So the Academy Award nominations were announced this morning and as usual they were filled snubs and surprises. So read on below to see our reactions and check out the complete list of nominations here!
SNUBS
Oprah Winfrey, The Butler: Early on in the season Oprah seemed like she was a lock to win Best Supporting Actress but she, along with her film, was completely snubbed for any nominations. I’m sure she is crying into her stacks of money.
Daniel Brühl, Rush: This is a snub that hurt a lot. I thought his performance in Rush was one of the best of the year. His buzz waned in the midseason, but he ended up being nominated for a Golden Globe and more shockingly a SAG award, but the Oscars stopped his formula one racing car.
Spike Jonze, Her: The Best Director race was pretty competitive this year, but after he and his film gained considerable buzz from early awards, I though he would sneak in, but you should never question a household name like Scorsese.
Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks: I was sure that Amy Adams was going to get into this category at the expense of another actress that was seen as safe, but I didn’t think it would be Emma Thompson, apparently the Academy doesn’t like Disney too much.
Tom Hanks, Saving Mr. Banks and Captain Phillips: The snub for the former film is not as shocking, he was essentially left off all precursor awards, but he seemed pretty safe for Captain Phillips. Looks like Tom Hanks has lost his luster with the Academy.
Inside Llewyn Davis: I thought this was one of the best films of the year (you can look at my rankings here.) It was on shaky ground in Best Picture, but I still expected it to be nominated. I think the biggest surprise is that it was left our of the Best Original Screenplay race. The film did end up receiving 2 nominations for Sound Mixing and Cinematography.
Monsters University: Although it had a mixed reception, it had Pixar backing its campaign and you should never vote against Pixar. Looks like they have to sit this year out.
Stories We Tell and Blackfish: I know Best Documentary is unpredictable, but when two of your locks get snubbed, then you have to pay attention. Both film seemed to be on solid footing, but my surprise pick, Cutie and the Boxer did make it in.
“Young and Beautiful,” The Great Gatsby: This is one of the best songs produced from a motion picture this year. It’s a shame, just a shame.
SURPRISES
Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street: As a friend of mine said: “Who would have thought the kid from Superbad would get two Oscar nominations?” It was a shock, but it looks like The Wolf of Wall Street has more support than we thought.
Dallas Buyers Club: We expected that it would do well in nominations, but 6 is shocking. Leto, McConaughey, and their nomination for Picture weren’t at all surprising, but for them to receive an additional 3 nominations, including one for Film Editing, puts them in this race.
Christian Bale, American Hustle: He is one of the best actors of this century, there is no doubting that, but for him to sneak in at the expense of Robert Redford and Tom Hanks is something you can’t deny. Sadly his hairpiece in the film was snubbed.
Philomena: People were underestimating the film, but for it to pull off a Best Picture nomination in addition to 4 other nominations was something to marvel at. I can’t believe that this film snuck in, in place of Inside Llewyn Davis, but it was a crowd pleaser.
Nomination Totals: However, one of the bigger shocks of the day are the total number of nominations. Many expected 12 Years a Slave and Gravity to lead the nominations, but it was American Hustle and Gravity. This could spell disaster for the Best Picture frontrunner, American Hustle is biting at their tail.
For the second year in a row, David O. Russell was able to get nominations in all 4 acting categories. The Academy obviously loves him.
What surprised you in the nominations this morning?
Hey, I'm Karl, founder and film critic at Smash Cut. I started Smash Cut in 2014 to share my love of movies and give a perspective I haven't yet seen represented. I'm also an editor at The New York Times, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.
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