Oscar Nominations 2009

[DISUNC]

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" led all films at the nominations for the 81st annual Academy Awards Thursday morning, picking up 13.

The film, about a man who ages backwards, earned nods for best picture, best director (David Fincher), best actor (Brad Pitt), best supporting actress (Taraji P. Henson) and best adapted screenplay, as well as several other picks.

"The Dark Knight," the year's top-grossing film, earned a best supporting actor nomination for the late Heath Ledger but was shut out of other major categories.

The nominees for best picture are "Frost/Nixon," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Milk," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Reader."

The nominees for best actor are Sean Penn ("Milk"), Frank Langella ("Frost/Nixon"), Mickey Rourke ("The Wrestler"), Richard Jenkins ("The Visitor") and Brad Pitt ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button").

The nominees for best actress are Kate Winslet ("The Reader"), Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married"), Meryl Streep ("Doubt"), Angelina Jolie ("Changeling") and Melissa Leo ("Frozen River").

The nominees for best supporting actor are Heath Ledger ("The Dark Knight"), Josh Brolin ("Milk"), Michael Shannon ("Revolutionary Road"), Robert Downey Jr. ("Tropic Thunder") and Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Doubt").

The nominees for best supporting actress are Penelope Cruz ("Vicky Cristina Barcelona"), Amy Adams ("Doubt"), Viola Davis ("Doubt"), Taraji P. Henson ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Marisa Tomei ("The Wrestler").

The nominees for best director are David Fincher ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"), Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire"), Gus Van Sant ("Milk"), Ron Howard ("Frost/Nixon") and Stephen Daldry ("The Reader").

The nominees for best animated feature are "WALL-E," "Kung Fu Panda" and "Bolt."

The nominees for best original screenplay are "In Bruges," "WALL-E," "Frozen River," "Milk" and "Happy-Go-Lucky."

The nominees for best adapted screenplay are "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "The Reader" and "Doubt."

The Oscars will be presented on February 22 from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. The broadcast will air on ABC. Hugh Jackman is scheduled to host.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/22/oscar.nominations/index.html

 

[chisnpeke]

I was glad about Heath Ledger getting nominated. Surprised that Kate Winslet got Best Actress for The Reader. I thought she would get that in Best Supporting Actress and get one for Revolutionary Road for Best Actress.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Ok, so Slumdog Millionaire is nominated for Best Picture: What about it's actors? I haven't seen the movie, but with the Golden Globes wins I thought they'd be at least nominated for some of the acting nods. But, that's why I usually agree more with the Globes, they're a little more daring.

I have never heard of Milk?

 

[yeartolate]

Slumdog should win best picture.

I thought Sean Penn should hands down win until I saw the Wrestler. They were both totally amazing.


Meryl Streep. If she does not win i am afraid.

Phillip S'more Hoffman should win. But Heath LEdger gavi an oustanding performance - he might edge over Hoffman with the compassion vote.

Taraji Henderson was excellent. But frankly Amy Adams blew me away!

 

[suzannen]

Slumdog should win best picture.

I thought Sean Penn should hands down win until I saw the Wrestler. They were both totally amazing.


Meryl Streep. If she does not win i am afraid.

Phillip S'more Hoffman should win. But Heath LEdger gavi an oustanding performance - he might edge over Hoffman with the compassion vote.

Taraji Henderson was excellent. But frankly Amy Adams blew me away!

Yeartolate - I'm curious why you think Slumdog should win. So many folks I know positively hated it because of the violence, particularly violence of children to other children. It's kept me from seeing it. Can you convince me otherwise?

I'm very disappointed that neither Clint Eastwood or his movie Gran Torino were nominated. That was a really wonderful movie and a great performance.

 

[DISUNC]

I really want to see Slumdog., nt playing anywhere near me. I MUST SEE DOUBT. Maybe this weekend.

