Team Experience SAG Reactions: Happy Thoughts, Outrageous Snubs, and Table-Lust
Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 1:18AM by Nathaniel R
After the SAG nominations I polled the team on six questions about the SAG nominations. One of them gets its own post (being a big topic we'll be discussing for some time still). But here are the general reactions to the other five questions from love to loathing to which OUTSTANDING CAST table we'd like to sit at...
Which nomination made you happiest?
As someone who has followed Ariana DeBose's career since her days as a chorus dancer on stage, it was a joy to see her recognized as a movie star for a performance that delivers on the star potential she has consistently shown in all her work. To see a queer Afro-Latina triple threat singled out in my favorite category of any awards season gave me all the joy I needed to get over the countless baffling choices in the other categories. And, since The men of Succession often seem to be the center of attention when people talk about the show, so I was happy to see Sarah Snook cited for her performance--the final shot of the season 3 finale alone should earn her the award. -Gabriel Mayora
Kirsten Dunst is my personal MVP of Power of the Dog and much more than a Best Picture coattails pick. She felt for some reason like someone who could hit Globes due to celebrity, miss SAG, and then go either way at the Oscars. This mention is a real solidifier and I’m only now entertaining her chances for an actual win. - Timothy Lyons
Curiously, it would have to be The Matrix Resurrections for stunt ensemble. There are good and great performances nominated in the individual categories, but for the most part the nominations were more interesting for who was left out rather than who made it in. The stunt category obviously didn't exist when any of the earlier Matrix movies were released, but given how much Reloaded and Revolutions went over with awards voters in 2003, and especially how the latest went over like a lead balloon with audiences and many critics, I was so happy to see its impressive stunt work recognised. Thank you Lana Wachowski and the nominees for work like that climactic skyscraper jump that I assume most will figure was green screen. Not so!
Also I was so happy to see my Aussie moustache brother Murray Bartlett nominated for his role in The White Lotus. He could have easily been passed over for bigger star-power. I'm so happy he's getting this moment in the spotlight. - Glenn Dunks
Murray Bartlett who gave the male TV performance of the year, which I was afraid would be overlooked come awards time. - Baby Clyde
Cate Blanchett since I assumed people had collectively moved on from Nightmare Alley. I'll take her glacially plotting my downfall any day! I'm straight for Cate and always want to see her in the awards race. -Allen Nguyen
tie: Ruth Negga in Passing and Melanie Lynskey within the ensemble of Don't Look Up - Nick Davis
Sandra Oh because she's fantastic in The Chair and the show deserves more recognition. And Andrew Garfield because he's my hunny. -Lynn Lee
I'm always happy to see non-English-speaking projects recognised by these big industry awards. Cheers for the SQUID GAME team. - Cláudio Alves
Ben Affleck. In his post-stressed Dunkin’ Donut morning pickup photos era, something about his widely up and down career just tugs at my heart strings. If we all have a semi-problematic bro that we just can’t help but root for, he’s mine. - Patrick Ball
Belfast's Ensemble nod. None of the actors have a typical "clip" scene and they work beautifully together just to serve Branagh's vision, not to be flashy. On TV, Murray Bartlett. A superb, underemployed character actor who delivered breathtaking work.- Eric Blume
Ruth Negga for Passing. Given how the movie isn't getting much love elsewhere, and how competitive her category is, I'm relieved that her subdued yet rich performance is looking like a safer bet. - Matt St Clair
Ruth Negga for Supporting Actress - I always thought she was brilliant but the muted nature of the film goes against what usually does well during awards season. On the TV side, The Handmaid's Tale for Drama Ensemble - My favorite series shows no signs of stopping with perhaps their best season yet. - Juan Carlos Ojano
I will keep every bone in my body crossed for Ruth Negga getting the recognition she deserves for her performance in Passing. I was so happy she made it. Maybe simply being nominated rather than winning is to damn with faint praise, but given the whole film's lackluster awards reception, I'll be grateful for what we got. - Nick Taylor
CODA was the best nominee in "Cast" by a mile, plus Troy Kotsur's history-making nomination and his gleeful reaction video. - Eurocheese
Which nomination did you find most surprising?
Cate Blanchett for Nightmare Alley. While she is very good in the role, it never feels like much of a stretch. It seemed like the buzz had died out on that film, but I guess there is still a glimmer of hope. -Christopher James
Blanchett in Nightmare Alley. It does feel a bit like starfucking, especially while Ellis, Jessie Buckley, and Marlee Matlin are out in the cold despite their films being recognized in other categories. On the other hand it's nice to get an unexpected lone nominees, and in a modern-pastiche noir to boot. An odd duck, but not completely unwelcome on its face. - Nick Taylor
Bardem in Best Actor, since I can't fathom somebody coming away from the movie thinking he's a standout. I thought that, if Being the Ricardos was getting multiple individual nods, it'd be for Simmons, not Bardem. - Cláudio Alves
Bradley Cooper for Licorice Pizza. I figured that screentime would be a factor in him once again getting overlooked. But his nomination proves that there's indeed no such thing as a performance being "too small" for Supporting Actor contention. - Matt St Clair
Feels a little obvious but House of Gucci’s ensemble mention is… weird. This is especially after they already found room for Gaga and (groan) Leto. Wasn’t that enough? - Timothy Lyons
The House of Gucci cast nomination. It knocked out Mass, The Harder They Fall, The Power of the Dog and West Side Story. Just let that sink in. Yikes. - Eurocheese
What snub most outraged you?
