Oscar-nomics: Directors Guild Winners

Man, trying to find a new picture for each new Artist win  is getting tough

Well, ladies and gentlemen we have our big Oscar winner, and it seems with little competition. Michel Hazanavicius won the Directors Guild Award for the Artist, which most often than not wins the Oscar. Having already won the Producer's Guild, with the Screen Actors to follow, it seems to be unbeatable at this point. I was pulling for Scorcese, who won the Globe a week or so ago, posed a threat to the Artist, but it seems that is a long-shot at this point. On the Documentary side, a bit of a frustrating night since Project Nim, one of a few Documentaries I picked as a frontrunner, was snubbed from the Oscar Competition. While deserved, it does little to help with the predicting (neither did the producers guild, so we'll see what happens). I have my thoughts on the Documentary category, but I will save it for my Oscar-nomics predictions at a later time. For now, here are the winners, tonight will be the Screen Actors Guild Award, lets see how that goes:

Outstanding Directing in a Feature Film: Michel Hazanavicius The Artist

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary Feature: James Marsh Project Nim

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: 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: 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...