Another year, another awards season! The Academy Awards will be held on February 24th and the list of nominations came out on January 10th....I'm pretty pleased the Silver Linings Playbook got so much recognition. I have heard that Argo is VERY good and maybe THE best movie of 2012....but there are a lot of Les Mis fans out there! I also think Brave should win Best Animated

What do you guys think of the nominations (listed below)??? Who do you feel got robbed and who do you feel got too much praise? Who do you want to win?

Best Picture:
Amour
Argo
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty.

Best Actor:
Bradley Cooper, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Daniel Day-Lewis, "Lincoln"
Hugh Jackman, "Les Miserables"
Joaquin Phoenix, "The Master"
Denzel Washington, "Flight."

Best Actress:
Jessica Chastain, "Zero Dark Thirty"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Emmanuelle Riva, "Amour"
Quvenzhané Wallis, "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
Naomi Watts, "The Impossible."

Best Supporting Actor:
Alan Arkin, "Argo"
Robert De Niro, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "The Master"
Tommy Lee Jones, "Lincoln"
Christoph Waltz, "Django Unchained."

Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, "The Master"
Sally Field, "Lincoln"
Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables"
Helen Hunt, "The Sessions"
Jacki Weaver, "Silver Linings Playbook."

Best Directing:
Michael Haneke, "Amour"
Benh Zeitlin, "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
Ang Lee, "Life of Pi"
Steven Spielberg, "Lincoln"
David O. Russell, "Silver Linings Playbook."

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Chris Terrio, "Argo"
Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin, "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
David Magee, "Life of Pi"
Tony Kushner, "Lincoln"
David O. Russell, "Silver Linings Playbook."

Best Original Screenplay:
Michael Haneke, "Amour"
Quentin Tarantino, "Django Unchained"
John Gatins, "Flight"
Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola, "Moonrise Kingdom"
Mark Boal, "Zero Dark Thirty."

Best Animated Feature Film:
Brave
Frankenweenie
ParaNorman
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Wreck-It Ralph.

Best Production Design:
Anna Karenina
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Les Miserables
Life of Pi
Lincoln.

Best Cinematography:
Anna Karenina
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Skyfall.

Best Costumes:
Anna Karenina
Les Miserables
Lincoln
Mirror Mirror
Snow White and the Huntsman.

(I took out a few categories, by the way).

The academy awards can be an extremely frustrating thing. What it becomes is a political campaign, rather than a true contest of merit, because of all of the studios and publicists campaigning for their pictures and their stars.
I also think Dicaprio has been snubbed badly through the years, he's a great great actor, although I didn't see J. Edgar. I don't quite understand Brad Pitts nomination. He's ok, but he's one i feel is overrated. I'm a little disappointed Shallaine Woodley was not nominated for The Descendants, she was amazing.
The Tree of Life was amazing, but it will probably only win for photography. Terrence Malick is today's Stanley Kubrick. His work might be a little artistic for academy voters, though. But it was an experience watching that film, it's definitely on a different plane.

I was just having this conversation yesterday with friends at lunch. I agree!!! Leo DiCaprio is always snubbed and I have seen a lot of Clooney movies and have to say I only liked Up in the Air. Let me know about The Artist. I want to see that. I hear Hugo is really great and a beautiful movie visually.

Surprised DiCaprio was snubbed but happy about Gary Oldman! Think Clooney is frontrunner!
Meryl is a lock for Actress but would like to see Michelle Williams with upset!
Max von Sydow is a fave of mine but think Christopher Plummer is gonna win Supporting Actor! Jonah Hill is good but the nomination was his win!
Melissa McCarthy was excellent in Bridesmaids but I think Octavia Spencer will win!
Best Film is tough as I can see Hugo, The Artist and The Descendants being the top but War Horse could be ... the dark horse!!! Love puns!
Scorsese should win Director but could be a tight race!
Another snub IMO was The Adventures of Tintin not getting a nod for Animated Film!


Al

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I love Leonardo Di Caprio.

I can't give my opinion yet because I haven't watched any of the movies

I think Ruby should throw an Oscar Party at the LRN!

