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« The Cruelty of Winona's Comeback Commercial | Main | 22 Black Dresses »
Tuesday
Jan092018

"Darkest Hour" Joins the Fray at BAFTA 

by Nathaniel R

Nomination leaders: Shape of Water, Darkest Hour, Three Billboards, Dunkirk and Blade Runner 2049

Though The Shape of Water (12 nominations) and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri (9 nominations) continued their stamped across precursor season as the (probable) films to beat come Oscar night, Darkest Hour finally made a significant awards mark. The Joe Wright helmed World War II Winston Churchill drama really should have started its theatrical run in October in the US to build steam but perhaps it wasn't too late if the BAFTA nominations convince Academy voters this week to check the film out before completing their ballots. The other nomination leaders were Blade Runner 2049 and Dunkirk (with 8 nominations each). Other major Oscar contenders had to settle for less. I Tonya continued its Nathaniel-defying (argh!) upward trajectory this awards season with 5 nominations beating out previously more ballyhooed prestige competition like Call Me By Your Name (4 noms), Lady Bird (3 noms) and Get Out (2 noms).

But the biggest loser this morning in terms of nominations is Steven Spielberg's The Post which received not a single nomination. That also happened to it at the SAG nominations, this complete shut-out. Most pundits don't seem to think it's in trouble but wouldn't any other film shut out completely from SAG and BAFTA be considered "in trouble" for Oscar nods? Is its Mecha-Bait 'done-deal-on-paper' status working against it in this new more volatile "what makes a movie an Oscar movie?" era of voting? It's surely food for thought if you'd like to nibble in the comments.

Phantom Thread with 4 nominations and Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool with 3 nominations also did better than expected this morning. Full list of nominations with commentary for each category is after the jump...

Outstanding British film

  • Darkest Hour
  • The Death of Stalin
  • God’s Own Country 
  • Lady Macbeth
  • Paddington 2
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Outstanding film

 

  • Call Me By Your Name
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dunkirk
  • The Shape of Water
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

 

BAFTA really needs to iron out why they have two separate best film categories, especially since they share so many nominees. Either actually make a film only eligible for one or the other or quit it and just have a top ten list or some such. Isn't is absolutely silly that Dunkirk, for example, is not considered a "British" film while Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri is.

We're not here for the gaming of awards systems and awards bodies really shouldn't be either. It invariably makes them look bad when they allow distributors and campaign strategist decide how things work. 

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer
  • The Ghoul – Gareth Tunley (writer/director/producer), Jack Healy Guttman & Tom Meeten (producers)
  • I Am Not a Witch – Rungano Nyoni (writer/director), Emily Morgan (Producer)
  • Jawbone – Johnny Harris (writer/producer), Thomas Napper (director)
  • Kingdom of Us – Lucy Cohen (director)
  • Lady Macbeth – Alice Birch (writer), William Oldroyd (director), Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly (producer)

Should we be looking out for some of these stateside? Lady Macbeth and The Ghoul received stateside releases, the latter on just 4 screens this past summer, but the rest did not. 

Best film not in the English language

And here we see yet more shady awards game mentality in that every voting body wants to be an Oscar influencer rather than simply sitting down to honor "the best" as they see fit. Elle, which was not eligible last year at BAFTA, hit the foreign film category BUT the great Isabelle Huppert's highly successful awards campaign last season is now 'old news' so notice that she doesn't show up in the Best Actress list... though you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks the film isn't brilliant that doesn't credit her as the defining genius of the film. It's just ridiculous; her brilliance doesn't fade just because the calendar turned a corner.

Best documentary
  • City of Ghosts
  • I Am Not Your Negro
  • Icarus
  • An Inconvenient Sequel
  • Jane

With the exception of last year's Oscar nominated James Baldwin doc I Am Not Your Negro, the rest of this field is still in the running and hoping for an Oscar nomination from the 15 wide finalist list this year here in the States.

Best animated film
  • Coco
  • Loving Vincent
  • My Life as a Courgette

Might My Life as a Courgette, which had quite a good awards run last season winning the European Film Award and snagging an Oscar nomination, give Coco a run for its money since the eligibility calendar placed it in 2017 for BAFTA?

