The Oscar nominees are out. I have only seen one of the movies nominated this year, The Grand Budapest Hotel and I find it interesting that it has been sweeping the awards as much as it has, since I remember enjoying, but not loving the movie.
I’m also surprised to see that Selma isn’t receiving nearly as many accolades, with no nods for Best Actors or Actresses, nor a Best Director Nomination. Hrm. (“2015 Oscar nominations show lack of diversity in a year when films didn’t,” Washington Post.)
Anywho, here are the Best Picture Nominees, along with a few initial and superficial thoughts.
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American Sniper
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Summary: “Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and turns him into a legend. Back home to his wife and kids after four tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.”
Also Nominated For: Actor in a Leading Role – Bradley Cooper, Adapted Screenplay (Jason Hall), Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing
Total Nominations: 6
My Initial Reaction: War movies are not really my thing, though I remember finding The Hurt Locker to be captivating and this seems to be along that tone. I also have no doubt that Cooper pulls off a fantastic performance.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu
Summary: “A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory.”
Also Nominated For: Best Director, Actor in a Leading Role – Michael Keaton, Actor in a Supporting Role – Edward Norton, Actress in a Supporting Role – Emma Stone, Original Screenplay (by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Alexander Dinelaris), Cinematography, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing
Total Nominations: 9
My Initial Reaction:Â I really don’t know what to make of this movie, but it has a superhero theme and is cast with a litany of amazing actors, so I’m hopeful.
Boyhood
Directed by Richard Linklater
Summary: “The life of a young man, Mason, from age 5 to age 18.”
Also Nominated For: Best Director, Actor in a Supporting Role – Ethan Hawke, Actress in a Supporting Role – Patricia Arquette, Film Editing, Original Screenplay (Richard Linklater)
Total Nominations: 5
My Initial Reaction: To actually choose to take 12 years to make a movie is a brave choice, which gets my kudos right away. I’ll be interested to see how it well actually all fits together.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Directed by Wes Anderson
Summary: “The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous hotel from the fictional Republic of Zubrowka between the first and second World Wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend.”
Also Nominated For: Best Director, Original Screenplay (Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness), Cinematography, , Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Production Design
Total Nominations: 9
My Initial Reaction: While this is certainly visually stunning, quite funny, and rather fun, it was not my favorite Wes Anderson film. (Though, admittedly I may have been a bit distracted while watching.)
The Imitation Game
Directed by Morten Tyldum
Summary: “During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians.”
Also Nominated For: Best Director, Actor in a Leading Role – Benedict Cumberbatch, Actress in a Supporting Role – Keira Knightley, Adapted Screenplay (Graham Moore), Film Editing, Original Score, Production Design
Total Nominations: 8
My Initial Reaction: The actors are good and the story sounds interesting, but I don’t really feel much about this one way or another.
Selma
Directed by Ava DuVernay
Summary: “A chronicle of Martin Luther King’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.”
Also Nominated For: Original Song
Total Nominations: 2
My Initial Reaction: Only two nominations? Really? This looks amazing!
The Theory of Everything
Directed by James Marsh
Summary: “A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife.”
Also Nominated For: Actor in a Leading Role – Eddie Redmayne, Actress in a Leading Role – Felicity Jones, Adapted Screenplay (Anthony McCarten), Original Score
Total Nominations: 5
My Initial Reaction: The trailer gave me chills when I first saw it and I know I’m going to cry.
Whiplash
Directed by Damien Chazelle
Summary: “A promising young drummer enrolls at a cutthroat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student’s potential.”
Also Nominated For: Actor in a Supporting Role – J.K. Simmons, Adapted Screenplay (Damien Chazelle), Film Editing, Sound Mixing
Total Nominations: 5
My Initial Reaction: Has not been on my radar at all. I’ve heard of it a couple of times, but forgot about it almost instantly. However, Miles Teller was fantastic in The Spectacular Now, so at the very least I bet his performance is good.
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I am planning to see all of the movies at a Best Picture Showcase later in February and I’ll make some predictions at that time.
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