I would like to thank the Academy for taking a dump on Cinema. 2012 Edition
In my opinion, this was the worst nominations I have ever seen done by the Academy. It’s no fun watching them when you have no one to root for. Regardless, here are my annual list of nominees and my reaction to it. (Don’t worry I just do the top honors and not every category) 
Best Picture
The Artist- I saw it and I hated it, well hate is a strong word but It was not my cup of tea. With that said though, I think it should win and will win the Oscar. I think it’s the best throwback to Old Hollywood I have seen in a very long time. What they did with this film was manage to take a typical film and make it unique. Number 1 for the win.
Hugo-I haven’t seen it yet but it looks incredible and with Martin Scorsese taking us on this journey, I would love this picture to be the upset, if there is one. Number 2 in the race to win.
The Help- I saw this and I enjoyed it. Do I think it deserved a nomination for Best Picture? Certainly not, but it did have all of the qualifications TO garner a nomination. Civil rights, powerhouse performances, and Spielberg’s name attached to it (with Dreamworks). Personally, even though I enjoyed it, I feel like it came out too long ago and something more recent should have gotten a nomination instead. I give this 3rd place in the race to win.
War Horse-Every year I always set out to watch every film nominated for every category (yes that even included Norbit) but this year will be the first boycott I’ve ever done. I may be a bitter cynical bitch, who enjoys Serial Killers and movies that show people getting dismembered, but one thing I won’t tolerate is watching anything that has multiple animal deaths. I can sort of guess from the trailer and movie title alone, there might be a few horses who bite it in the film. Just to make sure I’ve asked the 2 people who have seen this film and they confirmed that many a Mister Ed get’s blown to shreds. (I also find movies with generic plots, 1st grade storytelling, and predicable musical accompaniment to be just as horrifying Regardless I think it will be 4th place in the race to win.
Midnight in Paris- I like who Woody Allen is, but sometime his schtick can get old. Annie Hall remains in my top ten, and he’s certainly done some amazing work, but I didn’t connect with this. I liked the idea of the film, and since I recently just went to Paris, it was exciting to watch, but Best Picture worthy? Not quite and certainly not Allen’s best. It will be 5th place in the race to win.
Extremely loud & Incredibly Close- First off, WHAT THE FUCK? Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited to see the film, and loved the book…but seriously Academy, who the hell did Stephen Daldry have to fuck to get this nomination?? You can’t play the 9/11 card 11 years after the fact, and I know Tom Hanks is an Academy favorite but seriously, something went very wrong here. This movie just came out, AND was destroyed by critics (normally I don’t pay attention to critics, but it was kind of world wide with this film). Regardless this will be 6th place in the race to win for 1 reason…. 9/11.
Moneyball-I really enjoyed this movie. It’s a true story of the underdogs of America’s favorite pastime-Baseball. Brad Pitt is so believable as the main character, you can’t help but root for him. The only complaint I have is Jonah Hill. He is by no means bad, but should immediately go up to Albert Brooks and apologize for stealing his Supporting Actor nod. I would say this is ranked 7th place in the race to win.
The Descendants- Knew this nomination was coming. I really wish everyone would stop kneeling before Clooney like he’s a god. I’ve seen almost all of Alexander Payne’s films and in my opinion, this was the laziest. I think it deserves 8th place in the race to win.
Tree Of Life- I haven’t seen this yet except for the first 20 minutes (which visually was beautiful) To have it be a best picture nominee, especially after it dropped off the radar almost as soon as it came out? Only two words can explain this and it’s Terrance Malick. This director may not have many films under his belt, but what he’s made, has been wowing critics to this day. (Again though..Someone was blowing the right people) I would say it would be 9th place in the race to win.
**This year is the best example, if there isn’t enough films that deserve the Academy’s attention, then simply don’t nominate them. Yes I am partial to Drive, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and My week with Marilyn, but there are too many “Chocolate” nominees for me to take any of this seriously anymore. Someday the Academy Awards will go back to awarding TALENT and not the most popular kids in the class.
