Much like the Golden Globes, this year's Academy Awards will be rife with the uber-famous since besties Brad and George are both up for acting awards and their movies, Moneyball and The Descendants, will both likely lose to The Artist, but at least they'll have each other to ease the pain of losing. And their millions. And the adoration of legions of fans. Basically, I think they'll survive.
But despite the obvious Oscar frontrunners whose Golden Globes haven't even had a chance to collect dust, the Academy gave props to some films most considered well off the radar and then defiantly turned their sculpted noses at what seemed like obvious must-haves.
It's good to know that in its 84th year, the award-giving institution is still capable of ruffling feathers and yielding a collective "REALLY?" from Tilda Swinton fans. (Quick; fan moniker options: Swintonettes? Swintonians?)
Find out what we thought were the biggest surprises and biggest snubs from the 2012 Oscar nominations. For everything else, head to our Awards Race HQ.
Surprise nominations
So the inimitable Brit finally managed to charm his way into the Academy's good graces, who have somehow not elected to nominate Gary Oldman despite his lengthy and impressive career. And considering Oldman and the Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy crew were overlooked at the Globes, they are skipping right past the freshman party and heading to prom...if the Oscars were high school, that is.
Also of note on the list of possible winners is one part of Flight of the Conchords, Bret McKenzie, whose adorable "Man or Muppet" is one of two numbers up for Best Original Song and we have our money on the babely New Zealander.
Perhaps thanks to an aggressive campaign, Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock's 9/11 tear-jerker Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, based on Jonathan Safran Foer's book, picked up steam to the tune of a Best Picture nom - huge! - and Best Supporting Actor kudos for Max von Sydow.
Rooney Mara, considered a long shot even for the Globes, squeaked into the Best Actress race thanks to her dark, brave turn as bad-ass Lisbeth, arguably The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's greatest asset.
And considering it was one of our top films of 2011, we are over the moon about Terrence Malick's daunting and involving The Tree of Life finally being duly recognized with Best Picture, Director and Cinematography nods.
Lastly, Melissa McCarthy should be especially proud of her nomination, since comedy is typically anathema to those in charge at the Oscars. But I guess even the stuffed shirts couldn't help but snicker at her air marshal-spotting Megan.
Snubbed Actresses
After Kirsten Dunst shed all of her inhibitions, and, ahem clothing, to play the severely depressed and withdrawn almost-bride in Lars von Trier's haunting and beautiful Melancholia, she positioned herself as a force to reckon with but came up short at last month's Globes and got no love from the Oscars. Perhaps even more surprising is the lack of Swinton on the Oscar ballot since the distinctly avian Scot was positively bewitching in We Need to Talk About Kevin. As if! And even though the luminous Jessica Chastain has a narrow chance of coming out on top in the Supporting Actress category for her turn in The Help against co-star Octavia Spencer, it's hard to believe the Academy didn't favour her understated and stellar performances in The Tree of Life and Take Shelter.
Snubbed Actors
When you're on top, there's no place to go but down as the absence of Ryan Gosling confirmed, despite getting two nominations at the Globes. Also absent - his Drive co-star Albert Brooks, whom most expected would get a supporting actor nod. Equally missed is Michael Fassbender, a ubiquitous force at the cinema this year but maybe his full frontal...Fassbender proved too much for the Academy who aren't known for their willingness to push the envelope. And it was only a few months ago that Leonardo DiCaprio's name seemed to be a guarantee come the morning of January 24 and yet his Clint Eastwood collaboration on J. Edgar proved not to be the golden ticket it was once thought.
Snubbed movies
After The Adventures of Tintin won the Golden Globe and just this past weekend was honoured with the Producers Guild Award for animated feature, it seemed doubtful Steven Spielberg's lively cross-country ride could be beat. And yet, Tintin wasn't even among the films nominated for Best Animated Feature Film and only managed to represent in the Original Score category for longtime Spielberg fave John Williams. Instead we've got relative unknowns A Cat in Paris and Chico & Rita competing against likely winner Rango. Steve McQueen's Shame also came up empty-handed as did Jason Reitman's Young Adult, Lars von Trier's Melancholia and Jeff Nichols' unfairly unseen Take Shelter.
--
Did this year's Oscar nominations surprise you? Who got snubbed? Sound off below.
| Subscribe to our RSS feed | |
| Follow us on Twitter | |
| Friend us on Facebook | |
| Find us on your Mobile Device | |
| Download the Cineplex App |

© Cineplex Entertainment LP 2012