Best director
  • Denis Villeneuve, Blade Runner 2049
  • Luca Guadagnino, Call Me by Your Name
  • Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk
  • Guillermo Del Toro, The Shape of Water
  • Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Oooh, a genuine surprise. Denis Villeneuve shows up for his ambitious Blade Runner sequel despite the film not showing up in either Best Film list. And he couldn't have pulled "home team" votes either since he's Canadian rather than British. Are we underestimating him in the Best Director contender list?

Best original screenplay
  • Get Out
  • I, Tonya
  • Lady Bird
  • The Shape of Water
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BAFTA mostly ignored Lady Bird and Get Out but at least they showed up in the category that they will probably compete for the win in at the Oscars in March. That is unless the resurgent I Tonya becomes the flavor of the spring. Which it might.

Best adapted screenplay
  • Call Me by Your Name
  • The Death of Stalin
  • Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool
  • Molly’s Game
  • Paddington 2

Best actress
  • Annette Bening, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool
  • Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
  • Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
  • Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water
  • Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Best actor
  • Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
  • Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
  • Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
  • Jamie Bell, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool
  • Timothée Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name

Another genuine surprise -- and a double whammy one: Both Jamie Bell and Annette Bening appear in the highly competitive lead acting races for their aching duet in the drama about Gloria Grahame's final cancer ridden days. In case you haven't guessed I really like this movie.

Consider us shocked that Daniel Kaluuya made the list, though, considering the BAFTA voters didn't go crazy for his film. Yes, he's great in the film but it's not the kind of role that usually wins acting nominations UNLESS the film itself is doing some of the awards work. Best Actor remains unusually competitive... is it because no one much cared about the category this year with Best Actress getting so much of the press?

Is Lesley Manville heading for one of those surprise Oscar nominations? The timing *might* be right.

Best supporting actress
  • Allison Janney, I, Tonya
  • Kristin Scott Thomas, Darkest Hour
  • Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
  • Lesley Manville, Phantom Thread
  • Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
The Oscar frontrunners (it's Janney vs Metcalf for the gold) welcome a mostly new set of competitors at BAFTA. Octavia Spencer has been showing up intermittently in the Supporting competitions but two of the greatest screen actresses in the world, Kristin Scott Thomas and Lesley Manville now join the fray for Darkest Hour and Phantom Thread respectively. Both are still distinct possibilities in what's been kind of a volatile Supporting Actress competition.
Best supporting actor
  • Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World
  • Hugh Grant, Paddington 2
  • Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
  • Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
  • Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

What a strange category this is turning out to be this season, no? It's as if everyone is stumped as to who to include which makes no sense because MICHAEL STUHLBARG is right there, people?!? (Also have you voted on our Three Billboards cop vs cop poll, yet?)

Best original music
  • Blade Runner 2049
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dunkirk
  • Phantom Thread
  • The Shape of Water

I've been predicting Darkest Hour in "original score" for a long time despite no supportive evidence. Haha. Will my prediction hold up? This is the first indication that it might. 

Best cinematography
  • Blade Runner 2049
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dunkirk
  • The Shape of Water
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

As someone who does not hate Three Billboards (I use the disclaimer since so many people online do and it is imperative that the next comment not come across and knee-jerk hatred of the movie so that my horrified confusion will be heard) "what the what now? CINEMATOGRAPHY?" This is as weird as that time when The King's Speech kept getting cinematography nominations. But why? It's supposed to be a craft nomination, not just "here's a movie we like!" 

Best editing
  • Baby Driver
  • Blade Runner 2049
  • Dunkirk
  • The Shape of Water
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Not nominating Get Out in this category is absurd. If Oscar also commits this atrocity we will be furious

Best production design


  • Beauty and the Beast
  • Blade Runner 2049
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dunkirk
  • The Shape of Water

A mystery of awards season that hasn't been discussed much. Will Beauty and the Beast secure Oscar nominations in eye candy categories. On the one hand it seems like a default player under "Most" in craft categories but on the other hand it couldn't even snag a single Golden Globe nomination and it would have seemed a shoo-in there given their traditional fondness for musicals. 

