Awards pundits were taken by surprise from the first two words spoken at the Oscar nominations on Thursday.
'Elle Fanning, for Sentimental Value,' said hosts Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman, as they kicked off the nominations with the best supporting actress category. Fanning's nomination was unexpected, given that many had not predicted her for the role despite positive reviews. This opener set the tone for a series of nominations riddled with snubs and surprises. Here are eight key takeaways from the nominations.
1. Some Hot Favorites Missed Out
Despite strong performances in 'Hamnet' and 'One Battle After Another', both films underperformed in the acting categories. Notably, Paul Mescal was overlooked for a supporting actor nomination for 'Hamnet', and the breakout star from 'One Battle After Another', Chase Infiniti, also missed her expected best actress nod. Other surprising omissions included Jesse Plemons and Joel Edgerton, both of whom had previously garnered momentum.
2. F1 is a Comfort-Food Movie
The film focusing on Formula One, starring Brad Pitt, made a surprising entry into the best picture category, signaling a shift towards the appreciation of traditional cinema by the Academy despite lacking major nominations in directing or acting categories.
3. Sinners Were the Big Winners
'Sinners', Ryan Coogler's innovative vampire horror movie, dominated with a record-breaking 16 nominations, blowing past the previous record holders. Its artistic achievements earned it a celebrated spot in the nominations despite typical genre constraints.
4. Wicked Did Not Bewitch the Academy
The sequel 'Wicked: For Good' failed to secure any nominations, a stark contrast to its original, highlighting its lukewarm reception compared to its predecessor.
5. The Brits Showed Up
'Sinners' also showcased British talent, with Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo scoring nominations in the acting categories, with Lindo's nomination marking a much-anticipated recognition.
6. Several Actresses Carried Their Films to a Nomination
Several actresses like Rose Byrne and Kate Hudson were recognized as the sole nods for their respective films, showcasing the weight their performances held in the voters' eyes.
7. New Category is a Mixed Bag
The newly introduced casting category saw nominations overlap with strong contenders, yet the omission of 'Sentimental Value' from this category raised eyebrows, despite individual nominations for its lead actors.
8. Timothée is Even Closer to Greatness
Timothée Chalamet appears to be the frontrunner for best actor with 'Marty Supreme', drawing closer to Oscar greatness with a potential win marking a significant milestone in his career.
'Elle Fanning, for Sentimental Value,' said hosts Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman, as they kicked off the nominations with the best supporting actress category. Fanning's nomination was unexpected, given that many had not predicted her for the role despite positive reviews. This opener set the tone for a series of nominations riddled with snubs and surprises. Here are eight key takeaways from the nominations.
1. Some Hot Favorites Missed Out
Despite strong performances in 'Hamnet' and 'One Battle After Another', both films underperformed in the acting categories. Notably, Paul Mescal was overlooked for a supporting actor nomination for 'Hamnet', and the breakout star from 'One Battle After Another', Chase Infiniti, also missed her expected best actress nod. Other surprising omissions included Jesse Plemons and Joel Edgerton, both of whom had previously garnered momentum.
2. F1 is a Comfort-Food Movie
The film focusing on Formula One, starring Brad Pitt, made a surprising entry into the best picture category, signaling a shift towards the appreciation of traditional cinema by the Academy despite lacking major nominations in directing or acting categories.
3. Sinners Were the Big Winners
'Sinners', Ryan Coogler's innovative vampire horror movie, dominated with a record-breaking 16 nominations, blowing past the previous record holders. Its artistic achievements earned it a celebrated spot in the nominations despite typical genre constraints.
4. Wicked Did Not Bewitch the Academy
The sequel 'Wicked: For Good' failed to secure any nominations, a stark contrast to its original, highlighting its lukewarm reception compared to its predecessor.
5. The Brits Showed Up
'Sinners' also showcased British talent, with Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo scoring nominations in the acting categories, with Lindo's nomination marking a much-anticipated recognition.
6. Several Actresses Carried Their Films to a Nomination
Several actresses like Rose Byrne and Kate Hudson were recognized as the sole nods for their respective films, showcasing the weight their performances held in the voters' eyes.
7. New Category is a Mixed Bag
The newly introduced casting category saw nominations overlap with strong contenders, yet the omission of 'Sentimental Value' from this category raised eyebrows, despite individual nominations for its lead actors.
8. Timothée is Even Closer to Greatness
Timothée Chalamet appears to be the frontrunner for best actor with 'Marty Supreme', drawing closer to Oscar greatness with a potential win marking a significant milestone in his career.
