Surprise: Six nominations for “Parasite”
Do not give up hope yet #BongHive. Sure, “Parasite” may not have landed an acting nomination, traditionally a “must” for any film to win Best Picture, but it got everything else it needed to make cinematic history. Not only did the South Korean Palme d’Or winner earn Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay and International Feature nominations, but Production Design and Editing nods as well. The NEON release hopes to join films such as “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Last Emperor” as films that won Best Picture without acting branch recognition. If “Parasite” takes the SAG Ensemble honor on Sunday? Watch out.
– Gregory Ellwood
Surprise: Cynthia Erivo
And then, it was on Cynthia’s shoulders. As, arguably, the only person of color nominated in an acting category this year, Erivo’s recognition helped mask the snubs of Lopez, the cast of “Parasite,” “The Farewell’s” Zhao Shuzhen and “Us’” Lupita Nyong’o this year. Erivo had a stellar morning, however. Not only did she land a Best Actress nomination for “Harriet,” but “Stand Up,” which she co-wrote with Joshuah Brian Campbell earned a Best Original song nod. And that likely means she’ll have a moment in the spotlight performing the song which means the world will truly see her talents.
– Gregory Ellwood
Snub: Ruth E. Carter and “Dolemite Is My Name”
One year you’re in and one year you’re out. A winner in the Costumes category last year for “Black Panther,” Carter was snubbed this time around for her work in “Dolemite Is My Name.” That Netflix release also was looked over in Makeup and Hairstyling and in the Best Actor category. Netflix campaigned Eddie Murphy strongly, but it was always a bit of a reach for such a comedic performance. Carter on the other hand? That’s just a plain old snub.
– Gregory Ellwood
Snub: Awkwafina and “The Farewell”
The good news is Awkwafina got a moment at the Golden Globes when she won the Best Actress in a Film – Musical or Comedy award for her impressive performance in “The Farewell.” The bad news is she didn’t earn an Oscar nomination for it. Moreover, the Lulu Wang art house hit was completely snubbed. No recognition for Zhao Shuzhen in the Supporting Actress category or for Wang in Original Screenplay. And, considering that it was a genuine crowd-pleaser and made our personal top 10 of the year, the Academy’s dismissal of the A24 release overall is, in our view, somewhat heartbreaking.
– Gregory Ellwood
Snub: “One Child Nation” and “Apollo II”
Best Documentary is always a tough category to call, but this year two major contenders didn’t make the cut. Amazon Studios’ “One Child Nation” earned nominations from the PGA Awards, the Gotham Awards and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in the Documentary competition. Another Sundance breakout, “Apollo II,” won numerous local critics groups honors and is a BAFTA and PGA Award nominee. The latter wasn’t as big of a surprise as the former as many believed the Documentary branch would perceive the NEON release as more of an achievement in editing than overall documentary filmmaking. Still, considering that “Apollo II” was a $12 million hit at the art house box office it’s a bit of a disconnect between moviegoers and The Academy.
– Gregory Ellwood
Surprise: “The Two Popes”
The Netflix movie that was least expected to get Oscar nominations got not one, not two, but three. “The Two Popes” got away with Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Adapted Screenplay nods. While Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce deserve all credit and were praised for their performance, it is still surprising to see them in the actor races. The nomination for Adapted Screenplay is the more surprising choice, but its balance between comedic banter and serious exploration of faith makes for a deserving nomination. That being said, we understand it didn’t make the shortlist, but no visual effects nod? The vast majority of everything we see on screen was all digitally rendered since the production was not allowed to film inside Vatican City. “The Two Popes” looks as good as any of the other nominees, and you don’t even notice.
– Rafael Motamayor
Snub: No best directing nomination for Greta Gerwig
With “Little Women” getting six nominations, including Best Picture and best screenplay, it is baffling to see Greta Gerwig not get a nomination for best director. Gerwig was even nominated back in 2018 for “Lady Bird” so was it that hard to give her another nod? “Little Women” has been a critical darling, with praises not only for the cast but for Gerwig too. That being said, there are worse consolation prizes than a Best Picture nomination, especially since it makes “Little Women” only the third film ever to be written, directed and produced solely by women to get that nomination.
– Rafael Motamayor
Snub: Adam Sandler
Sadly, it was not a good day for A24 as the indie distributor only landed one nomination, “The Lighthouse” for Best Cinematography. But while “The Farewell” hurt the most, the fact Adam Sandler wasn’t recognized in the Best Actor category might sting longer. The mini-major and Sandler began his campaign in September at the Telluride Film Festival and spent months trying to foster goodwill with the Academy to recognize his performance in “Uncut Gems.” While that didn’t come to pass, the silver lining is that the thriller looks like it will be the biggest hit in the history of the studio. Find the light where you can.
– Gregory Ellwood