2015 OSCAR NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED!

2015 will long be remembered as the year that the legendary Dick Poop finally earned a much deserved Oscar nomination! It will also be remembered as the year that the beloved THE LEGO MOVIE was virtually shut out of the iconic awards show. Thankfully, the infectiously likable “Everything is Awesome” was nominated in the song category. Even the much praised SELMA seemed to slip through the cracks. Thankfully, it garnered a Best Picture and Best Song nomination.

By and large, it was art house fare that really appeared to have won over the hearts of academy members in 2014 which, in a way, is fine by me because as George Clooney suggested at the Golden Globes, it’s really the smaller movies that need our support.

Aside from a few glaring omissions, there weren’t any real surprises to speak of during the nominations announcement.  Here are some of my thoughts in regard to the majority of the categories.

Best Picture
AMERICAN SNIPER
BIRDMAN
BOYHOOD
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
THE IMITATION GAME
SELMA
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
WHIPLASH

No real surprises here although there has been a bit of a backlash in regard to AMERICAN SNIPER in the last few weeks. A few journalists have even gone so far as to call the movie lifeless. I had a few issues with the final act, but it’s hardly lifeless. Quite frankly, I think it’s Clint Eastwood’s strongest directorial effort in a long time. Beyond that, I’m very pleased to see WHIPLASH, BIRDMAN, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, and BOYHOOD up there. Surprisingly, SELMA was virtually shut out in all major categories except for this one. A shame, because it’s solid. At the very least, it’s nice to see it up for Best Picture. It would have been cool to see love showered upon a few higher profile movies like GONE GIRL, DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, and EDGE OFTOMORROW. Again though, a solid list of Best Picture nominees.

Best Director
Alejandro González Iñárritu, BIRDMAN
Richard Linklater, BOYHOOD
Bennett Miller, FOXCATCHER
Wes Anderson, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
Morten Tyldum, THE IMITATION GAME

Damien Chazelle was robbed here. WHIPLASH is electric. A lot of it has to do with Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, but the majority of it has to do with Chazelle’s energy as a director.  I’m also quite surprised that Ava DuVernay was passed by for SELMA. They left Eastwood off the ballot as well. Are the DuVernay/Eastwood snubs politically motivated? Hard to say, especially given that SELMA and AMERICAN SNIPER were nominated for Best Picture. What’s truly odd in this category is that Bennett Miller received a nod for FOXCATCHER even though the film itself isn’t even up for the top prize.  Beyond that, the selfish movie lover in me wishes that Jennifer Kent (THE BABADOOK), Jim Mickle (COLD IN JULY), and Gareth Evans (THE RAID 2) made the cut but I’m not at all surprised that they’re not in the running. No love for David Fincher (GONE GIRL) this year either. Totally loving that Linklater, Iñárritu, and Anderson are in the mix though.

Best Actor
Steve Carell, FOXCATCHER
Bradley Cooper, AMERICAN SNIPER
Benedict Cumberbatch, THE IMITATION GAME
Michael Keaton, BIRDMAN
Eddie Redmayne, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING

I have to say, it’s nice to see Bradley Cooper up there. He carries AMERICAN SNIPER in a big way. It might be the best performance of his career. Many great performances this year but the big snubs here are David Oyelowo  for his outstanding work as Martin Luther King Jr. in SELMA and Jake Gyllenhaal for his creepy turn as Louis Bloom in NIGHTCRAWLER. Granted, I’d be hard pressed to replace any of the other names on that ballot. Perhaps Steve Carell in FOXCATCHER. Don’t get me wrong, Carell is good, but Oyelowo and Gyllenhaal left a much bigger impression on me. For that matter, Carell’s FOXCATCHER co-star Channing Tatum was every bit as important to the overall effectiveness of that movie. It’s a shame Bill Murray was overlooked for his wonderful work in ST. VINCENT too. And how about a hypnotic Joaquin Phoenix for his turn as a pot head private detective in INHERENT VICE? Or what about Tom Hardy for his commanding work in LOCKE. Furthermore, I’m always holding out hope that some high profile awards show will finally recognize Andy Serkis for the brilliant actor he is. His work in DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is positively stellar! Fierce competition in this particular category this year.

