Oscar Nods
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flickgrrl
Oscar Nods
Carrie Rickey, Film Critic
You can check here for the complete list of Academy Award nominees. But the headline news is: 13 nods for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," including star Brad Pitt and supporting actress Taraji P. Henson; 10 for "Slumdog Millionaire," 8 for "Milk," including lead actor Sean Penn and supporting Josh Brolin, and also 8 for "Dark Knight," led by supporting actor Heath Ledger. "Doubt" got Oscar noms for all four of its leads, an actress bid -- her 15th nomination -- for Meryl Streep and supporting for Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and the incredible Viola Davis.
Kate Winslet was nominated for "The Reader," where her main competition are Streep and Anne Hathaway for "Rachel Getting Married." Penn's main competition is Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler" (which also snagged a bid for supporting actress Marisa Tomei).
Pleasant surprises: Richard Jenkins received an actor bid for his stunning work in "The Visitor," likewise Melissa Leo an actress nod for hers in "Frozen River," which also won a screenplay nom for writer/director Courtney Hunt.
Shut out: Clint Eastwood for actor ("Gran Torino" and director ("GT" and "Changeling," which got a nod for its star, Angelina Jolie); Woody Allen for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," for which supporting actress Penelope Cruz was cited); and Bruce Springsteen for his moving theme song for "The Wrestler." Is this a sign of generational change?
Interesting story about the weighted ballots behind the nominations.
Your thoughts about the noms? Anyone robbed? I was sorry not to see more love for Robert Downey, Jr., passed over for "Iron Man" but cited for his supporting work in "Tropic Thunder."
The only thing that might be a bit irritating could be the media blitz for Brangelina now that they've both gotten a nomination.— KarenA- Well, Karen A, they've both been nominated before -- but never in the same year while cohabiting. Is that an Oscar category?— carrierickey
- Carrie: Very true....Always enjoy reading your reviews and this blog. Good insights for both.— KarenA
- I'm disappointed -- but not surprised -- that Jeff Bridges wasn't handed a nomination for supporting in Iron Man. Only one nomination in the past twenty-four years (Contender), and no wins ever. Between this, Arlington Road, Fab Baker Boys and Fearless, he's owed a few. Not that he was going to beat Ledger, but that's the point -- just give him a make-up nomination here. And Rachel Getting Married got shafted.— Adam B.
- I yield to no one in my admiration for Bridges who is never less than great. Loved him in "Starman" (his last nomination), in "Fisher King," in "The Fabulous Baker Boys" and, yes, in "Tucker."— carrierickey
- Kristen Scott Thomas was robbed for "I've Loved You So Long." She was fantastic and the performance should have been recognized.— luba
- x— KarenA
Where's the love for In Bruges? I couldn't have been more taken with that flick; might Colin Farell be looked down upon by the Academy?— theJOJ- the JOJ: Excellent question. If you read that link to the article about weighted ballots, you will understand that "In Bruges" could have been on lots of ballots but not in the number-one position on enough of them.— carrierickey
Comment removed.- Jolie's nomination means that now I have to see Changeling and listen to her shrieking. Sigh...— edwardcopeland
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