Christopher Nolan
Jordan Peele
Greta Gerwig
Paul Thomas Anderson
Guillermo del Toro
BEST BEST DIRECTOR LINE-UP IN NEARLY A DECADE!!! POSSIBLY LONGER!!!
And now, Three Billboards has no chance at winning Best Picture anymore! Is that giving away my opinion on the film, I don't care. I'm too happy about these five people.
There isn't honestly that much to say about anything else. There were upsets, there were surprises, but once again, there weren't any disastrous absences... unless you're a fan of actors in superhero movies, but I honestly wasn't expecting their presence. I mean, it's not like any of the X-Men films was gonna get a screenplay nomination or anythi- WHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
Logan: It simultaneously took the Academy long enough, after snubbing The Dark Knight in this category, but also kind of too late to save themselves, since they didn't also nominate Hugh Jackman. I'm not personally saying that I would nominate Jackman for this movie - although I might have, I need to watch it again to be sure - but most agree it's his best work as the character since... forever. He's gonna win the Saturn Award for sure, but even that's not enough to sate the rabid fans.
Speaking of superheroes and rabid fans...
Wonder Woman: I wasn't banking on a major nomination for Patty Jenkins or Gal Gadot, but I would have appreciated something on this film's part. It may not have been a flawless movie, but it is important, and the Academy would have done well to acknowledge it on some level. Costume or Production Design, Sound Mixing or Editing, maybe get to work on that Stunt Choreography category you're always teasing, just do something. I don't care if Beauty and the Beast looked really pretty, Wonder Woman accomplished way more, and you should acknowledge that. Don't you think it might have helped your public image just a little?
And finally:
James Franco for The Disaster Artist: I am both surprised and not that Franco's name wasn't announced in this category. Then again, it might be for the best. Avoid any kind of controversy while you can, and still acknowledge the true strength of this film with an Adapted Screenplay nomination.
The Florida Project: Um... haven't seen it, definitely going to, will tell you how much of a snub this is later.
Luca Guadagnino for Call Me by Your Name: Ditto.
Martin McDonagh for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: Was I not clear at the top of this on the top of this post? I quote: "BEST BEST DIRECTOR LINE-UP IN NEARLY A DECADE!!!" If you laughed at this movie as much as I was expecting to, that's great. I'll be fair to it in my later assessments, but at this point, it doesn't matter.
And finally:
James Franco for The Disaster Artist: I am both surprised and not that Franco's name wasn't announced in this category. Then again, it might be for the best. Avoid any kind of controversy while you can, and still acknowledge the true strength of this film with an Adapted Screenplay nomination.
The Florida Project: Um... haven't seen it, definitely going to, will tell you how much of a snub this is later.
Luca Guadagnino for Call Me by Your Name: Ditto.
Martin McDonagh for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: Was I not clear at the top of this on the top of this post? I quote: "BEST BEST DIRECTOR LINE-UP IN NEARLY A DECADE!!!" If you laughed at this movie as much as I was expecting to, that's great. I'll be fair to it in my later assessments, but at this point, it doesn't matter.
Apart from that, everything's gorgeous... well, not so much gorgeous but expected. Here's the stuff I didn't expect to see anytime soon, or else was scared to assume.
The Boss Baby and Ferdinand: Umm... Whaaa? I guess the animated category was out of international films to herald, so they just resorted to... these things... I have not seen either of these movies, but I wasn't planning to and kind of hoped I didn't have to, because they don't sound exceptional, even for children's entertainment. And now I'm obligated to watch them... or am now making it obligational... maybe... joy.
Rachel Morrison for Mudbound: Apparently, this surprised nobody except me. Now I need to rewatch Mudbound fairly soon and see what it is that makes the cinematography distinct in that film. However, I do acknowledge its legitimacy on two fronts: the first ever female cinematographer to get nominated, and the first time when Netflix was given this distinct an honour. It's not a Best Picture nomination yet, but it's a step in the right direction.
Woody Harrelson for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: You know, I started this season out absolutely certain that Willem Dafoe would win Best Supporting Actor, because he deserves one of these things more than any other living actor. When Harrelson's name was announced, I had some hope that that would be the case... and then they named Sam Rockwell anyway. Dang it. They can still pull an upset, but it's still mildly annoying. As for Harrelson's performance itself... honestly, I like it better than Rockwell, so if he wins in an upset, I'm fine with that... Like I said, I'll be fair to this movie later.
Darkest Hour: I was expecting some traction for this film, but not this much. Gary Oldman, yes. It's basically his to lose. But Picture... That's something that the BAFTAs would do... and I guess I should have expected it from the Academy, but there's a lot more worthy stuff they could have acknowledged.
Paul Thomas Anderson: I am dead... dead and gone to Valhalla. I had hoped against hope that Anderson would get this nomination... They heard me. They understood me. They appreciate a true craftsman, and this, his most stunning accomplishment thus far. Too premature an opinion? What does it matter? They have embraced a masterpiece. That's all I asked for.
Bravo to the other two favourite directors, Nolan and del Toro, for sweeping this many categories. You've damn-well earned it. Bravo to Jordan Peele and Greta Gerwig for making such stunning debuts. Congrats to everyone else, and other positive reinforcements. I'll be speaking on all of these subjects and more soon enough.
P. S., Nothing.
Rachel Morrison for Mudbound: Apparently, this surprised nobody except me. Now I need to rewatch Mudbound fairly soon and see what it is that makes the cinematography distinct in that film. However, I do acknowledge its legitimacy on two fronts: the first ever female cinematographer to get nominated, and the first time when Netflix was given this distinct an honour. It's not a Best Picture nomination yet, but it's a step in the right direction.
Woody Harrelson for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: You know, I started this season out absolutely certain that Willem Dafoe would win Best Supporting Actor, because he deserves one of these things more than any other living actor. When Harrelson's name was announced, I had some hope that that would be the case... and then they named Sam Rockwell anyway. Dang it. They can still pull an upset, but it's still mildly annoying. As for Harrelson's performance itself... honestly, I like it better than Rockwell, so if he wins in an upset, I'm fine with that... Like I said, I'll be fair to this movie later.
Darkest Hour: I was expecting some traction for this film, but not this much. Gary Oldman, yes. It's basically his to lose. But Picture... That's something that the BAFTAs would do... and I guess I should have expected it from the Academy, but there's a lot more worthy stuff they could have acknowledged.
Paul Thomas Anderson: I am dead... dead and gone to Valhalla. I had hoped against hope that Anderson would get this nomination... They heard me. They understood me. They appreciate a true craftsman, and this, his most stunning accomplishment thus far. Too premature an opinion? What does it matter? They have embraced a masterpiece. That's all I asked for.
Bravo to the other two favourite directors, Nolan and del Toro, for sweeping this many categories. You've damn-well earned it. Bravo to Jordan Peele and Greta Gerwig for making such stunning debuts. Congrats to everyone else, and other positive reinforcements. I'll be speaking on all of these subjects and more soon enough.
P. S., Nothing.