If I was given a chance to pick the nominees it would be (in no particular order) The Artist, Hugo, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Drive, My week With Marylin, Ideas of March, Midnight in Paris, Adventure of Tin Tin, The Help.
Actor in a Leading Role
Jean Dujardin(The Artist)- He did a great job and deserves to win. He’s this year’s Roberto Benigni and I’m sure it will be a cute acceptance speech. Hands down the winner.
Gary Oldman(Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)- I didn’t like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy but for god sakes it’s Oldman!!! Personally I feel his talents should have been awarded for every movie he’s been in, and it would be amazing if he was the upset. 2nd place in the race to win.
Brad Pitt(Moneyball)-He is very natural and giving in this role. This is what you want to see of an actor, and he certainly delivered the goods. 3rd place in the race to win.
George Clooney(The Descendants)-Ugh surprise surprise. Still have no chance of winning Sir, so just soak in your nomination and go home to your leggy female wrestler companion of the month. 4th place in the race to win.
Demian Bichir(Better Life)- I have yet to see this film, but another WTF. Come on Academy. I don’t want to judge because I’ve heard he’s brilliant in it but Really?! The only reason I support upsets like this, is it allows people to be aware of a possible great film, that they might not have seen otherwise. In general though, no upset here. Sir you are dead last.
If I had my choice, the nominations would have been: Ryan Gosling for Drive, Leo Dicaprio for J Edgar (or I dig the Gary Oldman nominee), Ewan McGregor for Beginners, Jean Dujardin for The Artist and Brad Pitt for Moneyball.
Actress in a leading role
Meryl Streep(The Iron Lady)- It’s Meryl Streep, is there any doubt? Hands down the winner.
Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)- This is the only reason I would be sad for Streep to win. Michelle Williams is slowly making her way up the Hollywood ladder as a pretty amazing actress but it’s this film that she truly comes into her own. She is hands down brilliant as Marilyn Monroe, and if you want to hope for an upset, this is the one. 2nd in the race to win.
Rooney Mara (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)- This is one of the only times I will applaud getting a nomination for changing your appearance in a role. Mara did much more then alter her appearance, she truly became Lisbeth. I’m also partial to this because I loved the movie so much (which is why I put her ahead of Viola Davis) 3rd in the race to win.
Viola Davis (The Help)-She did her job and it was done right. Did it blow me away? Not at all, but I would never say her performance was bad. I put her in 4th in the race to win.
Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs)- They needed 5th and here she is. I would say though, it’s a fantastic performance, because who knew how much of a man Glenn Close really was? She and Demian Bichir can go have a chuckle at the bar, while the winner is announce. Dead last.
Even with some of my mocking, I have to say that I don’t see anything wrong with this category. The Academy got it right with nominating true talent and while I’m partial to Williams taking home the gold, anyone who wins it would be well-deserved. (Ok I might throw a small tantrum if Glenn Close wins, but you get my point) If I had to choose a replacement for someone, I would maybe pick Tilda Swinton for We need to talk about Kevin, instead of Close.
Actor in a Supporting Role
Christopher Plummer (Beginners)- The real standout of this movie was Ewan McGregor, but don’t think I hated Plummer. I wasn’t wowed by his performance, but he’s old, established and playing a gay character (Ooh scandalous…) It was a solid performance but his age is w-hat gets him the gold. Hands down the winner.
Kenneth Branagh (My week with Marilyn)- I thought he was phenomenal and if anyone deserves to upset Plummer this is the guy to do it. 2nd place in the race to win.
Max Von Sydow (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)-I would say he just got the nomination because he’s old and established but that’s why we have Plummer, so really I can’t tell you why. Because of age and 9/11 I put him in 3rd place in the race to win.
