Oscar-nomics: Writers Guild Nominations

And now we conclude our triple header with the Writer's Guild Nominations, which were made today so I feel less lazy about this one. If you are a Steve Zaillian fan, then you are in luck. Adapted Screenplay isn't terribly surprising, rather safe in my opinion. I am happy with the love Girl with the Dragon Tattoo getting some more love, if it achieves a Directors Guild Nomination I think its Oscar chances are higher than many have felt it had. Documentary is rather surprising, no love for Bill Cunningham or Project Nim, though I still see them as safe bets. Could Senna be the one to beat? Its not on the shortlist, but its getting much love, so I think its possible. Original Screenplay is fantastic, in my opinion. Even though I didn't care for Bridesmaids that much, the other films have every right to be here. Yes, I have not yet seen 50/50 or Young Adult, but from what I have heard, they are deserving, especially since they are small films. Midnight in Paris was also expected but I am very happy with it being nominated, especially when strong contenders as the Artist (silent as it may be, every film has a screenplay), was snubbed, though this is likely due to it being ineligible (as many films, including last years King Speech, often are). The MVP, and I mean making me ecstatic beyond measurements, is for Win Win. Thomas McCarthy has been due for some love, he did get nominated for an Oscar for UP's screenplay, but Win Win is such a wonderful film, it deserves all the love it can get. I see it probably getting swapped out for the Artist in the long run, but hey a man can be hopeful, right? Here are the nominations listed below, with my picks italicized:

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

50/50, Written by Will Reiser; Summit Entertainment

Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig; Universal Studios

Midnight in Paris, Written by Woody Allen; Sony Pictures Classics (This is the one with the best chances of a nomination, let alone a win)

Win Win, Screenplay by Tom McCarthy; Story by Tom McCarthy & Joe Tiboni; Fox Searchlight

Young Adult, Written by Diablo Cody; Paramount Pictures

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Descendants, Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash; Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemming; Fox Searchlight (sadly, but hey Hugo or maybe Moneyball could pull ahead)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Screenplay by Steven Zaillian; Based on the novel by Stieg Larsson, originally published by Norstedts; Columbia Pictures

The Help, Screenplay by Tate Taylor; Based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett; DreamWorks Pictures

Hugo, Screenplay by John Logan; Based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick; Paramount Pictures

Moneyball, Screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin; Story by Stan Chervin; Based on the book by Michael Lewis; Columbia Pictures

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

Better This World, Written by Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega; Loteria Films

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front, Written by Marshall Curry and Matthew Hamachek; Oscilloscope Pictures

Nostalgia for the Light, Written by Patricio Guzmán; Icarus Films

Pina, Screenplay by Wim Wenders; Sundance Selects

Position Among the Stars, Script by Hetty Naaijkens-Retel Helmrich, Leonard Retel Helmrich; HBO Films

Senna, Written by Manish Pandey; Producers Distribution Agency     (Because I said so)         

Washington D.C. Critics Award Winners

Another Day, another Critics Award in the bag. With my voice on the mend, I think I will stick to writing on this one. The Washington Film Critics Awards were given out today, after having announced the nominees this past weekend. The Artist was nominated for 8 awards, leading to the unsurprising win for best picture. I was happy Win Win got a nomination for Best Picture, but unhappy its only other nomination (albeit deserving) was for Tom McCarthy’s Screenplay.

            While The Artist did win Best Picture, its only other win was for score (which kind of makes sense considering that’s all we would hear with a silent film). Since I haven’t had the chance to seen it (hasn’t quite made it here yet), I’m remaining skeptical on its chances on winning the Oscar for Best Picture because it isn’t getting much traction anywhere else.

            Now, if we want to talk about traction, Albert Brooks seems to be gaining momentum for his performance in Drive, which I am very happy about. Also, as from Emanuel Lubezki’s brilliant cinematography for Tree of Life, 50/50’s screenplay came out with another award after its NBR win. Could this be a sign its could go on to more than just a Writer’s Guild nomination?

            As for the rest of the awards, they seem pretty deserving. A little surprised Michelle Williams won over Viola Davis or Meryl Streep, but Williams has been touted as an Oscar contender, so good choice. I am also happy with Documentary and Foreign language, if the former hadn’t qualified for last years Oscars and the other one wasn’t Spain’s selection for Best Foreign Film (argh!!!). Oh well, like I said, another one in the bag, here’s hoping Brook’s can continue this run into the next Critics Award and beyond.

Here is the full list of winners below:

Best Picture: "The Artist"

Best Director: Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"

Best Actor: George Clooney, "The Descendants"

Best Actress: Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"

Best Supporting Actor: Albert Brooks, "Drive" (WOO!!!)

Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Best Adapted Screenplay: "The Descendants"

Best Original Screenplay: "50/50"

I mean come on, with shots like this, how can Tree of Life lose...

Best Art Direction: "Hugo"

Best Cinematography: "The Tree of Life" (Also WOO!!!)

Best Score: "The Artist"

Best Animated Feature: "Rango"

Best Documentary Feature: "Cave of Forgotten Dreams"

Best Foreign Language Film: "The Skin I Live In"