The most striking thing about the slate of nominees unveiled this morning by the Producers Guild of America is a heavy genre slant: all three of 2009’s acclaimed science-fiction mega-hits made the cut in the top category.
Of course, that’s not all that surprising coming from the producers, whose appreciation of financial success tends to give populist contenders a leg up in their awards. (The first “Harry Potter” film was nommed back in 2001, after all.) I wouldn’t count on the trio of “Avatar,” “District 9” and “Star Trek” all making the Oscar cut, though two is a distinct possibility.
Nobody should be surprised by this point that “Nine” was left off the list; this is merely the first concrete evidence we’ve had that awards hopes for the critically and commercially embattled film are fading fast.
Full list of nominees, including animated and documentary categories (why just four slots for the latter?), after the cut.
Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures
“Avatar”
“District 9”
“An Education”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Invictus”
“Precious”
“Star Trek”
“Up”
“Up in the Air”
PGA Producer of the Year Award in Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures
“Coraline”
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”
“9”
“The Princess and the Frog”
“Up”
PGA Producer of the Year Award in Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures
“Burma VJ”
“The Cove”
“Sergio”
“Soundtrack for a Revolution”
Comments
58 responses to “PGA announces nominees, goes sci-fi”
Three sci-fi, eh? Expect AMPAS to repeat.
I guess people prdicting Star Trek were not as crazy as we (some people, anyway) thought. Not very happy since I thought Star Trek was just OK but I like surprises. District 9! I guess with this and 9, the animated, they just couldn’t out one more, thus Nine is out! Pitty, I enjoyed it problematic as it may be.
Nine is dead! YEAH!
Awesome that Star Trek and District 9 made the list, but I see only one of them making the Oscar list. Looks like An Education has weathered the storm and looks more like a lock. Invictus has survived as well.
It’s now that I really have a strong anti-10 thing going on. So disappointing that “Up” will be the Pixar movie to finally break through. Disappointing that people seriously think “Star Trek” is some radical achievement. Disappointing that “Invictus” can somehow show up despite seemingly no one actually liking it all that much.
Glenn, YES on everything except Invictus, because I haven’t seen it.
It’ll be very interesting to see if Star Trek and/or District 9 can get into Oscar’s 10. Their nominations here certainly make sense from a production standpoint, so it might not really be that much of an indicator of future Oscar success, but it’s certainly not a bad thing.
And wow, Nine must be really terrible if it couldn’t make it into the TEN best with the producers, considering they even nominated Dreamgirls when there were just five slots.
I picked all three sci-fi films a few weeks back. What hit me was Up being nominated. I was certain it would be bumped to the Animated category.
I said it over at Awards Daily and I’ll say it again here. District 9 and Star Trek are not locks for Oscars because of this, one might show up, not both plus Avatar.
So be smart and keep predicting Nine even if you hated it. Had it been A Serious Man, A Single Man, TheMessenger or Bright Star then one could say Nine is dead, but because of those two? No.
Star Trek was a hugely effective movie for what it was, but what’s with the Best Picture talk? District 9, yes.
The nomination that most interests me, actually, is “An Education,” which I thought was just the kind of film that might miss with the producers. People keep saying nobody’s talking about it, but it’s doing rather nicely.
Now that I’ve actually seen all 3 on a list I LIKE it. So now, if only INVICTUS would go and be replaced with A SERIOUS MAN it would be super!
I won’t be at all surprised if “A Serious Man” is knocked out by “District 9”. While I think “A Serious Man” is the finer film, a Best Picture nod for “District 9” would be pretty fantastic (but then again, considering the success story of “D9,” its nod here isn’t a total surprise). I will say this, though: if “D9” misses out on Best Picture, be on the lookout for Neill Blomkamp to be a shocking lone Director.
Also, “9” for Animated Feature? In a world of “Ponyo” and “Mary and Max”? In any world, actually–I fell asleep during “9” and ended up walking out. A movie that is 80 minutes long has no excuse being so boring and slow.
P.S. Does anyone know what time today we can expect the Screener nods?
I’ve never been very sold on a Best Picture nod for “A Serious Man.” But what do I know.
It’s certainly hard to imagine the Oscars picking Avatar, Star Trek AND District 9 for their Best Picture line-up, but if Nine is really faltering something has to take it’s place (or something has to take A Serious Man’s place, since it missed out here).
The more I think about it, the more I can really see District 9 getting in. I mean, yes, it had aliens, sci-fi and action, but at the same time it had quite many dramatic, emotional scenes, a great character arc not to mention the political undercurrent. It was a movie unlike any I’ve ever seen before, too, and it was a hit in every way. The only trouble I can imagine is whether or not it can get high up enough on ballots.
