Awards pundits were taken by surprise from the first two words spoken at the Oscar nominations on Thursday. 'Elle Fanning, for Sentimental Value,' said hosts Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman, as they kicked off the nominations with the best supporting actress category. Fanning's inclusion got things off to a spicy start, as she received praise for her performance in the Norwegian family drama, but few had predicted a nomination. This opening set the tone for a string of snubs and surprises, with several noteworthy takeaways.
1. **Some hot favourites missed out:** Despite strong performances in films like Hamnet and One Battle After Another, notable actors like Paul Mescal and Chase Infiniti were overlooked in their categories. Mescal's absence from the supporting actor nod was surprising, while Infiniti's highly praised role in One Battle After Another also went unnoticed, despite the film's overall recognition. Other actors such as Jesse Plemons and Joel Edgerton also failed to score nominations, even as their films received best picture nods.
2. **F1 is a comfort-food movie:** Brad Pitt's film feature, focusing on a racing driver, made its way into the best picture category, illuminating the Academy's embrace for films with classic themes. While it wasn't entirely expected, its inclusion displays the Academy's appreciation for well-crafted stories meant for pure enjoyment.
3. **Sinners were the big winners:** With an unprecedented 16 nominations, 'Sinners' broke the previous record held by titles like La La Land and Titanic. Ryan Coogler's film showcased a blend of horror with cultural music elements, a feat that resonated strongly with Academy voters.
4. **Wicked did not bewitch the Academy:** Its sequel, 'Wicked: For Good,' received zero nominations, a significant drop considering its predecessor's success. Despite expectations of a best original song nomination for Ariana Grande, the film did not have the same impact as the original.
5. **The Brits showed up:** Surprisingly, only two British performances nabbed nominations; Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo found recognition, signaling an appreciation for diverse narratives within a predominantly competitive field.
6. **Several actresses carried their films to a nomination:** The women-led narratives shone through in multiple nominations, with actresses like Amy Madigan receiving attention for roles in genres typically overlooked by the Academy, showcasing their talent and emotional impact on film.
7. **New category is a mixed bag:** The new casting category saw many familiar films gain recognition, but some films, despite showing impressive ensembles, missed out on this aspect of acknowledgment.
8. **Timothée is even closer to greatness:** With a clear chance of winning, Timothée Chalamet's performance is being distinguished as a strong contender for best actor, signaling his ascension towards becoming a household name among Hollywood greats. As the Oscar season progresses, the dialogue around these nominations is set to fuel excitement in the industry.
1. **Some hot favourites missed out:** Despite strong performances in films like Hamnet and One Battle After Another, notable actors like Paul Mescal and Chase Infiniti were overlooked in their categories. Mescal's absence from the supporting actor nod was surprising, while Infiniti's highly praised role in One Battle After Another also went unnoticed, despite the film's overall recognition. Other actors such as Jesse Plemons and Joel Edgerton also failed to score nominations, even as their films received best picture nods.
2. **F1 is a comfort-food movie:** Brad Pitt's film feature, focusing on a racing driver, made its way into the best picture category, illuminating the Academy's embrace for films with classic themes. While it wasn't entirely expected, its inclusion displays the Academy's appreciation for well-crafted stories meant for pure enjoyment.
3. **Sinners were the big winners:** With an unprecedented 16 nominations, 'Sinners' broke the previous record held by titles like La La Land and Titanic. Ryan Coogler's film showcased a blend of horror with cultural music elements, a feat that resonated strongly with Academy voters.
4. **Wicked did not bewitch the Academy:** Its sequel, 'Wicked: For Good,' received zero nominations, a significant drop considering its predecessor's success. Despite expectations of a best original song nomination for Ariana Grande, the film did not have the same impact as the original.
5. **The Brits showed up:** Surprisingly, only two British performances nabbed nominations; Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo found recognition, signaling an appreciation for diverse narratives within a predominantly competitive field.
6. **Several actresses carried their films to a nomination:** The women-led narratives shone through in multiple nominations, with actresses like Amy Madigan receiving attention for roles in genres typically overlooked by the Academy, showcasing their talent and emotional impact on film.
7. **New category is a mixed bag:** The new casting category saw many familiar films gain recognition, but some films, despite showing impressive ensembles, missed out on this aspect of acknowledgment.
8. **Timothée is even closer to greatness:** With a clear chance of winning, Timothée Chalamet's performance is being distinguished as a strong contender for best actor, signaling his ascension towards becoming a household name among Hollywood greats. As the Oscar season progresses, the dialogue around these nominations is set to fuel excitement in the industry.
