It’s that magical time of year again, movie fans! Oscar nominations were announced this morning, and just like that, dreams were realized and jaws dropped across the land. Let’s dive into the biggest surprises, snubs, and triumphs that have set the stage for Hollywood’s biggest night.
Oppenheimer Explodes with Nominations: Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” a biopic about the enigmatic “father of the atomic bomb,” J. Robert Oppenheimer, detonated a whopping 13 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy’s chilling portrayal. This makes it the clear frontrunner, preparing for a potential radioactive sweep.
Barbie Makes a Playful Debut: But wait, did that life-size, plastic dreamhouse just walk onto the stage? In a shockingly delightful turn, Greta Gerwig’s live-action “Barbie” movie snagged nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Forget pink convertibles, this Barbie seems to be wielding a paintbrush of high art. Get ready for a battle of the unexpected as she squares off against Nolan’s historical epic.
Snubs that Sting: Greta Gerwig herself, however, wasn’t among the Best Director nominees, causing a stir amongst critics. And where was the love for “Past Lives,” Celine Song’s delicate love story that had been simmering on nomination bubbles? Its two nods, for screenplay and Best Picture, feel bittersweet compared to its initial buzz.
Other Contenders to Keep an Eye On: Don’t count out the Daniels’ mind-bending sci-fi adventure “Everything Everywhere All at Once” just yet. Michelle Yeoh’s multiverse-hopping performance snagged a Best Actress nomination, and the film itself landed nods for Best Picture and Best Director. And Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion marvel “Pinocchio” is a dark, captivating reimagining of the classic tale, earning nominations for Best Picture and Best Animated Feature.
Acting Categories Overflow with Talent: The acting categories are a smorgasbord of brilliance. Michelle Williams is heart-wrenching in “Poor Things,” Florence Pugh continues her meteoric rise in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and Cate Blanchett is, well, Cate Blanchett in “Tár.” On the men’s side, Brendan Gleeson is a force of nature in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Colin Farrell shines in “The Batman,” and Adam Driver brings his brooding intensity to “Oppenheimer.”
Mark Your Calendars! So, who will take home the coveted golden statues? We’ll have to wait until March 10th, when Jimmy Kimmel hosts the 95th Academy Awards ceremony. Until then, get your popcorn ready, dust off your tuxedos (or sweatpants, no judgment), and prepare for a night of cinematic celebration, surprises, and maybe even a few tears (both happy and sad). Hollywood’s biggest night is just around the corner, and this year, it promises to be a showstopper.