I like Brad Pitt, but I definitely don't think he's a superb actor or that he should have been nominated. I heard Shallaine Woodley did a fantastic job.

Sometimes I feel like the Academy doesn't know good work!

I did enjoy Up in the Air, but it wasn't just because of his performance. The whole cast was good. Yep, today and tomorrow we are seeing Iron Lady and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close!

Meryl will probably get it -- and she is a great actress and I love her so I'm not upset about it. Although, Michelle Williams did a great job being Marilyn. The movie as a whole was not very good (was there a plot?!), but she did a wonderful job. Loved it that Melissa McCarthy got a nom! So good! and yes, totally agree that Jonah's nom was his win. I felt bad that a lot of the media was acting so shocked and surprised because he said publicly it really hurt his feelings!

I am seeing Iron Lady today so I will let you know my thoughts Yeah, I agree that I didn't think anything last year was spectacular. As a Harry Potter fan....I was hoping it would get some more recognition. The last movie was GREAT.

Me too!!!!

We will just have to watch them together!

Now there's an idea!

Let me know how they are. I'm not really interested in Extremely Loud, but Iron Lady I am. I am not so into Sandra Bullock.

I don't feel they really do either!

This is my take: as a collective, the Academy voters vote much as America does, on likeability, sympathy, level of comfort, and factors like these. That's why you'll see someone like George Clooney, charming, very likeable, and easy to take, on the roster, while DiCaprio, brilliant actor, but whose performances are very intense and very challenging to the audience, may not be. On top of that there's the factor of studio politics. That's just my opinion, but I've been shaking my head over the choices the Academy has made for years, to where I can't even watch the awards anymore. I mean, the Awards Ceremony itself tells you something - they'll probably have Snooki or the Kardashians on the red carpet, while actual former winners won't even be invited.

I'm also interested in what you think of those two movies you're going to see, I haven't seen them myself

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Just got home from seeing The Iron Lady.

Hands down, Meryl's best acting performance ever, and the movie as a whole was fantastic!

Snicks - how did you not like it?!!?!?

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*phew* i'm not the only one who hasn't seen any of these movies

and for the record, i think i have to be the dissenting voice here and *gasp* disagree with a bunny
Leo DiCrapeo is overrated lol

I lost interest in the oscars when Pulp Fiction lost to Forrest Gump

It's a shame, huh? and I don't have to drive to long to the movies.

They had the SAG Awards last night and it looks more like Jean Dujardin is the one to beat for best actor now, and "The Help" and Viola Davis did well too, so the shoe-ins aren't quite the shoe-ins they were before

Everyone I know who has seen THE ARTIST says it's wonderful. I still haven't seen a lot of the movies this year, but I plan on watching TREE OF LIFE this weekend. That's one I've been wanting to watch since it came out, but hesitated because of the mixed reviews. I haven't seen THE HELP either, but it sounds like there were some amazing performances.

I have to say, I'm completely baffled by Melissa McCarthy's nomination. Don't get me wrong, I thought she was very funny, and I absolutely adore BRIDESMAIDS, but that just wasn't an Oscar caliber performance to me. I don't get that one at all.

i love your perspectives on things ruby

Ahhh, I see Sad! I like light-hearted movies, but sometimes the dramas, tear jerkers, and eye openers are so good!

Regardless, she did a great job.

I heard both were really good! I especially want to see Midnight in Paris, because I'm in love with Rachel McAdams!

Eeeeee McGeeeee..........Crumbie, I'm not sure if this is going to work between us.... You thin LEO is overrated?! Who has overrated him?! Certainly not the Academy! How many of his movies have you seen? Have you ever seen someone portray a mentally challenged teenager as well as he did in What's Eating Gilbert Grape? What about The Aviator? He was BRILLIANT! and let's not forget The Departed......

You, sir, are wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong! (Can you tell I'm really passionate about this subject?)

Yes, Jean Dujardin is going to be a tough guy to beat! Viola Davis deserves it! The Help was amazing.

I really want to see The Artist. Maybe sometime soon.

