard, Water for Elephants John Williams, War Horse ``` _Original Song_ ``` Bridge of Light, Pink, Alecia Moore & Billy Mann, Happy Feet 2 Gathering Stories, Jonsi, Jonsi & Cameron Crowe, We Bought a Zoo Hello Hello, Elton John, Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Gnomeo & Juliet Lay Your Head Down, Sinead O’Connor, Brian Byrne & Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs Life is a Happy Song, Jason Segel & Amy Adams & Muppets, Bret McKenzie, The Muppets Man or Muppet, Jason Segel & Walter, Bret McKenzie, The Muppets ``` _Cinematography_ ``` Bruno Delbonnel, Faust Janusz KaminskI, War Horse Emmanuel Lubezki, Tree of Life Robert Richardson, Hugo Guillaume Schiffman, The Artist Newton Thomas Sigel, Drive ``` _Visual Effects_ ``` Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 – Tim burke, John Richardson, Greg Butler, David Vickery Hugo – Robert Legato Rise of the Planet of the Apes – Joe Letteri, Jeff Capogreco, R. Christopher White Super 8 – Dennis Muren, Kim Libreri, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon – Scott Farrar, Scott Benza, Matthew Butler, John Frazier War Horse – Ben Morris ``` _Film Editing_ ``` Chris Gill, The Guard Mat Newman, Drive Kevin Tent, The Descendants Joe Walker, Shame John Gilroy, Sean Albertson, Matt Chesse, Aaron Marshall, Warrior ``` _Sound (Editing and Mixing)_ ``` Drive – Lon Bender, Victor Ray Ennis, Robert Fernandez, Dave Patterson Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 – Stuart Wilson, Stuart Hilliker, Mike Dowson, Adam Scrivener, James Mather Super 8 – Mark Ulano, Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson,Tom Johnson, Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood The Tree of Life – Craig Berkey, Christopher Scarabosio, Jeremy Peirson, Erik Aadahl, John Pritchett, Kirk Francis Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon – Peter J. Devlin, Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush, Ethan Van Der Ryn, Erik Aadahl War Horse – Stuart Wilson, Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom johnson, Richard Hymns ``` _Art Direction & Production Design_ ``` Anonymous, Stephan O. Gessler, Sebastian T. Krawinkel The Artist, Gregory S. Hooper, Laurence Bennett Faust, Yelena Zhukova, Jiri Trier Hugo, Dante Ferretti, Francesca lo Schiavo Mysteries of Lisbon, Isabel Branco Water for Elephants, Jack Fisk ``` _Costume Design_ ``` Isabel Branco, Mysteries of Lisbon Mark Bridges, The Artist Lisy Christl, Anonymous Lidiya Kryukova, Faust Michael O’Connor, Jane Eyre Jacqueline West, Water for Elephants ``` _Best Ensemble, Motion Picture_ ``` The Help ``` _Best First Feature_ ``` Tyrannosaur, Paddy Considine ``` **NBR (National Board of Review)** winners Best Film Hugo Top Films (in alphabetical order) The Artist, The Descendants, Drive, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, The Ides of March, J. Edgar, The Tree of Life, War Horse Best Actor George Clooney, The Descendants Best Actress Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin Best Adapted Screenplay Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash Best Animated Feature Rango Best Director Martin Scorsese, Hugo Best Documentary Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory Best Ensemble The Help Best Foreign Language Film A Separation Best Original Screenplay Will Reiser, 50/50 Best Supporting Actor Christopher Plummer, Beginners Best Supporting Actress Shailene Woodley, The Descendants Breakthrough Performance Felicity Jones, Like Crazy Breakthrough Performance Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Debut Director J.C. Chandor, Margin Call NBR Freedom of Expression Crime After Crime NBR Freedom of Expression Pariah Special Achievement in Filmmaking The Harry Potter Franchise - A Distinguished Translation from Book to Film Spotlight Award Michael Fassbender (A Dangerous Method, Jane Eyre, Shame, X-Men: First Class) Top 10 Independent Films (in alphabetical order) 50/50, Another Earth, Beginners, A Better Life, Cedar Rapids, Margin Call, Shame, Take Shelter, We Need To Talk About Kevin, Win Win Top 5 Documentaries (in alphabetical order) Born to be Wild, Buck, George Harrison: Living in the Material World, Project Nim, Senna Top 5 Foreign Language Films (in alphabetical order) 13 Assassins, Elite Squad: The Enemy Within, Footnote, Le Havre, Point Blank **Independent Spirit Awards** nominees [spoiler] Winners will be announced at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 25, 2012 BEST FEATURE 50/50 Beginners Drive Take Shelter The Artist The Descendants BEST DIRECTOR Mike Mills, Beginners Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive