The wait is over. Oscar nominations for the 83rd Awards are finally out! A few hugely surprising snubs characterized this morning’s announcement of nominees for the February 27 event, but there are certainly no complaints emanating from the studios behind two of the best-reviewed films of the year: The King’s Speech and True Grit, which took the lion’s share of nominations – 12 and 10 nods respectively. Both movies are up for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Among this year’s other top contenders are The Social Network (8) Inception (8) Black Swan (5) and Toy Story 3, which became the third animated film in history to cop a Best Picture nomination.
Here’s my breakdown of the key categories. For the complete list of nominees, visit oscar.org.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, The Fighter
Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
(No surprises here. Melissa Leo should take this category over 14-year-old sensation Hailee Steinfeld.)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christian Bale, The Fighter
John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone
Jeremy Renner, The Town
Mark Ruffalo, The Kids Are All Right
Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech
(I’m hugely disappointed that The Social Network’s Andrew Garfield was overlooked. However, it’s great to see that Jeremy Renner got a nom. Frontrunner Christian Bale sits smugly at the top of the list.)
BEST ACTRESS
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
(Having seen Blue Valentine a few times in the past week, it’s a joy to see Michelle Williams among these leading ladies for her impressive performance. The other four women were always a lock for nominations.)
Article comments
1 - Jordan Richardson
Up was nominated for Best Picture at the 82nd Academy Awards. The Lion King was never nominated for Best Picture, however.
2 - Robert Weller
Inception was by far the most innovative film of the year. And once again Leo gets the shaft. I suppose he will have to wait for a lifetime achievement award.
3 - Tyrone S. Reid
@Jordan. Thanks for the correction.