Neurotrash

Oscar Nominations Commentary:

Well, there were definitely some surprises to behold this morning. Keisha Castle-Hughes is now the youngest Best Actress nominee in history at age 13, City of God got several top category nominations including Best Director, Focus Features' fumbled campaign for Scarlett Johansson as a supporting actress cost her a nomination, Harvey Weinstein was shut out of a Best Picture nomination for Cold Mountain, to name a few. First up is a category-by-category commentary of this morning's nominations:

Best Motion Picture of the Year
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Master & Commander: Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit

Commentary: Return of the King and Mystic River surprises nobody really, the great victories here come for Universal, who ran a shameless campaign for the little horse that could, Seabiscuit; Huge accomplishment for Fox getting Master and Commander nomination, and an accomplishment I'm extremely happy with, a very deserving film; and last, but certainly NOT least, Lost in Translation made the cut for Focus, bravo! Sofia Coppola's little gem making the cut speaks volumes about the new schedule making the voting more about the movies than the campaigns!

Achievement in Directing
Fernando Meirelles, City of God
Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation
Peter Weir, Master and Commander
Clint Eastwood, Mystic River

Commentary: For me, the biggest shock came here, and it was a very pleasant one, Fernando Meirelles has been nominated for his brilliant City of God! City of God is a masterfully crafted film and is a stunning achievement, this nomination is well deserved. Sofia Coppola has become the first American woman in history to be nominated for Director, only the third woman to ever be nominated for the prize. PJ absolutely deserves his nomination, nobody questions that one. A hero of mine, Peter Weir, is nominated for what I think is the most accomplished film technically and directorally, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (PJ's Return of the King obviously would be the other stunning technical achievement). And few would argue that Clint Eastwood richly deserves his nomination for his masterpiece, Mystic River.

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean
Ben Kingsley, House of Sand & Fog
Jude Law, Cold Mountain
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Sean Penn, Mystic River

Commentary: Another sign that academy voters really voted with their hearts this year, Johnny Depp has made the cut for his work in Pirates of the Caribbean! Kingsley is a force to be reckoned with, as always, in House of Sand and Fog and nobody doubted he'd land here. I thought Jude Law would be overlooked, for it is a truly understated performance, a brilliant one, but very understated, his nomination makes me happy. Bill Murray is a genius, I love him, always have and always will, and his nomination is a gift to him and all his fans, absolutely deserving. Sean Penn is THE force, he is it, nobody doubted it, and he should go on to win the award, Jimmy Markum is a performance for the ages.

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Alec Baldwin, The Cooler
Benecio Del Toro, 21 Grams
Djimon Hounsou, In America
Tim Robbins, Mystic River
Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai

Commentary: Alec Baldwin picked up steam in the last month and secured a nomination, well done Lion's Gate! Benicio Del Toro is a great choice, I feared he'd be overlooked, it is a powerful performance from one of the best actors of his generation. Djimon Hounsou's nomination overjoys me, the film got overlooked, but I expected to be letdown in that regard, so happy for Djimon. Tim Robbins gave his best performance ever in Mystic River and should walk home with a statue on Oscar night. Ken Watanabe is one of the only nominations The Last Samurai bagged, a good performance, well done.

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Keisha Castle-Hughes, Whale Rider
Diane Keaton, Something's Gotta Give
Samantha Morton, In America
Charlize Theron, Monster
Naomi Watts, 21 Grams

Commentary: One of the other HUGE shockers here, and a testament to the power of screeners I'd argue, Keisha Castle-Hughes, at age 13, became the youngest Best Actress nominee in history. I haven't seen the film, but it's a huge achievement for this small film. Diane Keaton was a lock for nomination from the start. Samantha Morton's nomination puts a smile on my face, more love for In America, richly deserved. Anyone who has seen Monster will agree, Charlize Theron is unstoppable, and absolutely deserves not only the nomination, but deserves her Oscar right this minute. Naomi Watts got snubbed in 2001 of a nomination for Mulholland Drive, and I'm glad to see her nominated for her work in 21 Grams.