Best Actress
Marion Cotillard, TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT
Felicity Jones, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Julianne Moore, STILL ALICE
Rosamund Pike, GONE GIRL
Reese Witherspoon, WILD

Unfortunately, I didn’t see TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT but all the other women in this category are more than deserving of a nomination. Having said that, Essie Davis should have been nominated for THE BABADOOK. In fact, she should win the damn thing! Other women forgotten by Oscar this year;  Emily Blunt for her playful sense of humor and  undeniable physicality  in EDGE OF TOMORROW, and Kirsten Wiig for her infectiously likable work as a dysfunctional woman in THE SKELETON TWINS. I’ve also heard great things about Scarlett Johannson’s work in UNDER THE SKIN.

Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, THE JUDGE
Ethan Hawke, BOYHOOD
Edward Norton, BIRDMAN
Mark Ruffalo, FOXCATCHER
J.K. Simmons, WHIPLASH

I missed THE JUDGE so I can’t comment on that one but I love the other four nominees. Particularly J.K. Simmons who may have given the single most mesmerizing performance of 2014.  As is the case with the Best Actor category, Best Supporting is sporting some fierce competition. How else could they justifiably leave Josh Brolin off the list for his hilarious turn as a frozen banana chomping cop in INHERENT VICE. Three other performers that are more than deserving but unfortunately never had a chance; Toby Kebbell for his brilliant work as Koba in DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, Don Johnson for his career best performance in COLD IN JULY, and young Noah Wiseman for his effective turn in THE BABADOOK.

Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, BOYHOOD
Laura Dern, WILD
Keira Knightley, THE IMITATION GAME
Emma Stone, BIRDMAN
Meryl Streep, INTO THE WOODS

I’m really surprised Katherine Waterston didn’t get a nod for her sultry turn in INHERENT VICE. And save for a few missteps in the final act, Rene Russo made a terrific comeback in NIGHTCRAWLER. You could also make a strong argument for queen of quirk, Tilda Swinton,  for her offbeat but memorable work in both SNOWPIERCER and THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. Love the five women nominated though. I’m especially partial to Emma Stone for her heartfelt turn in BIRDMAN.

Best Animated Feature Film
BIG HERO 6
THE BOXTROLLS
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2
SONG OF THE SEA
THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA

This category offers up what was arguably the biggest upset during the nominations announcement! Where the hell is LEGO MOVIE?!! I haven’t seen SONG OF THE SEA or THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA but I hear they’re great. As much as I enjoyed BIG HERO 6 and as much as I admire and respect the artistry behind THE BOXTROLLS, THE LEGO MOVIE could have and should have easily replaced one of those two titles. A creative movie about the power of creativity. Everything is not awesome in the Best Animated Feature Category.

Best Adapted Screenplay
AMERICAN SNIPER (Jason Hall)
THE IMITATION GAME (Graham Moore)
INHERENT VICE (Paul Thomas Anderson)
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (Anthony McCarten)
WHIPLASH (Damien Chazelle)

Ummm…Two words for you; GONE GIRL! Gillian Flynn adapted her own book for visionary David Fincher and the end result is a shrewd satire on the institution of marriage. Pitch black and devilishly entertaining. And here’s three more words for you; COLD IN JULY. This might be the most underappreciated movie of 2014. A gritty, brutal, darkly funny multi layered noir thriller based on a book by the supremely creative Joe R. Lansdale. This adaptation was penned by actor Nick Damici and what can I say? He knocked it out of the park.

Best Original Screenplay
BIRDMAN (Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo)
BOYHOOD (Richard Linklater)
FOXCATCHER (E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman)
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Wes Anderson, Hugo Guiness)
NIGHTCRAWLER (Dan Gilroy)

Hard to argue with any of these nominations although I’m sure the real life Mark Schultz would argue where FOXCATCHER is concerned. Would have been nice to see THE LEGO MOVIE in this category. Firstly, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller took something that had no business being any good and made something great out of it. Secondly, this creative gem teaches the importance of creativity. In short, it was “awesome”! And how about Jennifer Kent’s emotionally resonant horror show, THE BABADOOK . This one is so profound, it transcends the horror genre all together.

