“There’s a lot to be said for making people laugh,” the great Preston Sturgess’ Sullivan’s Travels famously said of Hollywood. “Do you know that that’s all some people have?” the 1941 film adds.
With the unveiling this morning of nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, there was likely a lot of laughter and relief in some Tinseltown residences and offices. That mirth surely became joy for the likes of One Battle After Another’s Teyana Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessie Buckley from the Chloé Zhao directed Hamnet, Wunmi Mosaku and Michael B. Jordan from Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, and Marty Supreme’s Timothée Chalamet as A Minecraft Movie’s Danielle Brooks and Thunderbolts* Lewis Pullman read out their names and their films. However, as we say every year around this time in one way or another, for some others, there was little to laugh or celebrate this January AM.
On the other hand, as we head towards the Conan O’Brien-hosted Oscar ceremony on March 15, there were a few wild cards too today which may have even shocked the recipients – and we’re not talking about the latest drama around who will eventually own Warner Bros Discovery and its assets. Also, the newly added category of Casting got a nice nod from Academy boss Lynette Howell Taylor, as AI took one on the nose from her with “the heartbeat of film is and will always remain unmistakably human” quip.
So, check out our list of those who were snubbed for golden man glory and those who were pleasantly surprised to snag a nomination – and tell us who you think we overlooked.
With three years to go before the Oscars move to YouTube, the star-studded show will be seen this year live from the Dolby Theatre on ABC starting at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET.
SNUBS
ARIANA GRANDE – The overlooking of the Good Witch was truly Wicked. Then again, crowd pleaser Wicked: For Good got basically nothing overall, so maybe it’s time to reconsider that shunned Academy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film category …just sayin’.
(L-R) Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda in Universal’s ‘Wicked: For Good’
Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
GUILLERMO DEL TORO – AMPAS voters seem to love Netflix‘s Frankenstein, and yet, not the past Oscar winner whose vision and directing brought it to life.
THE SMASHING MACHINE – Dwayne Johnson is a master of marketing, but even with a serious attempt at serious drama and a serious campaign that would put most White House and Oscar contenders to shame, the Rock couldn’t get more for the Benny Safdie-helmed picture other than a Make-Up and Hairstyling nod.
CHASE INFINITI – It was a lost battle for the true core of One Battle After Another this morning.
PAUL MESCAL – Hamnet did very well with nominations today, but it was all much ado about nothing for the actor who played Shakespeare himself.
NO OTHER CHOICE – The Park Chan-wook directed dark comedy kinda had Oscar bait written all over it. Sadly, and once again for the South Korean filmmaker, Academy voters made the choice to leave it off the Best International Feature menu.
MILEY CYRUS – The Oscar hopes and dreams for the singer’s “Dream As One” tune from Avatar: Fire and Ash flamed out today.
Paul Mescal in Hamnet, No Other Choice, and Tessa Thompson in Hedda
Focus/Neon/Amazon MGM Studios
JOEL EDGERTON – Lots of Oscar love for Train Dreams this morning, but oddly no ticket to ride for the thespian at the heart of the Clint Bentley-directed heartbreaker.
TESSA THOMPSON – The Hedda star delivered a performance that was head and shoulders one of the best of the year. The Golden Globes knew that, but nada from the Academy? What the Ibsen?
SURPRISES
F1 – After Apple put pedal to the metal, Brad Pitt’s high-octane racing flick is on the Best Picture track.
(L-R) Damson Idris & Brad Pitt in ‘F1’
Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection
STELLAN SKARSGARD – Truth is no one is surprised the Sentimental Value star scored a Best Supporting Actor nomination. However, in the global entertainment industry that is Hollywood, what is amazing is that the Marvel and Star Wars alum is the very first international nominee to be included in the category.
DELROY LINDO – Sinners snagged an amazing and record-breaking 16 nominations today. Congrats to all, but still, after being passed over too many times in too many roles over too many years, there was a true victory Thursday in hearing the name of the man who personified Delta Slim himself in that Best Supporting Actor list.
CASTING – The new category on the block was near picture perfect with its nominees of Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Sinners, The Secret Agent, and One Battle After Another. Welcome to the party!
SWEET DREAMS OF JOY – A tune from former Bonnie Hunt Show band leader Nicholas Pike from the Italian documentary Viva Verdi about an opera retirement community beat out some heavy hitters to be among the Best Original Song category. Only in Hollywood.