# Pre-Oscar Season Skullduggery **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 10, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578 "2008-12-10T17:33:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [January 6, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/41 "2009-01-06T01:45:22Z")
The Producers Awards nominations came out today. **Best Picture:** The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button The Dark Knight Frost/Nixon Milk Slumdog Millionaire **Best Documentary:** Man on Wire Standard Operating Procedure Trouble in the Water \*\* Best Animated Film:\*\* Bolt Kung Fu Panda Wall-e ---
**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:** [January 8, 2009, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/42 "2009-01-08T05:28:56Z")
More Guild awards nominations. **American Society of Cinematographers nominations:** Anthony Dod Mantle for Slumdog Millionaire Claudio Miranda for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button Roger Deakins and Chris Menges for The Reader Roger Deakins for Revolutionary Road Wally Pfister for The Dark Knight **Cinema Audio Society nominations:** THE DARK KNIGHT Ed Novick Lora Hirschberg Gary A. Rizzo IRON MAN Mark Ulano, CAS Christopher Boyes Lora Hirschberg QUANTUM OF SOLACE Chris Munro, CAS Mike Prestwood Smith Mark Taylor SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE Resul Pookutty Ian Tapp Richard Pryke WALL-E Tom Myers Michael Semanick, CAS **Writers Guild of America nominations:** \* ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY\* Burn After Reading, Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Focus Features Milk, Written by Dustin Lance Black, Focus Features Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Written by Woody Allen, The Weinstein Company The Visitor, Written by Tom McCarthy, Overture Films The Wrestler, Written by Robert Siegel, Fox Searchlight Pictures _ADAPTED SCREENPLAY_ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Screenplay by Eric Roth; Screen Story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord; Based on the Short Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures The Dark Knight, Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan; Story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer; Based on Characters Appearing in Comic Books Published by DC Comics; Batman Created by Bob Kane, Warner Bros. Pictures Doubt, Screenplay by John Patrick Shanley, Based on his Stage Play, Miramax Films Frost/Nixon, Screenplay by Peter Morgan, Based on his Stage Play, Universal Pictures Slumdog Millionaire, Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, Based on the Novel Q and A by Vikas Swarup, Fox Searchlight Pictures ---
**Author:** ![Jester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jester/32/8223_2.png) [@Jester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jester)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/43 "2009-01-08T14:50:09Z")
Man, I’ve been absolutely terrible about maintaining this thread; many thanks to **ArchiveGuy** and **Equipoise** (as well as everybody else) for keeping it going, updated, and interesting. Obviously, my list has changed a bit, and as soon as I get some breathing room at work I’ll post it. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/44 "2009-01-08T17:27:38Z")
In addition to the Guild nominees, the Academy itself has announced the bake-off finalists for two if its categories (from this slate of 7, there will be a special “show reel” screening for the branch members that will decide which final 3 films are on the Oscar ballot). **Visual Effects** _Australia The Curious Case of Benjamin Button_ The Dark Knight\* Hellboy II: The Golden Army+ Iron Man\* Journey to the Center of the Earth The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor\* **Make-Up** _The Curious Case of Benjamin Button_ The Dark Knight Hellboy II: The Golden Army\* The Reader+ Synecdoche, New York Tropic Thunder\* The Wrestler\* - indicates who I think will make the final cut - indicates the film I think is best positioned to play Spoiler ---
**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:** [January 8, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/45 "2009-01-08T18:16:36Z")
More, from the **Directors Guild of America** nominations: David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon Gus Van Sant for Milk ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/46 "2009-01-08T18:28:49Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > More, from the **Directors Guild of America** nominations: > > David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button > Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight > Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire > Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon > Gus Van Sant for Milk No real surprises there. With the almost complete agreement between the DGA, the PGA, the WGAs, and the SAG ensemble nomination, these 5 now appear very likely to be the final 5 Picture nominees, though I would be surprised if any of them, other than _Milk_, gets more than one acting nod, which leaves those fields wide open for more personality-driven competitions (as opposed to any possible coattail effect). ---
