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The science-fiction sensation "Avatar" and the post invasion Iraq thriller "The Hurt Locker" lead the Academy Awards with nine nominations each, including best picture and director for former spouses James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow best picture prior to “The Hurt Locker” was Point Break (1991), which starred Keanu Reeves as an FBI agent who poses as a surfer to catch the "Ex-Presidents", a team of surfing armed robbers led by Patrick Swayze who wear Reagan, Nixon, LBJ and Jimmy Carter masks when they hold up banks.
For the first time since 1943 the Oscars feature 10 best-picture contenders instead of the usual five.
The other 8 red-headed step children also nominated for best-picture Tuesday: "District 9"; "Up";"Inglourious Basterds"; "The Blind Side"; "Up in The Air," "A Serious Man," "An Education" and "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' By Sapphire." These long shots do not stand a chance against “Avatar” and “The Hurt Locker”
Best acting nominees include the four stars who have dominated early awards shows: lead players Sandra Bullock for the football drama "The Blind Side" and Jeff Bridges for the country-music tale "Crazy Heart" and supporting performers Mo'Nique for "Precious" and Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds." Mo’Nique’s weirdo acceptance speeches make it painfully oblivious that ignorant people desperately need handlers when thrust into the public spotlight.
The director categories shape up as a showdown between ex-spouses who directed films that have dominated earlier Hollywood honors. Cameron's "Avatar" won best drama and director at the Golden Globes, while Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" beat out Cameron at the Directors Guild of America Awards, whose recipient usually goes on to earn the best-director Oscar.
"The Hurt Locker" also beat "Avatar" for the Producers Guild of America top prize and was chosen as last year's best film by many key critics groups. Although it is clear that “Avatar” should both best-picture and best-director we anticipate the Academy to split the baby to give the public a feel good story about Bigelow and a woman winning the award.
No woman has ever won the directing Oscar, and until Bigelow, no woman had ever won the Directors Guild honor. Lee Daniels, who made "Precious," became only the second black filmmaker nominated for best director, after John Singleton for 1991's "Boyz N the Hood." Of all the black films made overtime this is the directing the Academy wants to recognize. Wow.
Actors snubbed for acclaimed performances included Emily Blunt for "The Young Victoria," Julianne Moore for "A Single Man" and Diane Kruger for "Inglourious Basterds."
The 82nd Oscars will be presented March 7 in a ceremony airing on ABC from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. |
