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)         

Oscar-nomics: Art Guild Nominations

And Now for the art guild. They are a little more liberal with categories, not smushing them all into one category, which is nice but it doesn't make it easier when predicting Oscars. It does make me feel worried for Midnight in Paris, which I can't help but praise their wonderful 1920's design. I am happy Hugo got nominated, Tintin too. Dragon Tattoo is my ecstatic off the wall pick, here is hoping it can continue to Oscars (though I highly doubt it). Everything else looks fine,  pretty surprised by the inspired choices of Descendants and Bridesmaids, but hey, we'll see what happens. Nominations are below, with my predictions in bold, enjoy:


Excellence in Production Design for a Period Film:

Anonymous
The Artist
The Help
Hugo (cause I just can't see any of these films beating it)
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy


Excellence in Production Design for a Fantasy Film:
The Adventures of Tintin
Captain America: The First Avenger
Cowboys & Aliens
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (I'd pick Tintin, but I'm going for what I think has the best chance at a nomination)
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Excellence in Production Design for a Contemporary Film:
Bridesmaids
The Descendants
Drive
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (I don't think this will get nominated, but I don't really see any of these getting a nomination, so I'm going with my favorite here, so shoot me)

Oscar-nomics: Producer's Guild Nominations

Sorry for the laziness in my postings. I will rectify this today with a bunch of Guild updates. Figured I would start with the Producer's Guild, since its kind of old. We have the usual Suspects of The Artist, The Descendants and Hugo as well as personal favorites (though Hugo is included on this part, I wanted the usual suspects section to have some more weight) of Midnight in Paris and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I am glad Moneyball is getting love, even though I have yet to see it. I am surprised by the love Bridesmaids is getting, but  I don't see it lasting. The Help and Ides of March aren't exactly thrilling choices, in my opinion, since such films as Drive or, dare I say, Tree of Life getting shut out, oh well. As for the Animation, I'm putting it as a Tintin  vs. Rango with other filler films to fill in the nominations list (I'm not trying to sound mean, but this year was a weak year for Animation). Documentary is filling out as I was expecting it to, I'm holding true to Project Nim and Bill Cunningham as the contenders, but we shall see. here is the list below:

Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures:

THE ARTIST
Producer: Thomas Langmann

BRIDESMAIDS
Producers: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, Clayton Townsend

THE DESCENDANTS
Producers: Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO 
Producers: Ceán Chaffin, Scott Rudin

THE HELPProducers: Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Brunson Green

HUGO 
Producers: Graham King, Martin Scorsese

THE IDES OF MARCH 
Producers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Brian Oliver

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS 
Producers: Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum

MONEYBALL
Producers: Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz, Brad Pitt

WAR HORSE 
Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg

The Producers Guild of America Producer of the Year Award in Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures:

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTINProducers: Peter Jackson, Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg

CARS 2 
Producer: Denise Ream

KUNG FU PANDA 2
Producer: Melissa Cobb

PUSS IN BOOTS 
Producers: Joe M. Aguilar, Latifa Ouaou

RANGO
Producers: John B. Carls, Gore Verbinski

The Producers Guild of America Producer of the Year Award in Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures:

BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST

Producers: Michael Rapaport, Edward Parks (*additional producers eligibility pending arbitration completion)

BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK

Producer: Philip Gefter

PROJECT NIM

Producer: Simon Chinn

SENNA

Producer: James Gay-Rees

THE UNION

Producers: Cameron Crowe, Michelle Panek

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...