The 2009 Academy Award Nominations Have Been Announced
Earlier today, folks got together here in SoCal at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, CA to announce the nominees for the 81st annual Academy Awards, which will be handed out on February 22:
Leading the pack this year is the David Fincher-directed film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button which scored 13 nominations in various categories. Milk, Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader and Frost/Nixon join Button in the running for the top prize, Best Picture. Here are a few pictures of actor Forest Whitaker and AMPAS president Sid Ganis making the nominee announcements in the major categories and a run-down of which films will compete for Oscars next month … and which films/people will not:
Batman and Clint Eastwood? Forget about it. The Dark Knight, the superhero thriller that was expected to make history as the first comic-book adaptation to take a best-picture nomination, and Gran Torino, which the Hollywood veteran starred in and directed, were left out of the contest for Oscar’s top prize. Instead, the far more serious Holocaust-themed The Reader took the fifth berth and its director, Stephen Daldry, also managed to slip into his category. The other nominees announced for top prize in the 81st Academy Awards Thursday morning in Los Angeles followed the script of the prognosticators: the era-spanning fable The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which led the crowd with 13 nominations; gay-themed political biopic Milk; TV-landmark drama Frost/Nixon; and romantic crowd-pleaser Slumdog Millionaire. As expected, Heath Ledger’s vividly twisted take on the villainous Joker in The Dark Knight scored a supporting nomination for the Australian actor, who died a year ago today at age 28 after suffering an accidental prescription-drug overdose. He’s the seventh actor to compete posthumously in the race, though only Peter Finch won a best-actor trophy for 1976’s Network. Going up against Ledger are Philip Seymour Hoffman as a problematic priest in Doubt, Josh Brolin as a city supervisor turned assassin in Milk, Robert Downey Jr. as the ultimate Method actor in Tropic Thunder and Michael Shannon as a perceptive mental patient in Revolutionary Road. After her two Golden Globe wins, Kate Winslet was expected to earn a supporting nomination for her tormented concentration-camp guard in The Reader as well as a lead spot as a distraught suburban housewife in Revolutionary Road. Instead, only her work in Reader was recognized. The British actress, 33, has been up for an Oscar five times before without a win. Others in the lead-actress lineup are Meryl Streep as a formidable nun in Doubt, Anne Hathaway as the black-sheep sister in Rachel Getting Married, Angelinia Jolie as the troubled mother of a missing boy in The Changeling and Melissa Leo as a struggling single mom in Frozen River. Making up the supporting-actress category: Penelope Cruz’s tempestuous ex-wife in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Viola Davis as the mother of a possible abuse victim in Doubt, Taraji P. Henson as a loving adoptive mother in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Marisa Tomei as a worn-out stripper in The Wrestler and Amy Adams as a naïve nun in Doubt. Making it into the lead actor lineup: Sean Penn as an openly gay politician in Milk, Mickey Rourke as a washed-up grappler in The Wrestler, Frank Langella as the ever-enigmatic Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon, Brad Pitt as the foundling who ages backward in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Richard Jenkins as the burnt-out professor who gains a new lease on life in The Visitor. Joining Daldry in the director’s race: David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Gus Van Sant for Milk, Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon and Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire.
No real surprises here … the surprises would’ve come if a film like The Dark Knight had received a nomination for Best Picture. And while I really loved Gran Torino, I am not that shocked/appalled that it was not nominated for Best Picture either. I am a bit surprised that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button received so many Academy Award nominations, especially since it’s been doing so poorly at the other awards shows. Surely, with 13 noms, it’s bound to win something. Angelina Jolie, too, must have her fingers crossed now that she’s been nominated again for her work in Changeling. My money/support is on Meryl Streep’s portrayal of the stern nun in Doubt to win Best Actress, tho (Meryl remains the singular actor with the most Academy Award nominations). MUCH PROPS and LURVE goes out to Marisa Tomei for FINALLY getting some recognition and scoring a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her amazing work in The Wrestler. She’s been the unsung actress in all of the previous awards shows, at least now she has a chance to get some Oscar love from the Academy. I am relieved that Heath Ledger scored a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight. I have a really good feeling that he’s going to win the Academy’s next posthumous Oscar … I can feel it in me waters. And so … the nominations have been announced, the stage will soon be set and in a month’s time we’ll know which films and actors/actresses will be judged as the best of 2008. Take note, the Academy Awards will air live on ABC on Feb. 22 … with Hugh Jackman as host. Woot!
