1984: Also Nominated...

We can finally talk about Oscar's favorite films of 1984. That year was a perfect meeting of audience appeal, industry appeal, and genuine quality - three distinct things, strangely. Of the year's Top Ten box office hits, only three - Gremlins at #4, Police Academy at #6, and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock at #9 - did not go on to nominations at the Academy Awards. 

Today's different: of the nominees we're discussing today, only two - Romancing the Stone at #8, 2010 at #17 - even hit the Top 20. We concern ourselves today not with performances, screenplays, directors or even music. These films saw their Academy accolades in craft, technical, and specialty categories: Art Direction, Costume Design, Documentary, Editing, Makeup, Sound, and Visual Effects.

Award Weekend

The WGA and BAFTA gave out their awards this weekend. I am sorry to report that there were very few surprising results. What surprises were in store, though, were quite rewarding.

WGA
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire (based upon the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup)
Beat out Eric Roth's Benjamin Button, Peter Morgan's Frost/Nixon, John Patrick Shanley's Doubt, and The Nolans' The Dark Knight. Of course, it's the only nominated screenplay I haven't read. I haven't read the novel either, and that's also the one exception here. I need to read the damn script already. 'Twould be nice to know what the fuss is about.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Dustin Lance Black, Milk
Beat out Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Robert Siegel's The Wrestler, Thomas McCarthy's The Visitor, The Coens' Burn After Reading. I've not read Siegel's script, but the rest I have. This is a good choice, I have no qualms. It seems the Screenplay race is decided. Dammit, when even these categories get dull and predictable....

BAFTA
The BAFTAs announced today, and that's always interesting. They allow double nominees in acting categories, say "FUCK YOU" to category fraud, and have the tendency to surprise us all. Even if they have the same movies, they nominate them in unfamiliar categories. Let's just look.

BEST FILM: Slumdog Millionaire
Same nominees as the Oscars. It's getting to be a dull affair, isn't it? What's worse, I keep reading how it's the "under dog". Really? Do people not know what that word means?

BEST DIRECTOR: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Defeated Stephen Daldry (The Reader), Clint Eastwood (Changeling), David Fincher (Benjamin Button), and Ron Howard (Frost/Nixon). It makes sense. He's the front-runner, one of two Brits nominated. Plus, Boyle's done a lot for British cinema. And he's the front-runner.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Martin McDonagh, In Bruges
Also-rans: Dustin Lance Black's Milk, Philippe Claudel's I've Loved You So Long, The Coens' Burn After Reading, J. Michael Straczynski's Changeling. I was right. It really is All Awesome on the McDonagh Front. Much admiration for this pick.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
Beat out David Hare for The Reader, Justin Haythe for Revolutionary Road, Peter Morgan for Frost/Nixon, Eric Roth for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. So, now he's won everything. And he'll get the Oscar, too. Beaufoy, by the way, also wrote Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, a film deeply admired here (Hollmann Award Nominee for Best Actress, Frances McDormand). So now that I know that, awesome!

BEST FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: I've Loved You So Long
Defeated The Baader Meinhof Complex, Gomorrah, Persepolis, Waltz with Bashir. This movie wasn't even in contention for this category at the Oscars. Of these, I've only seen Persepolis. Last year. So...why am I commenting on this at all?

BEST ANIMATED FILM: WALL-E
Beating out Persepolis and Waltz with Bashir. Obv. WALL-E is so going to own this category.

BEST LEADING ACTOR: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Also nominated: Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon), Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire), Sean Penn (Milk), and Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button). Last year, BAFTA matched Oscar's acting categories four-for-four, so this may bode well for Rourke. The idea of a split between him and Penn for a win by Langella or Jenkins or Pitt is an interesting one, though. Like when Adrien Brody beat out Daniel Day-Lewis and Jack Nicholson in 2002.

BEST LEADING ACTRESS: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Not only did she win against herself for Revolutionary Road, but Meryl Streep (Doubt), Angelina Jolie (Changeling) and Kristin Scott Thomas (I've Loved You So Long) are also bridesmaids. After last year, this could bode well for Winslet, who always wins for The Reader when it's nominated. I'm still not completely convinced, of course, but that's because I like suspense.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
The Losers: Robert Downey, Jr. (Tropic Thunder), Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt), Brad Pitt (Burn After Reading). What an awesome lineup this was. That posthumous Oscar is looking like a done deal for Heath. Bring it, says I.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Nommies: Amy Adams in Doubt, Freida Pinto in Slumdog Millionaire, Tilda Swinton in Burn After Reading and Marisa Tomei in The Wrestler. BAFTA and I remain the only ones to nomainte Adams without Viola Davis. A Cruz win here is awesome, and a Cruz win at the Oscars would mean a spiritual win for Woody Allen. Which is, of course, amazing.

For complete results, check this out.

Live-blogging the SAGS

PART SEVEN
BEST ACTRESS

Ralph Fiennes, also snubbed, in favor of Dev Patel (WHAT??). Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married (odd clip to smile at); Angelina Jolie, Changeling; Melissa Leo, Frozen River; Meryl Streep, Doubt (my least favorite moment); Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road. Kate will win. I think. Or Anne. I think Kate.
MERYL WINS, JUST AS SHOCKED!!! AND EXCITED!!! I love Meryl, she gets a standing ovation, she smooched Ralph, she is awesome, no regrets, take it, she is amazing. I love you! And she's in slacks, and made an awards joke, and it's amazing! Meryl is the creme de la creme. Should I have nominated her? She gives the best speeches, doesn't she? Shout-out for Viola = awesome. Alice Drummond, too. Got, what a classy broad!