Just seeing Meryl Streep in the coming attractions reminds me of every nun I ever had in Parochial school back in the 60's!!!!

Milk is about Harvey Milk the first openly gay Mayor elected in the USA. He was assasinated. They movie was Heh...take it or leave it. But the performances were GREAT, Brolin was soooooooooooooooo good in it...but Me thinks Heath Ledger will get the Oscar and deservedly so. I thought Sean Penn was a bit 'cartoonish' in it.

Sad Wall-E wasnt nominated for Best Movie.

Yeah must see Revolutionary Road too. The "Buzz" is that Leonardo DiCaprio was robbed of that nomination.

 

[chisnpeke]

I really want to see Slumdog., nt playing anywhere near me. I MUST SEE DOUBT. Maybe this weekend.

Just seeing Meryl Streep in the coming attractions reminds me of every nun I ever had in Parochial school back in the 60's!!!!

Milk is about Harvey Milk the first openly gay Mayor elected in the USA. He was assasinated. They movie was Heh...take it or leave it. But the performances were GREAT, Brolin was soooooooooooooooo good in it...but Me thinks Heath Ledger will get the Oscar and deservedly so. I thought Sean Penn was a bit 'cartoonish' in it.

Sad Wall-E wasnt nominated for Best Movie.

Yeah must see Revolutionary Road too. The "Buzz" is that Leonardo DiCaprio was robbed of that nomination.

I want to see Revolutionary Road. I think Leo was robbed. But I'm a bit biased as I think he is one of the best actors we've got.

I think Kate Winslet should win Best Actress. She deserves it after all of these nominations.

 

[yeartolate]

Yeartolate - I'm curious why you think Slumdog should win. So many folks I know positively hated it because of the violence, particularly violence of children to other children. It's kept me from seeing it. Can you convince me otherwise?

I'm very disappointed that neither Clint Eastwood or his movie Gran Torino were nominated. That was a really wonderful movie and a great performance.

Beyond the violence, there was a sense of hope and perserverence that kept me absolutely captivated.

The manner in which they told his story was intriging. The told his story in flashbacks during his beatings - he illustrated how he knew each and every answer ...that told his story. But admittedly you have to get beyond the violence. But you cannot tell a slumdog's story without the icky stuff.

 

[DISUNC]

I want to see Revolutionary Road. I think Leo was robbed. But I'm a bit biased as I think he is one of the best actors we've got..

Yes he is, and all of his movies are great too.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

I really want to see Slumdog., nt playing anywhere near me. I MUST SEE DOUBT. Maybe this weekend.

Just seeing Meryl Streep in the coming attractions reminds me of every nun I ever had in Parochial school back in the 60's!!!!

Milk is about Harvey Milk the first openly gay Mayor elected in the USA. He was assasinated. They movie was Heh...take it or leave it. But the performances were GREAT, Brolin was soooooooooooooooo good in it...but Me thinks Heath Ledger will get the Oscar and deservedly so. I thought Sean Penn was a bit 'cartoonish' in it.

Sad Wall-E wasnt nominated for Best Movie.

Yeah must see Revolutionary Road too. The "Buzz" is that Leonardo DiCaprio was robbed of that nomination.

That's right, I remember hearing about Milk. Sean Penn is hit and miss with me. He's getting a little over dramatic. I agree with Heath. He should have won for Brokeback Mountain, IMO. But, he was fantastic as the Joker, too.

 

[bekkiz]

Actually, while there was a lot of violence towards children early in Slumdog Millionaire, I actually felt like most of it was implied. Like, you don't really see most of the gory stuff, but you know what happened. It's an important part of the development of the characters, and frankly, you sort of have to see it to understand India/Mumbai of the 80's.

It's a fantastic movie, and I promise, the payoff is worth anything in the begining.

My guess is thae academy tends to shy away from first role type actors, and that's why no acting nods, plus I'd argue the competition is particularly fierce this year, and some old standbys had some great performances.