Best Cinematography
BIRDMAN (Emmanuel Lubezki)
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Robert D. Yeoman)
IDA (Ryszard Lenczweski; Lukasz Zal)
MR. TURNER (Dick Poop Pope)
UNBROKEN (Roger Deakins)

First and foremost, it’s Dick Pope. Not, Dick Poop. Cheryl Boone Isaacs totally butchered that one (along with a few other flubs) during the nominations announcement, but such is live television. I suppose it could have happened to anyone and I suppose worse things have happened during a live television broadcast.  Sidenote; Pope’s work on MR. TURNER is positively breathtaking. I didn’t see IDA but the other nominees did outstanding work as well. Still, I can’t fathom the idea that Robert Elswit was left out of the running. He shot not one, but two exceptional films in INHERENT VICE and NIGHTCRAWLER. And what about Bradford Young? He shot both SELMA and A MOST VIOLENT YEAR.  So many great DPs…Not nearly enough room on the ballot.

Best Costume Design
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Milena Canonero)
INHERENT VICE (Mark Bridges)
INTO THE WOODS (Colleen Atwood)
MR. TURNER (Jacqueline Durran)
MALEFICENT (Anna B. Sheppard)

I’m digging all of the nominees in this category, but you know what? I’m always questioning why the academy never nominates superhero movies for Best Costume Design.  CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, etc. Super heros are all about the costume so why the hell not?!

Best Film Editing
AMERICAN SNIPER (Joel Cox, Gary Roach)
BOYHOOD (Sandra Adair)
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Barney Pilling)
THE IMITATION GAME (William Goldenberg)
WHIPLASH (Tom Cross)

So happy to see WHIPLASH up there. BOYHOOD too! As worthy as all of these nominees are, it would be nice to see an action film in the mix. Namely, THE RAID 2. Gareth Evans cut the hell out of that movie! Brilliant!

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
FOXCATCHER
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

It’s intriguing that the first winner ever in this category was Rick Baker for his brilliant work on AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON but in the years since, it seems like fewer and fewer genre films are recognized for Best Make-Up and Hairstyling. True, FOXCATCHER offers up one hell of a fake nose, but I’d much rather see movies like OCULUS, AFFLICTED, and CHEAP THRILLS on the ballot. Sure am glad to see that GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY made the cut though.

Best Music (Original Score)
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Alexandre Desplat)
THE IMITATION GAME (Alexandre Desplat)
INTERSTELLAR (Hans Zimmer)
MR. TURNER (Gary Yershon)
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (Jóhann Jóhannsson)

A lot of love for Alexandre Desplat this year. Totally deserving. Having said that, Danny Elfman’s BIG EYES score is lovely. I’m also quite fond of Trent Reznor’s work on GONE GIRL.

Best Music (Original Song)
“Lost Stars” from BEGIN AGAIN
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from GLEN CAMPBELL: I’LL BE ME 
“Everything is Awesome” from THE LEGO MOVIE
“Glory” from SELMA
“Grateful” from BEYOND THE LIGHTS

The big snub here, and it should come as no surprise because hardly anyone saw this gem of a movie, is RUDDERLESS. Most notably, the tune “Home”. Passionate and absolutely essential to the core of RUDDERLESS. The songs aid in telling this story, but the story is also about the songs. This was the best musical since ONCE, which is ironic considering John Carney’s follow-up to ONCE is BEGIN AGAIN…Which just so happened to get a nomination in this very category. BEGIN AGAIN is well intentioned and “Lost Stars” is a terrific tune, but RUDDERLESS is the stronger film and a lot of that has to do with the heartfelt music at its center.

Best Production Design
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Adam Stockhausen; Anna Pinnock)
THE IMITATION GAME (Maria Djurkovic; Tatiana Macdonald)
INTERSTELLAR (Nathan Crowley; Gary Fettis, Paul Healy)
INTO THE WOODS (Dennis Gassner; Anna Pinnock)
MR. TURNER (Suzie Davies; Charlotte Watts)

Again, all solid choices but it irritates me that aside from INTERSTELLAR, larger, tent pole releases were all but ignored. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY was totally worthy of a nomination. So was EDGE OF TOMORROW.

Best Sound Editing
AMERICAN SNIPER
BIRDMAN
THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES
INTERSTELLAR
UNBROKEN

No DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES or GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?!! WTF?!!