BEST ACTOR

Can they move those teleprompters further up, please? Richard Jenkins, The Visitor; Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon; Sean Penn, Milk; Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Mickey Rooney, The Wrestler. Everyone says Penn or Rourke. Probs. But I think Langella will get the Ruby Dee win. Not that that happens every year, but.
Sean Penn gets it. Okay, egg on my face. Standing ovation, too. He must be getting the Oscar! Dammit, keep politics DAMMIT YOU MAKE ME ANGRY SOMETIMES. Packages -- tee-hee. Good stuff, but did he just call TV actors idiots for the dog-fights? For how competitive it is? Is that what he's saying? Because....okay, weird. Maybe he means journalists?

BEST ENSEMBLE

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Doubt, Frost/Nixon, Milk, Slumdog Millionaire
Will Slumdog get it? I say Milk. Ensemble-wise, it's better. Nope, Slumdog. Okay. Whatev. Great film, it really is. But F/N and Milk had a stronger ensemble. Anil Kapoor is speaking, and is overwhelmed. This is a great moment, truly. Oh, now Freida. Whatever. PUT ANIL BACK!

PART SIX
Kristin Scott Thomas was snubbed, but she's doing it classy.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Josh Brolin, Milk; Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder (still thrilled about this); Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt (weak scene); Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight (winner); Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire (happy just to be here). Heath will win. That is definite. Come on!
AND IT'S TRUE! AND THEY'RE LETTING GARY OLDMAN ACCEPT! Touching, emotional moment. Gary, I hope this isn't the closest you get.
I didn't know so many actors needed glasses. Why not wear them? Taraji P. Henson is beautiful. Why do they get a trailer, and everyone else gets full scenes? I love that Benjamin Button score to death. Oh, commercial again. Already. Ok.

PART FIVE
Hey, Ernest Borgnine! What doe she do now, anyway? I like that he's actually presenting, and not doing a tribute to himself like Mickey Rooney last year.

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV MOVIE/MINISERIES

Laura Dern, Recount (great, and so sexy); Laura Linney, John Adams (your winner, and so sexy); Shirley MacLaine, Coco Chanel (I wanna see it, she's still sexy); Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun (wanna see this, too); Susan Sarandon, Bernard & Doris (LORD LOOK AT HER TITS! AT LEAST WEAR A COAT). Laura gets it. Come on.
I would believe Laura Linney, Ernie. I would. This is really her first SAG Award? I'd think they would love her, at least. *Sigh* Maybe I just don't get awards ceremonies. She's engaged? DAMMIT! At least Drew's still available, right? Whoa, she has family in Georgia? So she's...Southern? Oh, Laura, could you be any more perfect?
Now that's over...AMY ADAMS AND VIOLA DAVIS! YAY! Is it me, or does Viola look better than Amy tonight? And I love Amy, so it can't be me, because I'm naturally biased. Good scene from Doubt, though. Have i been too hard on it? Nah, that can't be.

BEST ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE/MINISERIES

Ralph Fiennes, Bernard & Doris (what a great year he's having); Paul Giamatti, John Adams (oh, please, he will win); Kevin Spacey, Recount (i would probs choose him); Kiefer Sutherland, 24: Redemption (I didn't know that already happened...?); Tom Wilkinson, John Adams (why don't they have a supporting actor category for TV?). Paul gets it, come on. And he does, so Marisa Tomei, presenter, accepts on his behalf. At least she gets to hold one.

SUSAN SARANDON

Titties, titties, titties. I love the way her voice purrs. But now I hear that it's the In Memoriam part of the show, so now I feel like a pig.
Charlton Heston, you will be sorely missed. Harvey Korman--worthy clips. Paul Scofield did not the applause Harvey got. Interesting. Cyd Charisse gets most so far, and I agree with that. NO, ROBERT PROSKY DIED?? I love him. Paul Benedict, too? I have to type so I don't cry. Sydney Pollack....still hurts... Isaac Hayes. Ricardo Montalban, such a loss. Bernie Mac, too soon. Too many. ESTELLE GETTY IN A GOLDEN GIRLS CLIP. YOU ARE SORELY MISSED!!! Eartha Kitt, who I was always told was immortal, so now Virginia's a liar. And finishing with the beautiful (in looks and talent) Paul Newman. Geez. So many I didn't even write here. Geez. This was sad.

PART FOUR
I think my blog clock is on West Coast time. Hm.
Laura Dern is so pretty. I think she's a lovely, lovely woman, and her Katharine Harris was totally bangable.
God, Forest Whitaker bothers me! He always looks like he's about to cry. He always sounds like he's about to cry. Couldn't Morgan Freeman have done this? He's got a great voice, too.

