Few surprises here, especially with 10 nominees now. Every category seemed to be overcrowded, so I’m more disappointed than angry at the snubs here. Anyway, I’ll bold what I guessed correctly and then recap each category afterward.
BEST PICTURE
127 Hours
Black Swan
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King’s Speech
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone
What I missed: Not much. The Town seemed to impress the Academy’s older members at early screenings, but it wasn’t enough to stop the over-hyped first-half entries like Winter’s Bone and The Kids are All Right.
BEST DIRECTOR
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, True Grit
David Fincher, The Social Network
Tom Hooper, The King’s Speech
David O. Russell, The Fighter
What I missed: Apparently the Academy hates Christopher Nolan. This is the third time he’s been nominated by his peers in the directors’ guild but snubbed here. For shame. Also, Danny Boyle deserved a nomination for crafting such an exciting story out of what should have been rather dull. His film was much more vibrant than the highly traditional (but still very good) King’s Speech or The Fighter.
BEST ACTOR
Javier Bardem, Biutiful
Jeff Bridges, True Grit
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
James Franco, 127 Hours
What I missed: Julia Roberts still has some power, enough to get the fine Robert Duvall snubbed for his masterful work in Get Low. I can’t be too mad, though. Bardem’s been great since, well, forever and Duvall does already have an Oscar.
BEST ACTRESS
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
What I missed: A tough race to predict this year thanks to an overcrowded field for once. Hopefully they realize what a talent Williams is and continue to nominate her.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christian Bale, The Fighter
John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone
Jeremy Renner, The Town
Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech
What I missed: Not a lot. These were the five SAG nominees. I’m just a little surprised none of the fine supporting actors in The Social Network made it up here. Just one of the many reasons the Oscars need a Best Ensemble Cast award.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
What I missed: Nothing. Boo-ya!
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Another Year
The Fighter
Inception
The Kids Are All Right
The King’s Speech
What I missed: There’s a scrap for you, Mike Leigh. But Black Swan? Apparently too unbelievable.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
127 Hours
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
Winter’s Bone
What I missed: Nada. Next category.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Black Swan
Inception
The King’s Speech
The Social Network
True Grit
What I missed: Another shameful snub for 127 Hours. What is that, a handheld camera? Get out of here.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
How To Train Your Dragon
The Illusionist
Toy Story 3
What I missed: Sylvain Chomet gets it done. This is his second nomination in this field after The Triplets of Belleville. I think my head was clouded because I had just re-watched Despicable Me and remembered what a delight it was. Change your rules, Academy. And nominate five movies when there are five deserving nominees, like there were this year.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Exit Through The Gift Shop
Gasland
Inside Job
Restrepo
Waste Land
What I missed: Sometimes, the Academy does accept a documentary that’s actually entertaining. That doesn’t mean Exit Through the Gift Shop has a shot in hell though.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Biutiful (Mexico)
Dogtooth (Greece)
In A Better World (Denmark)
Incendies (Canada)
Outside The Law (Algeria)
What I missed: I guess the oddest group of voters in the Academy is OK with an avant-garde horror comedy getting recognition. Greece is the word!
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
127 Hours
How To Train Your Dragon
Inception
The King’s Speech
The Social Network
What I missed: The Academy does not like rock bands. They don’t like scores with lots of original songs either. Guess you’ll just have to go back to being international superstars, Daft Punk.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
127 Hours
Country Strong
Tangled
Toy Story 3
What I missed: Four songs?! What the hell, Academy? At least Burlesque didn’t make it by. Phew.
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Alice in Wonderland
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I
Hereafter
Inception
Iron Man 2
What I missed: They weren’t impressed by video game throwbacks. Fine, be that way. Can’t really knock the other nominees though.