**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:** [January 8, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/47 "2009-01-08T18:41:04Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > No real surprises there. With the almost complete agreement between the DGA, the PGA, the WGAs, and the SAG ensemble nomination, these 5 now appear very likely to be the final 5 Picture nominees, I wouldn’t be surprised either, though Nolan might get replaced by Aronofsky. Maybe. I don’t think The Wrestler will get Best Picture though. If Dark Knight gets bumped, I’d imagine it would be for Doubt\*. I hope it doesn’t get bumped. These five are fine with me. > [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > though I would be surprised if any of them, other than _Milk_, gets more than one acting nod I’m not sure about that. The Wrestler - Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei (edit to add, duh, it’s not one of the nominations listed) Frost/Nixon - Frank Langella and Michael Sheen Benjamin Button - Brad Pitt, Cate blanchett and Taraji P. Henson \*Then there’s Doubt, which could get four acting nominations, Streep, Hoffman, Adams and Davis. Has there ever been a movie with so many acting noms that wasn’t also nominated for Best Picture? > [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > which leaves those fields wide open for more personality-driven competitions (as opposed to any possible coattail effect). Right, such as Sally Hawkins for Happy Go Lucky, Melissa Leo for Frozen River, Richard Jenkins for The Visitor and Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married. None of those films will get Picture/Director nominations. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/48 "2009-01-08T19:34:09Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised either, though Nolan might get replaced by Aronofsky. Maybe. I don’t think The Wrestler will get Best Picture though. If Dark Knight gets bumped, I’d imagine it would be for Doubt\*. I hope it doesn’t get bumped. These five are fine with me. Personally, I think _Frost/Nixon_ & Ron Howard are probably the most vulnerable. Howard got snubbed once before when _Apollo 13_ got a Pic nomination but he was overlooked for smaller, more intimate films. And if he were to get bumped, I also think Aronofsky would be the one to do it. But I still think that’s a long shot, and if anything secured Batman, it’s the WGA nomination. There were other more “literary” films that the guild could have gone for without provoking controversy (_Revolutionary Road, The Reader_), so for them to honor a comic book adaptation means the film has a lot of wide support in the industry. I think it’s safely in (and Nolan would be, too, since everyone would probably agree it’s his influence, more than any other single person, who’s raised the franchise’s reputation). > [@](#): > > I’m not sure about that. > > The Wrestler - Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei (edit to add, duh, it’s not one of the nominations listed) > Frost/Nixon - Frank Langella and Michael Sheen > Benjamin Button - Brad Pitt, Cate blanchett and Taraji P. Henson Sheen would be a big surprise (he would be a true left-field candidate) and is probably too overshadowed by Langella. I think the three _Button_ performances are very vulnerable given who they’re up against. I can see one getting in, but I doubt more than that (though I’m also not a fan of the film, so my bias may be showing). > [@](#): > > \*Then there’s Doubt, which could get four acting nominations, Streep, Hoffman, Adams and Davis. Has there ever been a movie with so many acting noms that wasn’t also nominated for Best Picture? Not in over 40 years, but it has happened before: _My Man Godfrey_ (1936), _I Remember Mama_ (1948), and _Othello_ (1965) all received 4 acting nods, but didn’t get a Picture nomination. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/49 "2009-01-08T20:29:20Z")
Thanks to those who have expressed love for Melissa Leo and _Frozen River._ I saw it last year in a festival slot and was blown away. She has no shot at winning, but I will be very sad if she doesn’t even get the nomination. The movie deserves the exposure. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/50 "2009-01-08T20:35:49Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > Personally, I think _Frost/Nixon_ & Ron Howard are probably the most vulnerable. Howard got snubbed once before when _Apollo 13_ got a Pic nomination but he was overlooked for smaller, more intimate films. And if he were to get bumped, I also think Aronofsky would be the one to do it. > > But I still think that’s a long shot, and if anything secured Batman, it’s the WGA nomination. There were other more “literary” films that the guild could have gone for without provoking controversy (_Revolutionary Road, The Reader_), so for them to honor a comic book adaptation means the film has a lot of wide support in the industry. I think it’s safely in (and Nolan would be, too, since everyone would probably agree it’s his influence, more than any other single person, who’s raised the franchise’s reputation). I think you’re probably right, and Dark Knight will stay in (BP and BD). I could see Frost/Nixon getting a BP nom and not a BD nom, since it’s happened before to Howard. Speaking of, damn, his best movie ever, the one he really DESERVED to get a Best Director nomination for, and he’s snubbed. I still think that sucks. I’m a huge fan of **Apollo 13** , not so much for A Beautiful Mind. > [@](#): > > Sheen would be a big surprise (he would be a true left-field candidate) and is probably too overshadowed by Langella. Yep, you’re right here too, I just threw it out as a possibility. > [@](#): > > I think the three _Button_ performances are very vulnerable given who they’re up against. I can see one getting in, but I doubt more than that I’d guess at least Henson gets in, and wouldn’t be surprised if Pitt got in too. I think it’s either Pitt or DiCaprio, but not both. And true, I can’t see Cate getting in there, but it is possible. > [@](#): > > (though I’m also not a fan of the film, so my bias may be showing). Ah, that’s too bad. It’s not in my Top 10, but I liked it a lot. > [@](#): > > Not in over 40 years, but it has happened before: _My Man Godfrey_ (1936), _I Remember Mama_ (1948), and _Othello_ (1965) all received 4 acting nods, but didn’t get a Picture nomination. Interesting, thanks. On preview, Cervaise, I’m glad her name is bandied around too. So often great performances get ignored, and I so happy that she’s considered a likely nominee. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/51 "2009-01-08T20:44:58Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I so happy that she’s considered a likely nominee. I so happy? Me love you long time. Me no preview enough. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/52 "2009-01-08T20:58:57Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Thanks to those who have expressed love for Melissa Leo and _Frozen River._ I saw it last year in a festival slot and was blown away. She has no shot at winning, but I will be very sad if she doesn’t even get the nomination. The movie deserves the exposure. Whenever people go off on awards show, especially the Academy Awards, it bugs the hell out of me because…it’s perceived to be, but is really not about the glamour, it really is not about the stars, it really is not about the egos involved. It’s about bringing attention to movies and performances that deserve to be noticed. The general public may not see, or be able to see, the smaller movies in the theater, but if they’re intrigued by the nominations, they might seek those movies out (on DVD if nothing else). That’s where the main value of awards shows, especially the Academy Awards, lies. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/53 "2009-01-08T21:01:57Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I’d guess at least Henson gets in, and wouldn’t be surprised if Pitt got in too. I think it’s either Pitt or DiCaprio, but not both. And true, I can’t see Cate getting in there, but it is possible. For me, the entire _Button_ crew are in limbo-land. ACTOR Probable Locks: Langella, Penn, Rourke Rounding out the field: Pitt, Jenkins, Eastwood ACTRESS Probable Locks: Streep, Hathaway, Winslet Rounding out the field: Hawkins, Leo, Jolie Long shots but viable: Williams, Scott Thomas, Blanchett SUPP. ACTRESS Probable Locks: Cruz, Winslet, Davis Rounding out the field: Adams, Tomei, Hensen, DeWitt That puts all of them on the cusp, and the way the nominations are counted out, you need enough #1 votes to even be in contention before the subsequent ranking preferences come into play. I think it will be tough. I do have my fingers crossed for both Jenkins & Leo. Though I think the former has a better chance (more ubiquitous and a higher-profile movie), they both were terrific and totally deserving of the standard Indie-No-Chance spot that Oscar metes out regularly. I just saw _Flirting with Disaster_ again recently, and it’s hilarious that Jenkins & Josh Brolin, who play lovers in that film, may both get their golden ticket this year. 🙂 ---
**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:** [January 8, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/54 "2009-01-08T21:42:04Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > ACTOR > Probable Locks: Langella, Penn, Rourke > Rounding out the field: Pitt, Jenkins, Eastwood I think your probable locks are definite locks. Of the rest, I’d rather see Jenkins and Eastwood get in. Love Pitt, but I would rather have seen him get attention for his hilarious performance in Burn After Reading. > [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > ACTRESS > Probable Locks: Streep, Hathaway, Winslet > Rounding out the field: Hawkins, Leo, Jolie > Long shots but viable: Williams, Scott Thomas, Blanchett Tough one. My mind is battling my heart. Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett are two of my favorite actresses, but I don’t want to see either of them nominated, not over Leo and Scott Thomas. I haven’t seen Michelle Williams’ movie yet, I hear it’s a phenomenal performance, and wouldn’t it be so sweet if she and Heath were again both nominated. Maybe my own bias against Revolutionary Road is showing, but I’d even rather see Jolie nominated over Winslet. > [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > SUPP. ACTRESS > Probable Locks: Cruz, Winslet, Davis > Rounding out the field: Adams, Tomei, Hensen, DeWitt Yep, I believe your probable locks are definite locks. I said Amy Adams earlier but I don’t think she’ll be nominated. I doubt DeWitt will either (though I liked her better than Anne Hathaway). I’m still thinking Cruz, Winslet, Davis, Tomei and Hensen. I notice no Supporting actor. Futule, eh? > [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > That puts all of them on the cusp, and the way the nominations are counted out, you need enough #1 votes to even be in contention before the subsequent ranking preferences come into play. I think it will be tough. Yep, I know how the nomination system works, and it all comes down to what people are most passionate about. ([Explanation](http://fairvote.org/?page=709) of how the AMPAS nomination voting works.) > [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > I do have my fingers crossed for both Jenkins & Leo. Though I think the former has a better chance (more ubiquitous and a higher-profile movie), they both were terrific and totally deserving of the standard Indie-No-Chance spot that Oscar metes out regularly. Oh yes, I’m right there with you. > [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > I just saw _Flirting with Disaster_ again recently, and it’s hilarious that Jenkins & Josh Brolin, who play lovers in that film, may both get their golden ticket this year. 