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Tags: Forest Whitaker, Sid Ganis, The Academy Awards
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January 22nd, 2009 at 7:52 am
I love the Oscars! I really hope that Kate wins this year. I was suprised Leo wasn’t nominated but he will win it one year. Gran Torino was pretty good but I can see why it was over looked. So much fun to be had this night!!
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:58 am
I love Meryl Streep since she’s absolutely amazing in everything she’s in, but I love Kate Winslet, too and she’s been nominated so many times and has never won an Oscar. I think it’s her time. She deserves it. She’s amazing in every film she’s in, also.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:00 am
I love Marisa, too, and even though it’s kind of a joke, she already has an oscar for My Cousin Vinny.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 am
its nice to see anne hathaway was recognized as well, but I think the Dark Night should have gotten one for Christian Bale no? Kate has won an oscar before right?
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:28 am
@Ashley H — as much as I love Christian Bale, there’s no way his performance was good enough. Lord, I had a hard time taking him serious with that voice he used as Batman … LOL!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:50 am
I’m glad melissa leo was recognized, I randomly saw frozen river a few months ago (it was the only thing playing at a small theatre when we walked by) and it was such an engaging story, she was phenomenal.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:55 am
but trent, its such a sexyyyyy voice!! haha, you’re right though :P
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:02 am
I love Awards season! While I haven’t seen all of the movies nominated, I’m going to do my best to get my butt to the theaters in the coming weeks.
I find it sad that “Dark Knight” was not recognized in the Best Picture category. If the “Lord of the Rings” movies were good enough a few years ago, I don’t see why a comic book movie couldn’t be a contender. Both genres are kinda nerdy fare… :-)
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:14 am
I get why Dark Knight or Gran Turino weren’t recognized for Best Picture, but I am a little shocked that Eastwood didn’t get a best director nod. It was a really powerful movie.
As far as Heath Ledger goes, while I think he did a great job in the Dark Knight, he was far superior in Brokeback Mountain, and deserved an Oscar for that role far more. It’s too bad that the Academy wouldn’t recognize him for such a groundbreaking film, instead nominating him for the safer role.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:16 am
@Cassie — in all fairness to the Academy, Philip Seymour Hoffman was amazing in Capote the same year that Heath was nominated for Brokeback, it was really a toss-up. I, too, think Heath should’ve won for Brokeback but cannot fault Hoffman for his win. This year will be Heath’s year.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 am
i have yet to see kate winslet’s movies (damN!) but Meryl Streep was astounding in Doubt. I’m shocked they nominated Heath, Oscars are not comic-book-based friendly! But I’m estatic. Unfortch, I feel like if he wins, it won’t be because of his role but as a pity win. The Academy always does this. But oh wells! Fingers crossed :)
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:51 am
I’m really glad that the lady that played “Queenie” in Benjamin Button is nominated. Her performance was really great.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 am
@McBetty — absolutely agree! I’m rootin’ for Marisa but Taraji P. Henson is my second pick for Best Supporting Actress
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:02 am
Hey, Trent. Which movies do you think that Marisa Tomei was overlooked for? She was nominated for In The Bedroom a while back and obvs won for My Cousin Vinny in the 90’s. Just curious.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:07 am
Amy Adams is great in Doubt..she plays naive well and reminds me of Betty White as Rose on The Golden Girls! But I think I’m also rooting for Taraji, but haven’t seen Marisa. I’d love to see Sean P win but he has won once before and I don’t know if the Academy members truly love him as a person, if that makes sense? Kate W is definitely getting her Oscar this year.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
uhhh why is cate blanchett not getting nominated? she was amazing. im glad benjamin button got a ton of nominations, that movie was incredible. it deserves to win every nomination they got.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:36 am
@hello1 — good point, I suppose the film is worthy of the noms. I wasn’t too impressed with what I saw tho. David and I gave up watching our screener midway thru the film. It was ok but way too long.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
i was just about to post what Claire said….Tomei won for My Cousin Vinny so she certainly hasn’t been THAT overlooked in the past
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:54 am
@JeniLee — never said she was overlooked the past, but this Awards Season she’s been severely over looked … her performance in The Wrestler is worthy of awards.
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
what’s so good about The Curious Case of Ben. Button? Way overrated in my opinion.. same with Brad Pitt.
