Entertainment
Trivia of the 88th Annual Academy Awards Sunday, Feb.28 is the big night for the entertainment industry It seems like only yesterday when the 68th Academy Awards rewarded “Braveheart” for Best Picture twenty years ago – barely topping the other favorite “Apollo 13.” Back then Mel Gibson won Best Director (“Braveheart”). This year it could be Alejandro González Iñárritu (“The Revenant”) for a possible second consecutive win. Nicolas Cage (“Leaving Las Vegas”) and Susan Sarandon (“Dead Man Walking”) won Oscars for Best Actor and Actress in their Leading Roles. This time it could be Leonardo DiCaprio and Brie Larson. Here I’m going to share with you some interesting trivia among the nominees themselves in some of the categories – particularly the ones where I can personally ramble on about with pure excitement. BEST PICTURE This category is the most diverse list of movie genres that have been chosen since – I can’t even remember. We have everything from period dramas (“Bridge Of Spies” and “Brooklyn”), the low-budget sensation (“Room”), a true story (“Spotlight”), a true story with a daring narrative twist (“The Big Short”), a true tale of survival (“The Revenant”), and two sci-fi thrillers (the postapocalyptic “Mad Max: Fury Road” and the space survival-and-rescue mission “The Martian”). “Mad Max” has earned itself 10 nominations total and “The Martian” with seven. “Spotlight” was the early front-runner when released, but with twelve nominations it’s “The Revenant” that is right up there now.
BEST DIRECTOR When Lenny Abrahamson was mentioned for “Room” you could here the gasps in the room during the announcement - this was a pleasant surprise. Adam McKay (“The Big Short”) received some well-deserved cheers. Tom McCarthy (“Spotlight”) was a sure lock. In the end, this may be between George Miller (“Mad Max: Fury Road”) and Alejandro G. Iñárritu (“The Revenant”). BEST LEADING ACTOR AND ACTRESS It’s now certain that Leonardo DiCaprio (“The Revenant”) and Brie Larson (“Room”) are the Best Actor and Actress front-runners for their leading roles. Larson is will be up against – at least - two previous winners Jennifer Lawrence (“Joy”) and Cate Blanchett (Carol). DiCaprio’s competition is quite stiff – particularly with Michael Fassbender (“Steve Jobs”), and last year’s winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Danish Girl”). It’s a tight race, but I think this is finally Leo’s year. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR AND ACTRESS Sylvester Stallone may get a well-deserved win for playing Rocky Balboa once more in “Creed.” Tom Hardy (“The Revenant”) was a nice surprise and I couldn’t be more thrilled that Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams were both recognized for “Spotlight”, but my real favorite is Mark Rylance (“Bridge Of Spies”) who just effortlessly nailed every scene he’s in. A big omission is Idris Elba (“Beasts Of No Nation”). For the ladies – along with Adams – it’s all
up in the air, but I believe it’s between Tarantino’s female player, Jennifer Jason Leigh (“The Hateful Eight”) and Rooney Mara (“Carol”). BEST ORIGINAL SCORE AND CINEMATOGRAPHY CATEGORIES The two former first-time Oscar nominees of “The Shawshank Redemption” have each received their thirteenth nominations this year – still neither have won. We’re talking about composer Thomas Newman for scoring Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge Of Spies” and cinematographer Roger Deakins for shooting “Sicario.” Newman’s competition is – the same man he stood in for – John Williams (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) and most notably Ennio Morricone (“The Hateful Eight”) as the other composer who already received The Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This could be Morricone’s first real win. As for Deakin’s competition, he’s – once again – up against Emmanuel Lubezki’s (“The Revenant”) impeccable tracking shots in 100 percent natural wilderness lighting. It’s expected to be Lubezki’s third consecutive win after “Birdman” and “Gravity.” “Straight Outta Compton” thankfully received a Best Screenplay nomination, but I still wish it received even more recognition in the end – including Jason Mitchell’s whole-hearted performance as Eazy-E. I also admit to being sad that “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” did not make the Best Picture list, but it did receive a total of five nominations - including for Best Editing. It’s still the most exciting list of nominees I’ve heard in quite some time. For the full list of the nominees please visit oscars.com and see if any of your favorites will take home the gold. By Brian GuerRero
Brian Guerrero is a former resident of Los Angeles and a current resident of New York City with extensive experience in front of and behind the camera for film and television.
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CROSSROADS | FEBRUARY 2016