The 80th Academy Awards edition will take place today and many great movies are in the run for an award (some more than one!). In this post will we mention only the historical ones, since it’s the main theme of this blog but, of course, we cannot resist to discuss the other contestants. ;-)
One of the most talked movies of the moment, Atonement, adapted from Ian McEwan’s famous novel, is one of the most nominated movies of this edition.
During a warm summer in the family mansion, Cecilia and Robbie, the housekeeper’s son, become more and more attracted to each other. Briony, Cecilia’s imaginative younger sister who has a crush for the young man, destroys their lives accusing him of a crime he did not commit. Their lives are changed forever and Briony passes the next years trying to redeem herself without much success…
Critics acclaimed James McAvoy, Keira Knigthley and Saoirse Ronan (this young girl is incredible!) performances and Joe Wright’s work. Obviously, the movie was nominated for several Oscars :
- Best Motion Picture of the Year (Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster),
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Saoirse Ronan),
- Best Adapted Screenplay (Christopher Hampton),
- Achievement in Art Direction (Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer),
- Achievement in Cinematography (Seamus McGarvey),
- Achievement in Costume Design (Jacqueline Durran),
- Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures – Original Score (Dario Marianelli).
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford tell us the story of Robert Ford, an obsessed admirer of the famous outlaw who becomes one of his worst ennemies. This movie one of the best of last year and Affleck’s performance is definitely Oscar material.
This western was nominated for:
- Performance by an actor in a supporting role (Cassey Affleck)
- Achievement in cinematography (Roger Deakins)
La Vie En Rose, the recent movie about the life of Edith Piaf has already won a Cesar and a Bafta Award for Marion Cotillard who has become and international star after this one role. Will it be enough to convince the Academy? Piaf’s tragic life and beautiful music is certainly great movie material!
- Performance by an actress in a leading role (Marion Cotillard)
- Achievement in costume design (Marit Allen)
- Achievement in makeup (Didier Lavergne and Jan Archibald)
Sweeny Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street (already discussed in this blog here) was also nominated for 3 Oscars:
- Performance by an actor in a leading role (Johnny Depp)
- Achievement in art direction (Art Direction: Dante Ferretti/Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo)
- Achievement in costume design (Colleen Atwood)
Elizabeth, The Golden Age (also discussed previously here) was also nominated:
- Performance by an actress in a leading role (Cate Blanchett)
- Achievement in costume design (Alexandra Byrne)
Make your bets for tonight’s show and let us know about your favorites! :)
Links:
http://www.stokesaycourt.com/atonement.asp
http://jessejamesmovie.warnerbros.com/#
http://www.edithpiafmovie.com/
http://www.elizabeththegoldenage.net/
http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com/
http://www.oscars.org/80academyawards/nominees/index.html
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow it seems only La Vie en Rose won one of the main Oscars with Cotillard receiving the prize for Actress in a Leading Role. Then, from what I’m reading, it was for Elizabeth: the Golden Age the Oscar for Costume Design, for Sweeney Todd the Oscar for Art Direction and for La Vie en Rose also the Oscar for Makeup.
Oops I forgot, it seems Atonement wont Best Musical Score.
Cotillard was a big surprise! The big favorite was Julie Christie but Marion’s performance as Edith Piaf is trully amazing and she deserved the award.
Now, my big disappointement was the Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. I was betting for Cate Blanchett (she is perfect in her role of Bob Dylan) and Tilda Swinton won… No doubt she is a good actress, but she doesn’t come close to Blanchett and it’s so obvious when we see both movies.
Atonement only got the Best Musical Score? Ouch, that’s hard… ;-)