Scarlett snubbed again! 'Walk the Line' not in best pic race!
OK, let's be bad and dish who got snubbed at Oscar noms:
"Match Point" star Scarlett Johansson struck out again. What do those academy voters have against the poor gal, eh? Her performance in previous best picture nominee "Lost in Translation" was what made that film so luminous and she was the only principal who was truly lost on Oscar night since she wasn't even in the running.
"Walk the Line" wasn't nominated for best picture, just as I had warned you. Oscar voters love musical biopics, yes, and it was probably cited on most members' ballots, but it was probably ranked in the No. 3, 4 or 5 slots. Since the academy uses a preferential ballot, only No. 1 and 2 votes really count. And it was clear from the mood in Hollywood that "Munich" had a sufficient core of adamant supporters who'd rank it higher on their ballots.
It was also the preferential ballot that defeated Russell Crowe ("Cinderella Man"). The bad boy crossed a line when he threw that phone at a hotel employee last year. It wasn't like he was taking a swing at a paparazzo again. He was striking out at Everyman — just the kind of chap who used to go to see Russell Crowe flicks.
But the only snub that really shocks me today is Don Cheadle. Had the "Crash" star been nominated for best supporting actor, he might have won.
Now it's time for me to take a bow and brag about my overall forecast. I scored 26 correct predictions out of 30 guesses in six categories. Huzzah!
I can believe Walk The Line got passed over. The script was middling at best, the only thing redeeming about it were its performances, which were properly awarded with nominations. If it weren't for PSH's Capote, Joaquin would be a shoo-in. I am so glad they snubbed Russel Crowe, hopefully he'll go back down under and disappear forever. And thankfully, the Academy recoginzed the only good thing about History of Violence, William Hurt - what an amazing performance. I agree with Jennifer that the best thing about Crash (the best movie of last year) was Matt Dillon. That scene with the car crash and Thandie Newton STILL gives me shivers almost a year later. Its a shame the Academy passed over Joan Allen in lieu of that wanna-be actress Kiera Knightly or that tired ol' ham, Judi Dench.
Posted by: IrmaCMD | February 03, 2006 at 07:09 AM
I disagree with you on Don Cheadle. they picked the right actor from that movie. When I left the theatre, all I could think about was Matt Dillion's role and how hard it must have been for him to play it. It really moved me and I was also impressed with Sandra Bullock too.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 01, 2006 at 05:46 PM
I have to agree with John's entire comment about all of the journalist on the morning talk shows yesterday. I don't want to name the shows, but I had better recall of past winners and film history then the journalists that are supposed to be covering the event. It was insulting.
Posted by: Bryan | February 01, 2006 at 10:46 AM
In 2001, Halle Berry won the National Board of Review Award for Best Actress for Monster's Ball. It was the first major award presented that year before Sissy Spacek started to win awards that year. Halle then won the SAG award right before the Oscars.
Posted by: Bryan | February 01, 2006 at 10:36 AM
To John's earlier comment...
in the 2001 awards season Halle Berry won three best actress awards...the Oscar, SAG and the Phoenix film critics award. SAG is pretty late in the game. Phoenix I'm not sure when they gave out their awards that year, but as far as the Academy members in general is concerned do they really pay attention to the Phoenix group???
As for "A Love That Will Never Grow Old"...beautiful and haunting...it should have been eligible, yet the acdemy said it wasn't a possibility because so little of it was heard in the film and wasn't clear and distinct (had dialogue all over) to be exact I've only heard the song after I saw the film...I knew about it before the film (love Emmylou Harris) but I didn't register it at all while I was watching the film.
Ralph Fiennes, Laura Linney and Woody Allen for the biggest upset as far as snubs go for me.
Posted by: JayDF | February 01, 2006 at 10:09 AM
I am sad about the Ralph Fiennes snub. I really don't know what more the man has to do to get a nomination. Three of the films he was in received nominations(Potter,Wallace and Gromet and "Gardener")....but he didn't. Such versatility and brilliance. What a shame.
Posted by: nancy | February 01, 2006 at 12:04 AM
I think Roger Ebert and Robert Roeper comment on how hard it was to pick their top ten list of the best films of 2005, they both stated that 2005 was such a great year for films it was hard to pick their top ten films without leaving a film out, and they both agreed that it should of been a top twenty list year, so with that in mind and with so many great films this year, there is always bigger chance that someone is going to get snub and only because the Academy can only pick 5 , not 6 or more. The year 1999, (the 2000 Academy Awards) had lots of great films, so many snubs happened because of so many great films and performaces ; here is a lists of some of those films : The Insider, the Cider House Rules, The Sixth Sense, The Straight Story, The Green Mile, American Beauty, Being John Malkovich, Boys Don't Cry, The Talented MR Ripley, lots of great films with many different and unique subjects will many different nominations
Posted by: Shawn Peach | January 31, 2006 at 11:14 PM
Mr. O'Neil,
I saw you on a news segment today discussing the Academy Awards. You mentioned that there would be surprises in terms of nominations and wins late in the running. You cited Halle Berry's performance in "Monster's Ball" as an example. You said she'd not won anything until late in the game, then she won the SAG award.
The year "Monster's Ball" was distributed, Ms. Berry was the first actress cited in the critics' awards; she won Best Actress for "Monster's Ball."
This is not a criticism of you personally; however, I've long grown tired of reporters, journalists, etc., who fail to keep straight the facts of their chosen fields.
Also this morning, I watched a group of anchors and journalists on a morning talk show discussing the Academy Award nominations -- specifically, George Clooney, whom they said could no longer be considered "just a movie star," as he had been nominated -- they said -- for Supporting Actor ("Syriana"), and Director ("Goodnight, and Good Luck"). They failed to mention that Mr. Clooney has been nominated also for co-writing, with Grant Heslov, the screenplay for "Goodnight, and Good Luck."