Best costume design
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • Darkest Hour
  • I, Tonya
  • Phantom Thread
  • The Shape of Water

I still think this category is wildly up in the air and could hold significant surprises on Oscar nomination morning. For instance I don't think ANY of these films are secure (though any of them could transfer) You?

Best make up & hair

  • Blade Runner 2049
  • Darkest Hour
  • I, Tonya
  • Victoria & Abdul
  • Wonder

All but Blade Runner 2049 made the parallel finals in the Oscar category though Oscar stupidly only allows 3 nominees in the category (despite every other category getting at least five). Remember when Chris gave Darkest Hour "Best Wig" in his fun year in review wig-snatching post? Good times. 

Best sound
  • Baby Driver
  • Blade Runner 2049
  • Dunkirk 
  • The Shape of Water
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Baby Driver is something of a mystery this Oscar season. Hollywood in general (and the public, too) seems to really like it but it's not "prestigious" in the typical (however useless) sense so will AMPAS members in the craft departments go for it or forget about it with more Best Picture-like films staring them in the face. 

Best special visual effects
  • Blade Runner 2049
  • Dunkirk
  • The Shape of Water
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi
  • War for the Planet of the Apes

Blade Runner 2049 made quite a mark in the craft categories, didn't it? Will it be a fierce competitor on Oscar nomination morning? The record for most nominations without a Best Picture nod in the relatively short window of the new Oscar system with its expanded Best Picture field is held by Carol (2015) with six nominations. Can Blade Runner 2049 tie Todd Haynes masterpiece or will it have to settle for something slightly more Skyfall'ish (5 nods) in the realm of "non Best Picture nominee with abundant nominations"?

SOME CRAZY TALK: Dear Awards voters, maybe you should consider giving the actual visual effects trophy to the Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy? It's been nominated every time at both BAFTA and Oscar and neither body ever wants to say "okay okay... you're doing brilliant work. Here's your trophy!" 

Best British short animation
  • Have Heart
  • Mamoon
  • Poles Apart

None of these films are on the Oscar finalist list -- any UK readers want to fill us in on their must-see status?

Best British short film
  • Aamir 
  • Cowboy Dave
  • A Drowning Man
  • Work
  • Wren Boys
EE Rising Star award (voted for by the public)
  • Daniel Kaluuya
  • Florence Pugh
  • Josh O’Connor
  • Tessa Thompson
  • Timothée Chalamet

Previously discussed here at TFE. It's so easy to forget that Kaluuya is British isn't it, since his breakout is in such a quintessentially American film (Get Out). Will a Brith win this prize or will one of the Americans (Timothée or Tessa) take it? What'cha think readers?

 

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Reader Comments (71)

Ouch! Three Billboards seems unstopabble. With so many movies that are better this year. They also forgot about Huppert, who was ellligible. BAFTAS are becoming the British GG pretty quickly. (Although they did awarded Huppert last year; they must have been drunk!)

Nat, the CCs you are part of MUST really change the narrative. Though with the Jeffery Welleses out there I'm not that sure it could happen.

At least there's some love for Guadagnino. But Lady Bird shot out seems really myopic.
And what the hell is against PTA? Too sofisticated for voters?

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterchofer

I am very happy to see Lesley Manville nominated. Sad Miranda Richardson didn't catch on here.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterbennyblack

ANNETTE! Finally a precursor nom to finally get her the elusive Oscar!
LESLEY! The same case to get an overdue nom.
DENIS! What a wonderful surprise.

Elle is eligible, but you don't nominate ISABELLE HUPPERT!!
No THE POST?!
Double nom happens but not for ARMIE and STUHLBARG?!!

I am done with the Three Billboards love.
Get Out isn't even that great, so good on the BAFTA.
Darkest Hour is always intended for a sweep here.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterCraver

How on earth can you be shocked that Daniel Kaluuya got nominated at BAFTA? I thought he was a sure thing because of his nationality.

