Still one of my favorite days of the year, there is nothing lackluster or nonchalant about Oscar Nomination morning. In the brisk darkness of very early morning, it is as exciting to me now as it was my first year covering the nominations, to roll out of bed, head on over to Beverly Hills and be part of a magic that stirs dreams, tells tales, shapes opinions and in these times of change and needed activism, brings world issues to the forefront in a manner that often inspires and encourages talk and reason. There is and always has been something about the movies, and particularly the Academy Awards, that sparks excitement and interest and unites the world in a non-violent and joyous fashion. And this year, is no different.<\/p>\n
Running a bit behind schedule, Sid Ganis, President of AMPAS, together with Oscar nominated actress and producer, Salma Hayek, finally took to the podium at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre at 5:38 a.m. Well fed and watered, with the sleep long cleared from the eyes of the press, thanks to the world television feed and local and international journalists and photographers present at the Academy, the world listened in with bated breath as the names of the nominees vying for that little golden statute named Oscar were announced.<\/p>\n
Probably one of the most diverse group of announcements, applause and even some gasps could be heard around the room as even the press was caught off guard with some of the names announced. Surprises? You betcha. With no clear cut front-runners dominating the field, DREAMGIRLS came out the big winner with 8 nominations, including 3 nominations for Best Original Song and Best Supporting nods to Golden Globe winners Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson. But the film was noticeably absent from the list of Best Picture nominees as well as a glaring omission of director Bill Condon. But joyously for me, Abigail Breslin was named as a Best Supporting Actress nominee for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE! One of the youngest nominees in Academy history, I have touted Abigail as a nominee since seeing the film at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June. And while I believe most Academy members may cast their votes for Jennifer Hudson, one shouldn\u2019t discount Abigail just yet and if not this year, then be on the lookout for her in years to come. Adorable and funny with a charming childish streak of sarcasm, she is one to watch!<\/p>\n
But LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE didn\u2019t just shine for Abigail this morning. No siree. This sleeper smash independent grabbed nominations for Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Alan Arkin who was first nominated for Oscar some 38 years ago) and Best Picture, once again shining light on the independent film industry. I met the film\u2019s stars Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin and Abigail Breslin at LAFF and Kinnear asking me before the film was I going to give it a great review. I told him it would depend. I don\u2019t prejudge. On the film\u2019s end, I ran into him on the VA grounds and he asked me again. At that point, it was my pick along with THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA for the best films of the year (and both still are right up there). Obviously, the Academy agreed.<\/p>\n
And speaking of LAFF and independent films, let\u2019s not forget LAFF Best Documentary winner DELIVER US FROM EVIL. Directed by Santa Monica resident Amy Berg, this was one of my festival picks and is right up there with Al Gore\u2019s AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH for Oscar in the Best Documentary Film category. And another festival independent, this one from November\u2019s American Film Institute Festival in Hollywood, grabs a Best Foreign Language Film nomination – Denmark\u2019s seventh nominated film, Susanne Bier\u2019s AFTER THE WEDDING – another “must see festival film” pick of mine last year.<\/p>\n