Do members of the press not have lists in front of them? I did not, but even I saw their fumbles and omissions (sadly, as I do nearly every year). Awards season seems to be taken so seriously; it would be nice to see the "experts" exuding more than a rudimentary sense of knowledge on what they are reporting.
As for glaring omissions in this morning's nominations, "A Love That Will Never Grow Old," sung by Emmylou Harris and featured in "Brokeback Mountain," should have been nominated, as should have Geraldine Peroni (deceased) and Dylan Tichenor for their insightful, elliptical editing of the film.
Thank you for your time.
Signed,
John
Posted by: John | January 31, 2006 at 10:13 PM
Ha! You picked 26 out of 30? I picked 36 out of 40 in 8 categories.
See http://madprofessah.com
Do you really think "Good Night, and Good Luck." has a chance for Best Picture? A black and white film in 2006? I dunno, I guess it worked for Schindler's List. Speaking of Black and White, Crash has so much baggage I don't think it has a chance either. Brokeback Mountain all the way!
Posted by: Mad Professah | January 31, 2006 at 07:31 PM
Scarlett didn't get nominated, because a) in general, she's not very bright, and b) she's bought into all the hype about her and thinks she's the most important actor on the set.
She isn't.
And no one likes to work with an arrogent young snot. She's had one film that was truely Oscar worthy. And yeah, she got robbed. But nothing since then has risen to the level of Lost in Translation. And till Scarlett stops thinking she's so special, she's not going to get nominated.
Because no one who votes, truly likes spoiled little brats, who think their breasts and attitude and willingness to do it, buys them something.
Posted by: Sam Smith | January 31, 2006 at 07:01 PM
Johanssen didn't get nominated because she's not a very good actress. She's one of those hyped-up folks that get shoved down people's throats as the next great thing and she's simply not.
Posted by: pauleky | January 31, 2006 at 03:21 PM
Joan Allen was exellent in Upside of Anger. It is too bad it got such an early release. I am surprised the Academy remembered Crash which was released back in May. I too would replace McDormand with Maria Bello. I am so happy that Terence Howard was nominated in place of that obnoxious Russel Crowe. Hurray too for Keira Knightley.
Posted by: Gary Dickson | January 31, 2006 at 01:04 PM
From the Academy Awards rules regarding original song:
"3. In the Original Song category, Music Branch members shall meet to screen clips of the eligible songs and vote on the achievements. Following the screening of the clips, voting shall be conducted as follows:
Nominations will be determined by an averaged point system of voting using 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7, 6.5 or 6. Only those songs receiving an average score of 8.25 or more shall be eligible for nomination. There may not be more than five nor fewer than three nominations"
Posted by: Armando (Caracas, Venezuela) | January 31, 2006 at 11:48 AM
I'm happy The New World got a cinematography nom but was hoping that Malick or Kilcher would score a nom or perhaps Horner. I wish New Line gave this movie a better push.
Will anybody be surprised if Amy Adams walks away with best supporting actress?
Posted by: IFQ | January 31, 2006 at 09:29 AM
Tom -- Can you please write something about what happened with Best Song? Why only 3 nominations? Also, where is Star Wars in the VFX category?
Posted by: Coopster | January 31, 2006 at 09:19 AM
Every year they have to upset me. Rachel Weisz over MARIA BELLO....
The Academy Members are strange, strange animals!
Posted by: stéphane | January 31, 2006 at 09:09 AM
I agree that the preferential balloting did some of these in, especially "Walk the Line" and Russell Crowe. But it's a whole new ballgame now, with all Academy members voting for whom they think is tops in all categories, not just best picture. I think Clifton Collins Jr. was TOO good, he blended in so seamlessly with the story that was being told. Similarly, Viggo Mortenson, whose subtle work hasn't been competitive with the other best actor nominees. Maria Bello had to fight as to which category she was in, lead or supporting, altho' it wasn't a problem for Rachel Weisz. Scarlett Johannson needed a film with more exposure to overtake the women who were nominated.
Posted by: dude | January 31, 2006 at 08:55 AM
What a boring Oscars!
No movie was really mainstream. Watch ratings for the telecast plumet. At least Walk the Line was entertaining and made over $100 million.
I completely disagree with Tom O'Neil. Reese Witherspoon will win. Felicity Huffman gave a good performance in a mediocre film which hasn't made much money. Plus her performance cannot compare to Halle Berry, Hillary Swank, or Charlize Theron.
Posted by: Alex | January 31, 2006 at 08:27 AM
i can't believe don cheadle was snubbed again!! this man has played varied, unbelievably great parts, yet he continues to be overlooked at awards time. what did he do to the voters of the awards show? is is black or something???
Posted by: onnye chamberlain | January 31, 2006 at 08:16 AM
Where's Maria Bello for History of Violence? I'd take out Frances McDormand and substitute Bello.
Posted by: Sid H | January 31, 2006 at 08:00 AM
Don't think Walk the Line got snubbed... Been out of the picture for a while. The Golden Globe meant nothing. I'm actually a little surprised that William Hurt got in and Maria Bello didn't. Let's face it, Scarlett wasn't that good in Match Point. Doesn't feel like a snub to me.
Posted by: MWHISLER | January 31, 2006 at 06:54 AM
The Walk the Line snub in picture and director were the only real surprises for me, and I still don't understand how they can nominate *everyone* for Capote except Clifton Collins Jr. That's just ridiculous.
Posted by: EDouglas | January 31, 2006 at 06:23 AM