Nick Nolte (Warrior)- I haven’t seen this yet, but heard nothing but great things about his performance. He’s at 4th place in the race to win, because most of the time the subtle powerhouse performances go unnoticed.
Jonah Hill (Moneyball)- Pure example of The Academy riding on the popularity/shocking train. There is no reason for Hill to be nominated and should thank his lucky stars, because his name will never be called again in this sort of atmosphere. Go have a drink while the real actors win. Dead last, see ya buddy.
The Academy got it incredibly wrong with Hill and possibly Von Sydow. First off there is Albert Brooks in Drive, then Tom Hardy in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Hell I would even accept Uggie the Dog from the Artist before I would ever call Hill’s name.
Actress in a Supporting Role
Octavia Spencer (The Help)- Just like Viola, she came in, did her job and did it well. In my opinion, she was the one to stand out throughout the whole movie. My obvious choice would be McCarthy just for the pure awesomeness, but give it to Spencer, she deserves it. Hands down the winner.
Berenice Bejo (The Artist)- We might have a full Artist sweep which is why I place her 2nd in the race to win. I will say though, she did have a pretty spectacular prescience onscreen.
Jessica Chastain (The Help)- First off, hasn’t Jessica been in like 85 movies this year?? Regardless I think that will hurt her chances. She definitely stood out in this movie, but Spencer was much better. I place her 3rd in the race to win.
Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)- I was going to have her dead last, but seriously Albert Nobbs, are you even out yet??? Anyway, whether you loved or hated Bridesmaids you can’t deny that she was the standout of the movie. I knew her as the lovable Sookie in Gilmore Girls and others know her as the sweet Molly on Mike and Molly but who KNEW she had such raunch to her?? Also the fact that almost all of her dialogue was ab-libed, you have to reward talent like that. Still I place her 4th in the race to win, but would go back to loving the Oscars if she took home the gold!
Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs)- Tell Demian Bichir and Jonah Hill I said Hi at the Bar. Dead Last Sweetie.
I think they got it sort of right in this category with the exception of Janet McTeer. I would have maybe liked to see Chloe Moretz get a nod for Hugo but other than that, pretty good nominations.
Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist)- It’s the year of Silent Films, just let them have it. Hands down the winner.
Martin Scorsese (Hugo)- One of my favorite directors, so it would always be nice to see him be the upset. 2nd in the race to win.
Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris)- One of my least favorite Woody Allen films, but the Academy still loves him. 3rd in the race to win.
Alexander Payne (The Descendants)- If Clooney was not in this film, it would get overlooked (which is a good thing). Still has a better chance than Malick. 4th in the race to win.
Terrance Malick (Tree of Life)- You can’t deny how visually stunning this film is, but as a lover of all things abstract, I’ve seen many better directors get overlooked in this category for me to take this pic seriously. Dead Last.
Where do I start: Nicolas Winding Refn for Drive, David Fincher for Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Spielberg for Adventures of Tin Tin (thought I would say War Horse didn’t ya, hell. no.) Simon Curtis for Marilyn, Hell I would even accept George Clooney for Ides of March.
Those are my rants Hope you enjoyed!
I will leave you with this. The documentary Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory is nominated and I desperately want it to win. It’s certainly not the best out of the trilogy but it’s such an important story that needs to be shared.
If you don’t know, Paradise Lost is about the West Memphis Three. The trio of teenagers, who were wrongfully accused (well not according to the courts) of murdering 3 little boys. That sent them away to prison for almost 18 years, with the “Leader” Damion Echols sentence to death row. They struggled to clear their names for over 18 years until last year they accepted a plea. They were to declare they were guilty, in order to be set free. Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings anyone??) used all of his own money to reopen the case to explore new evidence. Ultimately his passion along with many other people, saved the lives of 3 men, who spent most of the adult life hidden away in a prison cell. If this documentary wins and all 3 men take the stage, it will be such a historic moment for all to see.