Jeff Nichols, Take Shelter Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Alexander Payne, The Descendants BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer) Another Earth In the Family Margin Call Martha Marcy May Marlene Natural Selection JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000) Bellflower Circumstance Hello Lonesome Pariah The Dynamiter BEST SCREENPLAY Joseph Cedar, Footnote Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Tom McCarthy, Win Win Mike Mills, Beginners Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash, The Descendants BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY Mike Cahill and Brit Marling, Another Earth J.C. Chandor, Margin Call Patrick DeWitt, Terri Phil Johnston, Cedar Rapids Will Reiser, 50/50 BEST FEMALE LEAD Lauren Ambrose, Think of Me Rachel Harris, Natural Selection Adepero Oduye, Pariah Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn BEST MALE LEAD Demian Bichir, A Better Life Jean Dujardin, The Artist Ryan Gosling, Drive Woody Harrelson, Rampart Michael Shannon, Take Shelter BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE Jessica Chastain, Take Shelter Anjelica Huston, 50/50 Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs Harmony Santana, Gun Hill Road Shailene Woodley, The Descendants BEST SUPPORTING MALE Albert Brooks, Drive John Hawkes, Martha Marcy May Marlene Christopher Plummer, Beginners John C. Reilly, Cedar Rapids Corey Stoll, Midnight in Paris BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Joel Hodge, Bellflower Benjamin Kuh-Sulk, The Off Hours Darius Kond-Jee, Midnight in Paris Gui-omme Shiffman, The Artist Jeffrey Waldron, The Dynamiter BEST DOCUMENTARY An African Election Bill Cunningham New York The Interrupters The Redemption of General Butt Naked We Were Here BEST FOREIGN FILM A Separation Melancholia Shame The Kid With a Bike Tyrannosaur ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD (Given to one film’s director, casting director and its ensemble cast) Margin Call PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD Chad Burris, Mosquita y Mari Sophia Lin, Take Shelter Josh Mond, Martha Marcy May Marlene ACURA SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD Simon Arthur, Silver Tongues Mark Jackson, Without Nicholas Ozek, Mamitas AVEENO TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD Heather Courtney, Where Soldiers Came From Danfung Dennis, Hell and Back Again Alma Har’El, Bombay Beach[/spoiler] **AFI (American Film Institute) Top Ten** The Descendants The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo The Help J. Edgar Hugo Midnight in Paris Moneyball The Tree of Life War Horse Bridesmaids **The Boston Society of Film Critics winners** [spoiler] Best Picture - The Artist Best Actor - Brad Pitt for Moneyball Best Actress - Michelle Williams for My Week with Marilyn Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks for Drive Best Supporting Actress - Melissa McCarthy for Bridesmaids Best Director - Martin Scorsese for Hugo Best Screenplay - Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin for Moneyball Best Cinematography - Emmanuel Lubezki for The Tree of Life Best Documentary - Project Nim Best Foreign-Language Film - Incendies Best Animated Film - Rango Best Film Editing (awarded in memory of Karen Schmeer) - Christian Marclay for The Clock Best New Filmmaker (awarded in memory of David Brudnoy) - Sean Durkin for Martha Marcy May Marlene Best Ensemble Cast - Carnage Best Use of Music in a Film - Tie: Drive and The Artist[/spoiler] **The Los Angeles Film Critics winners** [spoiler] BEST PICTURE - The Descendants BEST DIRECTOR, Winner: Terrence Malick, “The Tree of Life.” Runner-Up: Martin Scorsese, “Hugo.” BEST ACTOR, Winner: Michael Fassbender, “A Dangerous Method,” “Jane Eyre,” “Shame,” “X-Men: First Class.” Runner-Up: Michael Shannon, “Take Shelter.” BEST ACTRESS, Winner: Yun Jung-hee, “Poetry.” Runner-Up: Kirsten Dunst, “Melancholia.” BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, Winner: Jessica Chastain, “Coriolanus,” “The Debt,” “The Help,” “Take Shelter,” “Texas Killing Fields,” “Tree of Life” Runner-Up: Janet McTeer, “Albert Nobbs.” BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, Winner: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners."Runner-Up: Patton Oswalt, “Young Adult.” BEST SCREENPLAY, Winner: Asghar Farhadi, “A Separation.” BEST MUSIC/SCORE: Winner: The Chemical Brothers, “Hanna.” Runner-Up: Cliff Martinez, “Drive.” BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: Winner: Dante Ferretti, “Hugo.” Runner-Up: Maria Djurkovic, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, Winner: Emmanuel Lubezki, “The Tree of Life.” BEST DOCUMENTARY/NONFICTION, Winner: “Cave of Forgotten Dreams.”