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: Broadcast FIlm Critics Awards Nominations

Hi everyone, sorry for the lack of Critics Award reviews, work has kept me rather busy. I will try and make some more concrete predictions in the coming weeks, as well as more updates on everything going on in the Awards race, such as the nominations for the Critics Choice Awards. They have a great track record in predicting the majority of the Best Picture Oscar Nominations (9/10 last year), and were four for four in predicting the acting winners (it should be noted that Sandra Bullock tied Meryl Streep for Best Actress).

In terms of the nominations, I’m not too surprised by the list. The safer bets, Hugo and The Artist, led with 11 nominations, I think its safe to assume its between those two films, but I’m hoping I am wrong. Not that I don’t respect either film, its just it would be great to see an upset, perhaps Drive can take one of them out. Great to see some love go that films way with its 5 nominations, with Albert Brooks, in my opinion, being the films best chance for a win.

Girl with The Dragon Tattoo and Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy are surprisingly absent, as well as Terrence Malick for directing Tree of Life. I kind of expected some of these snubs, but Malick’s directing snub is the most surprising in my opinion. I’m going to start making my predictions for the Oscar race, but I’m going to hint that my Best Actor predictions might be something like the one we have here. Oh, and Muppet’s for Best Original Song!!! Honestly though, my favorite nomination has to be Thomas McCarthy's wonderful Win Win in the Original Screenplay category.

Again, not too predictable, a little safe, but still, we shall see what happens. Here are the nominations below:

BEST PICTURE

"The Artist"

"The Descendants"

"Drive"

"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

"The Help"

"Hugo"

"Midnight in Paris"

"Moneyball"

"The Tree of Life"

"War Horse"

BEST ACTOR

George Clooney – "The Descendants"

Leonardo DiCaprio – "J. Edgar"

Jean Dujardin – "The Artist"

Michael Fassbender – "Shame"

Ryan Gosling – "Drive"

Brad Pitt – "Moneyball"

BEST ACTRESS

Viola Davis – "The Help"

Elizabeth Olsen – "Martha Marcy May Marlene"

Meryl Streep – "The Iron Lady"

Tilda Swinton – "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Charlize Theron – "Young Adult"

Michelle Williams – "My Week With Marilyn"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Kenneth Branagh – "My Week With Marilyn"

Albert Brooks – "Drive"

Nick Nolte – "Warrior"

Patton Oswalt – "Young Adult"

Christopher Plummer – "Beginners"

Andrew Serkis – "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Berenice Bejo – "The Artist"

Jessica Chastain – "The Help"

Melissa McCarthy – "Bridesmaids"

Carey Mulligan – "Shame"

Octavia Spencer – "The Help"

Shailene Woodley – "The Descendants"

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS

Asa Butterfield – "Hugo"

Elle Fanning – "Super 8"

Thomas Horn – "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Ezra Miller – "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Saoirse Ronan – "Hanna" 

Shailene Woodley – "The Descendants"

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE

"The Artist"

"Bridesmaids"

"The Descendants"

"The Help"

"The Ides of March"

BEST DIRECTOR

Stephen Daldry – "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Michel Hazanavicius – "The Artist"

Alexander Payne – "The Descendants"

Nicolas Winding Refn – "Drive"

Martin Scorsese – "Hugo"

Steven Spielberg – "War Horse"

         

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

"The Artist" – Michel Hazanavicius

"50/50" – Will Reiser

"Midnight in Paris" – Woody Allen

"Win Win" – Screenplay by Tom McCarthy, Story by Tom McCarthy & Joe Tiboni

"Young Adult" – Diablo Cody

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

"The Descendants" – Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash

"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" – Eric Roth

"The Help" – Tate Taylor

"Hugo" – John Logan

"Moneyball" – Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, Story by Stan Chervin

BEST ART DIRECTION

"The Artist"
Production Designer: Laurence Bennett, Art Director: Gregory S. Hooper