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Go Meryl, Marissa and of course Heath…can you believe it’s been a year? I don’t care who wins Best Actor..maybe Brad? But I doubt it. Neither do I care which movie wins….haven’t seen any of them except Benjamin Button, which was okay. I’m pretty sure that the others haven’t been released in Australia yet.
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Ummm… Marisa has already gotton some Academy love…. she won an oscar for my cousin vinny…
My money is on Kate Winslet for The reader… AMAZING
She is super talented
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
wow you really have no idea of how these awards work right? and you haven’t been paying attention in a very predictable season with two basic surprises (Reader and Michael Shannon)
of course you’re not shocked by Gran Torino’s “snub” in Best Picture….it was never gonna get there…
Angelina will waste her finger’s time if she keeps crossing them, even Knox and Vivienne know and understand she’s not winning…
how is anybody surprised by Button’s 13 nods? People were even expecting 14 if you count Cate Blanchett…Everybody new they had a 100% possibility of getting 11 with Pitt and Henson as wildcards and the film’s possible 12th and 13th nominations…
And the Marisa Tomei comment? What lack of recognition? She got a globe nod this year and won critics awards…the lack of recognition came from SAG and that’s it…and if you mean since My Cousin Vinny…this is her third nod, she got one in 2001 for In the Bedroom…and everybody knows she actually doesn’t have a shot….she has one if you go by the “1 in 5 shot” logical part of the deal, but seriously, she won’t win…
love the site, but dig a little before you write…
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
@benitodelicias — LOL! But how do you really feel?
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I’m really happy and surprised that Robert Downey Jr. was nominated, though he obviously won’t win. Between Tropic Thunder and Iron Man, he deserved to at least be recognised.
But Heath totally deserves to win.
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I can’t imagine Heath NOT winning. He MADE that movie. I agree with the above comment about Bale’s voice. I stifled a laugh each and every damn time he spoke as Batman. Good lord!
I’m all about Kate Winslet winning the big award. That girl is the greatest actress out there right now, and I just want her to take it home! I adore her…I saw Revolutionary Road (WOW! Leo not getting a nom boggles my mind), and will see the Reader this weekend.
But I’d be lying if I didn’t say this…I seriously am hoping for a Jolie/Pitt double win for the night. I would just LOVE to hear their speeches. Brad was amazing in Buttons. Amazing! And, while it was about 15 minutes too long, it was well worth watching…Cate Blanchett was worth the price of admission to me. Angelina was soooooooooo good in Changeling. Chilling!
I gotta see The Wrestler too. Slumdog was good, as was Milk…
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Thanks for this comprehensive list.. Hope that the best ones win.. Good Luck to all..
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Angelina Jolie? Really?
It had better be Kate’s year! She deserves it the most!
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
As much as I think Meryl Streep can do no wrong I’m totally on Team Kate to win. That girl needs an Oscar! I’m still pissed at the Academy for snubbing her all those years ago when everyone else from Titanic won… this one is hers. I’m a bit suprised at Benjamin Button recieving all those nods… especially since it wasn’t praised all that highly in anything I read. My vote is either Frost/Nixon or Milk. This has been such a politically charged year that I think these films just do it. Heath in my opinion should have won for Brokeback so hopefully he will pull one out this year! I’m actually suprised that Leo hasn’t been getting as much attention for Revolutionary Road as Kate and I’m completely shocked that Clint Eastwood wasn’t recognized at all but I still can’t wait!
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Oh and I completely agree with Nadine on Angelina… I seriously cannot watch that woman act… can’t she move to one of those countries she loves staying in so much Namibia and France and wherever the hell else and act for those people?
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:57 pm
No love 4 Nolan. Its one of the biggest snubs ever. He is so deserving even if The Dark Night didn’t get a best picture nom, he should have gotten nominated 4 best director. So wrong.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 am
how do I feel?
I used to hate you because me and some friends took some pictures like the ones you put on the website with fans saying “pink is the new _____” and you never posted them…
but I got over it…
as for the nominations….I don’t know, everybody I wanted got in (Melissa Leo, Jenkins were amazing) and Angie and Brad, Marisa, Ben Button, loved the nods….except for the mandatory rant about the lack of nods for Dark Knight in Pic and Diector…
And Sally Hawkins’ snub hurts the most….did you see Happy Go Lucky?
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
@benitodelicias — I did not see ‘Happy Go Lucky’ yet but I deffo plan to. Also, please resend your photo, I can’t always post every pic I get (there are many) but I try to get to most of them.