This morning the Academy Award nominations for 2005 were announced right here in sunny LA. I am happy to say that most of my favorites were nominated. Some things to look forward to at the March 5th show: a lot of George Clooney, definitely in a tux -- my favorite funny smart hunk received 3 Oscar nominations (Best Director, Best Screenplay -- with Grant Heslov -- and Best Actor in a Supporting Role); man-to-watch Terrence Howard (Best Actor in a Lead Role); and another look at dreamy hunk Jake Gyllenhaal (Best Actor in a Supporting Role).
BEST PICTURE
"Brokeback Mountain"
"Capote"
"Crash"
"Good Night, and Good Luck."
"Munich"
Wow, so many good choices. I have to say that I thought CAPOTE was a singularly well-done movie (read my review here), and I was surprised it wasn't nominated at the Golden Globes. I loved the idea of GN&GL, but I thought the execution was less than optimal...okay, I'll say it, I was bored. CRASH, loved. BROKEBACK, a sad story beautifully told.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
"Howl's Moving Castle"
"Tim Burton's Corpse Bride"
"Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit"
Haven't seen the others, but that Wallace & Gromit ticked me on a recent cross country flight.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEAD ROLE
Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Capote"
Terrence Howard in "Hustle & Flow"
Heath Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain"
Joaquin Phoenix in "Walk the Line"
David Strathairn in "Good Night, and Good Luck."
I can't even imagine having to choose among these amazing performances (however, if suddenly invited to vote and and go to the Oscars, I'd figure out a way). Really, each was sooo good in his own way. I loved PSH in CAPOTE, I loved Terrence in H&F, I was moved to tears by Heath in BROKEBACK, I was in love with Joaquin in WALK THE LINE, and I was inspired by David in GN&GL. This in one category when the ultimate winner will really MEAN it when he says he's honored just to be in the company of his fellow nominees.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEAD ROLE
Judi Dench in "Mrs. Henderson Presents"
Felicity Huffman in "Transamerica"
Keira Knightley in "Pride & Prejudice"
Charlize Theron in "North Country"
Reese Witherspoon in "Walk the Line"
Okay -- no pretense to objectivity here. For me, this category is all Reese, all the time. You go, girl!
BEST DIRECTOR
Ang Lee for "Brokeback Mountain"
Bennett Miller for "Capote"
Paul Haggis for "Crash"
George Clooney for "Good Night, and Good Luck"
Steven Spielberg for "Munich"
And the list continues...
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney in "Syriana"
Matt Dillon in "Crash"
Paul Giamatti in "Cinderella Man"
Jake Gyllenhaal in "Brokeback Mountain"
William Hurt in "A History of Violence"
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams in "Junebug"
Catherine Keener in "Capote"
Frances McDormand in "North Country"
Rachel Weisz in "The Constant Gardener"
Michelle Williams in "Brokeback Mountain"
The whole list of nominees, including technical awards, is available here at the Oscars website.