 

[frisco]

Benjamin Button was by far my favorite film of the year. Pretty cool it got so many nods.

 

[suzannen]

Thanks for those explanations yeartolate and bekkiz. I'll put it back on my "to see" list then.

 

[soupy11]

Josh Brolin's plans to slowly take over the world are coming to fruition! Good for him!

 

[yeartolate]

I really want to see Slumdog., nt playing anywhere near me. I MUST SEE DOUBT. Maybe this weekend.

Just seeing Meryl Streep in the coming attractions reminds me of every nun I ever had in Parochial school back in the 60's!!!!

Milk is about Harvey Milk the first openly gay Mayor elected in the USA. He was assasinated. They movie was Heh...take it or leave it. But the performances were GREAT, Brolin was soooooooooooooooo good in it...but Me thinks Heath Ledger will get the Oscar and deservedly so. I thought Sean Penn was a bit 'cartoonish' in it.
Sad Wall-E wasnt nominated for Best Movie.

Yeah must see Revolutionary Road too. The "Buzz" is that Leonardo DiCaprio was robbed of that nomination.

About Penn being cartoonish as Milk. I grew up in SF. I lived in a predominently gay area (I was the token heterosexual ) and worked near City Hall, We went to the Castro area alot. I can tell you that Milk actually was a bit cartoonish himself. I can still see him outside of the Streetcar stop "preaching" his word soapbox style. He was an unusual man - I never thought the word cartoonish, but he had the quirky mannerisms and voice inflections down. I had goosebumps for days. But maybe it was since I was so close to the situation.

I agree that Josh Brolin was amazing. HE gave me the creeps, big time.

 

[DISUNC]

About Penn being cartoonish as Milk. I grew up in SF. I lived in a predominently gay area (I was the token heterosexual ) and worked near City Hall, We went to the Castro area alot. I can tell you that Milk actually was a bit cartoonish himself. I can still see him outside of the Streetcar stop "preaching" his word soapbox style. He was an unusual man - I never thought the word cartoonish, but he had the quirky mannerisms and voice inflections down. I had goosebumps for days. But maybe it was since I was so close to the situation.

I agree that Josh Brolin was amazing. HE gave me the creeps, big time.

When I saw Milk, I kept on thinking thats Sean Penn acting! (ya know what I mean) Then again I never thought Sean Penn was a great actor.
But yes, Brolin was soooooooooooo creepy in this.

But this will be Ledgers year for playing Creepy! Very sad.

 

[ckay87]

Robert Downey Jr did NOT just get nominated for Tropic Thunder. No he did not!!!! OMG

Benjamin Button was brilliant and I've come to believe that Brad Pitt is pretty under-rated. I hope he wins it!

I enjoyed Slumdog. Didn't find it any more violent than most films. I don't see an Oscar in it, but that's just me.

 

[Jenvenza]

The Reader was my favorite movie of the year. It was a wonderful movie. And that being said, Kate Winslet should win Best Actress for The Reader as well. She was amazing in it.

 

[lemondog]

I am so happy Robert Downey, Jr. got a nomination! Let's face it, Tropic Thunder is NOT an Oscar-caliber movie, but I am so glad his amazing performance was recognized. He is a brilliant actor!

 

[tar heel]

Actually, while there was a lot of violence towards children early in Slumdog Millionaire, I actually felt like most of it was implied. Like, you don't really see most of the gory stuff, but you know what happened. It's an important part of the development of the characters, and frankly, you sort of have to see it to understand India/Mumbai of the 80's.

Do you really think it's the India/Mumbai of the 1980s? Or the India of right now? I've never been to India, but my DH and most of his extended family has, some of them for months at a time. DH was very disturbed by those parts of the movie b/c he thinks it's still all too true.

That being said, I loved the movie and would not be at all surprised to see it get best picture. That being said, I've really liked all three of the nominees I've seen so far, so this may be a tough choice year.