Features







2007-08 Oscar Calendar



[Monday, December 3, 2007]

Official Screen Credits
Forms Due.


[Wednesday, December 26, 2007]

Nominations ballots mailed.


[Saturday, January 12, 2008]

Nominations polls close
5 p.m. PST.


[Tuesday, January 22, 2008]

Nominations announced
5:30 a.m. PST
Samuel Goldwyn Theater


[Wednesday, January 30, 2008]

Final ballots mailed.


[Monday, February 4, 2008]

Nominees Luncheon


[Saturday, February 9, 2008]

Scientific and Technical
Awards Dinner


[Tuesday, February 19, 2008]

Final polls close 5 p.m. PST.


[Sunday, February 24, 2008]

79th Annual
Academy Awards Presentation
Kodak Theatre

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« DiCaprio screwed again?… | Main | "Tech Support": GUILD PRE… »

Screen Actors Guild Announces, Puts World to Sleep

blood2.jpg


The SAG has spoken, and the big story of the morning is...


Wait. There is no big story. After yesterday's sober PGA annoucement, the Screen Actors Guild answered in kind with an equally unspectacular list of nominees. All the usual suspects are pretty much there and accounted for. There isn't even an eyebrow-raiser like last year's "Hustle & Flow" ensemble nomiantion to chew on. Considering the DGA hasn't gone out on a limb since Christopher Nolan got some props for "Memento" in 2000, I guess we're looking at a paint-by-numbers season from here on out.


And why does "Blood Diamond" keep asserting itself into this year's film awards season?


As reported yesterday, Leonardo DiCaprio was cock-blocked by handling from getting a lead nomination for "The Departed." But as Warner Bros. brass likely had hoped, he ended up with a double nod for his performances in "Blood Diamond" and "The Departed." As a result, however, Jack Nicholson was left off the supporting bill (an indicated possibility by SAG nom comm member Sam yesterday). It's all well and good that Leo gets the double-dip today, but it's left to be seen whether he splits himself to nil on the 23rd.

"Bobby"'s ensemble nod is the cast nomination without recognition elsewhere, and I guess it really shouldn't be seen as a surprise. But it would have been more interesting to see that spot go to "United 93" or "Letters from Iwo Jima" (which was predictably shut out because most SAG voters are likely just seeing the film, well, right about now).


bobby.jpg


No Sacha Baron Cohen, so now maybe that Oscar talk for the actor, which was always a bit off base, will start to slow down. No Jack, as mentioned. Gosling finally gets some more love. Arkin shows back up to the dance. And Michael Sheen seems to have fallen off the face of this year's awards race.


But enough discussing what's in front of our faces. Let's take a look at that line-up of ensembles in conjunction with the other "big" precursors. In the last ten years, there have been five films that received PGA, Golden Globe Best Picture, and SAG Ensemble nominations, but failed to receive a Best Picture nomination from the Academy. They are:


"Adaptation" (2002)
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2002)
"Almost Famous" (2000)
"Billy Elliot" (2000)
"Being John Malkovich" (1999)


One drama and four comedies. Only two of those films, "Almost Famous" and "Being John Malkovich," hit the grand slam that includes a DGA nod and missed with the Academy.


sunshine4.jpg


This year, the films who've hit the triple are "Babel," "The Departed," "Dreamgirls," and "Little Miss Sunshine." Considering the consensus that "The Departed" is the season's shoo-in, and I guess giving "Dreamgirls" the benefit of the doubt seeing as there is no big tech movie in the mix, we have to look to "Babel" and "Little Miss Sunshine" for weak links, if there are any. And things look better for "Babel" in that light than they do for "Little Miss Sunshine," which is already set to miss a DGA nod.


But at the same time, "Sunshine" is one of three films that keeps getting high-mark support from Academy members, along with "The Departed" and "The Queen." I personally don't think there's any real reason to believe it's out based on its being a comedy. After all, "Adaptation" and "Being John Malkovich" weren't going to get into the Best Picture arena given the nature of the material. "Almost Famous" had the sad circumstance of being a #2 priority for Dreamworks in 2000. And "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," well...we knew that road was going to stop short with a mere screenplay mention.