Mass not appearing in ensemble, especially when stuff like Belfast (often just scenes of two people acting one-on-one) or House of Gucci (often just scenes of people acting at each other, badly) is there is enraging. Given that supporting actress line-up and their love of the movie itself, Aunjanue Ellis' omission is strange, but at least she has that ensemble nom. - Glenn Dunks
West Side Story missing Cast, obviously. The early SAG cutoffs rear their ugly head again, but this movie just screams fabulous ensemble! - Patrick Ball
Nothing for The Harder They Fall. Not even for stunts, are you KIDDING. - Deborah Lipp
Aunjanue Ellis in Supporting Actress! She's fantastic in that movie, and I'd assumed she had nothing to worry about. - Nick Davis
Coin-flip between Penelope Cruz and Joaquin Phoenix. - Eric Blume
The men for Belfast; Dornan and Hinds are both superb in their roles; and even Judi Dench is very deserving in an emotional performance - John Lynn Fernandez
The overall lack of love for C'mon C'mon doesn't surprise me, but it still enrages me. All three actors at the top of their game, and they get ignored in favor of scenery chewers. -Lynn Lee
Of the presumed "locked" contenders who missed out, I'd call Aunjanue Ellis's absence the most dispiriting. She's the best performance in King Richard, and to see such a longstanding character actress nailing a very nominatable role get left off that lineup is jarring. Of the folks who hadn't been showing up so far and still haven't, I have no idea how Mike Faist's livewire turn in West Side Story hasn't caught on with voters. Also, how the fuck could you watch Tragedy of Macbeth and not be blown away by Kathryn Hunter? Also also, the continued underrepresentation of non-English language performances is such a self-evident drag on the lineups we got. - Nick Taylor
Stewart, but also Ellis (and how is that possible with King Richard in Ensemble?). Ann Dowd doesn't count because I knew it was a hard sell, but I was hoping. - Eurocheese
Kristen Stewart in Actress. I don't love the film, but goodness sakes. That performance. How did that miss, I will never even try to understand. Now it's up to NEON to turn things around and make this shocking omission in their favor - Juan Carlos Ojano
Kristen Stewart for Spencer. If Oscars are going to go for biopics, I'm saddened that her ambitious and textured portrayal of Diana will lose out to something like Jennifer Hudson's performance in Respect. It's not that Hudson is bad, moreso the movie makes her go through every biopic cliche as broadly as possible. -Christopher James
Stewart. I love seeing actresses beloved by the queer community triumphing at the Oscars. However, I was also excited to watch an out queer actor rather than a cishet queer icon win the trophy, for once. Maybe the SAG snub means nothing, but it's disappointing nonetheless. And not to make all of this about identity, it's also a really weird performance that I love. The kind of bizarre, fractured, abrasive creation I wish was more common in the realm of biopic movies than what's the norm. - Cláudio Alves
You're at the show. Which CAST nominee table are you sitting at and why?
BELFAST. Star-fuckery could lead me to Don't Look Up, but realistically I just want to stare into Jamie Dornan's eyes at the Belfast table. -Christopher James
BELFAST. The only film of this nomee group that I even like. It's a testament to universal emotions, feelings, and the human experience of migration. Also, who doesn't want to sit next to beefcake Jamie Dornan? - John Lynn Fernandez
CODA. They're all such wonderful, sweet people, and I'd love to be able to see the joy they bring to this recognition up close. - Abe Fried Tanzer
CODA. I really wanna hug the whole cast (damn Covid!) and say thank you ❤️ - Camila Henriques
CODA. I know how to do ASL a bit so I could give it a try in chatting with the cast. Also, why am I gonna refuse the chance to sit beside Daniel Durant and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo? - Juan Carlos Ojano
CODA. All day long. And I'm bringing a translator so I can catch their fun in-jokes. - Eurocheese
DON'T LOOK UP. We'd have to avoid talking about their atrocious film but I'm a middle aged homosexual so I'm sitting with Meryl and Cate. Although I'm also tempted by a drunken night out with Jared Leto. - Baby Clyde
HOUSE OF GUCCI. But only if the cast stays in character. Haute couture, ridiculous accents, murderous scheming, and (I'm assuming) plenty of drinking = best dinner party ever. Just as long as no one brings a gun. -Lynn Lee
HOUSE OF GUCCI. Or, rather, the table *next* to House of Gucci. I want to overhear everything but I wouldn’t want my tux ruined in case anyone flips a table. - Patrick Ball
KING RICHARD - King Richard because it's the only one I wouldn't be embarrassed about if they asked if I saw and/or liked their movie. Although if I could learn American sign language in time... - Glenn Dunks
KING RICHARD. The cast seems like they had a blast on it, and their onscreen charisma popped the hardest of any of their fellow nominees. Good vibes all around, plus it's my vote in the category. Easy pick - Nick Taylor
KING RICHARD. They look like a fun bunch. The glaring exception, to me, is Will Smith. However, I guess there could be some joy in sharing long-suffering looks with the rest of the cast while the man overshares about his sex life ONCE AGAIN. As someone on Twitter said, everything I know about Smith's personal life, I've learned against my will. - Cláudio Alves
KING RICHARD. King Richard's, because I love the movie, I want Saniyya Sidney's autograph, and I want to meet her clearly amazing agent. Look at that filmography already!! Nick Davis
How should the STUNT ENSEMBLE winners be decided?