Ooh, James Earl Jones. I love his Mufasa best. Yes, it's true. Even over Darth Vader. Why do all great voice actors have some sort of speech deficiency? Jones stuttered? Crazy! I feel like he could be king of the world if he wanted to. I always forget he's an Oscar nominee. I'm sure he'll get an honorary one in three years. Just wait. Oh, black presidents: James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Barack Obama. That's a great history. God, I love this man.
I love how he tries to calm them down. "Okay. I got something to say here. HAHA! All right. Thank you. Okay." Excellent. And saying "my beloved Richard Harris" is...sigh. Heartwarming. And quoting the Bible now, breathing life into the character = God breathing life into Adam. Love it. Nice tribute to Paul Newman. Not too long, and very eloquent. Love it.

PART THREE
Taye Diggs is fantastic in a bow-tie. Christina Applegate is fabulous.

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Michael C. Hall, Dexter (only saw first two eps, thought eh was great); Jon Hamm, Mad Men (he's pretty manly, right?), Hugh Laurie, House (he reminds me of my girlfriend's dad); William Shatner, Boston Legal; James Spader, Boston Legal (I don't watch it). Jon Hamm will win. It's in the stars.
I should stop saying things like that. Hugh Laurie just got it--again! Christina Hendricks does not look pleased--but she does look sexy. Laurie's hilarious--"I had a hundred dollars on James Spader. It's just not my night." I hope he and Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson do something together again. But what in the world could they do? YES--he thanked craft services! Thank you!

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

I hope one day, I'm as charmingly lovable as John Krasinski. This is awesome. Is this supposed to be Revolutionary Road? Can they win for this?
Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters (I don't watch it, but she just said penis, and that's hot); Mariska Hargitay, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (...that was uncomfortable); Holly Hunter, Saving Grace (God, she's sexy); Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men); Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer. Kyra or Moss? Or Sally? I say Kyra, just cuz.
See, this is why I don't predict TV usually. Sally Field must be happy to finally get one after...six times??? Oh, Lord, she's talking. A lot. I know it's her moment, I shouldn't be like this. But God, two Oscars and an Emmy later, and she still just blathers on and on. No, why should I be grumpy? Let her be happy, Walter. Let her be happy.
Anyway, now Emile Hirsch, James Franco, and Josh Brolin are on, clearly representing the sexy contingent. Brolin looks like Pierce Brosnan, doesn't he? And James just can't stop doing that grin. Thank goodness. Interesting scene to choose for Milk.

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES

Emily Blunt is so sexy-hot. They're really digging into the Drama Series this year. Wow. Boston Legal (comedy clip, of course), The Closer (another light clip), Dexter (Jimmy Smits!), House, Mad Men. I'm pretty sure Mad Men's getting it. But I was wrong before in these TV categories. In fact, all but two comedy ones. So.
OH, I'M RIGHT! YES! This show has a great score, great costume, great production design. I need to see more of it. Amanda loves it. Jon Hamm looks odd with non-60s hair. Makes me uncomfortable. Jeez, Christina Hendricks is fucking sexy.

PART TWO
It is eight twenty-one, and Evan Rachel Wood just came on. Susan Sarandon was just interrupted from talking to Ralph Fiennes. This better be good. AND WHOA, ERW LOOKS GREAT!
Oh, it's for Trailblazers. Because we all need a reminder. Nice cut between Sidney Poitier and Rita Moreno. Yeah, Hairspray! But as a trailblazer? Do they just mean John Travolta? LOLITA! MAUDE! EDITH! Okay, this was a good montage, albeit bizarre.
Ladies and gentlemen, remember her? Claire Danes? Kinda?

BEST ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

30 Rock (tee-hee Alec), Desperate Houewives (Nicolette Sheridan looks HORRIFYING!), Entourage (lord I hope the show's funnier than that), The Office (oh, Phyllis), Weeds (is...is that a condom? nice)
30 Rock, I know it! And I'm right! Nothing's stopping it! Nothing! And I say that because it just won in all three of its nominations. So.
Jane Krakowski has great tits. And everything else. And her ensemble is marvelous. Ooh, and what an interesting comment about Ally McBeal. Weird.
Frankie and Mikey! I hope they get a sitcom! When Michael Sheen gets old, I think he'll be one of teeth-clenchers. My favorite clip from Frost/Nixon, though. Excellent.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

I never know how I feel about Greg Kinnear. I do hate As Good As It Gets.
Ooh, the first award ever went to Dianne Wiest for Bullets Over Boradway? This sits well for Penelope Cruz. Amy Adams, Doubt (My favorite); Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (I LOVE YOU, WOODY ALLEN); Viola davis, Doubt (wow, this really is a strong lineup); Taraji P. Henson, The Curious case of Benjamin Button (i hope, one day, she finally gets hers--good way); Kate Winslet, The Reader. Penelope gets it. I know it. I can feel it. It's gonna happen!
Nope, I'm wrong. Kate's got it. Maybe she'll win both categories. Don't think the Weinsteins, they screwed Daldry over. The film's a mess because of them. Well, I guess she got the award, so she can't complain, right? She was great in it, though. I'm glad Oscar nominated that and not Revolutionary Road.