Kaluuya is British. He's been showing up at all the precursors in America. BAFTA is a racist organisation (just telling the truth fam) and have particular issues or discomfort with African-American males (no Jenkins for Best director last year, no Denzel or Morgan Freeman nominated ever).

But they get a little less racist when it's one of their own black men being nominated everywhere. Kaluuya"s Britishness trumped his race/gender with jingostic/patriotic BAFTA voters. If Kaluuya"s role was played by an African-American male (say, Lakieth Stanfield or Michael K Wiliams), I think a snub would be almost certain. Kaluuya has his passport to thank for his nomination.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterkiniz

Lesley Manville is pretty much what Sally Hawkins was two or three seasons ago: A marvelous Brtit actor that conveys so much with their eyes and faces but totally ignored by the Academy.
I hope it changes this year.

I DO love the love for Get Out.. But I don't see it here, either. I'm pretty sure the Academy will change that. There was so much loud out loud support from members in Twitter: Helen Hunt, W. Friedkin, Jenkins, Shymalan, Edgar Wright and the list goes on...

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterchofer

Hi Nat, Dunkirk isn't nom for Best British Film b'cos the studio & producer decided NOT to submit it in that category.

As much as I luv The Bening too, metink she has taken up the spot tt shld've gone to La Huppert

I suspect Bell, Grant, Manville, KST & even Kaluuya (since they din really fall for Get Out big-time) are nominated more bcos they r British, but its kinda understandable tt they r skewed towards homegrown talents and stories since they wld otherwise be ignored stateside. Tt said I'm v surprise tt Dame Judi was snubbed!!! (The Bafta LUVS her!!!)

Its actually a refreshing change that we dun have so many matchy matchy nominees w stateside award shows.

Overall its an interesting list tt shake things up a bit, but I wld however replace Darkest Hour w Lady Bird in best pic, Villeneuve w PTA (who seems destined to be ignored come Oscar time) for his sublime Phantom Thread, Bening w Huppert, & lastly, Grant w either Hammer or Jenkins.

I tink Woody Harrelson is really happening, if he's nom at the Oscar....the votes to Rockwell might be split as alotsa Three Billboards supporters prefer the former's performance...

Never thot The Post wld be in a awkward position lol (shut out at SAG, 0-6 at GG, & now completely shut out again at BAFTA!!!) .It might end up NOT gettin the nom for Best Dir, Actor, Actress.& Screenplay...

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterClaran

I can see either Thomas or Manville getting in at the Oscars now. The reaction to Hong Chau at the Globes seemed muted at best. For Bening it seems too little too late unfortunately. Strreep is officially in trouble now.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterMichael R

Surprised JUDI DENCH didn't make the cut here.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterDAVID

Dunkirk was considered British by BAFTA - the filmmakers chose not to enter it for Best British Film. Probably a smart tactical move!

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterGuy Lodge

Sorry, just saw your follow-up point about gaming the system. Fair, though the trouble really is, as you say, having two categories to begin with.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterGuy Lodge

Guy

The absence of Huppert renders this utterly useless don't you think? :))

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterchofer

The idea behind Best British Film is solid though, there's a fear that all the American produced movies will take over and the home produced products are shut out, and I am glad films like Lady Macbeth and God's Own Country get recognition they otherwise wouldn't get due to the Oscar campaign machine.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterRami

I think Dunkirk was backed primarily by American money.

Three Billboards, though filmed in North Carolina, was backed primarily by British money.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterTyler

Also, Elle came out so long ago, I don't think BAFTA members should be accused of gaming more of a case of recency effect. If they wanted to predict the Oscars, Scott Thomas, Hugh Grant, Manville and Bening wouldn't be showing up on their acting lists.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterRami

Some eye-openers for me:

I'm no predicting The Death of Stalin for that elusive 5th nominee in Adapted Screenplay. I had Victoria and Abdul but this movie is well-liked and if enough BAFTA voters saw it to nominate it I think it gets in.

