The Nominees Are . . .
This is the Big Day. It’s like announcing the teams for the Super Bowl only it’s the Academy Awards. I have to say there were a few surprises and omissions but overall the Academy got it right. Either they got it right or I’ve slipped into the mindset of a 60-something Academy member. There were some hopeful nods to great performances in small movies. Solid actors added to their already distinguished list of nominations but you can’t knock their hustle. They’re simply exceptional.
Here’s the Diva’s take on today’s nominations (in the major categories) Keep in mind I’m not discussing who will win since I still have a lot of movie going ahead of me.
Best Picture: Babel, The Departed, Letters From Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, The Queen.
As much as I loved Little Miss Sunshine, I can’t help but feel it took another movie’s place. It’s a touching nod to a small film. I’m really surprised to see Dreamgirls missing from this list.
Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, Blood Diamond ; Ryan Gosling, Half Nelson ; Peter O'Toole, Venus ; Will Smith, The Pursuit of Happyness ; Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland.
I have to run out and see Half Nelson, if I can find it. I loved Gosling in The Believer. Amazing. Amazing. Smith has come a long way since the Fresh Prince but he seems to play the same righteous character in each film. I’d love to see him stretch and show diversity or an edge in another type of role.
Actress: Penelope Cruz, Volver ; Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal ; Helen Mirren, The Queen ; Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada ; Kate Winslet, Little Children.
This seems about right to me. The Winslet slot is a wild card. It could have been filled by Maggie Gyllenhaal,Toni Collette or Renee Zellweger.
Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin, L ittle Miss Sunshine ; Jackie Earle Haley, Little Children ; Djimon Hounsou, Blood Diamond ; Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls ; Mark Wahlberg, The Departed.
Arkin was the obvious choice. It would have been nice to see Steve Carell recognized for his striking performance as the depressed gay scholar in Little Miss Sunshine. Nice work. Brad Pitt was robbed of a nomination in this category for his fragile turn as a distrught husband. And I’m not just saying that because I’d like to see his sexy ass in a tuxedo. Hounsou has turned in some noble and emotional performances. Not to mentions his sexy chocolate self. Just think. Marky Mark could win an Oscar. Feel the vibrations.
Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza, Babel ; Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal ; Abigail Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine ; Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls ; Rinko Kikuchi, Babel.
I told you guys to watch out for Kikuchi. She's a revelation in Babel. Little Abigail was a wonder. What a great honor for her. Once again, I think Collette would have been great in this spot also.
Directing: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Babel ; Martin Scorsese, The Departed ; Clint Eastwood, Letters From Iwo Jima ; Stephen Frears, The Queen ; Paul Greengrass, United 93.
United 93. WTF!!!!! Is this the year the Raging Bull finally wins? We’ll see.
Original Song: I Need to Wake Up from An Inconvenient Truth, Melissa Etheridge; Listen from Dreamgirls, Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler and Anne Preven; Love You I Do from Dreamgirls, Henry Krieger and Siedah Garrett; Our Town from Cars, Randy Newman; Patience from Dreamgirls, Henry Krieger and Willie Reale.
Three Dreamgirls songs. Was that really necessary? We never even heard the entire song Patience and Love You I Do was a playful fill-in song. Hudson brought the spark to the song. Not the lyrics or words. The producers were smart to add new songs to the movie. They knew this could be their category. I guess there will be no Purple Rain at the Oscar broadcast. Bummer!
What is your reaction to the nominations? Who was left out?
posted by Pop Culture Diva @ 1/23/2007
3 Comments:
Love Meryl in anything and everything but, to be fair, hers was a supporting performance and should have been nominated in that category. But this way it clears the field for Jennifer Hudson to win, so no quarrels. Bummer, though, that Catherine O'Hara wasn't nominated here. Looooove her from the old SCTV days.
Though I haven't seen Little Children, I'm glad to see Jackie Earle Haley got a nod for supporting actor. Nice comeback for a child actor who shoulda been a star. Would have preferred Steve Carell over Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine. Eddie Murphy's performance was good but not Oscar-worthy. Way to go Mark Wahlberg!!!
Dreamgirls' "Patience" for best song? Must be a joke. What an awful parody of 1960s protest songs! The 60s (era of war in Vietnam, the death of Jim Crow, and the budding women's and gay rights movements) was not a time for preaching patience; it was a moment for taking action. The song shouldn't have been recorded let alone nominated.
I do agree with you,PCD,about Will Smith-he needs to play a villian or a character with some more shades of gray. One of the best performances I've seen from him was in Six Degrees of Separation(and one of the best things about that movie,actually)where he was a likable yet devious con artist.
It is Forrest Whitaker's year,IMO,and he'll be more prepared to give a great speech this time out. One of the things that still stuns me is that Marky Mark is up for an Oscar! Over Jack Nicholson,of all people! So weird.
I really wish that either the SOAP theme or the Borat Anthem could've been a Best Song contender. I am glad that"Love you,I Do" was nominated so that Jennifer Hudson can get to sing at the Awards. Wonder if Beyonce will try to hog all the Best Song performances again? We have to endure"Listen"(my least favorite song from DG)but since "Patience" is a group song,maybe Eddie Murphy and JH can drown her out,vocally.
Very militant JR. Sexy.
Lady T, I hope they have the original artists sing the songs. It's possible they'll send in Whitney Houston or Faith Hill. Remember that year. Beyonce may just end up singing all the DG songs.
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