ACE and Art Directors Nominations

EDITING:

Drama
The Bourne Ultimatum
Into the Wild
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Comedy or Musical
Hairspray
Juno
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Ratatouille
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Everyone pretty much knows the important relationship between Editing and Picture categories. That said, Atonement, once again, isn't looking too good. BUT Sweeney Todd pulled off a nomination, albeit in a "weaker" category. That said, it seems like Blood, No Country, Clayton, and Into the Wild are all ahead of Atonement in terms of acheiving that coveted spot for Best Picture. Or not? It's still in, in my opinion. I don't know. The ACE is the elite of all editors so with a larger number of voters in the Academy, Atonement still has a chance. hmmm...

ART DIRECTION!!!

Period
American Gangster
Atonement
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood

Fantasy
The Golden Compass
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Ratatouille
300

Contemporary
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
The Kite Runner
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men

So... Atonement finally popped up somewhere! It would be here though as it is a serious contender mostly due to the first act of the the film. The estate, those banisters and stairs! etc etc. Period pieces and fantasy films defintily have an edge over contemporary films in this category at the oscars for obvious reason. Contemporary sets and items are easy to achieve and find because they're... readily available. la-di-da. That's not what I think but it's probably the mindests of the art directors voting for the category for the Oscars. soo ya.

WGA Nominations 2007

Ya, I'm quite late on this, but I had a fairly busy day. My last day back at home, I was out and about saying my tearful goodbyes. I will be heading back to Austin tomorrow.

Here are the WGA Nominations for Original and Adapted Screenplays... of '07. uh huh.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
JUNO - Diablo Cody
Michael Clayton - Tony Gilroy
The Savages - Tamara Jenkins
Knocked Up - Judd Apatow
Lars and the Real Girl - Nancy Oliver

Ok. So I was right in predicting that the three female screenwriters would each get a nomination. yay for me. But I failed to see Judd Apatow making an appearance on the list. I had always thought it would get some sort of recognition somewhere in this year's screenplay race but it wasn't appearing anywhere so I pretty much lost hope for it. Major resurgence here though. Instead, I guess Brad Bird for Ratatouille. I just found out though that Animated Film Screenwriters don't belong in the guild. Is that correct? How bizarre. I also heard that that is also one more reason why they're striking. To get the animation writers in. Yes? No?

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN - Joel & Ethan Coen
There Will Be Blood - Paul Thomas Anderson
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - Ronald Harwood
Into the Wild - Sean Penn
Zodiac - James Vanderbilt

OUCH for Atonement. Seriously. Is this a game? It seems kinda cruel to me. Kind of like Monkey in the Middle where you pass the ball to each player... except for that one that gets left out. In this silly game of nominating films, the Monkey is Atonement. It has been ignored by the Screen Actors Guild, the Directors Guild, and now the Writers Guild. WOW. If it doesn't get a Producers Guild nomination, then it's out, out, out. It loses. It will probably only get the predicted technicals such as Costume Design, Art Direction, and Score. I'm still not counting it out yet, though. BUT Zodiac has gained a major boost in this race. Mmhmm.

Lastly, I want to point out that 6/10 nominees here are writer-directors.

WGA Nomination Predictions 2007

First of all, No Country for Old Men, wins the USC Scripter Awards! Yay!

But oh wait. Does that mean anything? Since honoring 84 Charing Cross Road as the first winner of the Scripter Awards back in 1989 (for the year 1988), their winners have only matched up with the Academy's in FOUR occasions:

2001 - A Beautiful Mind
1997 - L.A. Confidential
1995 - Sense and Sensibility
1993 - Schindler's List

They did pretty well in the 90's (3/10 years matched), but they haven't been on a winning streak now that it's the new century. Anyways... does this hurt No Country's chance to win the Adapted Screenplay category at the Oscars? I don't think so. First of all, USC can't get it wrong every time and it's about time they got another one right. Second of all, we'll just have to wait for the WGA Awards now don't we? They have a much, much, much better tracking record.

Here are my predictions (you can see it on the sidebar, too, but for convenience, I shall type it out!)


ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
JUNO - Diablo Cody
Michael Clayton - Tony Gilory
Ratatouille - Brad Bird
Lars and the Real Girl - Nancy Oliver
The Savages - Tamara Jenkins
alt. Eastern Promises - Steven Knight


So. Three potential female nominees, hm? That would be wonderful! But it may not happen. These are what I predict. Juno and Michael Clayton are locks, in my opinion (and in many others'). and Ratatouille is pretty much up there as well. The last two spots are basically open to Lars, Savages, Eastern Promises, and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. Who knows... even American Gangster might sneak in. or... a suprise nominee? I haven't really got too much to say for this category because it's very much up in the year (save the former 3 that I mentioned).


ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN - Joel & Ethan Coen
There Will Be Blood - Paul Thomas Anderson
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - Ronald Harwood
Atonement - Christopher Hampton
Into the Wild - Sean Penn
alt. Charlie Wilson's War - Alan Sorkin (dear god, please don't let this happen!)


So, I think it's pretty much a concensus with most predictions that these are the five that will go on to get nominated. The Writer's Guilds Nominations will either cement the nominees or derail them a given amount.

No Country is locked in and will NOT be snubbed. Why make such a bold statement? It's just too unbelievable for it not to happen. Everyone would flip out if it did, but it's gotten too much attention already and it is not being left out.

Some people are cautioning the embrace of PT Anderson's There Will Be Blood. But I feel like he should have no worries. The WGA and AMPAS both honored his screenplays for Boogie Nights and Magnolia with nominations so we all know he's a friendly face amongst the five lucky writers. That's why I feel so strongly about predicting him. Then there is Oscar-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood (The Pianist) who seems like a potentially safe bet. And for some reason, I feel like if any two films were in danger, it is Atonement, this year's perennial snubee!! (hehe) and Sean Penn's Into the Wild. One of these could easily be replaced by Charlie Wilson's War... which, in my opinion, would be a disgrace. Ah well. Here's to finding out tomorrow!

My Top TEN Films of 2007

Missed: The Savages, There Will Be Blood, I'm Not There, Persepolis... 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days... Lake of Fire, Gone Baby Gone, etc.

Honorable Mentions: Hot Fuzz, In the Shadow of the Moon, Knocked Up, Once, Zodiac


Top 10 Movies of 2007

1. Juno - Jason Reitman
Fox Searchlight Pictures

2. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - Julian Schnabel
Miramax Films

3. Ratatouille - Brad Bird
Buena Vista Pictures

4. The Lives of Others - Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Sony Picture Classics

5. Into the Wild - Sean Penn
Paramount Vantage

6. Waitress - Adrienne Shelly
Fox Searchlight Pictures

7. No Country for Old Men - Joel & Ethan Coen
Miramax Films

8. The Darjeeling Limited - Wes Anderson
Fox Searchlight Pictures


9. Atonement - Joe Wright
Focus Features

10. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Tim Burton
Paramount Pictures

Most Anticipate Films of the Year

My top two most anticipated films of the year!! Both of which are, coincidentally, filmed in French.

1) The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (dir. Julian Schnabel) - December 25 @ The Angelika Dallas

2) Persepolis (dir. Marjane Satrapi) - When is it coming to a theater near me?

I said after I watched Ratatouille that nothing could possibly beat it for Best Animated Film at the Academy Awards. I think I may be wrong. If there is any one movie that would upset, it would be this, Persepolis. Let's see the scoreboard (major festival awards, film critic awards, various other factors...):

Ratatouille
National Board of Review
Los Angeles Film Critics Association
Washington DC Area Film Critics Association
8th Highest Grossing Movie of 2007 (thus far) and was #1 at the Box Office
96 Rating on Metacritic
97% on Rotten Tomatoes (100% Cream of the Crop)

Persepolis
Los Angeles Film Critics Association
New York Film Critics Online
New York Film Critics Circle
Prize of the Jury - Cannes Film Festival
100% on Rotten Tomatoes (100% Cream of the Crop)

(Persepolis also garnered a couple other Foreign Film awards that I'm not including because it's not in contention with Ratatouille in that category. I would compare Diving Bell with Persepolis, but Diving Bell isn't eligible for Foreign Film at the Oscars... and if it was, France already submitted Persepolis anyways)

After I watch it, I'll let you know what I think.