The Cinematography nomination for Three Billboards is really telling. If the Academy repeats this, or perhaps nominates Carter Burwell, or both, then Three Billboards is definitely your frontrunner.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterSawyer

no Mary J. Blige for Mudbound....Oscar might repeat. frankly i think Idris had a closer shot a few years back with Beasts of No Nation. times have changed, but not that much. They aint ready for Netflix.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterkris01

Sawyer -- i dont think DEATH OF STALIN got even an awards qualifying run in the states though. It's official release was pushed to 2018. I dont know for a fact it didn't do a one week qualifier in LA but i didn't hear a peep about that happening so I'd be surprised if it got nominated.

Rami -- oh i am not against it per se... just as i think it's stupid that so often people complain that Oscars are too American (um, it's an American institution created to honor an American industry) just that if you're going to divvy it up don't let distributors make the decisions. I think there are always always always embarrassing things you cant answer for when you let people who want the awards make the calls as to what they qualify for. (Hence the annual injustices of category fraud)

Claran -- i'd be so relieved if Spielberg missed in director. Not because i dislike the Post. I like it fine but I just dont think he's anything like one of the 5 best of the year and in a year where they could be so historic (Peele & Gerwig & Guadagnino) WHILE honoring the actual best, whey settle for the usual over-rewarded suspects?

January 9, 2018 | Registered CommenterNATHANIEL R

Dench no show here for me solidifies Best Actress as McDormand, Ronan, Robbie, Hawkins and Streep, with Chastain at 6th.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterKeegan

I don't see "The Death of Stalin" on the eligibility list: http://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/90th_reminder_list.pdf

Man, BAFTA really likes those Paddington movies, don't they?

Was "The Post" eligible? Seems fishy that it got no nominations.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterGuestguestguest

Should we be happy that CMBYN got four MAJOR awards or sad that it didn't get more?

Really pleased by Jamie Bell's nomination. Wish that film stateside had better distribution release. I don't think it'd have changed much of its awards trajectory but who knows?

Not gonna lie, was expecting a surprise James McAvoy nod for SPLIT. But who would he have kicked out?

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterRyan T.

CMBYN has been out for a while in the UK, I fear that its low nomination count won't bode well for it's Oscar chances. I can see it missing in Best Picture / Supporting Actor etc.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterRami

So happy for Annette Bening but I also fear it's too little too late. Perhaps a Globe nod in addition to BAFTA could've sent her over the line? Still, I would love to see her take Streep's place if only to remedy last year's snub.

Supporting Actress is so refreshingly unpredictable this year with Janney and Metcalf as the only locks. Seven women: Hunter, Blige, Spencer, Chau, Thomas, and Manville could all reasonably take the last 3 spots.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterEric

So happy for Annette Bening but I also fear it's too little too late. Perhaps a Globe nod in addition to BAFTA could've sent her over the line? Still, I would love to see her take Streep's place if only to remedy last year's snub.

Supporting Actress is so refreshingly unpredictable this year with Janney and Metcalf as the only locks. Six women: Hunter, Blige, Spencer, Chau, Thomas, and Manville could all reasonably take the last 3 spots.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterEric


And here we see yet more shady awards game mentality in that every voting body wants to be an Oscar influencer rather than simply sitting down to honor "the best" as they see fit. Elle, which was not eligible last year at BAFTA, hit the foreign film category BUT the great Isabelle Huppert's highly successful awards campaign last season is now 'old news' so notice that she doesn't show up in the Best Actress list... though you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks the film isn't brilliant that doesn't credit her as the defining genius of the film. It's just ridiculous; her brilliance doesn't fade just because the calendar turned a corner.

https://media1.tenor.com/images/0de120c10a661c15cb60fe77b8eac367/tenor.gif?itemid=5833390

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterMe34

If the precursors are any indication, almost every Oscar category is a lot less settled than it usually is by now, which is a beautiful thing.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterTroy H.

Did TDOS not have a US distributor in tow? It seems kind of silly for a movie of this caliber released in October in the UK not to have at least a NY/LA showing before the end of the year.