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Shohreh Aghdashloo, House of Sand & Fog
Patricia Clarkson, Pieces of April
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Holly Hunter, Thirteen
Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain

Commentary: Shoreh Aghdashloo did it, all herself, not Dreamworks, the sheer beauty and delicacy of her performance in House of Sand and Fog resulted in a completely deserving nomination for her. She could even be the surprise winner on Oscar night, watch out for her! Patricia Clarkson got a huge boost from SAG and I'm sure screeners helped as well for her nomination for Pieces of April, well done. Marcia Gay Harden did great work in Mystic River and her nomination is no surprise. Renee Zellweger has been the favorite to win for quite a while, but I'm thinking everybody will be surprised in this category when that ballot is read on February 29th, it may not be Shoreh, but I don't think it will be Renee. Holly Hunter completely deserves her nomination for Thirteen, to me she was the heart of the movie, and her performance moved me the most.

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Brother Bear
Finding Nemo
Triplettes de Belleville

Commentary: This is a two-way race between Finding Nemo and The Triplettes de Bellville. Everyone thinks Finding Nemo is a lock, I am not so sure, Triplettes was a HUGE hit at Cannes this year and is a favorite with a lot of critics, right now Triplettes is my prediction for the win. Brother Bear is happy just to be nominated, it doesn't stand a chance.

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Barbarian Invasions (Canada)
Evil (Sweden)
The Twilight Samurai (Japan)
Twin Sisters (Netherlands)
Zelary (Czech Republic)

Commentary: I haven't seen any of the films, I'll be rooting for Barbarian Invasions to support Canadian film, but the nominations for the Czechs and the Swedes are the big accomplishments here.

Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini, American Splendor
Bráulio Mantovani, City of God
Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Brian Helgeland, Mystic River
Gary Ross, Seabiscuit

Commentary: Another nomination as a result of screeners, American Splendor, a wonderful adaptation, made the cut. City of God's nomination is absolutely earned and, as I said before, it's another example of the movies winning over politics. Return of the King is no surprise of course, neither is Mystic River. Seabiscuit, I feel, is completely undeserving (here as well as in Picture, but moreso here), the adaptation didn't do the story its full justice, but Seabiscuit's nomination isn't a surprise, the academy really loved the movie, at least they voted with their hearts.

Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Denis Arcand, Barbarian Invasions
Steven Knight, Dirty Pretty Things
Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds, Finding Nemo
Jim Sheridan & Naomi Sheridan & Kirsten Sheridan, In America
Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation

Commentary: A couple surprises here, Barbarian Invasions and Dirty Pretty Things should be extremely happy to be nominated, well done there. Finding Nemo is a bit surprising, not completely out of left field though. In America deserves to win, glad to see it nominated. Sofia is probably the favorite here and definitely deserves to be nominated.

Achievement in Art Direction
Girl with a Pearl Earring
The Last Samurai
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

Commentary: Girl with a Pearl Earring built its momentum slowly but surely this past month and landed a nomination, good job. The Last Samurai deserves its credit here, as does Return of the King. Master and Commander seems like the big movie that could, if that makes sense, glad to see a nomination here. Seabiscuit really did it for the academy, I knew it would probably get in here but it still feels a bit surprising.

Achievement in Cinematography
City of God
Cold Mountain
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

Commentary: City of God again, beautiful! Cold Mountain is a beautifully shot movie and earned this nomination. Girl with a Pearl Earring I haven't seen, but it looks pretty lush. Master and Commander, as I said before, is a breathtaking technical achievement, and deserves this nomination and maybe the win. Seabiscuit has done it again, the cinematography was good but I don't know if it was one of the five best of the year.

Achievement in Costume Design
Girl with a Pearl Earring
The Last Samurai
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

Commentary: Girl again, no surprise here really. The Last Samurai was destined to be nominated here. Good to see Return of the King again here. Master and Commander again, I thought it might get shut out in costumes, glad to see it made it. Seabiscuit for costumes? Man that horse is good.