PART ONE

It is eight o'clock.
Why does America Ferrera get a special mention for how beautiful she is? What about how beautiful Kevin bacon is?
Kate Winslet looks gorgeous.
Oh, Amy Adams. in Purple. I need you.
Laura Linney looking more beautiful than usual. Like, seriously beautiful. I kind of want to marry her.
I love the "I'm an actor" tributes. And holy crap, there's Victor "Mr. Andrews" Garber! I know he's done more, and better, but I'll always love him in Titanic. SHUT UP I LOVE THAT MOVIE!!!
AHHHHH! JENNA FISCHER! NUMBER THREE ON MY TOP TEN CRUSHES! SHE LOOKS GORGEOUS!
Best: Tom Cavanagh and Steve Carell, with Will Arnett as an honorable mention.
Ugh, Rosario. I cannot stand her.

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

I don't watch a lot of these. There's Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds--someone woo'd in the audience), Tracey Ullman (Tracey Ullman's State of the Union). I'm going with Tracey on this one. Come on....
Nope. Tina Fey. I don't watch any of these shows. I think I've seen one episode of 30 Rock, and one of Weeds. Oh, no, three from 30 Rock. Good job, I love her. Nice shout-out to Tracey Ullman. My roommate's gonna marry her.
Dev Patel. I like his Indian accent better. Why do they keep showing this clip? It's kind of a big spoiler.
Jon Hamm looks like Josh Brolin a little. Right? How uncomfortable is this?

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock; Steve Carell, The Office (Great clip); David Duchovny, Californiacation; Jeremy Piven, Entourage (I don't watch the show, but he annoys me); Tony Shalhoub, Monk. Alec gets it....And I'm right!
KEVIN BACON WEARING SHADES OMG!
Roomie just asked if the SAG Award is made of chocolate. If it is, I am registering immediately, on the off-chance that I will get one. But it must feel so sticky when you hold it. OMG do you think that's what actors give out at Easter?!
And...commercial.

Oscar Noms -- Cont'd

I was up bright and early to watch them live, and my what a shock! Some people are calling this "dull", but you gotta admit, no one saw this coming. There were surprises in nearly every category.

First of all, there was the surprise domination of The Reader, a film which no one expected to get much besides Supporting Actress for Kate Winslet, and maybe Adapted Screenplay. In fact, yesterday, I told someone I expected Revolutionary Road to get in over The Dark Knight, and we all saw Kate getting double-nom'd. Then, lo and behold, the Academy decided "To FUCK with category fraud!!!" And, because they don't have to follow everything the studios ask them to consider, they nominated Kate in lead Actress -- for The Reader. And while many were predicting a 5/5 match-up for Picture and Director, you can bet no one was expecting Stephen Daldry and The Reader to be that fifth slot.

This is particularly upsetting because, on occasion, I like the feeling of having seen every film nominated for Best Picture. And while it's not too late, I always hate feeling proud of myself, only to be shocked by a movie that I could have seen the night before if THE SCHEDULE WASN'T ALWAYS CHANGING. I mean, it's exciting, and I can't wait to see it, because I love all of Daldry's films, but oh, I wish The Dark Knight could have snuck in.

Best Actress made me feel schizo. Yesterday, I told Ben Melissa Leo and Kristin Scott Thomas would never get the nom, I've been saying it all year, this is a pipe dream. So, imagine how thrilled I was when Hollmann Award Nominee Melissa Leo wound up getting a surprise nomination for Frozen River!!! The only downside, of course, is that it meant one actress I was sure would get a slot was left out on the cold -- Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky. Obviously, I think her work is superior to Angelina Jolie's in Changeling, or even (gasp!) Queen Meryl in Doubt. This was just so...disappointing. I hope The Reader rocks my socks, because if it's another disappointing Kate performance instead of Saly Hawkins' greatness....no. No, Walter, don't get angry yet. Daldry is King.

No real surprises in Best Actor. Hollmann Award Nominees Sean Penn (Milk) and Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) got in, Brad Pitt got in for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon. And even Richard Jenkins in The Visitor wasn't a huge shock, but it was pleasant nonetheless. For Jenkins, I mean. I like ot think it's just as much for Step Brothers.

Original Song is a travesty. "Down to Earth" from WALL-E, and "Jaiho" and "O...Saya" from Slumdog Millionaire. That's it. Nothing for "The Wrestler". At all. Which is stupid, because that song is amazing. Bruce Springsteen and Eddie Vedder should form a support group. The Dark Knight was shafted in Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, and Original Score. You know, going by Academy history, I can understand the first two, maybe three. But Score? You gotta be kidding me. Defiance's better be fucking epic and memorable, and not like every other Slavic-set film. You know what I mean.

The Supporting Categories were huge loads of fun. Michael Shannon got recognition for his work in Revolutionary Road. Ho-hum. I was hoping for a shut-out, but alas, I have no say in these matters. I mean, he's good, but he's not better than Ralph Fiennes, Brad Pitt, Bill Nighy, John Malkovich, Gary Oldman, etc., etc., etc. Besides, he can do this kind of thing in his sleep (Bug, anyone?). I'm fine with Brolin, Hoffman and Ledger, and I'm still thrilled to death that they nominated Downey's work in Tropic Thunder. Awesome. As for the female equivalent, AMY ADAMS got the nom. Suck it.

