A lot of people asked me what my thoughts were on the Oscar nominations. For some reason, I needed to take a step back from it all, because I immersed myself so much in the noise of some of the blogs and websites. My shitty work day really got the best of me, and I couldn't really write anything until now. I tried predicting every single category this year, and I got a score of 92/122, which is 75%. Not that bad. There were some surprises, as always, so let's dive right in. A full list of nominees is listed here, so look no further.
Sally Sally Sally
Sally Hawkins getting nominated for Blue Jasmine was my Oscar wish, and it came true! I thought she was a long shot, because she hasn't been up for that many awards (except for the Golden Globe). When her name was announced first, I let out a squeal/yell/noise that was so loud that I am sure strangers at work thought about having me committed. It's so great to see both her and Cate Blanchett nominated together. Congratulations, Sally!
The Snubs
Let's just the major snubs out of the way. Tom Hanks was ignored for both his performances in Saving Mr. Banks and Captain Phillips. I thought Saving would fall by the wayside, but his work in Phillips is some of the best of his career. The last ten minutes are astonishing. I also thought Paul Greengrass was in for directing.
Hanks' Saving co-star, Emma Thompson, was not as safe as everyone thought. Amy Adams got in for American Hustle, and we learned that we should never bet against Meryl Streep. Sorry, my queen, never again. Even if people didn't like Thompson in the movie, I thought they might want to have the chance of getting her behind a mic. Thompson is so funny and charming when she speaks publicly. Saving got the shaft everywhere. The only nomination it received was for Best Original Score.
Can someone please tell me how 12 Years a Slave got snubbed for Cinematography and Score? Surely, I am not the only one who thought that it was set in these categories?
And Christian Bale? Really? I don't even think I am mad that he got in for his performance--he's really good. I think that the idea of him getting in without any previous traction annoys me. And I know that's the dumbest thing in the world. It's the shittiest/dumbest logic, but I couldn't help but feel that way. But more on American Hustle later.
Dallas Buyers Club
I wasn't expecting Dallas to be such a presence in this year's Oscars. I thought it would be a Best Picture contender and do well in the acting categories, but I never expected it to also pick up Makeup & Hairstyling, Editing and Screenplay. How close was it to Director?
It's such a good movie, so I am glad that it received so many nominations.
No One Will EVER Be Able to Predict Best Original Song. Period.
This is a statement that everyone needs to become comfortable with. Remember last year when everyone thought they had it nailed down, and "Before My Time" from Chasing Ice was the first song announced? Every year, the Best Original Song shortlist isn't very short, so it's not like I am knocking anyone per se. This year had 75 songs on it, and the music branch is fickle as all get out. Very unpredictable.
I thought The Great Gatsby's "Young and Beautiful" was a lock, and I am still shocked it didn't get in. I've never heard of Alone Yet Not Alone, and it sounded like the audience attending the nomination announcement did either. I saw the trailer for it...yikes.
Kudos to Pharrell Williams (nominated for "Happy" from Despicable Me 2) who continues his fantastic 2013 into the awards season.
Get Used to American Hustle
When I first saw Hustle, I liked it, but there was something about it that I didn't like. A lot of scenes felt like first drafts to me, and it really bugged me. If you asked me who I thought would win Best Picture, I would say American Hustle. It got four fucking acting nominations, and that's two years in a row that director David O. Russell managed that. When it happened last year with Silver Linings Playbook, it was the first time since 1981.
If it takes the Screen Actors Guild, it will win. It's tied with the most nominations, and it's going to win some. The movie feels like warily making a friend in high school and then having that person turn around and win all the senior superlatives. It's really bugging me for some reason. On a side note, how did this not get nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling? What the what?!
Watch the nomination announcement below. Sweet Jesus--Christ Hemsworth voice is seeeexy...
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