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: American Society of Cinematographers Nominations

Well, another set of awards nominations have come through, this time for the cinematographers. The nominations are listed below, and again I am thrilled with this list. I think if Emmanuel Lubezki gets snubbed in any awards show would be shocking, I still hold this to be his to lose. Not to be outdone, though, the brilliant work of Jeff Cronenweth for Dragon Tattoo and Richardson for Hugo also got in, and Hoyte van Hoytema for "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." I thought the film was ok, but the cinematography really stood out in my mind, so to see it get this nomination is good to see. I still have yet to see The Artist, but considering its an Awards Contender and is a silent film, to see it not here would be disparaging, so good for it. Great list, each deserving, wouldn't be surprised if this is our Oscar list as well. Here is the full list below:


Guillaume Schiffman for "The Artist," 
Jeff Cronenweth for "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,"
 Robert Richardson for "Hugo," 
Hoyte van Hoytema for "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" 
Emmanuel Lubezki for "The Tree of Life" 

Oscar-nomics: Directors Guild Nominations

So, the Directors Guild nominations came out today and let me tell you, I am thrilled by these nominations. I knew Hazanavicius and Payne were locks, and seeing Scorcese and Allen is great. The big surprise is probably my favorite in this entire awards season, and that is Mr. Fincher. Many are calling this a fluke, but I think he is truly deserving to be hear, heck maybe even win. It would be ironic if he wins this the year after dominating the awards season then lose the Director's Guild and then the Oscar. Tattoo has been mostly quiet on the awards front, so many saw it as a contender in the technical categories, but I think not. I think this might be your list come Oscar nominations, Fincher likely being in the weak spot for some one like Spielberg (War Horse) or Miller (Moneyball), we shall see what the cards hold for these men come the nominations. I could go on a rant about Terrance Malick's snub for Tree of Life, but hey at least Fincher was nominated so I ok with this list. Here is the list below:


Woody Allen for Midnight in Paris
David Fincher for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist
Alexander Payne for The Descendants
Martin Scorsese for Hugo

Oscar-nomics: Visual Effects Shortlist

We also have the shortlist for the Academy's Visual Effects potential nominees, and its not a bad batch. Super 8 missed out, but my hope wasn't as high for that as it is for Hugo and Tree of Life. I am extremely happy X-men made the shortlist, I think Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a safe bet, not a guarantee, but I think it'll make it. The academy will watch them again and narrow it down to the final five, here's hoping for my picks (if Mission Impossible makes it, I will have a good chuckle since its more practical effects than Transformers or Pirates). Here is the list below:

Visual Effects shortlist
Captain America: The First Avenger
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
The Tree of Life
X-Men: First Class

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