Adapted Screenplay was as it's been. Now I can officially say, Academy Award-nominated FSU alum Robin Swicord, which is AMAZING. She got the nom alongside Eric Roth for Benjamin Button, with fellow nominees being Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog, David Hare for The Reader, John Patrick Shanley for Doubt, and Peter Morgan for Frost/Nixon. Also, freekin' love the support for In Bruges and Martin McDonagh, who appeared alongside Dustin Lance Black (Milk), Courtney Hunt (Frozen River) and Andrew Stanton and Jim Reardon (WALL-E). Also, it was only here that Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky could get any love. Oh, well.

It's really not that bad. Some surprises, some letdowns, some great Christmas presents. Except for Sally and Springsteen, I have no true beef with this. This should make for an interesting broadcast.

Now, will Hugh Jackman please perform each Best Picture nominee as a musical number? His Nixon must be awesome to behold.

The Brits

The BAFTAs announced today, and that's always interesting. They allow double nominees in acting categories, say "FUCK YOU" to category fraud, and have the tendency to surprise us all. Even if they have the same movies, they nominate them in unfamiliar categories. Let's just look.

BEST FILM
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: So, I kind of figured they'd nominate The Reader, but I'm surprised they got Milk. It's a much more American tale than, say, Frost/Nixon. I figured Doubt would be more their style. Live and learn.

DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Clint Eastwood, Changeling
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
REACTION: No Nolan is a bit of a shock, but even more so is the inclusion of Clint Eastwood for Changeling. I guess they love him across the pond more than we do here. Good movie, but I wouldn't nominate Eastwood above Nolan.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Dustin Lance Black, Milk
Philippe Claudel, I've Loved You So Long
Ethan Coen/Joel Coen, Burn After Reading
Martin McDonagh, In Bruges
J. Michael Straczynski, Changeling
REACTION: All Awesome on the McDonagh Front. I like how DLB is the only nominee getting any Oscar heat as well. The Coens are deserving, Straczynski, less so.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
David Hare, The Reader
Justin Haythe, Revolutionary Road
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
REACTION: No surprises here.

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
The Baader Meinhof Complex
Gomorrah
I've Loved You So Long
Persepolis
Waltz with Bashir
REACTION: Interesting thing here. First off, BAFTA does not limit one entry per country, as France has both I've Loved You So Long and Persepolis. Also, release dates are wonky, since Persepolis was a 2007 release in most other places. Also, there are two animated films in competition here. BAFTA is odd.

ANIMATED FILM
Persepolis
WALL-E
Waltz with Bashir
REACTION: Persepolis, am I right?

LEADING ACTOR
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
REACTION: See, BAFTA gets it. Dev Patel is the lead, not a supporting player. Otherwise, the usual suspects are there.

LEADING ACTRESS
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: This is what I mean. Kate is the lead in two movies, therefore she gets nominated twice in the lead category. No choosing between roles, no category fraud. Just the truth. Although, having seen 3/5 of the films nominated, I gotta say this is disappointing. Angie? What the hell is BAFTA's deal with Changeling? And why is Kate always nominated when Leo isn't, even though he turns in far more believable performances in their films? At least Meryl's here, but I'm shocked at their snubbing of Happy-Go-Lucky and its star, Sally Hawkins.

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder
Brendan Gleeson, In Bruges
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Brad Pitt, Burn After Reading
REACTION: Glad they included Pitt and Gleeson in this category. BAFTA has a sense of humor, as proven by 3/5 of this category -- 4, if you include Heath's Joker, but he was never ha-ha funny, more squirmily uncomfortable funny.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Freida Pinto, Slumdog Millionaire
Tilda Swinton, Burn After Reading
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler
REACTION: Tilda was much better in Benjamin Button, but I'm glad Burn After Reading is getting so much attention. I'm glad I'm not alone in preferring Adams' turn to Davis's in Doubt. Davis is electric, but Adams does some really subtle work here. The Pinto nom is strange. She's good, but there was far better actressing in far deeper roles this year. Synecdoche, anyone? Was that even eligible?

MUSIC
Benny Andersson/Bjorn Ulvaeus, Mamma Mia!
Alexandre Desplat, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
James Newton Howard/Hans Zimmer, The Dark Knight
Thomas Newman, WALL-E
A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: Ma...Mamma Mia? Really? You...you lost me BAFTA. That's not...oh, never mind.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Roger Deakins/Chris Menges, The Reader
Anthony Dod Mantle, Slumdog Millionaire
Claudio Miranda, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Wally Pfister, The Dark Knight
Tom Stern, Changeling
REACTION: No, seriously, what's with all the Changeling love? It wasn't, like amazing. It was OK.

EDITING
Kirk Baxter/Angus Wall, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Joel Cox/Gary D. Roach, Changeling
Chris Dickens, Slumdog Millionaire
Jon Gregory, In Bruges
Dan Hanley/Mike Hill, Frost/Nixon
Lee Smith, The Dark Knight
REACTION: I really do love the In Bruges party that is the BAFTAs. If only Colin was nominated...

PRODUCTION DESIGN
Donald Graham Burt/Victor J. Zolfo, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Nathan Crowley/Peter Lando, The Dark Knight
Michelle Day/Mark Digby, Slumdog Millionaire
Gary Fettis/James J. Murakami, Changeling
Debra Schutt/Kristi Zea, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: That's fine. That's okay.