[/spoiler] **New York Film Critics Online winners** Film - The Artist Actor - Michael Shannon (Take Shelter) Actress - Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) Director - Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist) Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks (Drive) Supporting Actress - Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) Breakthrough Performer - Jessica Chastain (The Tree of Life, The Debt, The Help, Take Shelter, Coriolanus, Texas Killing Fields) Debut Director - Joe Cornish (Attack the Block) Ensemble Cast - Bridesmaids Screenplay - The Descendants (Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash) Documentary - Cave of Forgotten Dreams Foreign Language - A Separation Animated - The Adventures of Tintin Cinematography - The Tree of Life (Emmanuel Lubezki) Use of Music - The Artist (Ludovic Bource)[/spoiler] **San Francisco Film Critics** winners [spoiler]Best Picture “The Tree of Life” Best Director Terrence Malick, “The Tree of Life” Best Original Screenplay J.C. Chandor, “Margin Call” Best Adapted Screenplay Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” Best Actor Gary Oldman, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” Best Actress Tilda Swinton, “We Need to Talk About Kevin” Best Supporting Actor Albert Brooks, “Drive” Best Supporting Actress Vanessa Redgrave, “Coriolanus”[/spoiler] **Detroit Film Society** nominees [spoiler]1. BEST PICTURE ``` THE ARTIST THE DESCENDANTS HUGO TAKE SHELTER THE TREE OF LIFE ``` 1. BEST DIRECTOR 2. BEST ACTOR 3. BEST ACTRESS 4. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 5. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 6. BEST ENSEMBLE 7. BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE 8. BEST SCREENPLAY 9. BEST DOCUMENTARY ``` INTO ETERNITY INTO THE ABYSS MARWENCOL TABLOID WE WERE HERE ``` **Houston Film Critics Society** nominees [spoiler]Best Picture ``` Drive, Film District Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Warner Bros. Midnight in Paris, Sony Pictures Classics Take Shelter, Sony Pictures Classics The Artist, The Weinstein Company The Descendants, Fox Searchlight The Help, Dreamworks & Touchstone The Tree of Life, Fox Searchlight War Horse, Dreamworks & Disney Win Win, Fox Searchlight ``` Best Director ``` Alexander Payne, The Descendants Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Nicholas Winding Refn, Drive Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris ``` Best Actor ``` Brad Pitt, Moneyball George Clooney, The Descendants Jean Dujardin, The Artist Michael Fassbender, Shame Michael Shannon, Take Shelter ``` Best Actress ``` Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin Viola Davis, The Help ``` Supporting Actor ``` Albert Brooks, Drive Alex Shaffer, Win Win Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes Armie Hammer, J. Edgar Christopher Plummer, Beginners ``` Supporting Actress ``` Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs Jessica Chastain, The Help Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids Octavia Spencer, The Help Shailene Woodley, The Descendants ``` Best Screenplay ``` Alexander Payne, Nat Foxon & Jim Rash, The Descendants Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist Tom McCarthy, Win Win Will Reiser, 50/50 Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris ``` Best Cinematography ``` Emmanuel Lubezki, The Tree of Life Guillaume Schiffman, The Artist Janusz Kaminski, War Horse Robert Richardson, Hugo Thomas Newton Segel, Drive ``` Best Song ``` “Lay Your Head Down,” from Albert Nobbs, music & lyrics by B. Bryne & G. Close “Life’s a Happy Song,” from The Muppets, music & lyrics by Bret McKenzie “Star-Spangled Man,” from Captain America, music & lyrics by Alan Menken “The Living Proof,” from The Help, music & lyrics by Mary J. Blige “Think You Can Wait,” from Win Win, music & lyrics by The National ``` Best Score ``` Alexandre Desplat, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 Harry Escott, Shame John Williams, The Adventures of Tin-Tin John Williams, War Horse Ludovic Bource, The Artist ``` Best Foreign Film ``` 13 Assassins, Magnet Releasing Elite Squad: The Enemy Within, New Video I Saw the Devil, Magnet Releasing The Artist, The Weinstein Company The Skin I Live In, Sony Pictures Classics ``` Best Documentary ``` Buck, Sundance Selects Cave of Forgotten Dreams, IFC Films Project Nim, Lionsgate The Elephant in the Living Room, NightFly Entertainment Undefeated, The Weinstein Company ``` Best Animated ``` Adventures of Tin-Tin, Dreamworks Happy Feet Two, Warner Bros. Kung Fu Panda 2, Dreamworks Puss in Boots, Dreamworks Rango, Paramount Winnie the Pooh, Disney ``` Worst Film of the Year ``` Jack and Jill, Columbia Red Riding Hood, Warner Bros. The Sitter, 20th Century Fox The Smurfs, Columbia The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1, Summit Entertainment Your Highness, Universal ``` 2011 Humanitarian Honor – Joanne Herring 2011 – Lifetime Achievement – Jeff Bridges[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/2 "2011-12-12T17:11:25Z")
