“Sinners” has the new all-time Oscars nominations record, with 16. This includes a nom for Delroy Lindo in Best Supporting Actor, considered a surprise since he wasn’t on the Golden Globes, Critics Choice and SAG (Actor Awards) ballots. Lindo was snubbed for his work in “Da 5 Bloods” five years ago, only receiving a Best Actor Critics Choice nom out of the major groups that awards season.
For the first time since Best Animated Feature was introduced 25 years ago, there’s a new Academy Awards category: Best Casting. One of its nominees is “Hamnet”, and while star Jessie Buckley is a Lead Actress nominee, co-star Paul Mescal did not receive a Supporting Actor nomination. Another notable snub is “Wicked: For Good”, which got completely shut-out, despite last year’s “Wicked” winning two Oscars and being nominated for a total of 10.
And Chase Infiniti didn’t receive a Best Actress nomination for “One Battle After Another”. In a crowded, competitive Best Actress group (I thought Amanda Seyfried might get in, but “The Testament of Ann Lee” also didn’t earn any noms today), it’s Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”) who might be the big surprise, though I love her performance. And Emma Stone received her fifth acting nomination in 12 years, and sixth and seventh nominations overall, for starring in and producing “Bugonia”.
I went 5 for 5 with my predictions for Best Animated Feature. The same for Best Actor — I had Joel Edgerton as the alternate choice, but he didn’t make it in, even though “Train Dreams” did well, including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay and Original Song nominations. “Marty Supreme” had a good morning, including Josh Safdie in Director over Guillermo Del Toro, though “Frankenstein” is in a bunch of categories. “Sentimental Value” made-up for being shut-out at SAG, with recognition across the board. “The Smashing Machine”‘s sole nom is for Makeup & Hairstyling.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” got a couple noms but is the first installment in the franchise not to be in the Best Picture group. The box office blockbusters up for the top prize are “Sinners” and “F1”, the Apple/WB racing flick starring Brad Pitt and directed by “Top Gun: Maverick”‘s Joseph Kosinski. Its Producers Guild of America nomination was a clue it might get in here, along with The Academy’s recent admiration for Best Picture nominee and Best Editing winner “Ford v. Ferrari”. I thought “Weapons” had a shot at a Best Picture nom, but it was only acknowledged for Amy Madigan in Supporting Actress. Happy as always for all the animation nominees, and to see “Blue Moon” recognized for its fantastic Original Screenplay and Ethan Hawke’s outstanding performance. Wish “Nouvelle Vague” and “Nuremberg” got some love.
The 98th Oscars is still a way’s away — Sunday March 15th on ABC, with returning host Conan O’Brien.