Coming as no surprise is Meryl Streep who gets another Best Actress nod for her performance in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. The opening night film at LAFF, Streep is the grand dame of the Academy. With 14 nominations to her credit and 11 in the Best Actress category alone, she is a testament to her craft. But, she has only 2 Oscars under belt – one for Best Actress in “Sophie\u2019s Choice” and the other, Best Supporting Actress in “Kramer versus Kramer.” Already picking up the Golden Globe, could Streep have Oscar on her home for the ride home this year? Her toughest competition should come from three time Oscar nominee and already a Golden Globe winner (among others) this year, Helen Mirren, who brought a humanity and grandmotherly touch to Queen Elizabeth II in THE QUEEN. Based on the behind the scenes events surrounding the death of Princess Diana, Mirren embodied her Royal Highness in this story of duty versus family. Kate Winslet also joins this stellar group. Already a five time nominee at age 31, with three nods in this category alone, her performance as Sarah Peirce in LITTLE CHILDREN is perhaps her most moving and pivotal. And of course, let\u2019s not forget six time nominee and Oscar winner, Dame Judi Dench who grabs another nod for NOTES ON A SCANDAL. Interestingly, Dench is the only performer to be nominated last year as well. The only first time Best Actress nominee in the bunch is Penelope Cruz for her work in VOLVER.<\/p>\n
And while the woman have a deep and storied relationship with the Academy, the men have an incredible group of first time nominees, among them, Eddie Murphy, Mark Wahlberg and Jackie Earle Haley in the Best Supporting Actor category, while Forest Whitaker and Ryan Gosling grace the Best Actor category for THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND and HALF NELSON, respectively. (A total of ten overall first time nominations grace this year\u2019s list of categories.) A surprising nomination – Will Smith who picks up his second career nomination for his portrayal of the Chris Gardner in THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS. And as to be expected Leonardo DiCaprio picked up a nomination for his work in BLOOD DIAMOND. It\u2019s been a guessing game as to whether he would be named for THE DEPARTED or BLOOD DIAMOND as his work is exemplary in both, but agree withe Academy\u2019s selection for acknowledging his work in BLOOD DIAMOND as the more “Oscar worthy.”<\/p>\n
Another big surprise is Clint Eastwood and LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. A foreign language film, this is only the seventh time since 1938 that a foreign language film has been nominated for Best Picture. And should it win, it would the first foreign language film to do so as Best Picture. And of course, bear in mind this is Eastwood\u2019s tenth nomination and his fourth as a Best Director. But then toss in Steven Spielberg\u2019s 12 nominations, including 6 for Best Picture and 6 for Best Direction, not to mention 3 Oscar wins, who here serves as Executive Producer, and the odds get a bit tighter. I think Eastwood\u2019s stiffest competition in the Best Director category comes from Martin Scorsese and THE DEPARTED. Scorsese, who is one of the nicest guys on the planet, has never won Oscar despite his 8 overall nominations – 6 in directing and 2 for screenplays. Come on guys, the man is due, due, due! And THE DEPARTED is an electrifying intense work with the undoubtedly the most impressive cast of any nominated film this year. If this were my vote, I would go with Scorsese.<\/p>\n
Technically, the nominations cover a vast expanse of talent. With everyone from cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond picking up a nod for THE BLACK DAHLIA (perhaps the only worthwhile aspect of the film but for the jewelry) to Guillermo Navarro\u2019s work in PAN\u2019S LABYRINTH (which should win for Best Cinematography) to 3 nominations for APOCALYPTO (2 in sound and 1 in make-up) to even 1 for best score for THE GOOD GERMAN, there is a little something for everyone. As to be expected, Disney scored big on the technical end with PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN\u2019S CHEST, grabbing 4 nominations for various art and sound categories.<\/p>\n
I am particularly thrilled for the nominees in the Best Costume category. This year we have a variety of period pieces nominated which always seem to bring out new levels of excellence and kaleidoscopic color and fantasy, among them my pick, MARIE ANTOINETTE, and CURSE OF THE BROKEN FLOWER.<\/p>\n
