The 2023 Oscar Nominations Were Announced Today and I Have Feels

Yes, in the middle of everything else that's going on, I'm still hype about awards season. Oscar day is my favorite holiday of the year, after all.

Plus, when we visited Logan last week, I was reminded that he is one of my regular blog readers and he was missin' it apparently. So, Logan, this one's for you (but also for me, because OSCARS).

So here is what I will do, I will share the nomination list and then I will comment on them.

But first, I have to get two things out of the way:

Dolly DeLeon was ROBBED for her impeccable performance in "Triangle of Sadness".

Ana DeArmas' nomination is 100% bullshit and I can't even bring myself to watch the exploitation trash that is the Marilyn-Monroe-movie-that-must-not-be-named. 

I'm sure, like, official reporters or whatever have a fancier way of writing about the 95th Annual Academy Award Nominations, but I am not an official reporter.

I am simply a Jacki who really loves art on screens, big or small. 

Let's do this:

I'm going in the order of least exciting to best.

I have little to no thought on the first three categories... yet! I'm sure I'll watch 'em all before the awards so I can properly choose my faves. 

Best Animated Short Film

• The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse
• The Flying Sailor
• Ice Merchants
• My Year of Dicks
• An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake, and I Think I Believe It

Based on title alone, "My Year of Dicks" has it, for me. But also, the delightful title on that last nominee makes me happy, too. 

Best Live Action Short Film

• An Irish Goodbye
• Ivalu
• Le Pupille
• Night Ride
• The Red Suitcase

I mean, Irish Goodbye has my vote in this category. 

Best Documentary Short

• The Elephant Whisperers
• Haulout
• How Do You Measure a Year?
• The Martha Mitchell Effect
• Stranger at the Gate

My gut says at least one of these is probably about "Rent". I'm rooting for the elephants, though, since I'm currently writing a book about elephants. 

Best Visual Effects

• All Quiet on the Western Front: Frank Petzold, Viktor Müller, Markus Frank, and Kamil Jafar
• Avatar: The Way of Water: Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett, 
• The Batman: Dan Lemmon, Russell Earl, Anders Langlands, and Dominic Tuohy
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White, and Dan Sudick
• Top Gun: Maverick: Ryan Tudhope, Seth Hill, Bryan Litson, and Scott R. Fisher

Now, first off, I'm pissed that "Everything Everywhere All at Once" didn't make it into this category. However, I also understand it - the visual effects in that film were made by amateurs. They were so good that I bet the pros that nominate this category were slightly jealous. I mean that's the only explanation for an "animated feature" sliding into this category. (I'm looking at you, Avatar)

Best Sound

• All Quiet on the Western Front: Viktor Prášil, Frank Kruse, Markus Stemler, Lars Ginzel, and Stefan Korte 
• Avatar: The Way of Water: Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Dick Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, and Michael Hedges
• The Batman: Stuart Wilson, William Files, Douglas Murray, and Andy Nelson
• Elvis, David Lee, Wayne Pashley, Andy Nelson, and Michael Keller
• Top Gun: Maverick: Mark Weingarten, James H. Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon, and Mark Taylor

I'm eh on this category, just because it feels old school and boring. Like an Oscars ceremony in the early 2000s. War movie, mastrubation movie, Superhero action movie, music movie, war superhero masturbation music movie. It's boring and I'm bored. There are more movies than this. 

That said, I'm really looking forward to watching "All Quiet on the Western Front".

Best Music (Original Score)

• Volker Bertelmann, All Quiet on the Western Front
• Justin Hurwitz, Babylon
• Carter Burwell, The Banshees of Inisherin
• Son Lux, Everything Everywhere All at Once
• John Williams, The Fabelmans

This category is an interesting mix of oldies (Burwell and Williams) and new excitement (Son Lux). Look, I think EEAAO is the best movie of a decade, let alone a year, but I want Carter Burwell to take this. The Banshees score is one I want to live inside of. It instantly takes me back to the feel of the film and that's what I think a good score does. 

