Academy Award Nominations Prove To Be Resiliently Frustrating

Ugh. The Academy Award nominations were revealed this morning, and while I was happy with some of the nods, overall I’d say there were a heck of a lot of snubs — so much so that I can’t help but shake my head at the travesty of it all. And then, of course, I shake my head at the fact that I’m shaking my head over a frivolous award show. Nevertheless, a complete list of nominees after the jump — as well as my thoughts on each category.

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)
Okay, this is probably the one category that got it exactly right. I’m pulling for Mickey Rourke, but really if any of these guys won, I’d be pleaed.
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)
I felt Michael Shannon’s performance in “Revolutionary Road” was overwrought and too theatrical. I’d never thought I’d say this, but where’s the love for Tom Cruise (“Tropic Thunder”)?
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)
Another solid set of nominees. This is really Kate Winslet’s to lose. She was fantastic in “The Reader.”
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)
This is a very, very tight category. All these women were excellent in their respective roles, but as I’ve said many times before, I’d go with Penelope Cruz for the win. Unfortunately, since “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” seems to suffer from a complete lack of an Oscar campaign, it’ll probably go to someone else. I’d pick Viola or Taraji as runners up.
Best animated feature film of the year
“Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
“Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton
Is there really any question as to what will win this category? “Bolt” obvs…
Achievement in art direction
“Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
“The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
“Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt
I haven’t seen “Changeling” or “The Duchess,” but I’d have to give the edge to “Benjamin Button” on this.
Achievement in cinematography
“Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle
Another difficult category. Each of these movies had a distinct look, but ultimately, I’d go for “Slumdog.”
Achievement in costume design
“Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
“The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
“Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
“Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was like a costume parade. Seems like the obvious choice.
Achievement in directing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
“Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle
Gotta go with Danny Boyle on this one. I didn’t love “Slumdog” as much as other people did, but the direction was fantastic. Definitely the most inspired and energetic of the bunch — although, all the nominees did a very good job.
Best documentary feature
“The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
“Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
“The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
“Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
“Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal
Alas, I haven’t seen any documentaries this year — beyond “American Teen,” which I loved but probably isn’t Oscar worthy. I hear “Man on Wire” is good though. Yay!
Best documentary short subject
“The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
“The Final Inch” A Vermilion Films Production, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
“Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
“The Witness – From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde
OOOH. A small victory for “The Conscience of Nhem En!” But can it overcome the “Small Pinki” juggernaut????
Achievement in film editing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
“Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens
“Slumdog” 1000%.
Best foreign language film of the year
“The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
“The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
“Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
“Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
“Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel
Again, I’ve been behind with my foreign films — as in, I haven’t seen any. Alors!
Achievement in makeup
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz
I haven’t seen “Hellboy,” but with all its bizarre creatures, it looks pretty impressive on the makeup front. I do wonder, however, why “Tropic Thunder” was snubbed in this category. Let’s not forget Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr.’s transformations…
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Alexandre Desplat
“Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
“Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman
For me, “Slumdog Millionaire” was all about the music. I got home and immediately wanted to buy the entire soundtrack. The magnificent images of India wouldn’t have been half as exhilarating had it not been for A. R. Rahman’s wonderful music. If he doesn’t win, I’d be thoroughly disappointed.
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
“Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
“O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam
And speaking of disappointed, how did Bruce Springsteen not earn a nomination for his contribution to “The Wrestler.” I’m not one of these people who fawns over everything The Boss puts out, but that tune, which played over the ending credits, was so unbelievably moving, I feel slightly enraged that it got no love. Every year, the Academy seems to royally screw up this category, and once again, they have done so in a major way. My only consolation is that two songs from “Slumdog Millionaire” got nods instead. It’s not much, but it’ll suffice.
Best motion picture of the year
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), A Kennedy/Marshall Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
“Milk” (Focus Features), A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production, Nominees to be determined
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A Celador Films Production, Christian Colson, Producer
I’m not shocked that “The Wrestler” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” were not nominated in this category. Neither of them had particularly adept Oscar campaigns. I’m a little surprised that “The Dark Knight” didn’t make the cut though, but hey, the movie WAS flawed, and that can’t be denied. Of course, the biggest shock is that “The Reader” snuck into the final five. You know, I liked “The Reader” quite a bit, but it did feel at times like it was pure Oscar bait. I’m not sure it really deserves a spot in the Best Picture category. I’d prefer “Doubt” in that slot. Also, if you ask me, “Milk” is completely overrated. The film provides no real insight into anyone or anything — it’s more like a sequence of events that’s well shot and well acted. But if you don’t inherently care about what’s on screen, it’s something of a bore. I don’t think it should be a nominee, but at the same time, I’m not shocked nor disappointed (I assumed it would be up there). My pick: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” a film that is rapidly entering the anticipated backlash phase. I really loved it — even if it was too long.
Best animated short film
“La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
“Lavatory – Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
“Oktapodi” (Talantis Films), A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
“Presto” (Walt Disney), A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
“This Way Up” A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes
Uh…
Best live action short film
“Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
“Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
“New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
“The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
“Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank
“Spielzeugland” FTW!
Achievement in sound editing
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
“Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Tom Sayers
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
“Wanted” (Universal), Wylie Stateman
Honestly, I really don’t know. Give it to “The Dark Knight.”
Achievement in sound mixing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
“Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt
It’s a draw (ie. I have no idea)
Achievement in visual effects
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
“Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan
This is a major push. All three films had great effects. They all deserve to win.
Adapted screenplay
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
“Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy
I’m gonna go with “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Despite the fact that the script did go too long, I felt that writers Eric Roth and Robin Swicord took us on an emotional journey through a wonderful, immersive world. I’d also give props to “Frost/Nixon,” which made what must be a very stagey play feel like a living, breathing movie.
Original screenplay
“Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
“Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
“In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
“Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter
The horrors! The horrors!!!! I did not expect “The Wrestler” or “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” to get Best Picture nods, but surely they would for writing, right? WRONG. This, to me, is the biggest travesty of all. How did this happen? Even worse, the screenplay for “WALL-E” got nominated. Look, I liked the movie, but its screenplay was one of its weaker elements. The human dialogue was not particularly sharp, and let’s not forget that most of the film was essentially silent. Yes, there’s a lot more to a screenplay than dialogue, but seriously, this was a case where good Oscar PR campaigns won and flimsy ones failed epically. Deep breaths… it’s only an awards show…
What do you think about the nominees?