Nomination Thoughts!

Before I begin, howabout a round of applause for my Anne Hathaway for doing a terrific job of co-announcing the nominees. Not only did she look lovely in her serious business attire, she showed off her public speaking skills in a display of oratorical fireworks. Loved the way she said A Serious Man.

*ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ANNE*

YAH!

I think the decision to to expand the field to 10 Best Picture nominees payed off well.

Minus The Blind Side.

Best Picture nominees Up, A Serious Man and District 9. These aren't by any means the typical Best Picture contenders, and that's exactly what this change should show.

Minus The Blind Side.

Not only that, but 5 of the Best Picture nominees have made more than $100m at the domestic box office. When all is said and done, 3 will have crossed $250m. Yet, regardless of this, the winner will most likely end up being the second lowest grossing of the bunch. Proof that quality should always win out in the end.

Minus The Blind Side.


THE GOOD:
+The Hurt Locker ties with Avatar for most nominations with the Basterds one nomination behind.

+The top 8 categories are pretty good.

+IN THE FUCKING LOOP GETS A FUCKING SCREENPLAY NOMINATION!!!! Really, probably the best surprise of the morning. Hopefully, this means more people will see it. Really funny movie with an awesome ensemble cast and some of the most jaw droppingly hilarious, kick ass one liners you'll ever hear.

+The writers prove again they probably are the best branch of the Academy. If you were to make the screenplay nominees the Best Picture lineup, I think everyone would agree it was the best one ever. EVEN WITH 10!

+The love for genre films. Which probably means we'll get a history of sci-fi montage at the Oscars.

+2 Gyllenhaals are now Supporting nominees.

+Though I don't know how I feel about her nomination just yet, isn't it cool how Penelope Cruz has become an award season darling? This coming from someone who used to despise her.

+Matt Damon finally gets his second acting nomination. Yes, I know, it should been for Ripley, and it's weird thinking that they didn't nominate him for Ripley or Bourne or Departed, but nominated him for Invictus?

+Jeremy Renner on The Today Show. I loved Mackie giving him a big hug after his nomination. Then Bigelow comes out later and out-cools them both.

+Sandra Bullock explaining that between now and the ceremony, she'll have to acquire a light English accent and get liposuction. LOL. See, this is why she's nominated. She's charming.

+Gabby sent Carey a text congratulating her. Awww.


THE BAD:
+LOL THE BLIND SIDE. Really. Raise your hand. Which Academy voter actually placed this film at #1 on their ballot for Picture? Probably Ernest Borgnine.

+The tech categories, for the most part, suck ass. Great that the sound of Basterds was recognized, but how on Earth did it miss out in Costume and especially Art Direction. The movie's big climax takes place in a 1940's movie theatre that is its own character. Really? If it would have gotten in these categories, it would have led the noms.

+The tech categories, for the most part, suck ass: Part 2. Happy District 9 made it into Best Picture, but how did it miss in the sound categories and makeup? It seemed a shoe-in for all 3.

+The music branches need some work, too. Paris 36? LOL.

+I'm guessing the Basterdesses (Laurent and Kruger) cancelled each other out. Ah well.

+No (500) in screenplay. :-(