On the Academy Award Nominations

The nominations for the 2008 Academy Awards were announced this morning. As usual, I watched the press conference. Some thoughts:

I didn't see Michael Clayton. That handicapped my predictions. Three acting nominations? Best picture, director, and screenplay? It looked pretty standard issue...

Thank you Academy for not falling all over and mostly overlooking the vastly overrated American Gangster and Sweeney Todd. What tedious films...

Does the lack of acting nominations for Juno mean it isn't as popular as everyone says? I hope so... No J.K. Simmons, Jason Bateman, Alison Janney, or Jennifer Garner? That doesn't sound like a groundswell to me.

Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth: The Golden Age? Really?

Whether the writer's strike prevents your annual fete or not, there will still be awards. That's all that matters. (snort)

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BEST PICTURE
ATONEMENT
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
MICHAEL CLAYTON
THERE WILL BE BLOOD
JUNO

BEST ACTOR
Johnny Depp - SWEENEY TODD
Tommy Lee Jones - IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH
Daniel Day Lewis - THERE WILL BE BLOOD
George Clooney - MICHAEL CLAYTON
Viggo Mortensen - EASTERN PROMISES

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett - ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE
Laura Linney - THE SAVAGES
Marion Cotillard - LA VIE EN ROSE
Ellen Page - JUNO
Julie Christie - AWAY FROM HER

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Javier Bardem - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
Tom Wilkinson - MICHAEL CLAYTON
Hal Holbrook - INTO THE WILD
Casey Affleck - THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD
Philip Seymour Hoffman - CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Ryan - GONE BABY GONE
Cate Blanchett - I'M NOT THERE
Ruby Dee - AMERICAN GANGSTER
Saoirse Ronan - ATONEMENT
Tilda Swinton - MICHAEL CLAYTON

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Predictions? (I reserve the right to change my mind)

Picture- There Will Be Blood

Director- Paul Thomas Anderson

Actor- Daniel Day Lewis

Actress- Julie Christie

Supporting Actor- Javier Bardem

Supporting Actress- Cate Blanchett

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Anyway, a great year for movies and a pretty fine selection of nominees. Way to go.

See the entire list of nominees here

See my favorite films of the year here