Best Documentary Feature
Balseros
Capturing the Friedmans
The Fog of War
My Architect
The Weather Underground

Commentary: I haven't seen one yet, I'm very happy Errol Morris is being recognized for The Fog of War, he's a genius. Capturing the Friedmans will probably win this, and is the doc I'm most excited to see. I'd say this is a race between the Friedmans, Fog of War, and My Architect which was a big film festival favorite.

Best Documentary Short Subject
Asylum
Chernobyl Heart
Ferry Tales

Commentary: Who the hell knows? All I can say is...well done guys!

Achievement in Film Editing
City of God
Cold Mountain
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
Seabiscuit

Commentary: All these City of God nominations just makes me want to dance, absolutely deserves its nomination here. Cold Mountain is no surprise, Walter Murch is a force with the editing community. Return of the King is completely deserving of course. Master and Commander, what more can be said, technically sound in all departments, including editing, well done. Seabiscuit, by a nose baby, by a nose.

Achievement in Makeup
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Commentary: Hey look, AMPAS nominated THREE this year, a RACE this time, a competition, how exciting! All deserving nominees, though I would have liked to see Monster in here rather than Pirates. Let the race begin!

Achievement in Music in Connection with Motion Pictures (Original song)
"Into the West" - Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
"A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" - A Mighty Wind
"Scarlet Tide" - Cold Mountain
"The Triplets of Belleville" - The Triplets of Belleville
"You Will Be My Ain True Love" - Cold Mountain

Commentary: The big surprises here are Mighty Wind and Triplettes de Bellville, could one of them steal it from Annie Lennox? Doubtful, but with AMPAS you never know. Cold Mountain doesn't stand a chance here with two nominations, the nominations are the prize.

Achievement in Music in Connection with Motion Pictures (Score)
Big Fish
Cold Mountain
Finding Nemo
House of Sand & Fog
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Commentary: Danny Elfman is the man, power to him on his nomination here. Cold Mountain is a score I really like, well done Gabriel. Finding Nemo isn't a surprise, I don't think it belongs here though. Glad to see Horner nominated for House of Sand and Fog, an almost invisible yet affecting score. Howard Shore's score to Return of the King is fantastic, as is his work on the whole trilogy.

Best Animated Short Film
Boundin'
Destino
gone Nutty
Harvie Krumpet
Nibbles

Commentary: ...Well done! There's a nominee called Nibbles!

Best Live Action Short Film
Die Rote Jacke (The Red Jacket)
Most (The Bridge)
Squash
(A) Torzija ([A] Torsion)
Two Soldiers

Commentary: SQUASH, yes darling!

Achievement in Sound
The Last Samurai
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Seabiscuit

Commentary: Seabiscuit is the only real surprise here, that darn horse! I'd say this is between Return of the King and Master and Commander, the two technical masterpieces.

Achievement in Sound Editing
Finding Nemo
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Commentary: AMPAS rule #152.5, if Pixar animates a film and puts sound to it, we nominate. No surprise there, Master and Commander is a big duh of course and Pirates is no surprise either. Master and Commander should get it, but it could go to Nemo.

Achievement in Visual Effects
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Achievement in Visual Effects
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Commentary: Double WETA city, well done! All three had fantastic visual effects, I think King probably has this one wrapped up though. WETA WETA WETA


Final Commentary:
While I don't agree with all the choices, who ever does? I think everybody should be happy this year, it seems like the start of a new way of voting for AMPAS. I hope the new schedule is here to stay, I'm sure it is, and hopefully the studios will realize that they can't win simply by running the right campaign anymore, the films count too (of course a proper campaign still must be run *cough*SCARLETT*cough*). That is not a pot-shot to Harvey Weinstein, I think Cold Mountain is a very good film, but I do agree that it is not one of the five best of the year. Don't think Weinstein is down and out now, he produces quality material most of the time, and I look forward to what he has to offer in the future. That said, some small films got recognition, which is fantastic, the one I wanted more than anything didn't make it, but like I said, I'm happy with the way AMPAS voted. We can't win'm all can we? I'll provide more commentary, more regularly, from now right on through the day after the Oscars (I used to run a website, now I have NeurOTrash, amen baby!). Everything hasn't completely sunk in yet, so maybe more later, for now, go see those films nominated that you haven't had a chance to see yet!