Wow, usually by now my SO and I have seen most of the nominees - we go see a film about once a week. This year we have seen hardly any of the nominees! Tree Of Life? I heard mostly horrible things - too long, too boring, confusing…plus a lot of people not only didn’t like it, they hated it. The Descendants? Was thinking of seeing this soon, but again - mixed reviews from friends who only say parts were OK, but didn’t love it. The Artist? Hasn’t even started showing here yet, and not sure I am all that thrilled about a French silent film. This might be one of those rare years that I won’t see all the films nominated as somehow I don’t have the enthusiasm to see many of those films nominated so far. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/3 "2011-12-12T18:57:07Z")
Looks like Harrison Ford won’t be getting a nomination for _Cowboys and Aliens_. Too bad, I thought it was a pretty good performance. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/4 "2011-12-12T19:05:27Z")
I just saw The Descendants. I enjoyed the movie. The acting was very good. It’s not a happy movie, though it does have a few chuckles throughout. I’m glad I saw it. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/5 "2011-12-13T00:42:51Z")
I’ve seen the majority of films nominated and will be seeing most of the rest soon. It’s a very strong year for movies even if a lot of people haven’t seen the movies (or have non-art house taste, since Tree of Life is brilliant and The Descendents is well among the year’s best). I haven’t seen The Artist yet and I’m dying to see it. Same with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. I’m missed Margin Call and hope someone brings it back. I’m seeing a sneak preview of Girl With The Dragon Tattoo tonight, I saw Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close the other day and War Horse last week. If The Iron Lady gets awards traction I suppose I’ll have to see it though I can’t think of too many movie-related things more excrutiating-sounding than spending time with Margaret Thatcher. I haven’t seen many of the documentaries or foreign-language films yet. Still, of all I’ve seen, it’s a terrific year. It always is though. ---
**Author:** ![judikium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@judikium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/judikium)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/6 "2011-12-13T08:09:59Z")
I’m a bit irritated that the studios are keeping the best movies close to the vest so far- I hear great things about The Artist, Young Adult, We Need to Talk About Kevin, A Separation, Tintin, Shame…but all of them are still not released or released in so few theatres that they’re really hard to get to… I’m not buying any talk of Streep winning, as usual- looks like Viola Davis or maybe Michelle Williams has that statue. Brad Pitt seems to be pulling ahead in Best Actor, but Clooney’s always a threat and Jean Dujardin (The Artist) has an outside shot too. Supporting actor looks like Christopher Plummer vs. Albert Brooks. And supporting actress is a total crapshoot: Octavia Spencer? Vanessa Redgrave? Jessica Chastain? As far as Best Picture, The Descendants feels like it’s going to fall away eventually (or maybe it’s just wishful thinking, I haven’t actively hated a movie so much in a long time…). The Artist is up there, maybe Hugo too. As far as what I’ve loved this year: I really wish Rise of the Planet of the Apes were getting more attention. Hopefully it’ll get some tech nods, but it really deserves a Best Picture nomination. I’m also definitely rooting for Jessica Chastain for The Help- an amazing performance. Also, I know everyone loves Plummer, but can Ewan McGregor ever catch a break? He was fantastic in Ghost Writer last year and is similarly amazing (and totally natural) in Beginners this year. Can’t believe the man still doesn’t have an Oscar nomination, but I understand why- his work is too subtle, too invisible for the Academy to notice. It’s a shame. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/7 "2011-12-13T09:23:04Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I know a lot of people don’t care but some do, and others like to keep up just so they can do well in their office Oscar pool. Please take your disdain to the Pit if people talking about this stuff really irks you. There really are lots of other things to occupy your time. This is just a bizarre way to start a thread like this. I know you’re not exactly subtle in your “I watch a lot of movies!” posts, but why would anyone jump into a thread devoted to Hollywood’s awards season and give you shit for it? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/8 "2011-12-13T09:46:38Z")