COSTUME DESIGN
Lindy Hemming, The Dark Knight
Deborah Hopper, Changeling
Michael O'Connor
Jacqueline West, The Curious case of Benjamin Button
Albert Wolsky, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: You know, if it wasn't for technical awards, I would never have a reason to see The Duchess. I was happier before.

SOUND
Ben Burtt/Tom Myers/Michael Semanick/Matthew Wood, WALL-E
Glenn Freemantle/Resul Pookutty/Richard Pryke/Tom Sayers/Ian Tapp, Slumdog Millionaire
Lora Hirschberg/Richard King/Ed Novick/Gary Rizzo, The Dark Knight
Eddy Joseph/Chris Munro/Mike Prestwood Smith/Mark Taylor, Quantum of Solace
Walt Martin / Alan Robert Murray / John Reitz / Gregg Rudloff, Changeling
REACTION: I've decided BAFTA only saw Changeling, and Christmas-treed the rest. Seriously. What am I missing? WALL-E does have some kick-ass sound work, and I like how BAFTA has just one sound category. Easier.

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
Eric Barba/Craig Barron/Nathan McGuinness/Edson Williams, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Chris Corbould/Nick Davis/Paul Franklin/Tim Webber, The Dark Knight
Chris Corbould/Kevin Tod Haug, Quantum of Solace
Pablo Helman, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Shane Patrick Mahan/John Nelson/Ben Snow, Iron Man
REACTION: This looks fine, although I recently found out that some very impressive Milk cinematography was actually some kick-ass visual effects. So. Anyway, good list, except that everything looks fake in Indiana Jones, and isn't that just antithetical?

MAKE UP & HAIR
Steven E. Anderson / Michael White, Milk
Jan Archibald/Daniel Phillips, The Duchess
Jean Black / Colleen Callaghan, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Edouard Henriques/Kim Santantonio, Frost/Nixon
Peter Robb-King, The Dark Knight
REACTION: Man, does Frost/Nixon ever deserve that hair nom. I mean, Michael Sheen. That hair.

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
Hunger
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Man on Wire
Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: Man, only BAFTA would nominate Mamma Mia! over and over. I love how documentaries get on these lists. That's pretty boss.

THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)
Michael Cera
Noel Clarke
Michael Fassbender
Rebecca Hall
Toby Kebbell
REACTION: Not to belittle this "public", but why were Cera and Kebbell not nominated last year? Both had relatively high-profile films last year, released in Britain in time for awards consideration, so...? Also, I hate to sound ignorant, but who is Noel Clarke?

Them What's at the Helm

And so, the DGA announced their nominations today, finishing off the Big Guild Nominations. We've heard from SAG, PGA, WGA, and now DGA.

For those who just want to hear the damn names,

Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
Gus Van Sant, Milk

All these films are nominated at the WGA. This matches up 5/5 with the PGA noms, and 4/5 with the SAG Ensemble noms. I say Fincher wins this one, and I'll only be surprised if Van Sant gets it. Well, I'll raise my eyebrows for Nolan, but then I'll nod knowingly to myself.

I have no big problem with these, either. I've yet to see Slumdog, but the other four made it to my Top Ten of 2008. That's cool.

I mean, Howard's no Demme or Kaufman, but it is the best he's done. Eh, good job.

My Favorite Guild Announced

Original
Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Dustin Lance Black, Milk
Ethan Coen/Joel Coen, Burn After Reading
Thomas McCarthy, The Visitor
Robert Siegel, The Wrestler
REACTION: A rant, if I may.

Fair enough, I have yet to read the screenplays to Milk (though I did see the movie), The Visitor, and The Wrestler. I confess, this is true, so perhaps this opinion just isn't right. And, you know, I love Woody Allen. If the Cinema is a church, than he and Altman are the saints I pray to. A WGA nomination after thirteen years without is INCREDIBLE.

But that does not excuse the lack of a nomination for Rachel Getting Married or Synecdoche, NY.

I mean, am I crazy? Do I just like some really sub-par movies? Because last I checked, Rachel and Synecdoche were two of the best films I'd seen all year. Maybe I should read the screenplay to the former, maybe it was not as beautifully done as the film was. But i read Vicky Cristina, and I have a copy of one of the earlier drafts of Annie Hall, so a comparison of the two shows me that (a) Woody's writing has gotten a little sparse, and (b) the acting is what makes VCB, fan though I be of the Woodster.

Synecdoche, meanwhile, is just beautifully written, not to mention completely original in style, concept, execution, etc. And that's no disrespect to VCB, Milk, etc. Two of these films made it to my Top Ten, so I obviously love them. It's just...I don't know. Even when I win, I lose.

That said, I do congratulate all on their noms, and I hope to read/see their films soon.

Adapted
Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon
Christopher Nolan/Jonathan Nolan (Story by Christopher Nolan/David S. Goyer), The Dark Knight
Eric Roth (Story by Roth/FSU Alum Robin Swicord), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley, Doubt

REACTION: No surprises here. In fact, when Ben read the noms , I was able to tell him the adapted nominees without looking. Well, except The Dark Knight, which we are very excited about. Tres excited, even.