🙂 I haven’t seen that movie. I’ll have to do that. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/55 "2009-01-08T22:19:08Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I think your probable locks are definite locks. Of the rest, I’d rather see Jenkins and Eastwood get in. Love Pitt, but I would rather have seen him get attention for his hilarious performance in Burn After Reading. I never want to say anything’s definite, but any of the “probables” who don’t get in will be a pretty major upset. And I think the strength of affection for Clint & Jenkins may edge them in over Brad, whose performance is the polar opposite of his only previous Oscar nod, the twitchy hyperactive motormouth of _12 Monkeys_. There’s subtle, but this borders on the clinically recessive–which is bad for fans of A-for-Acting recognition. And I didn’t mention him before, but I still wouldn’t completely rule out del Toro. > [@](#): > > Tough one. My mind is battling my heart. Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett are two of my favorite actresses, but I don’t want to see either of them nominated, not over Leo and Scott Thomas. I haven’t seen Michelle Williams’ movie yet, I hear it’s a phenomenal performance, and wouldn’t it be so sweet if she and Heath were again both nominated. Maybe my own bias against Revolutionary Road is showing, but I’d even rather see Jolie nominated over Winslet. Sorry to hear that, because I’d say Winslet is the front-runner to win the whole thing, though _Road_ may be an anchor around her neck if it’s deemed to much of a “failure” (a subjective label, but one that carries lots of real baggage for a film that’s not pulling in either $ or awards like some may have hoped for this _Titanic_-esque reunion). Haven’t seen Williams, but Jolie has about as good a shot as her better half for a nod–decent but no sure thing. I think Leo is looking better, but it’s still hard to say; I think she’s more likely to get in than Hawkins, critics notwithstanding, and you can thank SAG for that. > [@](#): > > Yep, I believe your probable locks are definite locks. I said Amy Adams earlier but I don’t think she’ll be nominated. I doubt DeWitt will either (though I liked her better than Anne Hathaway). I’m still thinking Cruz, Winslet, Davis, Tomei and Hensen. For me, Hensen offered nothing much new and she disappears half-way through the film (to little dramatic effect). If Sally Field couldn’t pull off a nod with an identical role, I remain skeptical. DeWitt, Tomei, and Adams are all coattail candidates, getting them positive leverage because their films are already going to be seen by the actors’ branch already. I think Adams (no Oscar newbie) provides some conspicuous counterbalance in her film that gives her the edge, but I’ve had a crush on Tomei for forever so I hope they find room for her here (especially after getting snubbed last year). > [@](#): > > I notice no Supporting actor. Futule, eh? I was sticking to our _Button_ conversation, but here goes: Probable locks: Ledger, Brolin, Downey Jr., Hoffman This one is ripe for spoilers, and if Sheen has a shot, it’s because this 5th slot is so up-in-the-air. He, Franco and Patel benefit from their films’ popularity, but Eddie Marsan has gotten a recent boost from a similar critical coattail effect with _Happy-Go-Lucky_. And it still wouldn’t surprise me if someone like Shannon or Liev Schreiber (_Defiance_) squeaked in–though I’ve seen neither film yet (and I’m sure many wonder if the Academy has, either). > [@](#): > > I haven’t seen that movie. I’ll have to do that. Great fun, with two other couples within the film (Alan Alda & Lily Tomlin, Mary Tyler Moore & George Segal) all sporting Oscar nods in their past, too. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/56 "2009-01-09T01:01:06Z")
[QUOTE=Equipoise] I notice no Supporting actor. Futule, eh? [/QUOTE] Futule? Gah! I need to pay more attention to that red squiggly line. All interesting thoughts ArchiveGuy, as always. > [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > Probable locks: Ledger, Brolin, Downey Jr., Hoffman I agree with those. Dev Patel might get the last spot unless he pulls a Kiesha Castle-Hughes and gets a surprise nomination for Best Actor (I don’t think that’ll happen. He was supporting the two kids, IMO). Really, I don’t care who else gets in here as long as Ledger and Downey Jr. do. About Taraji P. Henson’s possible Best Supporting Actress nom, and RDJ’s probable Best Supporting Actor nom, I think it would kinda suck if the ONLY person of color to get an acting nomination is a white person who was doing blackface. Not that AMPAS members should nominate based on color, but Henson was fantastic for the time she was in the movie (plus Sally Field had already won Best Actress twice and 1994 was a very competitive year so it’s not surprising she didn’t get nominated), and Henson missed out on a much deserved nomination for \*\*Talk To Me \*\*(as did Cheadle, Ejiofor, Kasi Lemmons and the movie itself, the Academy blew it by ignoring that wonderful movie), so I’d love to see her in anyway. But yeah, also, because it would kinda suck if the only person of color to get an acting nomination is a white person who was doing blackface. That would be cringe-worthy. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/57 "2009-01-09T17:04:02Z")
