There’s always next year, right? That pretty much sums up my feeling about this year’s Oscar nominees - and my feeling about the Chicago Cubs. Though much of what was handed down is exactly (or awfully close to) what I expected, there were some surprises. To wit:
• Clearly, a number of people both saw and remembered Frozen River, which is excellent. They’re probably already engraving Meryl Streep’s name on the Best Actress trophy, but that Melissa Leo is nominated in the same category really ought to give them pause. Bet on Streep, but don’t be surprised if the Oscar goes to Leo.
• Jenny Lumet may be pondering a slightly less expensive dress for the ceremony, providing that she’s still planning to go - and Courtney Hunt may be calling her about that dress.
• No noms for Gran Torino, either because even the venerable Clint only gets the love for one picture a year - this year, and for reasons passing understanding, the picture is Changeling - or because no one was much interested in seeing Dirty Harry and the Sunnyvale Retirement Village.
• Richard Jenkins - I’m rooting for him to win Best Actor on general principle, even if I wind up liking Mickey Rourke better when I finally get around to seeing The Wrestler.
• Almost no love for Revolutionary Road, a superior film to The Reader, which did get a surprising amount of love. Revolutionary Road is up for Art Direction, Costumes, and Supporting Actor and has a 0% of winning any of them. If it has even a tiny chance, it’s for Art Direction, but this is one of the few categories where The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button actually deserves to win.
And speaking of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, you know what would have been nice? A Supporting Actress nomination for Tilda Swinton, even if the bit near the end that reprised her character was goofy. I don't think it would change anything - Penelope Cruz is going to win that category - but she was excellent in the tiny bit of the film she was in.
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