OMG PGA!

And I don't mean Golf, either. This special 100th post is dedicated to the recently-announced Producer's Guild Association Nominations!

Traditionally, the PGA and DGA nominations are good ways to determine the Best Picture nominees at the Oscars. But, as always, there's one or two that don't match up.

You know, I'm not quite sure what it's honoring. The producers, I know, but is it the amazing feat of getting everything together, or selling their product, or what? I wish I knew more.

Last year, the nominees included The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Juno, Michael Clayton, and There Will Be Blood. The winner was also the Oscar winner, No Country for Old Men. Only Diving Bell did not match up to Best Picture at the Oscars, with Atonement in its place.

A look at years past, all the way to 2000, shows that the Oscar's Best Picture nominees and the PGA nominees never match up. Nothing ever does. Indeed, only four times this decade have the winners matched up. Still, it's usually 4/5. So....

THE 2008 PGA AWARDS NOMINEES
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

Ooh, fun! The Dark Knight made it in. Rightfully so. Oh, so very just and god! And goddammit, I still need to see Slumdog! Dammit!

Top Ten of 2008

Yes, another year has come and gone. It's been one of "those" years for movies, a year where it seemed like everything was destined to make me sob. And the release dates were so wonky. What in the fuck was with the December glut? I spit at thee, studios. Well, no, I guess I don't, since I love your films. But I do shake my head.

This is my Top Ten of 2008, but again, it was one of "those" years. I will post them alphabetically, not in order of preference, for there is a HUGE chance that this year's Top Ten will actually wind up as the leading nominees for the Hollmann Awards.


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
For making a ridiculous premise unbelievably real. For astounding me (AGAIN!) with the abilities of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. For making FX necessary. For referencing a recent disaster with taste. For reassuring me that David Fincher is one of the greatest directors working today.


The Dark Knight
For taking a comic book movie as seriously as I do. For making a superhero movie into the biggest hit of the decade. For providing material for one of the best supporting performances of the year (No, not Heath Ledger). For giving a great actor a phenomenal swan song. For feeling fresh and new after six viewings.


Frost/Nixon
For making Nixon a man, not a monster. For making me believe in the Ron Howard myth. For building off of a somewhat shallow script. For making the 1970s feel as pressing as tomorrow. For Michael Sheen's amazing TV Voice.


Married Life
For balancing comedy and drama effortlessly. For making the Other Woman more than a slut. For providing the most memorable score of the first half of the year. For realizing people can fall back in love. For Patricia Clarkson's sexy, sexy self.


Milk
For making the biopic formula feel new. For Sean Penn's smile. For reestablishing Gus Van Sant's greatness. For invoking the look and feel of a 1970s flick. For being unashamedly GAY.


Rachel Getting Married
For reflecting life so realistically. For making Rachel just as irritating as Kym. For making the music part of the action. For making me sob. For making Roger Corman an extra with a video camera.


Speed Racer
For willing to be cheesy. For being sincere despite it all. For giving me my childhood back. For capturing the spirit of the TV series. For making me sob for two hours.


Synecdoche, NY
For making me feel every emotion simultaneously. For that final monologue. For that magnificent ensemble of women. For putting all my hopes and fears up on the screen. For Dianne Wiest.


Valkyrie
For creating suspense when I knew the ending. For not caring about accents, just acting ability. For John Ottman's absolutely brilliant score. For a superb supporting cast. For making my heart beat dangerously fast throughout.


Vicky Cristina Barcelona
For reminding me why I love Woody Allen. For making me actually love the Spanish language. For giving its actresses great material. For the beautiful cinematography. For making Woody Allen seem young and hip and sexy.

Christmas Time is Movie Time

It is already New Year's Eve. Wow. 2008 went by rather fast, actually, and I mean faster than previous years before it. I always felt that I had just a little more time to do this, a few more months to get that done. And yet here we are, with 2009 a little more than twelve hours away, and I realize how woefully unprepared I am for it.

That is to say: I missed I've Loved You So Long, I've yet to see In Bruges, and I'm the only person I know who hasn't seen Slumdog Millionaire. All this despite the fact that I've been seeing two movies a day since I got back home.

It all started with Frost/Nixon, which was great. I never know what I'm getting with Ron Howard. His Russell Crowe movies inspire and entertain me, while his Tom Hanks ones (well, not Splash) BORE me. Fortunately, Frost/Nixon belongs in the former, though no Crowe is to be found. It's a terrif ensemble, and I want to be the one person out there praising Michael Sheen instead of Frank Langella, but I can't. Sheen is great in this, don't get me wrong -- I love that he has an Interviewer Voice, slightly different from his normal one. But Frank Langella's Nixon is probably going ot be the standard by which all other Nixons are measured. Charming, professional, and a little sad, Langella gives us the Man instead of the Caricature. I'd say it's probably the best thing Howard's ever done, though I have to re-watch Cinderella Man before I'm certain.

