2015 Oscar Nominations Announced

2 Responses to “2015 Oscar Nominations Announced”

2. 

   Todd  January 16, 2015 Reply

   I mostly agree with this year’s nominees but there are a few things to note. First, the Academy continues to show love for Clint Eastwood by nominating the sub-par AMERICAN SNIPER including for Picture, Screenplay (which makes the least sense), and Actor (Bradley Cooper). The film has its moments and Cooper gives a strong performance, but was he really better than Jake Gyllenhaal’s brilliant turn as Lou Bloom in NIGHTCRAWLER (answer: no) or David Oweloyo as Martin Luther King, Jr. in SELMA? On that last point, I have no problem with the lack of racial diversity in this year’s nominees and consider Al Sharpton’s protests to be no more than race-baiting grandstanding of the kind for which he’s been infamous for years. The Academy picked who they wanted; they are not an affirmative-action committee. Meryl Streep received yet another undeserved nominations (she’s gotten a number of them over the years for ho-hum work in a mediocre movie) but never has she been as boring as she was in a boring film — INTO THE WOODS. The Academy missed out here to recognize someone else in the Supporting Actress category instead of giving Streep her 19th nomination. Another supporting category head-scratcher is Robert Duvall in the sappy THE JUDGE; did he really do something worthy of the nomination — especially considering the numerous times he was nominated and/or won for better work? I’m finally shocked by the absence of THE LEGO MOVIE from the animated film category; that was a true surprise as I thought it would probably be the ultimate winner (though the film wasn’t a personal favorite of mine it must be said).

   I’m supremely happy for BIRDMAN, BOYHOOD, and THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL — three of my favorite films of 2014. I’m also happy for THE IMITATION GAME though it was a more by-the-numbers biopic. Congrats to Marion Cotillard for her recognition in the Best Actress category for a film otherwise overlooked by other groups. The Original Screenplay category strikes me as the strongest of the numerous groups; there’s not real weak nomination in the bunch. And INTERSTELLAR scored in only the categories it should have for an otherwise disappointing movie-going experience: the technical awards.

   I have made predictions in the past, but I hate to do so this year. Still, I will say Best Picture seems to be between BIRDMAN and BOYHOOD to which I’d give an edge to the later. Similarly, Director is likely between BOYHOOD’S Richard Linklater for filming over 12 years and Alejandro Inarritu’s also incredible feat of continuous shooting (which may bode well in the also-important Cinematography category). Actor is coming down to Eddie Redmayne and Michael Keaton with Benedict Cumberbatch a close third. Actress seems likely to be front-runned by the always-the-bridesmade Julianne Moore though I’m glad to see Rosamund Pike’s daring work recognized. I would love to see J. K. Simmons win Best Supporting Actor for WHIPLASH and I’m not sure who his major competition is at this moment; it helps that WHIPLASH received other major nominations (Picture and Screenplay). And Supporting Actress is likely Patricia Arquette’s to lose. A lot more will be known after the upcoming SAG awards.

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     Adam Patterson  January 16, 2015 Reply

     I completely agree with your comments/predictions Todd. I was pleased to see WHIPLASH get noticed, and I mirror your sentiment about THE LEGO MOVIE getting snubbed. I’m also confused as to why SELMA wasn’t up for more awards since it was the best out of the EIGHT biopics that came out this December and there was nothing for A MOST VIOLENT YEAR? Come on.

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