In the wee hours on January 24, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this year’s Academy Award nominees that included nine films. Of course I was glad to see Extremely Close & Incredibly Loud on the list with Max Von Sydow up for supporting actor, and I was thrilled that my pick for Best Actress, Michelle Williams, for her delicious performance in My Week with Marilyn made the cut. I haven't seen the magnificent Meryl Streep, also nominated—no surprise there—for her work in The Iron Lady or Best Actor contender George Clooney in The Descendants; and somehow, so far, I’ve managed to escape War Horse. Not sure I'd fare well watching someone’s pony dodge the bloody mêlée that ensued during World War I looking for his owner. It could play like an overlong though beautifully shot ASPCA ad. Moneyball may have had a flying chance with me had I caught Brad Pitt, nominated for Best Actor, on the big screen rather than yawning through the DVD. Don't think I'd pay to see The Artist in the theatre, though I’m curious to see and hear a silent film about talkies. And Midnight in Paris ... kinda full of itself, but it is a Woody Allen. The Help, quite excellent, is certainly Oscar worthy, and Viola Davis got a deserving nod for Best Actress as did Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain for supporting roles. Haven't seen Hugo yet and probably will never see Tree of Life just because I heard it’s an insider pick.
So, there you have it! Nine films! For a list of other nominees: http://oscar.go.com/. Mark your calendars for February 24th to watch the 84th Academy Awards ceremony hosted this year by Billy Crystal!