And of course, much to the joy of many (but not me), Sacha Baron Cohen and company grabbed a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for the idiocracy known in its shortened form as BORAT. Up against CHILDREN OF MEN, THE DEPARTED, LITTLE CHILDREN and NOTES OF A SCANDAL, while Cohen and company will probably not win Oscar, Cohen will undoubtedly prove to provide some of the most outrageous red carpet and ceremony moments since Roberto Benigni climbing over seats and Steven Spielberg some years back as accepting an Oscar for “Life Is Beautiful.”<\/p>\n
Worthy to note in the Best Original Screenplay category, there are 5 first time nominees plus 5 time nominee\/2 time winner Paul Haggis who teams up with Iris Yamashita for LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. Possibly one of the toughest categories, and proving there is no shortage of original ideas (just studios willing to put up the money for them), in addition to IWO JIMA, the nominated original screenplays include BABEL, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, THE QUEEN and the fantastical luminescent PAN\u2019S LABYRINTH. Noticeably absent, and although many may disagree with me, is Sylvester Stallone for “Rocky Balboa.” As I have written and said in several television interviews, I maintain that there is no script out there from this past year with as much pure heart as “Rocky Balboa.”<\/p>\n
Again, in what seems like the “new tradition” of Oscar, the Best Picture and Best Director nominees do not coincide. Once identical with nominations, the past few years have brought some welcome, and surprisingly variances. This year finds LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE nominated for Best Film, but not Best Director. While the emotionally stirring UNITED 93 garnered a Best Oscar nod for its director, Paul Greengrass, without a Best Picture nomination.<\/p>\n
Before closing this overview of nominees, I would be remiss to not mention one of my favorite categories – Best Animated Feature. Dare I say we are starting a trend in film (and tv commercials)? Following on the heels of Oscar winning documentary feature “March of the Penguins” we again have those cute little guys from way down under gracing the big screen – this time in the all-singing, all-dancing HAPPY FEET. And while HAPPY FEET is my pick for Best Animated Feature (thanks in large part to the superb motion capture technique and Saviogn Glover\u2019s tappin\u2019 toes), this outstanding field is complimented and completed with CARS and MONSTER HOUSE (another LAFF debut).<\/p>\n
Over the next month I will once again be bringing you my annual Oscar updates and predictions in the six major categories of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress and Best Supporting Actor and Actress, so check by here each week where you\u2019ll find my picks and pans and Oscar trivia.<\/p>\n
And don\u2019t forget, you can find out the Oscar winners for yourself on Sunday, February 25, 2007, when the 79th<\/sup> Annual Academy Awards airs live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on ABC.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, here it is, what you\u2019ve all been waiting for – AND THE NOMINEES ARE:<\/p>\n BEST PICTURE<\/strong><\/p>\n Babel<\/p>\n The Departed<\/p>\n Letters from Iwo Jima<\/p>\n Little Miss Sunshine<\/p>\n The Queen<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING<\/strong><\/p>\n Babel -Alejandro Gonz\u00e1lez I\u00f1\u00e1rritu<\/p>\n The Departed – Martin Scorsese<\/p>\n Letters from Iwo Jima – Clint Eastwood<\/p>\n The Queen – Stephen Frears<\/p>\n United 93 – Paul Greengrass<\/p>\n BEST ACTOR<\/strong><\/p>\n Leonardo DiCaprio – Blood Diamond<\/p>\n Ryan Gosling – Half Nelson<\/p>\n Peter O\u2019Toole – Venus<\/p>\n Will Smith – The Pursuit of Happyness<\/p>\n Forest Whitaker – The Last King of Scotland<\/p>\n BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR<\/strong><\/p>\n Alan Arkin – Little Miss Sunshine<\/p>\n Jackie Earle Haley – Little Children<\/p>\n Djimon Hounsou – Blood Diamond<\/p>\n Eddie Murphy – Dreamgirls<\/p>\n Mark Wahlberg – The Departed<\/p>\n BEST ACTRESS<\/strong><\/p>\n Pen\u00e9lope Cruz – Volver<\/p>\n Judi Dench – Notes on a Scandal<\/p>\n Helen Mirren – The Queen<\/p>\n Meryl Streep – The Devil Wears Prada<\/p>\n Kate Winslet – Little Children<\/p>\n BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS<\/strong><\/p>\n Adriana Barraza – Babel<\/p>\n Cate Blanchett – Notes on a Scandal<\/p>\n Abigail Breslin – Little Miss Sunshine<\/p>\n Jennifer Hudson – Dreamgirls<\/p>\n Rinko Kikuchi – Babel<\/p>\n BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM<\/strong><\/p>\n