“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
For some that means the holidays are here but for film fans it means it’s Awards Season once again. The first of the major groups to release their nominees is Film Independent, which has unveiled their contenders for this year’s Independent Spirit Awards. And, as always, there are a few surprises.
No surprise that “Silver Linings Playbook” leads the way with five nominations (tied with “Moonrise Kingdon”). “SLP” is a lock for Best Picture Oscar nomination, and could be joined in that category by “Moonrise” and “Beasts of the Southern Wild” if academy members max-out the category to 10. However, “SLP” is the only one that could actually win. Co-stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence each get acting nominations and Director/Writer David O’Russell gets nominated for both.
Of the other Best Picture selections, “Beasts” was expected, but “Bernie” and “Keep the Lights On” are both mini-shockers. “The Sessions” being left off that list is surprising. Co-stars John Hawkes and Helen Hunt are nominated.
My personal favorite nomination (along with all the “SLR” selections) is Zoe Kazan for her “Ruby Sparks” screenplay. I was hoping she’d get an acting nom. as well.
Biggest surprise for me – Robert De Niro being snubbed for a Best Supporting Actor nomination. He appears to be a favorite among critics and should be part of this category in many of the other awards competitions.
The big winner has to be Matthew McConaughey, who’s a double nominee – Best Lead Actor for “Killer Joe” and Best Supporting Actor for “Magic Mike”. This should provide a major boost to the on-going campaign to get McConaughey an Academy Award nomination for his “Magic Mike” role, something that, earlier this year, seemed like a long-shot at best.
The Independent Spirit Awards will be handed-out on February 23rd, 2013.