Home from work, and ready to discuss the BAFTA nominees!
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| Creepy statue. It reminds me so much of: |
Full list of them
here, of course.
But first, let me say three things about the Golden Globes. One: I'm sorry my post was unreadable, but I've never posted using an iPod Touch before. God, it's hideous! Two: Ricky Gervais was tamer this year; ie, boring. It wasn't the most exciting show, but I guess it was all right. Eh. Three: Seven correct out of eleven. A passing grade, surely.
On to BAFTA. I watched the taped nominations just a moment ago (announced by Daniel Radcliffe and Holliday Grainger), and I have to admit that I was thrilled by a number of them! Many of the nominees are either shared by the Hollmann Awards, or just missed the mark. In order of their announcement:
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Judi Dench, My Week with Marilyn
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Carey Mulligan, Drive
Octavia Spencer, The Help
Tip o' the Hat: Chastain and Mulligan were also nominated for me, though it was Shame for the latter. I'm down with the Dench nom, she was a warm presence.
But What About...?: Zoe Wanamaker, who was one of the six ladies tipped by the Longlist as the Branch Leaders (individual branches select the longlist finalists in their respective categories, from which the entire Academy votes for the nominees). I was hoping she'd be included so that others could see I'm not crazy.
What does this mean?: McCarthy has a lot of support among her peers, doesn't she? The SAGs, the BAFTAs...it's looking more and more likely that the Academy may bite.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
Jim Broadbent, The Ides of March
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Ides of March
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Tip o' the Hat: YES! Ides of March love! Go BAFTA!
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| He values your loyalty. |
And even though he's become a fixture at this point, the more recognition Plummer receives for Beginners the better.
But What About...?: There was a slight chance that Longlister John Hurt might have made it for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, but I suppose that was always a longshot.
What does this mean?: We've known for some time now that Branagh, Hill and Plummer are safe. Albert Brooks has missed out now with SAG and BAFTA. Hoffman could sneak in, but I don't expect this Broadbent nom to go anywhere.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Descendants
The Help
The Ides of March
Moneyball
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Tip o' the Hat: Those last three titles make me swoon. Definitely the best adapted screenplays of the year. The Help's inclusion raised my eyebrows, but not critically so.
But What About...?: Oh, BAFTA, BAFTA, BAFTA. Two of your own films left out in the cold in favor of that terribly superficial Hawaii flick? Submarine was one of the best screenplays of the year, adapted or original, witty and moving and realistic and whimsical and masterful. MASTERFUL.
What does this mean?: Descendants and Moneyball are safe. The British contingent just may get Tinker Tailor and Ides the nods they deserve.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Artist
Bridesmaids
The Guard
The Iron Lady
Midnight in Paris
Tip o' the Hat: My own longlists included all these titles, so kudos.
But What About...?: What the hell does Mike Mills have to do to get some recognition? Plummer gives a magnificent performance in Beginners, but you know who gave him that character?
What does this mean?: That Kristen Wiig's Oscar nomination for Original Screenplay is safe and secure.
BEST DIRECTOR
Tomas Alfredson, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Lynne Ramsay, We Need to Talk About Kevin
Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Tip o' the Hat: Solid list, this one. Ramsay was my sixth choice, just missing the cut. Glad someone recognized her.
But What About...?: You know, actually, this list is fine. Sure, I would nominate Woody Allen and Steven Soderbergh, but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. You done a good job, BAFTA.
What does this mean?: Hopefully, some momentum for Alfredson, though Refn is more likely the beneficiary. Drive is becoming a bit of a phenomenon, really, so there's a chance for it in categories outside of Supporting Actor. Like Broadbent and Mulligan, I expect Ramsay's nomination to be a BAFTA thing. Hopefully, I'll we pleasantly surprised.
BEST ACTRESS
Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Viola Davis, The Help
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin
Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Tip o' the Hat: First, to my typing skills, which first had me reporting that Swinton was nominated for The Iron Lady and Williams for We Need to Talk About Kevin. I want to see those movies now! Second, to the inclusion of Bejo in Lead Actress. She was sixth on my own ballot, so she didn't make it, but my God! The woman is just DAZZLING as Peppy Miller! And she is the co-lead!
But What About...?: I still love you, Charlize Theron.
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| WE CAN BEAT THIS THING TOGETHER. |
What does this mean?: That the nay-sayers nay-saying Swinton's nom can nay-say no more.
BEST ACTOR
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Michael Fassbender, Shame
Brad Pitt, Moneyball
Gary Oldman, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Tip o' the Hat: Fassbender and Oldman. The right choice.
But What About...?: Gosling for Drive. Love for Mulligan, love for Refn, but no love for the Driver. Oy.
What does this mean?: Oh, God, I don't know. Conventional wisdom holds that Clooney, Dujardin and Pitt are safe for the Oscars, and God knows after that. Even if DiCaprio stays in play, there's still a fifth slot, and it would be between Fassbender and Oldman. Certainly it would be better to have both than neither, though, right?
BEST BRITISH FILM
My Week with Marilyn
Senna
Shame
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Tip o' the Hat: We all knew that Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was going to rule at the BAFTAs. Does that change my excitement for every nomination it receives? Not at all.
What does this mean?: Senna's winning their documentary prize.
BEST FILM
The Artist
The Descendants
Drive
The Help
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Tip o' the Hat: DRIIIIIIIVE!!!!! TINKER TAILOOOOOOOOR!!! TOGETHER AGAIN!!!!!
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| I'll drink to that! |
But What About....?: Honestly, kind of thought the Brits would go more for Midnight in Paris. Also, those Director and British Film nominees gave me the slightest hope for We Need to Talk About Kevin...
What does this mean?: Everyone seems to have some love for The Descendants, with a few exceptions here and there. Hopefully, BAFTA members that overlap with AMPAS will help a film more in need of support, such as Drive or Tinker, Tailor.