Cars<\/p>\n Happy Feet<\/p>\n Monster House<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION<\/strong><\/p>\n Dreamgirls<\/p>\n The Good Shepherd\u2028Pan\u2019s Labyrinth<\/p>\n Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man\u2019s Chest<\/p>\n The Prestige<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY<\/strong><\/p>\n The Black Dahlia – Vilmos Zsigmond<\/p>\n Children of Men – Emmanuel Lubezki<\/p>\n The Illusionist – Dick Pope<\/p>\n Pan\u2019s Labyrinth – Guillermo Navarro<\/p>\n The Prestige – Wally Pfister<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN<\/strong><\/p>\n Curse of the Golden Flower<\/p>\n The Devil Wears Prada<\/p>\n Dreamgirls<\/p>\n Marie Antoinette<\/p>\n The Queen<\/p>\n BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE<\/strong><\/p>\n Deliver Us from Evil<\/p>\n An Inconvenient Truth<\/p>\n Iraq in Fragments<\/p>\n Jesus Camp<\/p>\n My Country, My Country<\/p>\n BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT<\/strong><\/p>\n The Blood of Yingzhou District<\/p>\n Recycled Life<\/p>\n Rehearsing a Dream<\/p>\n Two Hands<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING<\/strong><\/p>\n Babel – Stephen Mirrione and Douglas Crise<\/p>\n Blood Diamond – Steven Rosenblum<\/p>\n Children of Men – Alex Rodr\u00edguez and Alfonso Cuar\u00f3n<\/p>\n The Departed – Thelma Schoonmaker<\/p>\n United 93 – Clare Douglas, Christopher Rouse and Richard Pearson<\/p>\n BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM<\/strong><\/p>\n After the Wedding (Denmark)<\/p>\n Days of Glory (Algeria)<\/p>\n The Lives of Others (Germany)<\/p>\n Pan\u2019s Labyrinth (Mexico)<\/p>\n Water (Canada)<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP<\/strong><\/p>\n Apocalypto<\/p>\n Click<\/p>\n Pan\u2019s Labyrinth<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)<\/strong><\/p>\n Babel<\/p>\n The Good German<\/p>\n Notes on a Scandal<\/p>\n Pan\u2019s Labyrinth<\/p>\n The Queen<\/p>\n BEST ORIGINAL SONG<\/strong><\/p>\n I Need to Wake Up<\/strong> from “An Inconvenient Truth”<\/p>\n Music and Lyric by Melissa Etheridge<\/p>\n Listen<\/strong> from “Dreamgirls”<\/p>\n Music by Henry Krieger and Scott Cutler<\/p>\n Love You I Do<\/strong> from “Dreamgirls”\u2028Music by Henry Krieger – Lyric by Siedah Garrett<\/p>\n Our Town<\/strong> from “Cars”<\/p>\n Music and Lyric by Randy Newman<\/p>\n Patience<\/strong> from “Dreamgirls”<\/p>\n Music by Henry Krieger – Lyric by Willie Reale<\/p>\n BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM<\/strong><\/p>\n The Danish Poet<\/p>\n Lifted<\/p>\n The Little Matchgirl<\/p>\n Maestro<\/p>\n No Time for Nuts<\/p>\n BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM<\/strong><\/p>\n Binta and the Great Idea (Binta Y La Gran Idea)<\/p>\n \u00c9ramos Pocos (One Too Many)<\/p>\n Helmer & Son<\/p>\n The Saviour<\/p>\n West Bank Story<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING<\/strong><\/p>\n Apocalypto<\/p>\n Blood Diamond<\/p>\n Flags of Our Fathers<\/p>\n Letters from Iwo Jima<\/p>\n Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man\u2019s Chest<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING<\/strong><\/p>\n Apocalypto<\/p>\n Blood Diamond<\/p>\n Dreamgirls<\/p>\n Flags of Our Fathers<\/p>\n Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man\u2019s Chest<\/p>\n BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS<\/strong><\/p>\n Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man\u2019s Chest<\/p>\n Poseidon<\/p>\n Superman Returns<\/p>\n BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY<\/strong><\/p>\n Borat<\/p>\n Children of Men<\/p>\n The Departed<\/p>\n Notes on a Scandal<\/p>\n BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY<\/strong><\/p>\n Babel<\/p>\n Letters from Iwo Jima<\/p>\n Little Miss Sunshine<\/p>\n Pan\u2019s Labyrinth<\/p>\n The Queen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Still one of my favorite days of the year, there is nothing lackluster or nonchalant about Oscar Nomination morning. In the brisk darkness of very early morning, it is as exciting to me now as it was my first year covering the nominations, to roll out of bed, head on over to Beverly Hills and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,64],"tags":[71],"class_list":["post-337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events","category-oscars","tag-oscars-2007"],"yoast_head":"\n