For that reason, I'm mad at this category. "RRR" should have been nominated 100%. Another score that brings you immediately back to the feels of the movie. The music is ICONIC which leads me to one of my biggest happy yells of the day:

Best Music (Original Song)

• "Applause" from Tell It Like a Woman, music and lyrics by Dianne Warren
• "Hold My Hand" from Top Gun: Maverick, music and lyrics by Lady Gaga and BloodPop
• "Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, music and lyrics by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Goransson
• "Naatu Naatu" from RRR, music by M.M. Keeravaani, lyrics by Chandrabose
• "This Is a Life" from Everything Everywhere All at Once, music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne, and Mitski, lyrics by Ryan Lott

If Naatu Naatu doesn't win, there is something wrong with the world. I mean, moreso than I knew about already. That's all I have to say about this category. This was one of the two big nominations I wanted to see happen today. The other nomination didn't happen (and I have a sad about it), so I'm glad this one did. 

I keep telling people this, but "RRR" will become a cult classic along the lines of "Rocky Horror", mark my words. The performance of this number at the Oscars is gonna speed this up a LOT. 

Best Production Design

• All Quiet on the Western Front: Christian M. Goldbeck and Ernestine Hipper
• Avatar: The Way of Water: Dylan Cole, Ben Procter, and Vanessa Cole
• Babylon: Florencia Martin and Anthony Carlino
• Elvis: Catherine Martin, Karen Murphy, and Bev Dunn
• The Fabelmans: Rick Carter and Karen O'Hara

I mean, did they forget to see other movies? I haven't watched "The Fablemans" yet, probably will today, actually, but it just seems unnecessary. Like, hasn't it been done before? I'm sure it's fantastic, well acted, lovely to look at and all that. It will probably make me cry. But I'm bored that it exists. 

Basically, if "Fablemans" and "Avatar" are nominated, I want anything else to beat it. Also, "Elvis" was an okay movie. Just okay. Austin Butler was fantastic, but that's ALL the should be recognized, honestly. Tom Hanks was an affront to film in that role, WTF. 

Let's do a few real fast like, before I get distracted:

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

• All Quiet on the Western Front: Heike Merker and Linda Eisenhamerová
• The Batman, Naomi Donne, Mike Marino, and Mike Fontaine
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: Camille Friend and Joel Harlow
• Elvis: Mark Coulier, Jason Baird, and Aldo Signoretti
• The Whale: Adrien Morot, Judy Chin, and Anne Marie Bradley, The Whale

I mean, okay. I hope Black Panther wins this one. 

Best Costume Design

• Mary Zophres, Babylon
• Ruth E. Carter, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
• Catherine Martin, Elvis
• Shirley Kurata, Everything Everywhere All at Once
• Jenny Beavan, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

"Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris" or GTFO.

Best Cinematography

• James Friend, All Quiet on the Western Front
• Darius Khondji, Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
• Mandy Walker, Elvis
• Roger Deakins, Empire of Light
• Florian Hoffmeister, TÁR

Two BIG surprises for me: "Bardo" and "Empire of Light". I've only seen two films in this category so far, so I've got some work to do. 

Best Film Editing

• Mikkel E.G. Nielsen, The Banshees of Inisherin
• Matt Villa and Jonathan Redmond, Elvis
• Paul Rogers, Everything Everywhere All at Once
• Monika Willi, TÁR
• Eddie Hamilton, Top Gun: Maverick

I think a nod for Banshees is interesting here. I think the editing was delicate and well done, but not worth a nomination. I think a nom in this category for "Banshees" really speaks to how well-loved the  movie is. Makes me think it might be a surprise Best Pic winner. 

Best Documentary Feature

• All That Breathes
• All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
• Fire of Love
• A House Made of Splinters
• Navalny

I know nothink. But give me a month or so and I will. 

Best International Feature Film

• All Quiet on the Western Front
• Argentina, 1985
• Close
• Eo
• The Quiet Girl

Pretty sure if India would have chose "RRR" as its entry in this category, it would have been both the nominee and the winner. This is gonna go down as a misstep for the history books, I think. This has the potential to be an interesting category to watch, but I also think "All Quiet" is a shoo in. 

Best Animated Feature Film

• Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
• Marcel the Shell With Shoes On
• Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
• The Sea Beast
• Turning Red

"Marcel" made me sob on a plane ride to California for a wedding. It made me feel happy to be human and I really hope it wins. But it looks like GDT's Pinocchio has the momentum. 

