BWW Column: Oscar Nominations Maintain Status Quo, but I've Still Got Thoughts

By: Jan. 14, 2016
Oscar Coverage 2016
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Merry Christmas fellow film nerds! Nominations were announced for the 88th Annual Academy Awards this morning, and while I don't believe that there were any glaring, outrage-inducing snubs, I am going to go through the major categories and share some knee-jerk reactions. As is often the case for those of us that follow movie releases and award shows closely, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences didn't throw too many curveballs in this year's nominations, which means that there are a lot of people that have seen many of the nominees in the major categories. In fact, the Best Picture nominees have pulled in almost $602 million at the domestic box office, a pretty big number, considering half of them were released in the last two months and had to contend with the behemoth that is STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Check out the fill list of Academy Award nominees here.

So, while the status quo was more or less maintained, there are still some interesting thing to discuss. So, while I reserve the right to change my picks and predictions at a later date, let's get started...

BEST PICTURE


THE BIG SHORT
BRIDGE OF SPIES
BROOKLYN
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
THE MARTIAN
THE REVENANT
ROOM
SPOTLIGHT

The first thing to note is that in a category in which the Academy is able to recognize up to 10 films, to only nominate eight is surprising and disappointing. While obviously the ninth and tenth films aren't going to be in contention for the top prize, it would have gone a long way to legitimize films like STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON and INSIDE OUT. Both were well-received critically and publically when they were released, but to have the Best Picture nominee stamp slapped on them would have been a nice recognition that they were in fact special. I also believe that Aaron Sorkin's STEVE JOBS deserved recognition in this category as well, as it was a masterful piece of storytelling and character building.

I had resigned myself to the fact that my favorite movie of the year, Quentin Tarantino's THE HATEFUL EIGHT, wasn't going to make the cut, but with only eight nominees, that decision hurts even more.

What doesn't hurt is the fact that BROOKLYN was nominated in this category. I don't necessarily believe that it has a legitimate chance to win, but it was one of the loveliest and most delightful films I saw all year. I will talk about Saoirse Ronan in the Best Actress section, but the film itself is touching and inspiring without piling on the grief and despair that so many awards-bait films do this time of year. So, I am extremely happy that it is being recognized.

As we talked about in our last episode, my "Some Like it Pop" Podcast co-host, Jennifer McHugh, and I just didn't understand the appeal of CAROL. Yes, it has strong performances by exceptionally talented actors, and it tells a story that is often left untold, but the main characters were far too cold and distant to care about. Therefore, for it not to be nominated is both surprising, and a bit gratifying.

Conversely, I am extremely pleased that ROOM was recognized. In many other years, I think it could have been a strong contender to win, but I think it will be overshadowed by some of the bigger films in the category. Nonetheless, it is a remarkable piece of filmmaking; even if I think one viewing is enough.

Right now, SPOTLIGHT is the clear frontrunner, despite THE REVENANT's Golden Globe victory. Obviously a lot can change between now and February 28th, but if I was looking to put some money on a Best Picture winner, that's where it would go.

Best Actor


Bryan Cranston, TRUMBO
Matt Damon, THE MARTIAN
Leonardo DiCaprio, THE REVENANT
Michael Fassbender, STEVE JOBS
Eddie Redmayne, THE DANISH GIRL

This category is Leonardo DiCaprio's to lose. Aside from Alejandro González Iñárritu beautifully shot scenery, Leo is the only thing compelling about THE REVENANT. So, his lead, and likely win, is as much a lifetime achievement award as anything.

Matt Damon's nearly solo performance in THE MARTIAN was fantastic, but I don't think that it is Best Actor worthy, and Eddie Redmayne is going to be in the shadow of his Oscar-winning performance from last year's THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING.

I thought that Michael Fassbender was exceptional in STEVE JOBS, even if he looked nothing like the tech icon, so I am pleased that he is recognized in this category. But, sorry boys, I will be shocked if Leo doesn't get the chance to save the environment an Oscars acceptance speech this year.

