One sure thing is that the 84th Annual Academy Awards, live from the Kodak Theatre on Sunday, February 26, belong to Mr. George Clooney. The mega movie star is nominated for Actor in a Leading Role for The Descendants, and also for the Writing (Adapted Screenplay) Oscar for The Ides of March (which is nominated against The Descendants).
Clooney is competing for the Best Actor Oscar against his long-time friend, Brad Pitt (Moneyball), and the popular favourite, Jean Dujardin (The Artist), among others.
The nominations for Actor in a Supporting Role excite me more than the Best Actor category this year. Actor Jonah Hill (best known for his often raunchy comedies) was Brad Pitt’s right-hand man in Moneyball and has scored himself an Oscar nomination for his great work.
Max von Sydow is nominated for his non-speaking role in the heart-wrenching drama, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and one of Canada’s leading actors, the legendary Christopher Plummer is nominated for Beginners.
Christopher Plummer was undoubtedly snubbed for his role as Captain von Trapp in 1965’s blockbuster (and one of my favourite movies), The Sound of Music. After many great roles, Plummer was finally recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his portrayal of Leo Tolstoy in The Last Station (2009).
Now I hate to admit it, but I have yet to see any of the five films from the Actress in a Leading Role category, which means I have a busy four and a half weeks ahead of me. However, if the Golden Globes are a precursor to the Academy Awards (and they usually are), Viola Davis will be a front-runner for her role in The Help, as well as Hollywood’s wonder woman, Meryl Streep, for her portrayal as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.
As someone who has watched the Oscars since she was in her mother’s womb, I have to say the Academy sure is lightening up within the last few years, and I like it! Fifteen years ago, I couldn’t see the members of the Academy nominating a character who craps in a sink, yet the foul-mouthed scene-stealer in Bridesmaids is nominated for Actress in a Supporting Role. Melissa McCarthy had millions of people laughing in theatres around the world last year, and surely, the bridal boutique bathroom scene is one they won’t soon forget.
McCarthy is nominated alongside Golden Globe-winner Octavia Spencer (for her role in The Help), as well as Bérénice Bejo in the Best Picture-nominated silent film, The Artist.
After two years of nominating ten films for the Best Picture category, the Academy scaled it back to nine – and I’m not sure why. I’m in preference to the five nomination category, but oh well. Of the nine, the front-runners include The Artist, The Descendants, Moneyball, and Hugo.
Also a surprise is the low number of Original Song nominees – including “Man or Muppet” from The Muppets and “Real in Rio” from the animated feature film, Rio.
The hilarious and talented star of Saturday Night Live and Bridesmaids, Kristen Wiig, is nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. She not only starred in the blockbuster comedy, but she also wrote it. Best of luck goes out to her as she is competing against heavyweight and movie veteran, Woody Allen, for his film, Midnight in Paris.
Overall, Hugo leads this year’s Oscar nominations with 11, and The Artist isn’t far behind, snagging a total of 10 nominations.
I can’t wait for this year’s Academy Awards. As usual, it’s my favourite night of the year. Make sure to tune into the live broadcast Sunday, February 26.
For the full list of nominees, visit the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences website.
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