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

• Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin
• Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once
• Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, The Fabelmans
• Todd Field, TÁR
• Ruben Östlund, Triangle of Sadness

When I tell you I sat up in bed and yelped at the final nominee in this category, I am not exaggerating one bit. I am THRILLED for "Triangle of Sadness". Like I said before, I think EEAAO is in a league of its own and should win everything it is nominated for and more. So, while, yes, I want that to win everything... I'm also low key obsessed with "Triangle" and want it to win everything it is nominated for also. Can there be ties?

Also, it's bullshit that "Nope" wasn't nominated here. WTF, mate? We can drop "The Fablemans", okay?

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• All Quiet on the Western Front: Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson, and Ian Stokell
• Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Rian Johnson
• Living, Kazuo Ishiguro
• Top Gun: Maverick: Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie, story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks, 
• Women Talking, Sarah Polley

I find it impossible to imagine that the new "Top Gun" can be this good. I really want Rian Johnson to win this so I can pretend he's actually winning for "Brick" from a million years ago. 

Best Supporting Actress

• Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
• Hong Chau, The Whale
• Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin
• Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once
• Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once

This category is invalid and I do not accept it. Dolly DeLeon should be here for "Triangle of Sadness", end of story. The thing is - every single performance in this category is perfect and amazing (at least the ones I've seen). So who do we lose to bring Dolly into the fold? I think JLC, cause while she was excellent in EEAAO, Stephanie Hsu was better. I'm tired of white ladies getting nominated for not looking pretty. 

Best Supporting Actor

• Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin
• Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway
• Judd Hirsch, The Fabelmans
• Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin
• Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once

Hello, I also have issues with this category, but it's not as important because I feel like Data's got this in the bag. 

However, I will tell you my quibble with the category: Bryan Tyree Henry for "Causeway". The movie itself is Oscar bait. BTH was by far the shining star best part of the movie and I'm happy to see him, the actor, get a nomination. I am NOT happy, however to see that he got nominated for playing an amputee. 

Let's hire amputees to play amputees, huh? There aren't a lot of roles for actors like that, so when they happen - let's give 'em to 'em, okay? Or at least try. okay thank you

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, TÁR
Ana de Armas, Blonde
Andrea Riseborough, To Leslie
Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans
Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once

I've been watching this category really closely, because the team behind "To Leslie" created an incredible groundswell of support for its leading actress. And it obviously paid off with a fucking surprise as hell nomination. They made this happen outside the Hollywood machine y'all and I hope I hope I hope it leads to more grassroots awards campaigns in the future. 

Also, I'm violently angry that Ana de Armas was nominated for the explotative "Blonde". It makes my skin crawl and I refuse to watch it. 

Best Actor

• Austin Butler, Elvis
• Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin
• Brendan Fraser, The Whale
• Paul Mescal, Aftersun
• Bill Nighy, Living

Solid performances, all of 'em. (from what I've seen) I loved Austin Butler as Elvis, but I think I really want this to be Colin's year. He was delightful in Banshees and I fell in love with him all over again. 

Best Director

• Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin
• Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once
• Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans
• Todd Field, TÁR
• Ruben Östlund, Triangle of Sadness

I remember walking out of "Swiss Army Man" with Mickey and saying "The Daniels are gonna win an Oscar someday" while basking in the absolute beautiful human magic of that film. If it's not this year for EEAAO, I don't think it will happen. It's once in a generation kind of film. If you're open to it, it'll change you in ways that will surprise you.

That said, basically, as long as Spielberg doesn't win, I'm a happy gal. 

Also, yes, I screamed aloud at another nom for "Triangle of Sadness" again. 

Best Picture
All Quiet on the Western Front
Avatar: The Way of Water
The Banshees of Inisherin
Elvis
Everything Everywhere All at Once
The Fabelmans
TÁR
Top Gun: Maverick
Triangle of Sadness
Women Talking

Get the fuck out of her with Top Gun and Avatar. They cannot be that good, right?! I mean, I know I'll watch them, but where's "The Menu"? Where's "Nope"? and, most importantly, where's "RRR"?

TRIANGLE IS THERE THOUGH AND I AM SO HAPPY. 

So, today, I'm gonna start my watch of all the movies I haven't seen yet. 

I'm starting with "To Leslie" because I'm really into the punk rock grass roots award campaign story and I wanna see if it lives up to the hype. 

I'll make my official picks closer to the awards, after I've seen everything. 

As always, if you need a place to movie dish - TALK TO ME. This is my favorite subject, ever.