Concerning the Critic Awards

1. No Country for Old Men seems to be the favorite so far for Best Picture. That is one lock for best Picture.
2. Where is Atonement in all of this?
3. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (which I'm extremely excited to see) has been picked as Best Foreign Film by several critic circles. And it even got a Best Pic by the NY Film Critics Online. Although it isn't eligible for Foreign Film at the Oscars, does this raise its chances for Best Pic? Eh... because it is in a different language, it is majorly handicapped.
4. There Will Be Blood is showing up here and there, with some Best Pictures, Best Actors, and Best Directors. This is starting to make up for the shutout by the National Board of Reviews and it is becoming a strong contender in the aforementioned categories.
5. Julie Christie and Marion Cotillard are currently duking it out and they seem to be the only 2 being considered right now.
6. Despite not recieving the Actress award and instead many Breakthrough Performance, Ellen Page is definitely in contention with Christie and Cotillard. Question is - Who are the other 2? Linney? Knightley? Adams? It's a weak year for Actresses this year.
7. Like his character in No Country for Old Men, there is no stopping Javier Bardem. He is a definite lock in the Best Supporting Actor Category.
8. Amy Ryan surprises and seems to be the critical favorite for Best Supporting Actress. Cate Blanchett has only recieved one and Ryan all the rest... does this make Amy Ryan the one to beat now? Maybe... although she is a relatively new face and Blanchett is an Academy favorite.
9. If it's not Persepolis, it's Ratatouille. It seems as if it's a rat race at this point although Ratatouille still has an advantage over Persepolis in that it is in the English language, it was a huge box office success, and has garnered phenomenal reviews over the last half of the year.
10. DANIEL DAY-LEWIS!
11. I am dying, dying, dying to see The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. When I watch it, I will review it. Right now, it seems to me like it has a chance at: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay, and Cinematography. It's strongest shot at a nomination though is Cinematography. Here's to hoping it builds up a lot of momentum over the next couple of months.

Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA)

Best Film
No Country fo Old Men

Best Director
Joel and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men

Best Actor
George Clooney - Michael Clayton

Best Actress
Julie Christie - Away from Her

Best Ensemble
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Ryan - Gone Baby Gone

Best Breakthrough Performance
Ellen Page - Juno

Best Adapted Screenplay
Aaron Sorkin - Charlie Wilson's War

Best Original Screenplay
Diablo Cody - Juno

Best Animated Picture
Ratatouille

Best Foreign Language Film
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Documentary
Sicko

Best Art Direction
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO)

Best Picture
There Will Be Blood and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood

Best Actress
Julie Christie - Away from Her

Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson - There Will Be Blood

Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There

Breakthrough Performer
Ellen Page - Juno

Debut Director
Sarah Polley - Away from Her

Ensemble Cast
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Best Screenplay
Wes Anderson, Jason Schwartzman, Roman Coppola - The Darjeeling Limited

Documentary
Sicko

Foreign Language
The Lives of Others and Persepolis

Animated
Persepolis

Cinematography
Robert Elswit - There Will Be Blood

Film Music
Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood

Los Angeles Film Critics

Best Picture
There Will Be Blood

Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson - There Will Be Blood

Best Actress
Marion Cotillard - La Vie en Rose

Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood

Best Screenplay
Tamara Jenkins - The Savages

Best Animated Film
Ratatouille and Persepolis (tie)

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Ryan - Gone Baby Gone and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Best Supporting Actor
Vlad Ivanov - 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days

Best Documentary
No End in Sight

Best Production Design
Jack Fisk - There Will Be Blood

Best Music
Glen Hansard and Marketa Iglova - Once

Best Cinematography
Janusz Kaminski - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Boston Society of Film Critics

Best Picture
No Country for Old Men

Best Foreign Film
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Documentary
Crazy Love

Best Director
Julian Schnabel - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Ensemble
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

Best Actor
Frank Langella - Starting Out in the Evening

Best Actress
Marion Cotillard - La Vie en Rose

Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Ryan - Gone Baby Gone

Best Screenplay
Brad Bird - Ratatouille

Best Cinematography
Janusz Kaminski - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best New Filmmaker
Ben Affleck - Gone Baby Gone