Oh well, it was a nice try. :)

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterSawyer

SAG snub for The Post i still fear was due to screeners and not enough of the voting body seeing it
BAFTA is never a sure thing especially for a patriotic American Film- Streep has earned Oscar nominations without the BAFTA
The Post will get a Best Pic nomination and Meryl will be nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars
Dench snub a good sign and Bening too late to gather the buzz/votes

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterJamie

I think that's going to be our Best Actress lineup. And yes, I think Bening could very well win if she does get nominated.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterBVR

@jamie

After seeing The Post shut out and especially Streep's missing... you are the first person I thought of.

It is not looking good for the movie come Oscar time, But I sincerely hope Streep gets in ( for your sake ). I will see the movie on Friday.

I did not care for 3Billboards, but I thought McDormand was OK. I love Sally Hawkins, but I liked her much better in Maudie than in the Shape of Water.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commentergrrr

I'm tired of McDormand. She's effective, but she's been doing the same role for ages. I really hope Sally Hawkins somehow takes SAG and BAFTA.

Or I'm actually hoping for a scenario, in which Margot Robbie (a performance I dislike in a film I hate) takes SAG, then Sally gets BAFTA and the Oscar.

Three Billboards could be stopped. By the DGA. I just have a hunch it might be snubbed there. With del Toro, Gewig, Peele, Nolan, Guadagnino, Spielberg...

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterZooey

I don't care what happens as long as Lesley Manville wins all of the BAFTAs. All of them. Otherwise, I'm good.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterCharlieG

The Best Film/Best British Film has been a constant confusion. The very first year there was a split, in 1993, it went to The Crying Game. The Best Film that year? Howards End, about as British a film as you can get. Meanwhile, in 2010, The King's Speech won Best British Film AND Best Film!

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterScott

Zooey

God answers your prayers!:))

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterchofer

Nathaniel, are people in NY/ LA talking about Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool? I know Bell was campaigning. Did that stop once the film was snubbed at Critic's Choice, SAG, and The Globes? Is Bening campaigning at all?

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterMichael R

Well, that's the end for Dench (how odds she surfaces at SAG and not here). If SPC pushes hard enough, I actually think it's fairly plausible Bening could grab that fifth Oscar slot over Chastain and Streep.

Oh, and DARKEST HOUR probably still ain't earning much beyond Oldman and Makeup/Hairstyling on Oscar noms morning.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterAndrew Carden

People in America

I you ever interested what a foreign poster like me thinks about this awards season (and, to an extent our own critics and local members of The Academy) Three Billboards doesn't make you look really good!! Just reactionary and dull.

I'm speaking in behalf of the critics I respect here and some members of the Academy that have been tweeting their disgust.

Not every foreigner VIEWS heartland America that way. Even less so are we deceived by its manipulation of characters and "arcs". Fargo, Nebraska, it ain't. To name a few.

I've already took my antidote with Paterson. Wash yourself clean with that! It works!

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterchofer

Michael R -- i went to one event for Film Stars in LA and talked to Jamie Bell twice this season so they've definitely been around intermittently. I had my first unprovoked-by-me discussion about the movie with two industry people this very week (who both loved it) but I dont know whether either or them are Academy members (producer and actress) as it's always difficult to tell unless you ask. (Contrary to popular belief there are a lot more people in the industry than 10,000 :) which is about the number of AMPAS members)

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterNATHANIEL R

Streep missing here is such great news for Chastain, who so deserves that fifth spot with AMPAS. Molly's Game is a hit and hitting its stride at just the right time for optimal impact with the voters.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterbrookesboy

As I TONYA is to Nathaniel, so is 3 BILLBOARDS to me.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterDave in Hollywood

Dave in Hollywood

Join in Letterboxd the "hate club" with a LOT of fellow Americans!

Aren't you tired of McDormand's swagger AND bad mood in Awards Circuit? Or is it just me?
What happened to the lovely lady of Fargo? Why does she seem so ANGRY, always?
It's like she's playing HER in the film.

I'm all for a Ronan or Hawkins upset.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterchofer

I'm so sad no one cares about Wonderstruck. It deserves at least some technical nominations for sure..

