THOUGHTS ON THE OSCAR NOMINATIONS
Well, here they are. I was obviously very disappointed that "Into the Wild" was ignored by the nominating groups. A nomination for Hal Halbrook and another for film editing simply doesn't do this magnificent film justice. Hell, Eddie Vedder didn't even get nominated.
Let's just take this category by category.
Best Picture. You know how I feel about "Into the Wild." Converesely, I'm thrilled about the inclusion of "Atonement." It's a gorgeous and finely made film. "Juno" is a bit of a surprise, but not to many. It wasn't a Best Picture film in the way "Wild," and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" were, but it's a great movie nonetheless.
Best Director. I loved "Juno," but Jason Reitman getting in over Joe Wright ("Atonement"), Sean Penn ("Into the Wild") or even the magnificent effort by Sidney Lumet ("Before the Devil Knows You're Dead) is perpelexing. But Hollywood is obsessed with the little-indy-comedy-that- could. Directors, pay attention.
Best Actor. I didn't see "In the Valley of Elah," so I can't comment on Tommy Lee Jones. I would have preferred Emile Hirsch ("Into the Wild") or Ryan Gosling ("Lars and the Real Girl) because it's hard to imagine someone other than Daniel Day-Lewis or George Clooney giving a better performance.
Best Actress. Give me a break on the Cate Blanchett nomination here. That film stunk something awful (that would be "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"). You can't tell me that the category was so devoid of talent that an actor from one of the year's worst films gets a nod. Angelina Jolie ("A Mighty Heart") and Keira Knightly ("Atonement") deserved this more. I love the Ellen Page ("Juno") nomination, but she was a lock months ago. Laura Linney getting was my "should be nominated (but won't)" so I'm absolutely thrilled.
Best Supporting Actor. Absolutley right on the money. The five best were nominated.
Best Supporting Actress. No surprises here either. It was either Catherine Keener ("Into the Wild") or Ruby Dee ("American Gangster") for that fifth spot. Dee, who could actually win, was on screen for less than 5 minutes which would make a victory here historic. This will still probably come down to Blanchett ("I'm Not There") and Amy Ryan ("Gone Baby Gone").
Best Original Screenplay. No surprises. No comments. Five very good screenplays.
Best Adapted Screenplay. Kudos to Sarah Polley for her script based on the Alice Munro short story. It was a brilliant effort and I'm glad it was recognized, even if it was at James Vanderbilt's ("Zodiac") expense.
Random thoughts on the other categories. I love that "Falling Slowly" from "Once" was nominated for Best Song. Three songs from "Enchanted?" Really? "The Bourne Ultimatum" picked up three nominations. Sweet.
Well, here they are. I was obviously very disappointed that "Into the Wild" was ignored by the nominating groups. A nomination for Hal Halbrook and another for film editing simply doesn't do this magnificent film justice. Hell, Eddie Vedder didn't even get nominated.
Let's just take this category by category.
Best Picture. You know how I feel about "Into the Wild." Converesely, I'm thrilled about the inclusion of "Atonement." It's a gorgeous and finely made film. "Juno" is a bit of a surprise, but not to many. It wasn't a Best Picture film in the way "Wild," and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" were, but it's a great movie nonetheless.
Best Director. I loved "Juno," but Jason Reitman getting in over Joe Wright ("Atonement"), Sean Penn ("Into the Wild") or even the magnificent effort by Sidney Lumet ("Before the Devil Knows You're Dead) is perpelexing. But Hollywood is obsessed with the little-indy-comedy-that- could. Directors, pay attention.
Best Actor. I didn't see "In the Valley of Elah," so I can't comment on Tommy Lee Jones. I would have preferred Emile Hirsch ("Into the Wild") or Ryan Gosling ("Lars and the Real Girl) because it's hard to imagine someone other than Daniel Day-Lewis or George Clooney giving a better performance.
Best Actress. Give me a break on the Cate Blanchett nomination here. That film stunk something awful (that would be "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"). You can't tell me that the category was so devoid of talent that an actor from one of the year's worst films gets a nod. Angelina Jolie ("A Mighty Heart") and Keira Knightly ("Atonement") deserved this more. I love the Ellen Page ("Juno") nomination, but she was a lock months ago. Laura Linney getting was my "should be nominated (but won't)" so I'm absolutely thrilled.
Best Supporting Actor. Absolutley right on the money. The five best were nominated.
Best Supporting Actress. No surprises here either. It was either Catherine Keener ("Into the Wild") or Ruby Dee ("American Gangster") for that fifth spot. Dee, who could actually win, was on screen for less than 5 minutes which would make a victory here historic. This will still probably come down to Blanchett ("I'm Not There") and Amy Ryan ("Gone Baby Gone").
Best Original Screenplay. No surprises. No comments. Five very good screenplays.
Best Adapted Screenplay. Kudos to Sarah Polley for her script based on the Alice Munro short story. It was a brilliant effort and I'm glad it was recognized, even if it was at James Vanderbilt's ("Zodiac") expense.
Random thoughts on the other categories. I love that "Falling Slowly" from "Once" was nominated for Best Song. Three songs from "Enchanted?" Really? "The Bourne Ultimatum" picked up three nominations. Sweet.