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
Production Designer: Stuart Craig, Set Decorator: Stephenie McMillan

"Hugo"
Production Designer: Dante Ferretti, Set Decorator: Francesca Lo Schiavo

"The Tree of Life"
Production Designer: Jack Fisk, Art Director: David Crank

"War Horse"
Production Designer: Rick Carter, Set Decorator: Lee Sandales

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

"The Artist" – Guillaume Schiffman

"Drive" – Newton Thomas Sigel

"Hugo" – Robert Richardson

"The Tree of Life" – Emmanuel Lubezki

"War Horse" – Janusz Kaminski

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

"The Artist" – Mark Bridges

"The Help" – Sharen Davis

"Hugo" – Sandy Powell

"Jane Eyre" – Michael O’Connor

"My Week With Marilyn" – Jill Taylor

BEST EDITING

"The Artist" – Michel Hazanavicius and Anne-Sophie Bion

"Drive" – Matthew Newman

"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" – Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall

"Hugo" – Thelma Schoonmaker

"War Horse" – Michael Kahn

BEST MAKEUP

"Albert Nobbs"

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"

"The Iron Lady"

"J. Edgar"

"My Week With Marilyn"

BEST SONG

"Hello Hello" – performed by Elton John and Lady Gaga/written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin – "Gnomeo & Juliet"

"Life’s a Happy Song" – performed by Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Walter/written by Bret McKenzie – "The Muppets"

"The Living Proof" – performed by Mary J. Blige/written by Mary J. Blige, Thomas Newman and Harvey Mason, Jr. – "The Help"

"Man or Muppet" – performed by Jason Segel and Walter/written by Bret McKenzie – "The Muppets"

"Pictures in My Head" – performed by Kermit and the Muppets/written by Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman – "The Muppets"

BEST SCORE

"The Artist" – Ludovic Bource

"Drive" – Cliff Martinez

"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" – Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

"Hugo" – Howard Shore

"War Horse" – John Williams

BEST SOUND
"
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Super 8"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"

"Hugo"

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

"Super 8"

"The Tree of Life"

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

"The Adventures of Tintin"

"Arthur Christmas"

"Kung Fu Panda 2"

"Puss in Boots"

"Rango"

BEST ACTION MOVIE

"Drive"

"Fast Five"

"Hanna"

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

"Super 8"

BEST COMEDY

"Bridesmaids"

"Crazy, Stupid, Love"

"Horrible Bosses"

"Midnight in Paris"

"The Muppets"

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

"In Darkness"

"Le Havre"

"A Separation"

"The Skin I Live In"

"Where Do We Go Now"

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

"Buck"

"Cave of Forgotten Dreams"

"George Harrison: Living in the Material World"

"Page One: Inside the New York Times"

"Project Nim"

"Undefeated"

Half-time Report

Hey guys, I know I have been bad lately about movies reviews, I will post up another entry on some of the films I have recently saw (some within days of each other). I know I am a little late on this part too, but seeing as how we are just entering into the fall season, my favorite of the film season, I thought I’d write up a report card of the films I have seen so far. Now, I might not include all of the movies I have seen so far, but these are the films/acting/technical work that has struck me as the best/worst of the year so far, and I have to tell you, 2011 is shaping out to be much better than 2010, though there wasn’t a whole lot of competition really. So, with that out of the way, lets get this started:

Biggest Disappointment: Cars 2

Reason: Now, I will admit, this is not the worst film I have seen this year, but being it a Pixar

film, especially after such classics as Toy Story 3 and UP, the bar was set incredibly high. Cars 2 not only didn’t meet the bar, I think it is the weakest of the Pixar filmography, but with their

past films its easier to forgive than other films I have seen.