Well, we’ll have to disagree about Hensen and the relative award-worthy merits of _Talk to Me_. I can think of plenty more interesting supporting performances than her fine-but-unremarkable Loving Devoted Maternal Figure from last year. I also don’t know what’s so cringe-worthy about giving an acting nomination to Downey (regardless of how many minorities are or aren’t nominated). He’s not portraying an African American character! It’s not like they decided the best guy to play the black dude was a white dude. It’s a conceit of his character that he adapt the mannerisms and make-up, but it says nothing about the state of African American employment in the industry today (except satirically, of course). If he’s one of the best, that’s all that should matter. There have been some remarkable runs of black and other minority performances getting the Academy’s attention in recent years. Last year only had 1 (Ruby Dee), but the year before had no fewer than 5 African-American nominees (including 2 winners) as well as a Japanese and a Mexican nominee, too. Two years before that, there were also 5 African-American nominees (including, again, 2 winners) and a Columbian as well. So sometimes it can seem like feast or famine, but that should have nothing to do with Downey’s inclusion, especially since I can only think of one truly phenomenal performance from an actor-of-color this year that runs the risk of getting unfairly snubbed\* (that is, of course, unless Viola Davis doesn’t make the cut)–though given the rash of musical icon impersonations recently, I don’t blame the Academy for suffering from biopic withdrawal when it comes to the wonderful Jeffrey Wright in _Cadillac Records_. \*I haven’t seen _Che_ yet, so reserve to right to amend this position slightly in a couple of weeks… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/58 "2009-01-09T17:56:16Z")
The heck with nominations. I’ll call the WINNERS. Best Picture: “Milk” Best Director: Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire” Best Actor: Clint Eastwood, “Gran Torino” Best Actress: Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married” Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight” Best Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, “The Reader” ---
**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:** [January 9, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/59 "2009-01-09T18:08:13Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > I also don’t know what’s so cringe-worthy about giving an acting nomination to Downey (regardless of how many minorities are or aren’t nominated). He’s not portraying an African American character! It’s not like they decided the best guy to play the black dude was a white dude. It’s a conceit of his character that he adapt the mannerisms and make-up, but it says nothing about the state of African American employment in the industry today (except satirically, of course). If he’s one of the best, that’s all that should matter. I absolutely agree, because I think Downey and Ledger gave the best supporting performances of the year, and I would be heartbroken if he were passed over. I’ve seen Tropic Thunder 5 times, so I do know what his character was all about. As far as the rest, never mind, because I completely forgot about Viola Davis, who is sure to be nominated. So, even if Henson doesn’t get in, there will be at least one actually black person. I agree with you about Jeffrey Wright. He was great in both Cadillac Records and W (and his small bit in Quantum of Solace). He’s going to get a nomination one of these days for something. **RickJay** , you could be right. The Academy seems to like to split Picture/Director. Except for Clint and Anne, those are the picks I’d like to see. I’d like to see Sean Penn win his 2nd Oscar, and I’m pulling for Melissa Leo even though I don’t think she has a chance (assuming she gets nominated, which I don’t think will be a problem). But yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that exact lineup. Maybe Meryl instead of Anne. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578/60 "2009-01-09T18:29:18Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The heck with nominations. I’ll call the WINNERS. > > Best Picture: “Milk” > Best Director: Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire” > Best Actor: Clint Eastwood, “Gran Torino” > Best Actress: Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married” > Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight” > Best Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, “The Reader” I really think Mickey Rourke, Sean Penn, and Frank Langella deserve the award more. Clint has played that character before. As for best Actress, I’m the only person in the world that didn’t enjoy Rachel Getting Married so I hope the award goes to Sally Hawkins but she wasn’t even nominated for a SAG so there’s no chance there. I’m afraid Anne Hathaway might be right. I think Penelope Cruz has get best supporting actress (she deserves it). Best Picture is a toss up but I’d really love to see it go to Slumdog Millionaire or THe Dark Knight but I suspect Milk will get it, which was a decent enough movie, just not my favorite. Danny Boyle might have a shot at director though, you’re right. I think Chris Nolan might get it, though. Writing awards will be Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire and Tom McCarthy for The Visitor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-oscar-season-skullduggery/476578.md?page=4)