You didn't see The Help?! Oh, put that on your to-do list immediately! It's fantastic, and so is the book! Yeah, Melissa McCarthy's nom was a bit of a shocker. I mean, good for her, but I think there could have been a better choice......

Love you, lovebug!

I know, I've heard such great things about that movie. I'm going to watch it this week for sure.

maybe it's just me but my opinion is a little bit coloured by DiCraprio's stint on Growing Pains way back in teh day, I loved that show ... I think he killed it (probably didn't, but that's what I think lol)
despite my dislike for him, I think I've seen quite a few of his flicks, I did enjoy is role in Basketball Diaries. hated Titanic, didn't think much of him in Departed, never seen Gilbert Grape, again disliked his performance in The Aviator and the movie in general, Catch Me if You Can, meh and no desire to see J Edgar.

oh come on my dear, even the best of couples can argue once in a while and still love each other that isn't to say we love each other or that we're a couple, but I trust I am getting my point across so we disagree on this one actor, I think that's ok. I just happen to think there are better actors out there. Still friends? yes?

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Ohhh, I didn't see J Edgar, YET. I heard it was very good, though. Yes, the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo definitely deserves some credit, because it was excellent.

I loved Growing Pains! You can't hold a grudge against Leo for that! He's phenomenal. Hated Titanic?! Who are you?!?!? Don't tell that to any girl you start dating and he was great in The Departed. You need to see Gilbert Grape, ASAP.

and you disliked his performance in The Aviator? Omg. How???? He was BRILLIANT.

Omg. I can't believe what I'm reading right now! Lol.

Aw I love her. I'm going to see The Vow this weekend

I am a Susan Lucci fan!So,Ruby,you can kind of guess my thoughts on the Academy

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Just got done! Saw the last half and DVR'd the first half. When I saw this dress, I thought that THIS would be a GREAT Ruby Rae Academy Awards dress. It looked SO MUCH BETTER on TV, but this link give you an idea.

http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/whats- ... toId=79226

I am so bad, I usually see the show and then go and see some of the movies!

Lovely! Her dress was amazing. and I love her!

I saw about half of them. Must see The Artist right away!

I also liked these dresses:



GIRL CRUSH ALERT ^^^^ I LOVE ROONEY MARA!

Rooney Mara is STRIKING in that dress... I loved the contrast of the dark hair to that light dress with her pale skin!!!
And Michelle Williams .. LOVED HER!!!!!
And I thought Jessica Chastain looked INCREDIBLE in her dress!!!



Al

I watched them with Jade and Kimberly. I forgot how much I really enjoyed Midnight In Paris. I am going to get the DVD to have for my library. It's something I will watch often.

we'll just have to have this conversation in person

I love Cameron Diaz. I think she is gorgeous, funny, entertaining. Love the girl

An interesting year and a hard one to get a grip on... which I like!!!! No CLEAR front runners except for Daniel Day-Lewis and Anne Hathaway! Ben Affleck was ROBBED for Directing nomination!!!!


Now for MY predictions (mostly just fun guesswork ).....

Best Picture:
Argo

Best Actor:
Daniel Day-Lewis, "Lincoln"

Best Actress:
Jessica Chastain, "Zero Dark Thirty"

Best Supporting Actor:
Robert De Niro, "Silver Linings Playbook"

Best Supporting Actress:
Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables"

Best Directing:
Steven Spielberg, "Lincoln"

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Chris Terrio, "Argo"

Best Original Screenplay:
Quentin Tarantino, "Django Unchained"

Best Animated Feature Film:
Brave

Best Production Design:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Sentimental pick

Best Cinematography:
Life of Pi

Best Costumes:
Les Miserables


Al

I haven't seen a lot of the nominees this year to know...

I think Joaquin Phoenix deserves best actor for "The Master", but it will go to Daniel Day-Lewis.

I agree!

I actually didn't see Lincoln, but I suspect he will win just because that movie has more visibility, and it seems like the kind of thing the Academy would vote for. They love historical dramas. But maybe there will be a surprise

While I don't always agree with who wins, I love movies and I love the fashion at the awards.

I really enjoyed the performances in Django Unchained--then again, I like almost all Tarantino movies.