By the same token, even if the Weinsteins can persuade some members to put Nine very high up on their ballots, considering how much support it’ll need in general it’s odds seem very low.. Unless you’re a bought vote, is it really a film very many will even put on their ballots, at all?
Wow Star Trek makes the top 10 but at whose expense? It was probably the Messenger.
I guess Kris predictions about nine still getting nominations for production and design will probably occur.
Does this mean that The Messenger’s chance for a the top ten have been dealth a blow.
Woah just noticed the omission of A Serious Man.
Bye Bye “Nine”.
Also, pretty cool list of nominees! The only one I have yet to see is “Star Trek”, which I missed at film theaters. I should have seen that one instead of “Public Enemies”! I loved “Avatar”, “The Hurt Locker” and “Inglourious Basterds”, I liked “An Education”, “Invictus” and “Up” and I didnt care for “District 9”, “Precious” and “Up in the Air.
I also really really really really hope “A Serious Man”, “Bright Star” or “Where the Wild Things Are” can make it in the end. I doubt it will happen though meh.
Nel: I don’t think The Messenger was ever likely to get in with the producers. If it gets a BP nom (and I think it will), it’ll probably be mainly with the actors’ and writers’ help.
@Guy: I’ve never thought A Serious Man was a huge contender either. Then again, I thought the strength of An Education was being exaggerated, but SAG and PGA have proven me wrong. Matter of fact, I might venture that Kris’ initial instinct was right, and the DGA will give us two female nominees (Bigelow and Scherfig) to join the boys’ club (Cameron, Reitman, and Tarantino). If so, a tip of the hat to you, Master Tapley.
First, I love that Star Trek and District 9 made the cut! I wanted it to happen, but thought it was an impossibility. It really boosts the Oscar chances of the latter film and I hope it happens.
Now…
“Disappointing that “Invictus” can somehow show up despite seemingly no one actually liking it all that much.”
I haven’t seen Invictus as well, and it might truly suck, but…
– 76% Rottentomatoes (89% Top Critics)
– 74% Metacritic (higher than Inglourious Basterds)
– $30 million after a month of release (higher than An Education and The Hurt Locker COMBINED, both out in theaters months ago).
How many other noms/awards has Star Trek actually gotten in the pre-season? District 9 has already picked up a few minor ones, and a Golden Globe nom for screenplay as well.
Not sure why Star Trek is still being talked about as a potential BP nom…
Adam: I’ve never wavered in my hunch that that Scherfig will get in with both the DGA and the Academy.
How about DGA predictions? Here are mine:
“Avatar” – James Cameron
“The Hurt Locker” – Kathryn Bigelow
“Inglourious Basterds” – Quentin Tarantino
“A Serious Man” – Joel and Ethan Coen
“Up in the Air” – Jason Reitman
Yes, I`m going to predict “A Serious Man” because, if it wants to be nominated for BP at the Oscars, it NEEDS this backup at the DGA. “Invictus” or “Precious” will probably be there instead though. Zzzzzz
I think A Serious Man will make it, even though it missed here (and at the Golden Globes). It was a small production, so right there it’s not really something you’d expect the PGA to nominate unless it’s a really serious contender for a BP win.
But it’s a film that should have a fair share of passionate supporters who will place it high on their ballots, and in general a film that should appear on many ballots if not at the very top. Not to mention it’s a Coen brothers film, and they are certainly highly regarded, respected and well-liked. If Clint Eastwood can get a sub-par film like Invictus nominated for Best Picture based on the respect of his peers, you’d imagine the Coens can too for a film that is among their most acclaimed.
Nel, The Messenger was never going to make it here.
Guy, I agree with your thoughts on A Serious Man. Now that it has missed both this and the Globes (which should have been an easy nomination, I mean, they nominated Stuhlbarg!), I don’t think it make it to the Oscars.
Kris has The Messenger in his screenplay predictions, and I agree. Except that it will get in over A Serious Man.
I think The Messenger and District 9 will make Oscar’s 10. The latter will probably get nominations for Screenplay, Editing, Makeup, Visual Effects, Sound Mixing, and Sound Editing. That kind of support from the writers and the techs should push it in.
I say DGA will go for Cameron, Bigelow, Scherfig, Reitman and Tarantino.
@Guy: Which reminds me, where do I find your predictions? Kris’ are all over the sidebar, but yours are tucked away in some hidden corner, so I don’t always know when it’s updated.
My hunch has pretty much always been a Lee Daniels snub–well, it’s only a snub if you think he deserves to be nominated (SPOILER ALERT: he doesn’t). So I’d say that final slot (Bigelow, Cameron, Reitman, and Tarantino are sewn up, far as I can tell) is now between Scherfig and Blomkamp. May the best foreigner win. I’d say, if anything is holding Blomkamp back, it’s the fact that we’ve already got one young’n (Mr. Reitman, who is but two years Mr. Blomkamp’s senior) in the running.