Final Grade: C

Biggest surprise: Thor

Reason: I almost gave this to Super 8, another film I enjoyed, but that was mostly due to the fact that little was known of the film beforehand and that doesn’t always equal success (District 9 and Inception are the exceptions). However, with Thor, there was a lot that could go wrong, mainly

Marvel trying to get all origin stories out of the way before the Avengers. Needless to say, I felt this was a very strong entry, you don’t get the feeling it was rushed or that they were making this solely because there was an Avengers film coming out. All in all, it was good summer fun.

Final Grade: B+

Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt (Tree of Life)

Reason: Brad Pitt brings a strong presence to the film, and I don’t just say that because he was

the only one I knew beforehand. He plays the role of a father who while stern, is still in the end the kind of father who just wishes for his kids to live a life they want to live. Balancing the angelic/

caring ways that is their mother (played wonderfully by Jessica Chastain), the father

represent nature and Pitt does that with grace and, along with Chastain, deserve some awards attention for this wonderful film

Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis (The Help)

Reason: This was another close one for Jessica Chastain for Tree of Life and even Octavia Spencer for The Help, but Davis is the heart of the film (she shares it with Spencer, but Davis also acts as the voice which is why I give such leniency). I would consider her an Oscar frontrunner, my one qualm is she felt more of a lead than supporting in the film, whether or not that will translate into any trouble come awards season, we will see.

Final Grade: B+

Best Actress: Amy Ryan (Win Win)

Reason: Amy Ryan is a force to be reckoned with in this film. I love this film, I don’t think it will

win many awards, but Amy Ryan is almost as good if not as good as Paul Giammatti is in Win

Win. As a mother forced to take in a child when she learns of the kid’s background, Amy Ryan plays the character with much warmth as well as humor, its hard to not love her in this amazing film.

Best Actor: Paul Giamatti (Win Win)

Reason: This was a hard one because there were two men whom I felt were really effective this year so far in their roles. Points to Jake Gyllenhal for a role that needed some humanity, since we don’t get enough of that in Sci-fi films such as Source Cod. However, I just enjoyed Paul Giamatti’s job in this film so much more, he was so funny, so heartbreaking, such a great performance. This film will surely end up on my year end list for Todd McCarthy’s writing/directing, as well as the amazing performances of both Ryan and especially Giamatti.

Final Grade: A

Worst Film: Battle: Los Angeles

Reason: While I didn’t care for Cars 2, it was leaps and bounds better than Battle Los Angeles. I would talk about the many reasons why I didn’t like it, but honestly I can’t really remember a lot of it, and I think that’s the worst criticism I can make of a film. Aaron Eckhart gave it his best shot, but even he could save this film. I dislike it so that I am actually changing my grade, which was originally a gracious C+

Final Grade: D

Best Film: Tree of Life

Reason: While I loved Win Win and thoroughly enjoyed Source Code, there was just no beating Tree of Life. It is simply a beautiful piece of filmmaking and is one of the closest things to a masterpiece I have seen in years (Hurt Locker is the only film that comes close in recent years honestly). The music, by the legendary Alexandre Desplat, is classical and elegent, much like the film itself. The acting is superb, those three little boys as well as Pitt and Chastain were amazing. Terrence Malick deserves awards attention for his fluid direction and incredible script. The thing I loved most about the film, the part that if it doesn’t win I will give up on the Academy forever, is the Cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki. I highly doubt I will see any other film this year, or in the next for that matter, that will come close to this masterful work from a legendary director.

A+

Honorable Mention: Win Win, Source Code, X-men: First Class, Super 8

That’s it from me on the half-time report, here’s a list of films I have on my radar come fall, see you there:

1. Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (David Fincher, Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara)

2. Dangerous Method (David Cronenberg, Viggo Mortenson, Michael Fassbender)

3. Corialanus (Ralph Fiennes)

4. J. Edgar (Clint Eastwood, Leo Dicaprio)

5. My Week with Marilyn (Kenneth Brannagh, Michelle Williams)

6. The Adventures of TinTin (Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson)

7. The Descendants (Alexander Payne, George Clooney)

8. Moneyball (Brad Pitt, Aaron Sorkin)