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
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
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.
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*
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).
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.
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?
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
Yep, you’re right here too, I just threw it out as a possibility.
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.
Ah, that’s too bad. It’s not in my Top 10, but I liked it a lot.
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.
I so happy? Me love you long time. Me no preview enough.
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.
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. 
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.
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.
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?
Yep, I know how the nomination system works, and it all comes down to what people are most passionate about.
(Explanation of how the AMPAS nomination voting works.)
Oh yes, I’m right there with you.
I haven’t seen that movie. I’ll have to do that.
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.
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.
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 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).
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.
Futule? Gah! I need to pay more attention to that red squiggly line.
All interesting thoughts ArchiveGuy, as always.
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.
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…
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 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.
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.