Oscar-nomics: Directors Guild Award Documentary Nominees

Well, the Directors Guild have released their list for Documentary Feature and its a good list. Oscar shortlist and my predicted front runners Project Nim and Bill Cunningham are pretty much a lock in my mind, if I don't see them making it I would be surprised. Paradise Lost 3 is also on the shortlist, so this gives it a  bump. The other two, while not on the shortlist, are strong choices. I am glad to see Scorcese recognized for his George Harrison documentary, as well as The Interrupters, which is a welcomed choice. Like I said, I see Nim and Cunningham locked in for nominations, Paradise Lost is on the bubble, but this helps greatly. We shall see come nomination day, here is the list of nominees below:

Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky: Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Steve James: The Interrupters
James Marsh: Project NimRichard Press: Bill Cunningham New York
Martin Scorsese: George Harrison: Living in the Material World. 

Oscar-nomics: Producers Guild Nominees for Best Documentary

The Guild awards are generally the ones to follow if you want to do well on your Oscar Ballots. Most of the voters in the guild, vote for the academy as well. The Academy had already posted their 15 Best Documentary Shortlist, which surprisingly left out Werner Herzog's "Into The Abyss" or the critical darling "The Interrupters." Even Senna, which has received strong buzz as well, did not make the shortlist, but it did reap a guild nomination. I have to admit, my knowledge on most of these is limited, but if I had to make an educated guess, I have a strong feeling that Project Nim can go the distance. Last years race was incredible tight, in my opinion, but Inside Job prevailed, which isn't surprising since it was the only Documentary to be nominated in every notable guild (Producers, Editing, Writing, Directing), so this list of nominees could be a sign of good things to come for Nim, or some of the other nominees. Again, pure speculation, we shall see hot it pans out in the future. The Producers guild will announce the nominees for Best Motion Picture January 3, so there is some breathing space for those in contention (such as building up a healthy box office, and such). Here are the list of nominees:

• Beats, Rhymes & Life: the Travels Of A Tribe Called Quest
• Not on the Academy's Shortlist

• Bill Cunningham New York

• Project Nim

• Senna
• Not on the Academy's Shortlist

• The Union

Check back later for more information concerning awards season...