Laremy Legel,
Jan 22, 2008
In part one of our Oscar reactions the boys argued over the Best Picture and Supporting nominations. That means it's high time for the director and lead roles.
BEST ACTRESS
Ellen Page, Juno
Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Laura Linney, The Savages
Dre's Take:
Loving the Ellen Page nom and a little upset that Angelina Jolie was passed over because the Academy probably doesn't take her seriously as an actress. She's really, really good in A Mighty Heart -- a movie I will never watch again. After that, I'm pretty blase about this group. Cotillard probably deserves to win but my heart is with Ellen. People that think she just played herself don't know the girl. Well, I do. We have tea. In my head.
Laremy's Take:
I think the Academy takes Jolie plenty seriously, she won in 1999 for Girl, Interrupted and she was way freakier back then. To me this category highlights what a tough year it was for female leads. I just thank the maker that they didn't toss a Jodie Foster or Julia Roberts grenade my way. What about a Knightley nom here? Or perhaps Helena Bonham Carter for Sweeney Todd? I think Amy Adams not getting any Enchanted love is a shame too. Enchanted, unlike Juno (or any of the rest of these noms) changed the game so far as acting went. Call me crazy, but I'm all for innovation and the pioneering spirit.
BEST ACTOR
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Dre's Take:
I'm really shocked at that Tommy Lee Jones nomination. Not upset, just surprised. I am upset you told me to skip this movie though because now I'm more clueless than usual. The Viggo nom rules but the continual overlooking of Don Cheadle and Reign Over Me continues. Daniel Day will and should take it because it's the best performance by an actor probably since, I don't know ... Bill the Butcher? I know you TOTALLY agree with me on that one, right?
Laremy's Take:
Ha! I actually liked Bill the Butcher quite a bit and I have no issue with a Day-Lewis nomination. The movie was half baked but he was spectacular. I was right on about Elah - that movie is tripe. Don't let the nom fool ya, it's one of those classic Academy anti-war statements.
I'd personally jettison Clooney and Jones for McAvoy (Atonement) and Brolin (No Country for Old Men).
BEST DIRECTOR
Jason Reitman, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Joel & Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Julian Schnabel, Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Dre's Take:
Nobody saw that Jason Reitman nomination coming. And I can't believe they Academy did Joe Wright dirty like that. That takes brass ones. I'm easily rooting for Paul Thomas Anderson for the simple fact that he is undeniably insane and yet he has managed to steer clear of the authorities. You have to reward that.
Laremy's Take:
I'm a huge PTA fan. I tell everyone to see Punch Drunk Love and Magnolia is in my top ten of all time. That doesn't excuse the truth though - he let this project wander. With better direction that film would have been all-time good. I can't wait until five years from now when I bring up There Will Be Blood and you're forced to admit you were sipping the Kool-Aid too hard.
If I was allowed to fix this category Gilroy, Reitman, and PTA would all sit out. Sorry guys. In their place I'd throw Greengrass (Bourne Ultimatum), Ridley Scott (American Gangster) and of course Joe Wright. This sets up a fun Oscar night so far as I'm concerned. If you cede me No Country and Atonement you can have the rest.
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Email Dre or Laremy at your leisure.