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterBrad

Could it be that people are not that impressed with "The Post"? Its subject matter is important and resonant, but, speaking for myself, it is a rather stodgy film that contains some of Spielberg's most perfunctory filmmaking ever.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterJonathan

Jonathan

It is. It's too on the nose. But Spielberg got away with iit with ts classisim and righteousness.

It's the reason I see people are atoning the "timely, elegant piece" with the furor of Billboards. Like, it was a kind of un-PC friendly-film. I think they're wrong. Because, if anything, Billboards tries too hard to be an "equal opportunity offender" leaving nuance and complete arcs in a void.
I'm not offended at the "representation" it depicts as much as how shallow it depicts them by being "equally reprehensible and suddenly vulnerable", much of it in the same scene. Not to mention its "Deus ex machina" mechanisms to land some kind of redemption to them. What's behind McDormands's grief other than anger, and more anger? It happens on the Globes. "Women are angry" and Billboards matches that, perhaps coincidentally.

How much this mood will change for the voting, I don't know. What I'm sure is that ELLE missed this opportunity by being ahead of its time! It's 10 times better than Billoards at being what Billboards aspires to be, IMO. Nuance is Huppert downplaying the "anger". She's really the woman in control, not the freak out.

I really believe Huppert would have a chance to win the Oscar this year.

The mood-swings of the Hollywood Community is left out of the pronostications every year.
I would re.think that. It shows like a powerful, willing instrument. So much that I think GET OUT is so LAST year it hurts:))

Ahh, the Actors...

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterchofer

I stand corrected: Michele is the woman they'd like to be but not seen. Mildred it's more tollerable.
Talking about what's really un-PC!!

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered Commenterchofer

As someone who still waits for many Oscar hopefuls to be released in France, i can't help but feel pretty happy for Annette and Jamie. Maybe just because i read TFE every day and i know how much both of them are loved around here. I'm also pretty glad that even the British Academy didn't think Judi Dench was worthy of a nomination in such a competitive year.

I also feel that for the first time in years the BAFTA decided to reward actual British titles, like 'Film Stars', 'Paddington' or 'Darkest Hours' (glad for KST even if she didn't have much to do in the movie, which really wasn't THAT good, or at least not at all memorable).

Also very excited about Lesley Manville getting buzz for her Phantom Thread performance. She was robbed of an Oscar nom for Another Year and, as i will see her on stage in Long Day's Journey Into Night in London next month, it would be very nice to see her again at the Dolby Theater !

All in all, many categories seem pretty open so it will be pretty fun to discover the Oscar Nominations ....

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterClement_Paris

I am not worried about The Post. The BAFTA’s nominated Jamie Bell and Annette Benning for a movie with Liverpool in the title 😁

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterJono

I think the reason you see Paddington show up on this list is because both of these films have been extremely popular in the UK with both critics and movie goers. I love them - and they deserve some credit.

Delighted to see The Benning, although she probably won't get an Oscar nom at this point, but so lovely to see both she and Jamie Bell get some recognition.

Villeneuve is getting the credit he deserves, Arrival last year was my favourite film and this years Blade Runner was amazing.
I like these BAFTA nominations.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterLadyEdith

I'm OK with "3 Billboards", but it has been getting way TOO MUCH award recognition! I mean with so many great movies doing "just fine", we have "3 Billboards" getting 9 nominations here (after 4 GG wins).
.
And then we have "Mudbound" going home empty handed at GG or without any noms,,, GOD

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterEd

Looks like Meryl exhaustion has finally hit the award voters. That's two major bodies that snubbed her and this one have the luxury of pretending to not have seen the movie.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterZo

BAFTA used to publish their 'reminder' list on its website - so without knowing if the Post was eligibile or not, we can't automatically assume that The Post was completely snubbed. And if you check the BAFTA website, you will see Meryl is one of the new BAFTA members - so there is certainly no hate at BAFTA for Meryl.

January 9, 2018 | Unregistered CommenterBette Streep
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