I'd opt for an epic bus fight scene between the nominees like the one in Shang-Chi. (I'm rooting for Shang-Chi and Cobra Kai to come out winners.) - Abe Fried Tanzer
An all-day Turkish oil wrestling competition! - Eric Blume
American Ninja Warrior: SAG Edition. - Cláudio Alves
Egg and Spoon Race. - Baby Clyde
Wipeout style course where the stunt ensemble members are dressed up in their movie costumes. -Christopher James
A live recreation of the movies’ biggest stunts computer un-assisted by the ensemble with scores handed out by an in-person panel of peers. Logistically impossible but why not? - Timothy Lyons
Both prizes should be given to Jennifer Lopez for Hustlers, one for her acting and one for doing her own pole dance. #Reparations #NeverTooLate #ArcOfHistory - Nick Davis
YOUR TURN DEAR READERS. How would you answer these five questions
Reader Comments (6)
"My, Nicole, what a big hand you have..."
Which nomination made you happiest?
Ruth Negga!!!!
Which nomination did you find most surprising?
Ewan McGregor?!?
What snub most outraged you?
Jessica Chastain, Scenes From a Marriage
All snubs Insecure
All snubs West Side Story
Julianne Nicholson
You're at the show. Which CAST nominee table are you sitting at and why?
The Great, of course. Huzzah! (And hope that they're not far away from Don't Look Up)
How should the STUNT ENSEMBLE winners be decided?
Swimsuit competition
No Cruz is painful.
Claudio, I thought Bardem was the best in Being the Ricardos... his charm had to be convincing to make the audience doubt when Desi was gaslighting Lucille... plus, it wouldn't be his first Oscar nomination - if it happens - playing a Cuban...so I never got why the backlash for his casting... yes, he doesn't really look like Desi, but it seems that he really FEELS like Desi (according to his daughter, no less)
Which nomination did you find most surprising?/Which made you the happiest: Cate Blanchett.
What snub most outraged you?: In the Heights- it's not really a snub but come on. This is the type of movie that SAG usually falls over themselves for and ITH needed something from this to even have a chance. Now it will surely go home with zero nominations
Which CAST nominee table are you sitting at and why? CODA so I can practice my ASL. Also to watch the Gucci table progressively get more drunk as the night goes on.
How should the STUNT ENSEMBLE winners be decided? Movie trivia
Which nomination made you happiest?
Cate Blanchett (Nightmare Alley - supporting actress) + Cate Blanchett (Don't Look Up - ensemble)
Two very different performances in two extraordinarily different movies.
It seems to me that we are looking at the worst set of winners ever.
My partner is a SAG member, and apparently a lot of the older SAG members on social media have been very vocal all season about how much they dislike Kristen Stewart. Like, not just her performance in Spencer, but Kristen Stewart in general. Apparently she’s quite polarizing within the industry for whatever reason. Comments from these other SAG members have even drifted into the realm of personal attacks on numerous occasions, which is just unfortunate. I’m sure that’s probably just a vocal minority in the grand scheme of things, but it may partially explain the snub if we’re to acknowledge that a lot of people in the industry just simply don’t like her.
Anyway:
Nomination that made me happiest: Ruth Negga…not that she was a surprise, but I was starting to get nervous about her chances, so the SAG nod was a must for her.
Nomination I found most surprising: House of Gucci for Best Cast…I even figured Leto was (unfortunately) a possibility, but I didn’t see this coming after the movie was essentially written off on arrival.
Snub that outraged me: Penelope Cruz. Not that I was expecting her to be nominated, but I was holding out a crumb of hope that this is where she’d officially enter the race. There’s still BAFTA, I suppose.
Table I’m sitting at: Don’t Look Up, mainly for Cate Blanchett, Melanie Lynskey, and Ron Perlman
How Stunt Ensemble should be decided: Have all SAG voters perform one stunt from each movie and then vote based on which they found most challenging.