Certainly a lot of surprise picks, snubs, and bad placements, huh?
Best Picture was pretty obvious, though 127 HOURS getting a slot over some more important and deserving films is perplexing. WINTER'S BONE was a big plus to the category.
Best Actor was easy to spot as well, though Javier Bardem took away Mark Wahlberg's placement and the indie pick of Ryan Gosling. I'm still not crazy to see BIUTIFUL after a full year of praise and pans.
Best Actress was certainly the most controversial. Nicole Kidman and Michelle Williams, both who played sad grieving wives, were the unexpected gifts of the category. Though they still have a hard chance to win, the two picks knocked off a lot of other actresses, especially Julianne Moore's great role in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT. Jennifer Lawrence gets a deserving nomination.
I really thought Noomi Rapace would be given a surprise Oscar selection for the category as the "foreign player", similar to Bardem's spot, but it was just a dream. I will make a bold declaration right now that on January 25, 2011, I said that Rooney Mara will be nominated for Best Actress for her performance as Lisbeth Salander, come next year. And it will annoy some fans and critics.
The two supporting categories should have been relabeled "Main Roles in Films but We Didn't Want to Snub Them". Christian Bale and Jeremy Renner were well treated and Geoffrey Rush of course was nominated. Both Mark Ruffalo and John Hawkes were nominated as well, despite being top billed and having large important roles in their respected films. Still, I was very happy for them to join the club, especially the truly great inclusion of Hawkes.
Best Supporting Actress had the three expected picks, but Amy Adams and Hailee Steinfield shocked, shocked myself. I'm a very big fan of Adams in THE FIGHTER and Steinfield was very good in TRUE GRIT, though again they were the main female characters in their films. Hell, Steinfield's character was the main protagonist of the entire film! I'm sad that Mila Kunis and Barbara Hershey were neglected, as well as Marion Cotillard.
A sausage factory in Best Director. Seriously, no Lisa Cholodenko or Debra Granik? You had to give the Coens another non-win? David O. Russell I can understand why he was selected, but what about Christopher Nolan?
Universal Pictures is now foaming over after their snub in Best Animated Feature with their film DESPICABLE ME. Still, I'm very happy with the inclusion of THE ILLUSIONIST and the other two great animated films.
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP all the way in Best Documentary! Though, I do see the Academy doing another "Social Message Win" and give it to RESTREPO or GASLAND.
Sorry Denmark, but DOGTOOTH has now entered the title fight in Best Foreign Film.
Where's TRON: LEGACY? I wasn't a huge fanboy about it but no Best Visual Effects? Only Best Sound Editing?
No love for SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD. How sad.
Now, start your Oscar pools.
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