Sundance is kicking off today in Park City, and fires are once again raging in L.A. County, but this morning the twice delayed nominations for the 97th Academy Awards were finally announced.
With a distinctly wide awake Wicked’s Bowen Yang and Bottoms‘ Rachel Sennott unveiling the final contenders in all 23 categories early Thursday in a livestream from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, it was a glorious Oscars morning for Emilia Perez, ConclaveBob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknownand The Brutalist.
“Rachel and I have been through extensive pronunciation training for all the names today,” SNL cast member Yang joked at the top with a swipe at mishaps of past nominations morns.
On the other hand, for some whose names were not mentioned correctly or incorrectly this morning, they might now almost find themselves agreeing with Stephen King’s call last week for the Oscars to be canceled. Having nothing to do with anyone’s nomination or lack thereof, the very serious context of the bestselling author and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences member’s comment about pulling the plug on the Oscars was in reaction to the destruction, losses and pain caused by the ongoing wildfires.
Either way, with promised recognition to both L.A. as “the city of dreams” and first responders, the Conan O’Brien hosted show is still going on live on March 2 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC and Hulu.
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Until then, as the next round of campaigning begins now, take a look at our list of who was left out and who popped up. Then, drop a line and tell us if there was someone or some film we overlooked.
SNUBS
DENZEL WASHINGTON – One of the greatest actors of all time puts on a literal and figurative battle royale of a performance in Gladiator II, and Denzel Washington’s name was unspoken today. The two-time Academy Award winner was rightfully given a delayed Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden earlier this month, but there will be no gold at this year’s Oscar for the previously nine-time nominee. That’s a crime.
Denzel Washington in Gladiator II
Getty Images
KNEECAP – The Rich Peppiatt directed flick about the fierce Irish hip hop band of the same name premiered at Sundance 2024 and has been on a tear ever since. However, today, the music stopped for what was considered a bigger contender in the International Film category. To quote one of Kneecap’s tunes, that’s sick in the head.
NICOLE KIDMAN – The Babygirl actress and past Best Actress winner was not the object of the Academy’s affection this year.
NOSPHERE – Robert Eggers-helmed remake of the 1922 horror classic couldn’t seem to draw significant blood out of AMPAS voters today.
DANIEL CRAIG – The Our Friends in the North and 007 alum’s Queer performance has been blessed with a Holy Trinity of Golden Globes, Critics Choice and SAG Awards nominations, but received no love from the Academy this AM. Would you say that to William S. Burroughs’ face?
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-PAMELA ANDERSON – Coming off a Golden Globe nomination and more recently a SAG Award nomination, The Last Showgirl star has not only flexed some true acting muscles on-screen but portrayed a true Hollywood comeback epic in real life with the Gia Coppola directed drama. So, what was the problem, AMPAS voters? And why was co-star and past Best Supporting Actress winner Jamie Lee Curtis not invited to the party either?
Pamela Anderson in The Last Showgirl
Roadside Attractions
EDWARD BERGER – Conclave was richly rewarded with nominations Thursday, including Best Picture, but, as happened for the helmers of past Best Picture winners CODA, and Argono Best Director white smoke rose from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater for Berger.
CHALLENGERS – No match point here Luca! Not even for the WGA Awards nominated screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes. Where’s John McEnroe when you need him?
JOHN M. CHURCH – Just like the Golden Globes nominations late last year, Wicked was all over today’s Oscar nominations. Yet, just like the Golden Globes nominations late last year, its director was AWOL with AMPAS voters. That’s as wicked as it seems, as Keith Richards would say.
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SURPRISES
FELICITY JONES – The Brutalist is brutally long, but if you stuck it out through the intermission, you’d have found that the Erzsébet Tóth performance by the past Oscar nominee Jones was in many ways the beating heart of the Brady Corbet directed epic. Clearly, Academy voters are a lot more patient lot that many would have given them credit for. Bravo!
NICKEL BOYS – Perspective is everything in the RaMell Ross-directed adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize winning 2019 novel. Taking that POV, the film received an Adapted Screenplay nomination and a Best Picture nomination this morning. Let’s just say, with congrats to previous Oscar nominee Ross and team Academy voters still recognize a truly original film when they see it.
SEBASTIAN STAN – The Donald Trump origin story The Apprentice attracted a lot of controversy and threats of legal action from the past and now present POTUS, but seem to be shunned by a cowed Hollywood, some of whom wouldn’t even be in the same room with Stan. Now, with a Best Actor nomination for the man who also plays a certain Winter Soldier, the real life former Apprentice host might see Tinseltown flex some muscle. Also, co-star Jeremy Strong brought some nomination heat with a nomination of his own for his Roy Cohn.
Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in The Apprentice
Briarcliff Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection
