As Oscar season approaches, there is a lot of hullabaloo in Hollywood over which films and actors fared best in the Academy's nominations. Though the Golden Globes are typically considered the blueprint to who and what will be nominated in the Academy Awards, there were a few surprises and clear front-runners in the Oscar nominations announced Thursday.
David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" led the pack for nominations, accruing 13 spots in various categories from the illustrious "Best Picture" and "Best Actor" spots to "Best Cinematography" and "Best Make-up."
"I don't think it deserves 'Best Picture,' but I definitely do think it should win something for make-up or special effects," said Alahna Sergi, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Science, about "Button." "Brad Pitt looked like he was freaking 80 years old and then 20 like an hour later! How'd they do that?! He looked better than he had in years!"
"Milk" and "Slumdog Millionaire" also rounded out the pack of highly nominated films, contending with "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" for "Best Picture."
"Slumdog Millionaire," which swept the Golden Globes a few weeks ago in every category for which it was nominated, is arguably the underdog that could take it all at the Academy Awards as well. A recent surge in its wide release has upped its box office numbers also, showing that its profit is finally starting to catch up to its word-of-mouth popularity.
Though several films like "Slumdog Millionaire," have earned both underground and commercial success, there were certainly a few snubs by the Academy in this year's nominations. Many were surprised by Leonardo DiCaprio's absence in the "Best Actor" category for his spellbinding turn in "Revolutionary Road." The film, which already earned a Golden Globe for "Best Actress" with Kate Winslet and was heralded by critics, was only nominated in one acting and two technical categories.
Arguably the most snubbed film to be nominated was that of "The Dark Knight," both a commercial and critical success. Though Heath Ledger was expectedly nominated for "Best Supporting Actor," the film only garnered a handful of other technical award nominations.
"The Dark Knight," earning nearly $1 billion at the international and domestic box office (largely surpassing the earnings of fellow Oscar nominees), seemed to be forgotten in the "Best Director" and "Best Picture" categories. While the "Best Picture" category was filled with much art fare, "The Dark Knight" was noticeably absent despite its worldwide success and both critical and popular acclaim.
"Milk" and "Frost/Nixon" predictably rounded out many of the other categories including "Best Picture." "Doubt" swept up many of the acting category awards, earning Oscar nominations for Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep and double "Best Supporting Actress" nods for both Amy Adams and Viola Davis.
In a relatively surprising nomination, Robert Downey, Jr. is up for "Best Supporting Actor" for "Tropic Thunder," an award he lost to Heath Ledger at the Golden Globes. Despite Downey's hilarious performance, many wondered if it was too controversial of a role to earn him acting nominations in the big awards show, a problem that seems to have been overshadowed by Downey's own talent in performing the role.
The Oscars air at 8 p.m. Feb. 22.
You can contact this staff writer at cmoore@theeagleonline.com.