I saw _Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy_ a couple of weeks ago, and it deserves any award they can throw at it. Gary Oldman in particular should win the Oscar in a walk. Incredible movie. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/9 "2011-12-13T12:55:37Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > This is just a bizarre way to start a thread like this. I know you’re not exactly subtle in your “I watch a lot of movies!” posts, but why would anyone jump into a thread devoted to Hollywood’s awards season and give you shit for it? Because people like you like to do things like that. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/10 "2011-12-13T13:31:36Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Because people like you like to do things like that. People like me? Excuse me? I was being civil and asking a legit question. Wag your finger at someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/11 "2011-12-13T13:53:59Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I saw _Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy_ a couple of weeks ago, and it deserves any award they can throw at it. Gary Oldman in particular should win the Oscar in a walk. Incredible movie. Last weekend, it opened “on limited release” in the USA. I can understand the late start–the Academy Awards people might forget any movie opening earlier in the year. But why is the 4th largest city in the country not part of that “limited release”? And why aren’t we allowed to know when it will open here? ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/12 "2011-12-13T17:05:44Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Last weekend, it opened “on limited release” in the USA. I can understand the late start–the Academy Awards people might forget any movie opening earlier in the year. > > But why is the 4th largest city in the country not part of that “limited release”? And why aren’t we allowed to know when it will open here? Don’t feel bad - here in Las Vegas, we seem to be #486 on the list of screening new releases. I am hoping to see even half of the films before nominations are announced for Oscars. They really do seem to be waiting until the last minute this year. I see Iron Lady is to be released January 30th. Geez, why rush things - they could screen it January 31st…then it might get to Vegas by Easter. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/13 "2011-12-13T19:25:53Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > But why is the 4th largest city in the country not part of that “limited release”? And why aren’t we allowed to know when it will open here? Because it was only on 4 screens and two were in Los Angeles and two were in New York City? With a two city release #4 is probably not going to make the cut. But you’ll almost certainly have it this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/14 "2011-12-13T19:42:09Z")
I found [schedule for upcoming release](http://www.focusfeatures.com/tinker_tailor_soldier_spy/theatres/) of TTSS in the USA; on 12/23/11, it opens in Dallas & Austin. No date for Houston yet… ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/15 "2011-12-13T20:43:17Z")
Apologies. I thought it was opening wide this week, guess I misheard/misunderstood. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/16 "2011-12-14T07:52:20Z")