And then, of course, there was Christmas. Time was spent with the family, presents were opened, all was well. My friends and I celebrated by catching a double feature: Doubt and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Doubt probably has the most rewatchability, as it's relatively short and more than just a little outrageous. John Patrick Shanley's screenplay, like his stage version, is a little on the nose with everything, but everyone makes it work. His directing, on the other hand, is just awful. I am convinced that Doubt, the movie, is an experiment in Dutch angles, which Shanley probably learned about the week before shooting before. (Though I haven't seen Joe vs. the Volcano; maybe it's the same problem there) The acting's great, though. Meryl Streep is surprisingly funny, Viola Davis does what is expected -- that is, knock it out of the park -- and Amy Adams does some great stuff with an underwritten part. I must admit, I found Philip Seymour Hoffman to be more SHOUT EVERY LINE than was necessary. Howard Shore's score is forgettable; the story and direction would have benefited from Philip Glass.

Benjamin Button was not outrageous, however. Give props to writer Eric Roth and director David Fincher for making a story in which a man ages backwards, from old age to infancy, not ridiculous at all. It's rather sad, actually, though touching and romantic in places, magical in many, beautiful to behold in all. Cinematographer Claudio Miranda gives us some GORGEOUS shit to look at, with a golden past and a blue present. Alexandre Desplat's score is equally gorgeous and memorable, capable of invoking emotions all on its own. A terrific ensemble, too. Brad Pitt's great, but we all knew that. I am still astounded by everything Cate Blanchett does, but truly: where in the hell is she from? Olympus? Valhalla? The woman is unbelievably great at everything that's not royal.

Gran Torino was next, a movie that is all about Clint Eastwood. Forget the lame song, the false performances from the supporting cast, the cliche-ridden script. Forget all that. Clint's portrayal of a tough old racist is, yes, charming. It's a surprisingly witty performance, instantly quotable, though I wouldn't recommend doing it in certain areas. You wanna sit back and have a couple of beers with the man. I really do hope it's his last performance, for it's such a great note to leave on. He makes the movie. (Let me declare now, though, that I am still horrified by the movie's treatment of black people. I mean, it's just...shocking. Especially in 2008.)

Valkyrie is getting shit for no reason. We all know how a movie about assassinating Hitler is going to end. There's no surprise there. My God, though, the suspense of this film! We know what's to come, yet still was I on the edge of my seat, hoping maybe they would get away with it, trip off merrily into the sunset, and end World War II prematurely. Alas. I liked Tom Cruise a lot as Stauffenberg, but I'm a Tom Cruise fan. John Ottman's score is mainly to blame for the pulse-pounding nature of the flick. Tightly written, well-paced, good performances. Great stuff.

And, finally, we have Milk. Which was also great. Maybe I'm beginning to sound easy to please, but there you have it: Milk was great. Sean Penn's best performance to date, very admirable work from Gus Van Sant, a supporting cast that I just adored, great 1970s atmosphere captured by Harris Savides. Yowza. Wish Danny Elfman's score was more memorable, but at least it wasn't distracting, either. And Diego Luna bothered the shit out of me. Not just his character, either, I'm talking about the performance. It just all seemed wrong to me.

Well, my Top Ten of 2008 is soon to come. I can only hope that I've seen and discussed everything I needed to. Ciao, bella.

SAG NOMINATIONS

Holy fuck my shit, folks. This is it. Well, not "it", per se, since we're still a ways from the Oscars (curse thee, February!), but...this'll do. I love the Guilds. I feel like it really means more when an award or nomination comes from peers, people who understand the craft inside and out. They were the first to honor Ruby Dee last year, they nominated Leonardo DiCaprio twice in 2006, and they love Catherine Keener. That's good enough for me.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Kate Winslet, The Reader
REACTION: I throw up my hands with this category. Cruz, Davis and Winslet are locks, yes. But one group prefers Henson, another likes Tomei, no one loves DeWitt (for shame!), and Adams looks poised to get her second Oscar nom. I'm sure this isn't the Oscar roster; either Adams or Henson is out, making room for Tomei. I need to see these movies, dammit! I predicted 3/5 correctly, but I love the love that's loving on Henson.

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: Oh, wow. Did not see that Patel nom coming. 4/5 predicted correctly, with wild card Gary Oldman left out in the cold. And still, I don't know if this is the Oscar roster. Only seen Downey and Ledger at this point, but I expect to have this corrected by New Year's.

ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
REACTION: Holy...Hawkins elbowed out in favor of Hathaway, my own personal favorite from the two I've seen? Blessed day! 4/5 predicted correctly, and I feel certain that this here may be the Oscar roster. Will critical favorite Hawkins replace Leo or Hathaway? God knows. I do smell a win on the horizon for one of my all-time favorite actresses.

ACTOR
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
REACTION: 3/5 predicted correctly. How could I have forgotten about Jenkins? Stupid of me, really. This is definite, though. Actress was a "may be". This is a "for sure". There's your Oscar list.

ENSEMBLE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
REACTION: 3/5 predicted correctly, with my wild card Synecdoche out of the picture, and my ensemble pick Dark Knight shown little love. Interesting group here. Very multicultural. Frost/Nixon is the odd man out, as the sole film to exclusively feature white Anglo-Saxon heterosexual men. Am I wrong?

Got Milk?

The amazing trailer for Milk, a biopic depicting the rise of the first openly gay elected official, San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk. This just looks incredible, and I can't wait for it to come out. Better quality trailer here.