Overall thoughts???
Good not great and no major shocks. The two biggest surprises came in nominations for Maggie Gyllenhaal for Best Supporting Actress over Julianne Moore and The Blind Side for Best Picture.
So here's the breakdown on major categories
Best Picture:
No major surprises here except for the inclusion of The Blind Side and the omission of Invictus. Opening up the category to 10 hasn't done much because there weren't really 10 great films to fill out the category. If it had been five we would have seen Precious, Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Up in the Air, and Inglourious Basterds be the final 5. Up is a worthy 6th choice and the rest just fill out the category. With the inclusion of The Blind Side, the Oscars are treading on People's Choice Awards territory.
Best Director:
The same five directors who were shortlisted by the DGA. The directors list is essentially the top 5 Best Picture candidates. I am really feeling that Bigelow will be the first ever woman to claim this award. I'd be more than happy to see her win it from her ex, ego maniac, James Cameron.
Best Actor:
No surprises here. The final 5 were who I (and most people) expected. Would have been nice to have a Viggo nomination for The Road.
Best Actress:
Again no major surprise here. I thought maybe Helen Mirren could get bumped out by Emily Blunt but to no avail.
Best Supporting Actor:
For a third time, no major surprise here. I thought Christian McKay would play spoiler but the 5 expected nominees, became the 5 actual nominees. Nice to see Christopher Plummer and Stanley Tucci receive their first ever Oscar nominations. Much deserved.
Best Supporting Actress:
The biggest shock of the day was when Gyllenhaal's name was called. I was also surprised to see Cruz shortlisted after Nine's Oscar buzz came to a screeching halt in early January. I am sad to see Julianne Moore left off the list, but as I said to a friend Julianne Moore can't become a 5 time loser. It's easier at this point not to nominate her until she delivers a winning performance that is hands above all others. I am also disappointed to see the Basterds ladies left out and even though there was never much of a hope, I would have loved Cotillard to make it in.
Original Screenplay:
Surprised by The Messenger's nom over summer indie fave (500) Days of Summer. I also love that Hollywood continues to realize what a horrendous writer James Cameron is and how terrible his screenplays actually are. No nomination for Titanic and none for Avatar. I like this!
Adapted Screenplay:
Very surprised by the inclusion of In the Loop. Would have loved Fantastic Mr. Fox to show up here.
Well that's all for now folks.