**BFCA** (aka Broadcast Film Critics Association, aka Critics Choice Awards) nominees [spoiler]Hugo and The Artist lead the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards with 11 nominations each. BEST PICTURE The Artist The Descendants Drive Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close The Help Hugo Midnight in Paris Moneyball The Tree of Life War Horse BEST ACTOR George Clooney – “The Descendants” Leonardo DiCaprio – “J. Edgar” Jean Dujardin – “The Artist” Michael Fassbender – “Shame” Ryan Gosling – “Drive” Brad Pitt – “Moneyball” BEST ACTRESS Viola Davis – “The Help” Elizabeth Olsen – “Martha Marcy May Marlene” Meryl Streep – “The Iron Lady” Tilda Swinton – “We Need to Talk About Kevin” Charlize Theron – “Young Adult” Michelle Williams – “My Week With Marilyn” BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Kenneth Branagh – “My Week With Marilyn” Albert Brooks – “Drive” Nick Nolte – “Warrior” Patton Oswalt – “Young Adult” Christopher Plummer – “Beginners” Andrew Serkis – “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Berenice Bejo – “The Artist” Jessica Chastain – “The Help” Melissa McCarthy – “Bridesmaids” Carey Mulligan – “Shame” Octavia Spencer – “The Help” Shailene Woodley – “The Descendants” BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS Asa Butterfield – “Hugo” Elle Fanning – “Super 8” Thomas Horn – “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” Ezra Miller – “We Need to Talk About Kevin” Saoirse Ronan – “Hanna” Shailene Woodley – “The Descendants” BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE The Artist Bridesmaids The Descendants The Help The Ides of March BEST DIRECTOR Stephen Daldry – “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” Michel Hazanavicius – “The Artist” Alexander Payne – “The Descendants” Nicolas Winding Refn – “Drive” Martin Scorsese – “Hugo” Steven Spielberg – “War Horse” BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY “The Artist” – Michel Hazanavicius “50/50” – Will Reiser “Midnight in Paris” – Woody Allen “Win Win” – Screenplay by Tom McCarthy, Story by Tom McCarthy & Joe Tiboni “Young Adult” – Diablo Cody BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY “The Descendants” – Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” – Eric Roth “The Help” – Tate Taylor “Hugo” – John Logan “Moneyball” – Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, Story by Stan Chervin BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY “The Artist” – Guillaume Schiffman “Drive” – Newton Thomas Sigel “Hugo” – Robert Richardson “The Tree of Life” – Emmanuel Lubezki “War Horse” – Janusz Kaminski BEST ART DIRECTION “The Artist” – Production Designer: Laurence Bennett, Art Director: Gregory S. Hooper “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” – Production Designer: Stuart Craig, Set Decorator: Stephenie McMillan “Hugo” – Production Designer: Dante Ferretti, Set Decorator: Francesca Lo Schiavo “The Tree of Life” – Production Designer: Jack Fisk, Art Director: David Crank “War Horse” – Production Designer: Rick Carter, Set Decorator: Lee Sandales BEST EDITING “The Artist” – Michel Hazanavicius and Anne-Sophie Bion “Drive” – Matthew Newman “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” – Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall “Hugo” – Thelma Schoonmaker “War Horse” – Michael Kahn BEST COSTUME DESIGN “The Artist” – Mark Bridges “The Help” – Sharen Davis “Hugo” – Sandy Powell “Jane Eyre” – Michael O’Connor “My Week With Marilyn” – Jill Taylor BEST MAKEUP Albert Nobbs Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 The Iron Lady J. Edgar My Week With Marilyn BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Hugo Rise of the Planet of the Apes Super 8 The Tree of Life BEST SOUND Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Hugo Super 8 The Tree of Life War Horse BEST ANIMATED FEATURE The Adventures of Tintin Arthur Christmas Kung Fu Panda 2 Puss in Boots Rango BEST ACTION MOVIE Drive Fast Five Hanna Rise of the Planet of the Apes Super 8 BEST COMEDY Bridesmaids Crazy, Stupid, Love Horrible Bosses Midnight in Paris The Muppets BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM In Darkness Le Havre A Separation The Skin I Live In Where Do We Go Now BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE Buck Cave of Forgotten Dreams George Harrison: Living in the Material World Page One: Inside the New York Times Project Nim Undefeated BEST SONG “Hello Hello” – performed by Elton John and Lady Gaga/written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin – Gnomeo & Juliet “Life’s a Happy Song” – performed by Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Walter/written by Bret McKenzie – The Muppets “The Living Proof” – performed by Mary J. Blige/written by Mary J. Blige, Thomas Newman and Harvey Mason, Jr. – The Help “Man or Muppet” – performed by Jason Segel and Walter/written by Bret McKenzie – The Muppets “Pictures in My Head” – performed by Kermit and the Muppets/written by Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman – The Muppets BEST SCORE “The Artist” – Ludovic Bource “Drive” – Cliff Martinez “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” – Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross “Hugo” – Howard Shore “War Horse” – John Williams[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/17 "2011-12-14T19:04:26Z")
Glad to see _[Take Shelter](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1675192/)_ getting some attention. What a…_disquieting_ film. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/18 "2011-12-15T06:24:24Z")
