Oscar nominations. Discuss...

[rascalmom]

The Oscar nominees were announced this morning. I need to get out more - I haven't seen any of this year's films. Who/What is your favorite?

Razzies announced too: go Tom Cruise and Jessica Simpson!

 

[rascalmom]

Here's info on the nominees:

'Brokeback' leads Oscar nominations

By Mark Caro
Tribune entertainment reporter
Published January 31, 2006, 8:52 AM CST


Ang Lee's gay western love story "Brokeback Mountain" received eight Academy Award nominations today, including best picture, leading a field dominated by low-budget independent movies.

Bennett Miller's Truman Capote biography/ethical exploration "Capote," Paul Haggis' race-relations ensemble drama "Crash," George Clooney's politically pointed McCarthyism drama "Good Night, and Good Luck" and Steven Spielberg's terrorism revenge drama "Munich" filled out a best picture category in which only "Munich" was produced by a major studio.

The last time four of the five best picture nominees came from the so-called independents was 1996, when "The English Patient" was the ultimate winner.

Clooney scored a personal triumph as he received three Oscar nominations: as director and co-writer of "Good Night, and Good Luck", and as supporting actor for "Syriana."

All in all, the nominations were very much in line with the other guild awards, so surprises were few. Young Keira Knightley made an unexpected breakthrough as a best actress nominee for the Jane Austen adaptation "Pride & Prejudice," joining Judi Dench (a plucky theater owner in "Mrs. Henderson Presents"), Felicity Huffman (a transsexual in "Transamerica"), Charlize Theron (a harassed miner in "North Country") and Reese Witherspoon (singer June Carter in "Walk the Line") in the best actress category.

The long-odds nominee in the best actor category was Chicagoan Terrence Howard, who had a breakout performance as a pimp-turned-rapper in "Hustle & Flow." His fellow nominees are Philip Seymour Hoffman for his much-honored portrayal of the title character of "Capote," Heath Ledger for his portrayal of a laconic cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain," Joaquin Phoenix for becoming Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line" and David Strathairn for his cigarette-puffing take on newsman Edward R. Murrow. Russell Crowe's portrayal of a Depression-era boxing champ in "Cinderella Man" was left out.

In a rarity, the directing nominees lined up with the best pictures; Clooney, Haggis, Lee, Miller and Spielberg received the nods.

The supporting actress category includes Amy Adams for "Junebug," Catherine Keener for "Capote," Frances McDormand for "North Country," Rachel Weisz for "The Constant Gardener" and Michelle Williams for "Brokeback Mountain." The supporting actor contenders are Clooney for "Syriana," Matt Dillon for "Crash," Paul Giamatti for "Cinderella Man," Jake Gyllenhaal for "Brokeback Mountain" and William Hurt for "A History of Violence."

The eight nominations for "Brokeback Mountain" make this taboo-shattering drama the presumptive best picture favorite; the film with the most nominations almost always wins. "Brokeback" would become the first gay-themed film to take the top award. But with no film receiving double-digit nominations, this year's pack is clustered together more tightly than usual.

The Oscars will take place March 5 at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre, hosted by Jon Stewart and broadcast on WLS-Ch. 7.





Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune

 

[OhMari]

I always get the impression that Oscar's are for people that have paid their dues. (ie been in the business a long time). But I've seen some young actresses and actors win. Remember when Marisa Tomei won, people still say Jack P(something) read the wrong name.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

glad that terrence howard got nominated for hustle and flow
very very disappointed that munich got nom for best movie and not walk the line
which was a much better movie
if jamoe foxx won last year for being Ray then you would think reese and Phoenix would since they really are june and johnny they did all the SINGING the movie was amazing

 

[HayGan]

The only film I've seen on the list was Crash and I thought it was a fantastic film and the cast definately deserved their SAG for best ensemble.

As for the Oscar going to those who have paid their dues, that certainly isn't the case. Recent examples include Jamie Foxx, Cuba Gooding Jr., Charlize Theron and many others. It is a big game though! Just look at how much studios/actors/agents spend on plugging their candidates leading up to and following the awards ceremony(ies).

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

The only film I've seen on the list was Crash and I thought it was a fantastic film and the cast definately deserved their SAG for best ensemble.

As for the Oscar going to those who have paid their dues, that certainly isn't the case. Recent examples include Jamie Foxx, Cuba Gooding Jr., Charlize Theron and many others. It is a big game though! Just look at how much studios/actors/agents spend on plugging their candidates leading up to and following the awards ceremony(ies).

I remember Cuba winning the Oscar, but I don't remember what it was for? Was it Snow Dogs?

 

[HayGan]

I remember Cuba winning the Oscar, but I don't remember what it was for? Was it Snow Dogs?

No that was the prize role he got following his Oscar win.

He received a best supporting actor award for Jerry Maguire

 

[cardaway]

I think it's great that so many "smaller" movies, and the performances in them, receieved nominations. They also did great box office if you look at profit vs. cost.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't get why Jake Gyllenhaal is considered a supporting actor. I consider his part as major as Heath Ledger's.

Personally, I think that this is a dull group for the most part. I doubt that I'll be tuning in to the awards show this year.

 

[tar heel]

I'll be the first to make a couple predictions . . . I think Clooney will win for Syriana. It's a huge role, really more lead than supporting, which is often the case with supporting winners. Couple that with the fact that he could have been nominated for supporting for Good Night and Good Luck, and I think he'll be on stage. I also think Michelle Williams will win supporting for Brokeback -- she was sensational.

I also think Ang Lee will get best director. Spielberg doesn't win that award, as we've noticed in the past, and Clooney will be honored with the acting award. I've not seen Crash, however, so I could be swayed by that.

I have no idea which will get best picture or even which I would vote for. I also think best actor is so loaded that anyone could win. Strange how so many of the actress nominees are in movies no one saw.

 

[LoraJ]

I'd love for Brokeback to get the win as well as Ang Lee, but they won at the Golden Globes, and it is very rare for a movie to win at both award shows.
I also saw Munich and Crash. I want to see the other 2 before I come to a final decision. lol. I loved Crash by the way.

 

[Minniespal]

I would like for Brokeback Mountain to win. Also Rachel Weisz for Constant Gardener, it was such a depressing film but her performance was first rate.

 

[dani0622]

The only film I have seen this year out of all othe nominees was Walk the Line. I was disappointed to see it not in the best film category, but I didn't see the other ones to compare. I am gunning for Reese and Joaquin even though I didn't see their competitiors, but I loved this movie so much and thought they did such a great job!

My husband says it's all fixed anyway!

 

[DaisyGirlAllTheWay]

I'm really disappointed that Scarlett Johannesen wasn't nominated for Match Point. It was a really fantastic movie.

 

[wdw4us2]

I really want to see Philip Seymour Hoffman win best actor for Capote.

I finally was able to see the film last weekend (first time it played within 50 miles of here). He was amazing. Not only did he have Truman Capote's mannerisms down, he even sounded like him. He may be hurt by the fact the film has not been widely distributed.

 

[sotoalf]

I don't get why Jake Gyllenhaal is considered a supporting actor. I consider his part as major as Heath Ledger's.

It's Oscar politics. Promoting both for Best Actor would likely have hurt both their chances; as it stands, Heath Ledger represents Philip Seymour Hoffman's only competition.

Remember Thelma & Louise? Both Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis were nominated for Best Actress; both lost.