Nominations for this years Oscars were announced bright and early this morning. And with each award season, there are snubs, surprises and shutouts. This time around is no exception, so let the Oscar outrage begin!
Personally, I’m not fuming at any of the choices made by the Academy. Sure, some come out of nowhere, but others were practically guarantees.
Here’s what I’ve decided about the nominations today, and I hope the Academy will be reading this and taking detailed notes.
Netflix Still Can’t Crack Best Picture
Netflix appeared to have had a sure thing with Mudbound. Between its timely themes, high critical praise and plenty of nominations, it seemed bound to be one of the films chosen for the most prestigious award. SIKE! This feels a little bit like a punishment for the streaming giant and it’s shakeup in the movie industry. No warm embrace for them, just the cold shoulder in this category.
Franco Done Fucked Up
James Franco has been in hot water ever since he won at the Golden Globes. He’s been accused of sexual misconduct and is paying the price. His time is up as far as any more recognition for his performance in The Disaster Artist, and who better to replace him than Denzel Washington for Roman J. Israel, Esq.
City Of Ghosts Gets Ghosted
Of all of the Best Documentary nominees, I thought for sure City of Ghosts would be at the top of the list. I was wrong. Come to find out, it wasn’t on the list at all. As my favorite doc of the year, disappointment has set in, but it looks like I’ll be rooting for my #2 pick, Icarus, to take the prize.
Meryl Streep Will Be Nominated For The Rest Of Eternity
The woman may never win again, yet she’ll be nominated for performances that haven’t even been written for her yet. Granted, she’s the best out of the entire cast of Steven Spielberg’s The Post, but c’mon! Can she please just sit this one out? Jessica Chastain should not be ignored for Molly’s Game.
Welcome Back Woody!
Woody Harrelson has been nominated for an Oscar twice before, and now make it a third time for Best Supporting Actor in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Sam Rockwell has been stealing the show, and many thought he would be the only one to represent the film in this category. But you can’t leave Woody out of any party. It’s absolutely well-deserved, and while Rockwell may dance off as the victor come Oscar night, Harrelson will be back.
The Academy Adores Phantom Thread
Wow. After hardly having any presence during this award season, Phantom Thread rose from the ashes and conquered most of the big categories. Along with Best Picture, noms were given to Paul Thomas Anderson for Best Director, Daniel Day-Lewis in his final performance for Best Actor, and Lesley Manville for Best Supporting Actress. Manville comes as the biggest surprise since it should be Vicky Krieps getting noticed more than anyone. And speaking of Best Supporting Actress….
Where The Hell Is Holly Hunter?
Holly Hunter gives one of the most poignant and funny performances of the year in The Big Sick, and has received nominations from Golden Globes, SAG, and Critics Choice. Too bad the Oscars didn’t feel the same way. Give me 13 reasons why Mary J. Blige and/or Manville deserved a spot over her. I’ll wait.
The Boss Baby Is An Academy Award Nominated Film
Yep. It ain’t like there weren’t better animated films to choose from, either. Of course, its chances of winning are as low as low can be. Actually, that can probably be said for most of the nominees in the Best Animated Film category. Coco will do a clean sweep, but The Boss Baby is extremely lucky to even be in Pixar’s presence. What’s my choice to replace it? Captain Underpants all the way!
Time Is A Changing For Best Director
History is being made this year in the Best Director category. Not only is a woman and an African-American male nominated at the same time, it’s for their first ever feature films. Impressive to say the least. Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird and Jordan Peele for Get Out, both of which are nominated for Best Picture as well, are making their distinctive voices known, and the Academy heard them loud and clear.
The 90th Annual Academy Awards will air on March 4th, 2018 on ABC and hosted once more by Jimmy Kimmel. And yours truly may just be live-tweeting the whole damn thing!
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter@SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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