I agree, Take Shelter was intense. Here are the Screen Actors Guild nominees from this morning. Sorry about the caps, I’m just doing a copy and paste. [spoiler]THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES **Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role** DEMIÁN BICHIR / Carlos Galindo - “A BETTER LIFE” (Summit Entertainment) GEORGE CLOONEY / Matt King - "THE DESCENDANTS” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) LEONARDO DiCAPRIO / J. Edgar Hoover - “J. EDGAR” (Warner Bros. Pictures) JEAN DUJARDIN / George - “THE ARTIST” (The Weinstein Company) BRAD PITT / Billy Beane - “MONEYBALL” (Columbia Pictures) **Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role** GLENN CLOSE / Albert Nobbs - "ALBERT NOBBS” (Roadside Attractions) VIOLA DAVIS / Aibileen Clark - “THE HELP” (DreamWorks Pictures / Touchstone Pictures) MERYL STREEP / Margaret Thatcher - “THE IRON LADY” (The Weinstein Company) TILDA SWINTON / Eva - “WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN” (Oscilloscope Laboratories) MICHELLE WILLIAMS / Marilyn Monroe - “MY WEEK WITH MARILYN” (The Weinstein Company) **Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role** KENNETH BRANAGH / Sir Laurence Olivier - “MY WEEK WITH MARILYN” (The Weinstein Company) ARMIE HAMMER / Clyde Tolson - “J. EDGAR” (Warner Bros. Pictures) JONAH HILL / Peter Brand - “MONEYBALL” (Columbia Pictures) NICK NOLTE / Paddy Conlon - “WARRIOR” (Lionsgate) CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER / Hal - “BEGINNERS” (Focus Features) **Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role** BÉRÉNICE BEJO / Peppy - “THE ARTIST” (The Weinstein Company) JESSICA CHASTAIN / Celia Foote - “THE HELP” (DreamWorks Pictures / Touchstone Pictures) MELISSA McCARTHY / Megan - “BRIDESMAIDS” (Universal Pictures) JANET McTEER / Hubert Page - "ALBERT NOBBS” (Roadside Attractions) OCTAVIA SPENCER / Minny Jackson - “THE HELP” (DreamWorks Pictures / Touchstone Pictures) **Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture** THE ARTIST (The Weinstein Company) BÉRÉNICE BEJO / Peppy JAMES CROMWELL / Clifton JEAN DUJARDIN / George JOHN GOODMAN / Al Zimmer PENELOPE ANN MILLER / Doris BRIDESMAIDS (Universal Pictures) ROSE BYRNE / Helen JILL CLAYBURGH / Annie’s Mom ELLIE KEMPER / Becca MATT LUCAS / Gil MELISSA McCARTHY / Megan WENDI McLENDON-COVEY / Rita CHRIS O’DOWD / Rhodes MAYA RUDOLPH / Lillian KRISTEN WIIG / Annie THE DESCENDANTS (Fox Searchlight Pictures) BEAU BRIDGES / Cousin Hugh GEORGE CLOONEY / Matt King ROBERT FORSTER / Scott Thorson JUDY GREER / Julie Speer MATTHEW LILLARD / Brian Speer SHAILENE WOODLEY / Alexandra King THE HELP (DreamWorks Pictures / Touchstone Pictures) JESSICA CHASTAIN / Celia Foote VIOLA DAVIS / Aibileen Clark BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD / Hilly Holbrook ALLISON JANNEY / Charlotte Phelan CHRIS LOWELL / Stuart Whitworth AHNA O’REILLY / Elizabeth Leefolt SISSY SPACEK / Missus Walters OCTAVIA SPENCER / Minny Jackson MARY STEENBURGEN / Elaine Stein EMMA STONE / Skeeter Phelan CICELY TYSON / Constantine Jefferson MIKE VOGEL / Johnny Foote MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Sony Pictures Classics) KATHY BATES / Gertrude Stein ADRIEN BRODY / Salvador Dali CARLA BRUNI / Museum Guide MARION COTILLARD / Adriana RACHEL McADAMS / Inez MICHAEL SHEEN / Paul OWEN WILSON / Gil[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/19 "2011-12-15T08:05:22Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > People like me? Excuse me? I was being civil and asking a legit question. Wag your finger at someone else. As someone who has started his own share of Awards threads in the past, there is a long tradition of people wandering in and taking a royal dump just for the sake of it. “The Oscars are stupid”, “Who gives a shit?”, Blah blah etc. I’m not suggesting that **you** were doing that (or going to), but I can understand the OP’s request, because it happens all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871/20 "2011-12-15T08:33:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Formerly known as ArchiveGuy Oh, hi! I wondered where you were. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awards-season-2011-2012/605871.md?page=2)