Not a big fan of An Education but Invictus plays to the sentimental side of me but I can see my they would be firm awards favourites for given the topics: English Period Girl Coming of Cge melodrama, Invictus – Mandela, Race and Eastwood etc
Adam: Yeah, they’re a bit hard to find. Go to the “About Us” page, and the link to them is under my bio.
Haven’t updated them since mid-December, mind. Need to fix that.
@Guy: Thanks for the tip. I gotta say, aside from your prediction for The Last Station (if we thought no one was talking about An Education, NO ONE is talking about The Last Station), I like those predix.
Though I can imagine the fact that they haven’t been updated in a few weeks would explain that inclusion.
Yeah, “The Last Station” will be going.
Wow, I had forgotten I’d already predicted “The Messenger” AND “District 9!” Won’t have to change them as much as I thought. I’m quite the genius, I must say.
District 9 getting in here is awesome. Not so much Star Trek or An Education. Bleaghghfrdgh.
Hey, I’m always glad to see folks on The Messenger train. Next stop: WGA. Then: OSCAH!
Speaking of District 9, the LA Times has a big 3 part interview with Neill Blomkamp. After reading it, I think I would like him to marry me.
D9 is crap. Go Star Trek!
If District 9 gets a BP nom, Peter Jackson gets to go to the Oscars after all. Funny.
Also, Lost fans, if Star Trek gets nominated, Damon Lindelof gets nominated.
My dream is that people will move to vote for Avatar, and then see District 9 and feel compelled to vote for Christopher Johnson and a non-useless mech warrior that can shoot pigs as bullets.
Really, there’s no choice.
Personally I hope if it comes down to Invictus and A Serious Man for a spot they go with Invictus. Clint’s film just has more going for it. Who really thought A Serious Man’s script would be enough to get into the field of ten?
Brian,
J.J. Abrams was a producer on Star Trek as well, so he could get nominated too.
There is virtually no surprise on this list because almost all of these films made money. Hurt Locker, despite coming up short at the box office, was a very commendable production and Invictus — well — what the fuck. But otherwise, I’m really not surprised here, and furthermore, I expect two, maybe even three of these to miss with Best Pic at the Oscars.
I too am wondering if the tankage of “The Lovely Bones” as a serious Oscar contender will divert any latent Peter Jackson-love into District 9’s favor.
*whew*
I’m very pleased to see “An Education” listed here. Not exactly a huge hit, and nominated for a PGA? Heck yes! BP nomination, here we come.
“Nine” is dead. Even if the Weinsteins can buy some people’s votes, I don’t see anyone putting it as their top choice. With the new system, it’s probably not going to make the cut. Sweet. “District 9” is looking stronger and stronger.
I really expected “The Hangover” to make this list.
@Glenn: What’s ‘disappointing’ about ‘Up’ being the Pixar movie to ‘get through’? I think in terms of technical achievement and storyline, Up should make the ten. If we’re talking writing alone, Up has more depth, intelligence, and emotion than a lot of live-action films out today.
@Guy: Great job at predicting ‘The Messenger’ and ‘District 9’.
This reminds me. I really should be making my list of predictions soon.
I used to be Pixar’s biggest fan, but ever since “The Incredibles” (which was great) they’ve been bizarrely getting more and more cred for weaker and weaker films. Take away the eco-populism of “Wall-E” and you have not a terribly interesting hero or great animation (and the use of old showtunes was a cheap sentimental shot that got old quick), and take away the first 10 tearjerking minutes of “Up” and you have a visually unattractive and slow-moving “adventure” featuring a talking dog and a big goofy bird. (“Cars” may have been pedestrian, but at least it wasn’t pretentious.)
Until Pixar rediscovers quality storytelling and rejects easy themes and tropes (i.e. the tearjerking musical montage), I think I’ll be spending my money on more movies for adults.
I love this list. Great year for movies.
The US trailer for Fish Tank has landed in HD at Apple.
I think An Education and Invitus are the least deserving of the nominees. An Education was a commercial flop, regardless of what the fanboys say and Invictus is just another Eastwood movie that screams: Give me an Oscar!
There were so many other films that deserved to be nominated: A Serious Man, 500 Days of Summer, The Messenger…
I certainly hope the Oscar list looks like this. I haven’t seen INVICTUS yet, but it seems the most tenuous contender. THE HANGOVER, THE MESSENGER, A SINGLE MAN are three wildly different movies that all have strong fanbases. Personally, I say THE HANGOVER, but that would be just letting too many fun movies into the game for the Academy.