Oscar Nominations Announced!

Here is how I did with my predictions. Check out the complete list of nominations at http://oscar.go.com/nominations.


Best Actress - 4 out of 5

I missed Michelle Williams for "Blue Valentine." Very glad to see Michelle on the list!


Best Supporting Actress - 4 out of 5

I missed Hailee Steinfeld for "True Grit." Hailee's role is clearly the lead role in this film--her character is the narrator and appears in nearly every scene--but sometimes the Academy puts lead performances in the Supporting categories, especially when the performer is young. I do not approve of this practice. Harumph.


Best Actor - 4 out of 5

Here I missed Javier Bardem for "Biutiful." I haven't seen "Biutiful" yet--it will be released in San Francisco this coming weekend--but I love Javier, so I'm excited to see his performance.


Best Supporting Actor - 4 out of 5 (are you sensing a pattern?)

I'm thrilled to see John Hawkes on the list for his work in "Winter's Bone," though I didn't predict it. If you haven't seen "Winter's Bone," go find it as soon as possible!


Best Director - 4 out of 5

The Coen brothers made the cut for "True Grit," edging out Christopher Nolan for "Inception." I think this is a shame. "True Grit" is good but is perhaps the least interesting film the Coens have ever made, while "Inception" is something totally new and brilliant.


Best Picture - 9 out of 10

Here I'm very happy to see "Winter's Bone" instead of "The Town." While "The Town" is pretty good, "Winter's Bone" is excellent: deeply moving, great atmospherics, fascinating subject matter, and wonderful performances.


As for the other categories, I'm bummed that my favorite movie song of the year, "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" from "Burlesque," has been left off the list of nominees for Best Original Song. Glad to see screenplay nominations for both "Winter's Bone" and the brilliant "Another Year."