"Billy Elliot" went on to grab the lone director nomination with the Academy (as did "Being John Malkovich"), and really, I think that's where Alejandro González Iñárritu might be heading. I know it seems weird for me, an adament supporter of "Babel" and its campaign, to be poo-pooing the film's Oscar chances. But, well, you've heard me give the objectivity speech before. It is, regardless, worth taking into consideration the timetable of the season.


babelpitt.jpg


The SAG ballots have been in voters' hands since December 1. A lot has happened since then, and this is the week that counts. Maybe screeners of "Letters from Iwo Jima" are speaking louder to Academy members this week than screenings of "Babel" were a month ago. Maybe the massive critical wave behind "United 93" has finally forced them to pop that film into their DVD players. Who knows? But at the end of the day, I think there is only one spot available for a somber, sobering cinematic experience. "Babel," "Letters" or "United," take your pick.


You know, it's worth pointing out, by the way, that Jackie Earle Haley has become the frontrunner in the Best Supporting Actor race, taking down the most citations in the category for his performance in "Little Children." Very intereting turn of events.


Oh, one last note: a huge congrats to the cast of "Deadwood," the best show to be unceremoniously pulled in quite some time.


As for predictions, I got 19 of the 25 nominees correct.


Nominees for the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards:


Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Leonardo DiCaprio, "Blood Diamond"
Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"
Peter O'Toole, "Venus"
Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland"


Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Penélope Cruz, "Volver"
Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"
Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"
Kate Winslet, "Little Children"


Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Departed"
Jackie Earle Haley, "Little Children"
Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond"
Eddie Murphy, "Dreamgirls"


Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Adriana Barraza, "Babel"
Cate Blanchett, "Notes on a Scandal"
Abigail Breslin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"
Rinko Kikuchi, "Babel"


Best Performance by a Cast of a Motion Picture
"Babel"
"Bobby"
"The Departed"
"Dreamgirls"
"Little Miss Sunshine"


Stay tuned this afternoon for Gerard's latest "Tech Support" column, the first part of a two-part guild preview.

Comments

Okay, does anyone else think this shows "The Queen" is maybe, just maybe, a little weaker than we all think?

I know the instinctive response will be, "It's clearly Helen Mirren's show so the no Ensemble nod makes sense," but:
(a) I've been hearing the film is much more respected than loved, particularly in Academy circles
(b) the supporting performances have received much praise, particularly Michael Sheen, but were ignored
(c) just last year, "Capote" was supposedly all Hoffman's show, and that still managed an Ensemble nod.

Look, I'm sure "The Queen" will still get a Best Picture nomination, I just wanted to throw the idea out there.

No, "The Queen" is the most mentioned film amongst the Academy, from what I've heard. Followed by "The Departed" and "Little Miss Sunshine."

Not sure why you mentioned "Capote," though. It received a Best Picture nod at the end of the day.

I mentioned "Capote" because while that was supposedly "it's just Hoffman" like "The Queen" is "it's just Mirren," that film still managed an Ensemble nomination while "The Queen" didn't.

Kris, you've said ""Little Miss Sunshine," which is already set to miss a DGA nod". Now, I would like to ask you, because I really can't find this information anywhere, not even at the DGA's website: is Little Miss Sunshine eligible for the DGA? if so, how wil they nominate it (in case they choose to): one nod per film (so Dayton and Farris are nominated togheter), or one nod per director (in which case Dayton could be nominated, but not Farris, for example)?

I'm sorry if my question has already been discussed before, here or elsewhere, but it's a topic I have never come across, and I am really curious about it (especially now that LMS seems to be so strong with the guilds).

I am very dissapointed with my fellow actors. The same obvious choices prevail.
Some make sense, some are just going along with the consensus.
How do you ignore Maggie in Sherrybaby unless you just didn't watch the film.
And Bobby? Ugh. Best doesn't mean largest.
I watched every single movie and I am telling you there were some great choices if you paid attention.
Naomi Watts in Painted Veil, Maggie G. even Renee Zellweger in Miss Potter, a surprisingly good movie.
James Mcavoy was in the supporting category on the ballot...I voted for him because he was damn good!
Hey Kris, I told you to keep Jackie Earle Haley on your list back in October!
And Little Children is a much better ensemble choice than Dreamgirls or Bobby in my opinion.
Letters From Iwo Jima screener came the day before Christmas...I bet no one watched it. It still has oscar chances I believe.
Also, I never even got a screener for Children Of Men or Borat. So, I haven't even seen CHildren Of Men. Borat is funny, but I still don't consider it acting.
Anika Noni Rose is still better than Hudson and Beyonce, and Dreamgirls is one overrated ensemble to be sure.
I am still hoping for a less than predictable Oscars. Sigh.

Anika Noni Rose is fabulous, Beyonce isn't bad, Danny Glover is terrific, Keith Robinsin is boyous and affecting, Jamie Foxx is underappreciated here, Eddie Murphy is dynamic, but the movie belongs to Jennifer Hudson who delivered one of the most sensational and memorable performances of the year.

