A big entertainment day today. Not only does Thursday, Jan. 16 mark the first day of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, but the 2014 Oscar nominations were also announced.
As expected, “12 Years a Slave,” “Gravity” and “American Hustle” made a killing – but there were a few surprises, most notably all the love for “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Personally, I couldn’t be happier. Scorsese’s latest was one of my favorite films of the year, but it has been met with quite a bit of hostility in some circles.
“Saving Mr. Banks” was virtually shut out, which is a shame because Tom Hanks (who was shockingly left off the ballot for his stellar work in “Captain Phillips,” as well), Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell were all terrific in that picture.
For several months, Robert Redford was considered a lock for his stellar work in “All is Lost,” but instead of nominating the 77-year-old icon (on the morning of the 30th annual Sundance Film Festival opening, no less), the Academy decided to give some much deserved recognition to Christian Bale for his amazing transformation in “American Hustle.”
Given the lukewarm response to “August: Osage County,” Julia Roberts’ and Meryl Streep’s nominations come as quite a surprise – but then you can never count Streep out. She’s simply too damn good.
I couldn’t be happier for Leonardo DiCaprio’s acting nomination. “The Wolf of Wall Street” is his best work since 1993’s “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” It’s pretty crazy that the onetime “Growing Pains” costar stole Tom Hanks’ thunder.
While we’re on the topic of “Captain Phillips,” there was quite a shakeup in the “Best Director” category. No nod for Paul Greengrass. Instead, Alexander Payne was recognized for his subtle work on “Nebraska.” “Captain Phillips” was great, but I really think the Academy got it right by throwing Payne in the mix. They also got it right by nominating Jonah Hill for his hilarious turn in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Ditto for Sally Hawkins for her outstanding performance in “Blue Jasmine.” It would have been nice to see more love for the Coen Brothers’ outstanding “Inside Llewyn Davis.” The authentic story of a 1960s singer/songwriter easily could have nabbed nominations for direction, acting and song, but for whatever reason, this flick hasn’t connected with Academy voters as much as past Coen Brothers efforts have. No Spike Jonze for “Best Director,” either – and this is a bit of a bummer. But at least he scored a nod for his wonderful “Her” screenplay.
As expected, the independent gem “Mud” was completely ignored. That’s alright, though. Director Jeff Nichols’ time is coming. Props to the Academy for resisting the temptation to shower Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” with nominations. Not a bad movie but, if you ask me, Forest Whitaker is really the only part of that film that was truly worthy of a nomination.
In the end, “Gravity” and “12 Years a Slave” were my favorite films of 2013, so I couldn’t happier for these masterworks. But of all the nominations revealed this morning, it was the one for supporting actress June Squibb that made me smile most. This wonderful 84-year-old performer is a tenacious bundle of dry-witted energy in “Nebraska,” and I’m ecstatic that she got the nod.
The Academy Awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will be handed out on Sunday, March 2. For a complete list of the nominees, visit: http://oscar.go.com/.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Barkhad Abdi for “Captain Phillips”
Bradley Cooper for “American Hustle”
Michael Fassbender for “12 Years a Slave”
Jonah Hill for “The Wolf of Wall Street”
Jared Leto for “Dallas Buyers Club”
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Sally Hawkins for “Blue Jasmine”
Jennifer Lawrence for “American Hustle”
Lupita Nynong’o for “12 Years a Slave”
Julia Roberts for “August: Osage County”
June Squibb for “Nebraska”
ORIGINAL SONG
“Happy” from “Despicable Me 2”
“Let It Go” from “Frozen”
“Alone Yet Not Alone” from “Alone Yet Not Alone”
“Moon Song” from “Her”
“Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
ADAPTATED SCREENPLAY
Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke for “Before Midnight”
Billy Ray for “Captain Phillips”
Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope for “Philomena”
John Ridley for “12 Years a Slave”
Terence Winter for “The Wolf of Wall Street”
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell for “American Hustle”
Woody Allen for “Blue Jasmine”
Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack for “Dallas Buyers Club”
Spike Jonze for “Her”
Bob Nelson for “Nebraska”
ANIMATED FEATURE
“The Croods”
“Despicable Me 2”
“Frozen”
“Ernest and Celestine”
“The Wind Rises”
DOCUMENTARY
“The Act of Killing”
“Cutie and the Boxer”
“Dirty Wars”
“The Square”
“20 Feet from Stardom”
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“The Broken Circle Breakdown”
“The Great Beauty”
“The Hunt”
“The Missing Picture”
“Omar”
DIRECTOR
David O. Russell for “American Hustle”
Alfonso Cuaron for “Gravity”
Alexander Payne for “Nebraska”
Steve McQueen for “12 Years a Slave”
Martin Scorsese for “The Wolf of Wall Street”
ACTRESS
Amy Adams for “American Hustle”
Cate Blanchett for “Blue Jasmine”
Sandra Bullock for “Gravity”
Judi Dench for “Philomena”
Meryl Streep for “August: Osage County”
ACTOR
Christian Bale for “American Hustle”
Bruce Dern for “Nebraska”
Leonardo DiCaprio for “The Wolf of Wall Street”
Chiwetel Ejiofor for “12 Years a Slave”
Matthew McConaughey for “Dallas Buyers Club”
BEST PICTURE
“American Hustle”
“Captain Phillips”
“Dallas Buyers Club”
“Gravity”
“Her”
“Nebraska”
“Philomena”
“12 Years a Slave”
“The Wolf of Wall Street”