Best Actress


Cate Blanchett, CAROL
Brie Larson, ROOM
Jennifer Lawrence, JOY
Charlotte Rampling, 45 YEARS
Sioarse Ronan, BROOKLYN

As I referenced above, Saoirse Ronan is utterly captivating in BROOKLYN, and even though she has already had significant roles in a number of major prestige films, hopefully this will be the one that catapults her into superstardom, because her talent is worthy of it. I wonder if Ivo van Hove's Broadway revival of THE CRUCIBLE will be pushing back its first preview by a day or two, considering that it is currently set for the day after the Oscars, and Saoirse will be making her Broadway debut as Abigail Williams.

I adore Jennifer Lawrence, and I think she is her normal, powerful, fierce self in JOY, but that movie was an unmitigated mess. So, while it is cool for her to now be a four-time Academy Award nominee, I don't see her adding another Oscar to her awards case this year.

To me, this category is an even bigger no-brainer than Best Actor. Brie Larson's performance in ROOM is one of the most nuanced, layered, and fully-realized performances that I've ever seen. She is strong, she is scared, she is determined, she is broken, and much more all at the same time. With all due respect to Charlotte Rampling, whose film I have not yet seen, if anyone other than Brie Larson wins this award, I will be disappointed.

Best Supporting Actor


Christian Bale, THE BIG SHORT
Tom Hardy, THE REVENANT
Mark Ruffalo, SPOTLIGHT
Mark Rylance, THE BRIDGE OF SPIES
Sylvester Stallone, CREED

I think the sentimental favorite in this category is likely to be Sylvester Stallone, to bookend his ROCKY experience (thus far) with the 1977 Best Picture award. While the performance is good, I am not sure that it warrants a win, and to be honest, none of these nominees jumps out at me as being exceptionally award worthy. They are all strong and serviceable, but none are remarkably memorable.

While I reserve the right to change my mind, for now, I am rooting for three-time Tony-winner Mark Rylance, just in the hopes of him winning and using his acceptance time to recite another nonsensical, blank verse poem (2008 speech, 2011 speech).

Best Supporting Actress


Jennifer Jason Leigh, THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Rooney Mara, CAROL
Rachel McAdams, SPOTLIGHT
Alicia Vikander, THE DANISH GIRL
Kate Winslet, STEVE JOBS

I am very happy that Rachel McAdams received a nomination in this category, because I think it is indicative of the support that the Academy is likely to give to SPOTLIGHT. Since this film is so focused on honestly and intelligently telling this important story, there isn't a lot of room for spectacular character flourishes. So, to see both Ruffalo and McAdams nominated in supporting categories tells me that the voters did not forget this film because it didn't have as flashy of performances as some of its competition. However, without the flashy performance, or much character development in the script, I don't think that she is going to win.

Even though Kate Winslet won the Golden Globe for a good performance (spotty Polish accent notwithstanding), and Rooney Mara in CAROL is a trendy pick, for me, this comes down to Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alicia Vikander.

Vikander was wonderful in a difficult and challenging role in THE DANISH GIRL, but was equally as mesmerizing in EX MACHINA earlier in the year. While I know that this isn't how the Oscars work, if we were taking the entire year in film into consideration for these nominees, I think it would be a runaway for Vikander (On a related note, check out Domhnhall Gleason's IMDB page, and notice how many major films he was featured in this year).

However, for one role, Leigh is everything that you could want; she's strong, she's funny, she's sassy, she gets the living hell kicked out of her, and gives it right back. The antagonistic interaction between her and Kurt Russell is one of the most enjoyable things I've seen on screen in a while.

However, since this is one of the precious few nominations THE HATEFUL EIGHT received, I think I will have to go with Alicia.

Best Director


Adam McKay, THE BIG SHORT
George Miller, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Alejandro González Iñárritu, THE REVENANT
Lenny Abrahamson, ROOM
Tom McCarthy, SPOTLIGHT

This is a really loaded category, with some great work, but, believe it or not, right now, I think I would go with Adam McKay for making a movie about boring, complicated financial issues interesting, compelling, and funny.

Best Original Screenplay


BRIDGE OF SPIES
ALEX GARLAND
INSIDE OUT
SPOTLIGHT
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

HOW IN THE WORLD IS QUENTIN TARANTINO NOT NOMINATED FOR THE HATEFUL EIGHT?

What did you think of the nominees? What were the biggest snubs in your mind? Let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter @BWWMatt. If you want to follow along with my "366 in 366" articles, you can check out #BWW366in366 on Twitter.


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