Dreamgirls is one underrated ensemble to be sure.

But not by SAG.

Thank goodness it realizes that a good performance, whether spoken, sung, danced, or all three, is still a good performance.

Dreamgirls has many.

Well, I'm sorry I just don't agree. I have been an actor for 35 years...I know what goes on in front of and behind the scenes.
If you want a comparision, go back and look at Rita Moreno in West Dide Story. Glynis Johns in Mary Poppins...or lead role Diana Ross in Lady Sings The Blues. There is something lacking in Hudson's performance.
Go on youtube.com and look at Jennifer Holliday singing live at the Tony awards. Hudson shows promise...Holliday showed brilliance and still owns that role.
That being said...the picture is well directed and I agree that Murphy and Rose are great. i even think Beyonce was pretty good. But it just doesn't measure up to overall greatness.

I don't think Director will be "Babel's" only nomination. It's almost guaranteed a Best Score nomination, and probably two in the Supporting Actress category, and then Best Original Screenplay.

So that makes 4 even without Director and Picture, which it still has a pretty good shot at. Film editing is also a distinct possibility.

Not saying it would be its only nod. By lone director, I mean the director nominated when his or her film isn't nominated for Best Picture.

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2008 Year in Advance Predictions


UPDATED: 2/25/2008





Main Charts | Tech Charts



[Motion Picture]

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

“Doubt”

“Frost/Nixon”

“Revolutionary Road”

“The Soloist”



[Directing]

David Fincher
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Ron Howard
“Frost/Nixon”

Gus Van Sant
“Milk”

Sam Mendes
“Revolutionary Road”

Joe Wright
“The Soloist”



[Actor in a Leading Role]

Benicio Del Toro
“The Argentine”

Jamie Foxx
“The Soloist”

Frank Langella
“Frost/Nixon”

Sean Penn
“Milk”

Brad Pitt
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”



[Actress in a Leading Role]

Vera Farmiga
“Nothing But the Truth”

Angelina Jolie
“Changeling”

Julianne Moore
“Blindness”

Meryl Streep
“Doubt”

Kate Winslet
“Revolutionary Road”



[Actor in a Supporting Role]

Josh Brolin
“Milk”

Russell Crowe
“Body of Lies”

Robert Downey, Jr.
“The Soloist”

Heath Ledger
“The Dark Knight”

Michael Sheen
“Frost/Nixon”



[Actress in a Supporting Role]

Amy Adams
“Doubt”

Kathy Bates
“Revolutionary Road”

Cate Blanchett
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

Catherine Keener
“The Soloist”

Carice van Houten
“Body of Lies”



[Writing, Adapted Screenplay]

“Body of Lies”

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

“Doubt”

“Frost/Nixon”

“Revolutionary Road”



[Writing, Original Screenplay]

“Changeling”

“Hamlet 2”

“Milk”

“The Soloist”

“WALL·E”



[Art Direction]

“Australia”

“Defiance”

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom
of the Crystal Skull”

“Red Cliff”

“Revolutionary Road”



[Cinematography]

“Australia”

“The Dark Knight”

“Defiance”

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom
of the Crystal Skull”

“Revolutionary Road”



[Costume Design]

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

“Doubt”

“The Other Boleyn Girl”

“Red Cliff”

“Revolutionary Road”



[Film Editing]

“Body of Lies”

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

“Defiance”

“Frost/Nixon”

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom
of the Crystal Skull”



[Makeup]

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

“The Dark Knight”

“Red Cliff”



[Music, Original Score]

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom
of the Crystal Skull”

“The Soloist”

“Revolutionary Road”

“WALL·E”



[Music, Original Song]

coming soon



[Sound Editing]

“Defiance”

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom
of the Crystal Skull”

“Iron Man”

“Speed Racer”

“WALL·E”



[Sound Mixing]

“Defiance”

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom
of the Crystal Skull”

“Cloverfield”

“The Chronicles of Narnia:
Prince Caspian”

“WALL·E”



[Visual Effects]

“The Chronicles of Narnia:
Prince Caspian”

“The Incredible Hulk”

“Iron Man”



[Animated Feature Film]

“9”

“Kung Fu Panda”

“WALL·E”



[Foreign Language Film]

coming soon



[Documentary, Features]

coming soon



[Documentary, Short Subjects]

coming soon



[Short Film, Animated]

coming soon



[Short Film, Live Action]

coming soon