2008 Oscar Noms - So What Do You Think?
Before we dive into today’s non-Oscar-related news, this is a forum to express your thoughts on the nominations for the 80th Academy Awards. I’m not sure why I expected to grimace when the bigger categories were announced. Good choices, all.
It’s hard to say, for me at least, that any notable pictures were snubbed, except forThe King of Kong, one of the top three highest rated films of 2007, for Best Documentary Feature. But the early word predicted that, for whatever reason. I’m sure some will make the case forAmerican Gangster, but not me. That was part of my anticipatory grimace, actually. I expected the sub-par Ridley Scott film to take at least one of the Best Actor, Best Director and/or Best Picture slots.
And what aboutTim Burton? He’s still never scored a nomination for Best Director or Best Picture, andSweeney Toddhad the goods, no? In my opinion,Sweeney Toddshould have replacedMichael Claytonfor BP, leaving first-time directorTony Gilroythe Best Director catergory (againMC’s direction was beyond solid, the overall film was enjoyable but not revelatory for its genre). While the real heavyweight match will be betweenPaul Thomas Anderson’sThere Will Be Bloodand theCoen Brothers’No Country for Old Men(these films have 8 noms each, total death match), look atJason Reitmansliding in with his sophomore effort,Juno, for Best Director and Best Picture. Of course,Diablo Codyis fretting over her punk ‘do in anticipation of a W. And mightEllen Pagebe an upsetter? I’m sure we’ll see the high school track team make at least one appearance on Sunday, February 24th.
Other “okay with me"s: Viggo Mortensen got a hat-tip for his brilliant Dracula-meets-The-Gipper depiction of a Russian mobster inEastern Promises; the Academy making up for blockingPersepolisfrom Best Foreign Language Film by placing it next to Pixar’s epicurean rat; on the other hand, the incredibly scenic epicMongol, one of my top 10 of 2007 gets a BFLF nod;SickoandTaxi to the Dark Sidefor Best Doc;Roger Deakinsrunning the Best Cinematography category forThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert FordandNo Country for Old Men; and Casey Affleck for Best Supporting Actor for his classic performance inTAOJJBTCRF.
Update: As forDavid FincherandZodiac, yes they were snubbed. This was an oversight of the Academy’s oversight on my part. However, I never thoughtZodiacwould get a Best Pic nom simply becauseTWBBandNCFOMare such heavy films that similarly plow the mysterious, ancient evils and neurosis that pervades mankind. That said, it deserved to be there on sheer merit, especially more so thanMichael ClaytonandAtonement. Fincher not receiving a Best Director nod is more inexcusable, asZodiachad a lot of blood and tears put into it, and will come to be seen as a new classic by the mainstream with time.
2007 was one of my favorite years for film ever and it’s great to see last year’s variety and stand-outs properly recognized. No whiffs of politics this year, in my opinion. What about yours?
