With box office numbers at a 20 year low, some may question what value the 87th Academy Awards hold if Hollywood as a whole seems to be out of touch with what its audience actually wants. That being said, 2015 could be one of the toughest years on record as many films tackled a wide range of subjects though overall, the Academy’s nominees highlighted the incredible lack of diversity in the film industry as a whole. Was it really only days ago we were celebrating a female-centric Golden Globes?
Does anyone even know what he’s holding? Is it a sword? If so, why?
Only 8 Films will be competing for Best Picture: American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Imitation Game, Selma, The Theory of Everything, and Whiplash. I have to say, I am happy with this list. I appreciate that the Academy does not feel the need to stretch the list to 10 every year but that they leave it flexible to truly honor the year’s best films.
Well played, American Sniper, well played
Bradley Cooper (American Sniper) snagged the last Lead Actor nod from David Oyelowo (Selma) and/or Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler) reminding everyone that this is a political race and you HAVE to campaign. It’s not enough to just be good and no one is feeling that sting more than Paramount and the entire Selma team. Building momentum is key and this is a perfect example of those behind American Sniper making all the right moves and getting their movie seen and heard by EVERYONE – including members of the DGA, SAG, PGA – and scoring 6 nods compared to Selma‘s 2. I doubt Paramount will make that mistake again and its a damn shame as Ava DuVernay’s nomination would have been historic as the first black female director EVER. This, no doubt was the biggest and most meaningful snub of the year as she no doubt deserved to be in that category.
The Academy doesn’t always get it right. Go see Selma and you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Out of proverbial left field comes Marion Cotillard in a movie most of us have never heard of
Marion Cotillard beat out Golden Globe winner Amy Adams (Big Eyes) for the fifth Lead Actress spot. Like, she just won for that! And has anyone even seen Two Days, One Night? Not that this is an open category anyway as Julianne Moore (Still Alice) has this one pretty much in da bag. Still, Jennifer Aniston would have been a close second as she did give the performance of her career in Cake. I’m sure I’m not the only reformed Aniston-basher walking around Hollywood so I won’t be alone when I say she earned a shit ton of respect this Awards Season. You go, Jen Coco!
No love for The Lego Movie although “Everything is Awesome” was nominated for Best Original Song due to the fact that NO ONE CAN GET THAT SONG OUT OF THEIR HEAD.
The year’s most beloved animated feature The Lego Movie was robbed snubbed by the Academy (the robbery took place on Sunday at the Beverly Hilton.) Not that the Globe winners have any effect on the Oscar nominations – those votes are already tallied however the Globes can sway voters now that the nominations are out.
Who will take home the gold? I can honestly say that it’s a wide open race this year with only a few sure things (J.K. Simmons, it’s yours to lose!) I’ll be tuning in on February 22nd to find out and will surely post my picks before then!
themixxedchicks 