Oscar-nomics: Indie Awards

I decided to begin a new segment for my movie blog. Now, I will be giving you updates on the awards circles as well as some statistics I will discuss throughout the rest of the awards season. I shall start with the Indie Spirit Awards (The pictures were kind of a pain uploading this time around, so sorry for such front-loaded pictures on this blog):

Hey all, its that’s time of year again. We are now delving into the awards season and today come the nominations of the Independent Spirit Awards as well as the Winners of the New York Film Critics Circle awards. Now, I will discuss the NYFCC awards a little later, as they are slowly coming out, I will say I’m rather content with what I am seeing. For now, let us take a look at the nominations for the Spirit Awards:

Best Feature 
(Award given to the Producer)
"50/50"
"Beginners"
"Drive"
"Take Shelter"
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"

Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Mike Mills, "Beginners"

  Jeff Nichols, "Take Shelter"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Nicolas Winding Refn, "Drive"

Best First Feature 
(Award given to the director and producer)
"Another Earth"
"In The Family"
"Margin Call"
"Martha Marcy May Marlene"
"Natural Selection"

Best Screenplay
"Beginners"
"The Descendants"
"Footnote"
"The Artist"
"Win Win"

Best First Screenplay
"Another Earth"
"Terri"
"Cedar Rapids"
"50/50"
"Margin Call"

Best Female Lead
Elizabeth Olsen, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"
Rachael Harris, "Natural Selection"
Adepero Oduye, "Pariah"
Lauren Ambrose, "Think of Me"

Best Male Lead
Michael Shannon, "Take Shelter"
Woody Harrelson, "Rampart"
Ryan Golsing, "Drive"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"

Best Supporting Female
Jessica Chastain, "Take Shelter"
Anjelica Huston, "50/50"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Harmony Santana, "Gone Hill Road"
Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants"

Best Supporting Male
Albert Brooks, "Drive"
John Hawkes, "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Corey Stahl, "Midnight in Paris"
John C. Reilly, "Cedar Rapids"

Best Cinematography
"Bellflower"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Artist"
"The Off-Hours"
"The Dynamiter"

Best Documentary 
(Award given to the director)
"An African Election"
"Bill Cunningham New York"
"The Interrupters"
"We Were Here"
"The Redemption of General Butt Naked"

Best Foreign Film 
(Award given to the director)
"A Separation"
"Melancholia"
"Shame"
"The Kid With a Bike"
"Tyrannosaur"

Piaget Producers Award
Chad Burris ("Mosquito y Mari")
Sophia Lynn ("Take Shelter")
Josh Bond ("Martha Marcy May Marlene")

Now, there are a couple of other awards worth noting, but I thought I would keep it slightly more narrow so as to not to make this too lengthy. Critical Darling “The Artist” tied with “Take Shelter” with 5 nominations. The big surprises came with the snub of festival favorite “Like Crazy” is all categories and Clooney’s supposed (I haven’t seen it yet) superb performance in “The Descendants.” I am particularly surprised Win Win didn’t get much love (only for its superb screenplay). Also, such little love for Midnight in Paris, at least Christopher Stahl got a nomination in what appears to be a stacked Supporting Actor category (I'm happy with any of them winning).  Drive got 4 nominations, my gut is telling me it will have a big night (look out for Al Brooks in supporting), and even directing (in my opinion). Awards contender Jessica Chastain had only one film she could contend with here (all of her other films were budgeted over 25 mil.), so her chances may not be as hot (I would pick “Tree of Life” for her awards run), her performance in the film has gotten steam, but again I haven’t had the chance to catch it so I can’t place a for sure win in her corner just yet. Beginners is getting a lot of love after the surprise win at the Gotham Awards, so it may continue into this Indie Awards, time will tell. I think as much as “The Artist” and “The Descendants,” are being touted for Oscars, I think “Drive” and “Beginners” will give them a run for there money. Still, its early, and we will just have to wait and see how the awards season plays out. For now, we will just have to keep our fingers crossed. Now, on to the NYFCC!!!