These nominations, I think, do a couple of things. The first thing they do is pretty much seal the deal for Slumdog Millionaire. Of course, many of the headlines said “Slumdog Millionaire leads the nominations.” But it didn’t really. It tied with Benjamin Button, which is significant. While the BAFTA also loved Little Miss Sunshine, if you’ll recall, their support for Slumdog will likely go much deeper, it being a global film and they being much more global-thinking than Sunshine was.
There is an interview with Danny Boyle where he talks about poverty in Mumbai and he says something like, “you see it every night on TV, why would anyone want to pay to see that?” But of course, Americans most certainly do not see that every night on TV because they don’t watch anything comparable to the BBC, but for a small fraction who watch the News Hour on PBS.
This is bad news for The Dark Knight, as it really shouldn’t have missed here with that many nominations. It perhaps forecasts an Academy snub on Tuesday, but it’s impossible to tell right now; the DGA is still the best predictor. Still, I wonder, how did it miss? The Reader I can understand their voting it in, what with Minghella’s passing, and it being Stephen Daldry and Kate Winslet, but they barely liked Milk, though they liked it enough to call it one of the best films of the year. Still, it’s quite significant, I think. And it’s slightly worrisome for me, as I thought The Dark Knight easily one of the best films of the year, despite the hokey dialogue at times, the Batman’s voice and the weird third act.
Clearly, it isn’t a BAFTA movie – and it isn’t really an Academy movie either. It’s certainly not a sure thing heading into the race. Dreamgirls was also snubbed by BAFTA.
Despite it all, I feel strongly that things are changing from the top down over here in America, and this change might not be reflected quite yet elsewhere. We may be at the beginning of a renewed appreciation for the blockbuster, not just because it tapes back together our sagging economy but because of the sheer numbers of fans there are in this country. The Academy cannot continue to divide itself from those films for long, not when it’s one of the top three on all of the top ten lists in the country. And not when it’s made $530 million. Film awards, in my opinion, have to be able to see the bigger picture.
But what of this Button love?Slumdog has the edge because it isn’t an effects-driven film and yet it was nominated for almost every category it possibly could have been nominated for. And it also got British Film as well. It will likely sweep the awards.
Finally, this could have been really good for The Reader (and it still might very well be) but there isn’t any time to rally. If ballots were still outstanding, this could have been a nice jumping off point.
So let’s see who got what:
Benjamin Button
Picture
Director
Screenplay
Actor
Score
Cinematography
Editing
Production Design
Costume Design
Visual Effects
Makeup and Hair
Slumdog Millionaire
Picture
British Picture
Director
Screenplay
Actor
Supporting Actress
Score
Cinematography
Editing
Production Design
Sound
Frost/Nixon
Picture
Director
Screenplay
Actor
Editing
Makeup and Hair
The Reader
Picture
Director
Screenplay
Actress
Cinematography
Milk
Picture
Actor
Screenplay
And for the highest nominees of films that didn’t, for one inexplicable reason or another, not make the Best Pic cut?
The Dark Knight
Supporting Actor
Cinematography
Editing
Production Design
Costume Design
Sound
Visual Effects
Makeup and Hair
Changeling
Director
Actress
Cinematography
Editing
Production Design
Costume Design
Sound
Films that were nominated recently for Oscar that didn’t get a BAFTA nod:
The Lives of Others and American Gangster were replaced by Michael Clayton and Juno in 2007.
Last King of Scotland was replaced by Letters from Iwo Jima in 2006.
Constant Gardener was replaced by Munich in 2005.
The Motorcycle Diaries, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Vera Drake were replaced by Ray, Sideways and Million Dollar Baby in 2004.
Big Fish and Cold Mountain were replaced by Mystic River and Seabiscuit in 2003.
Perfect match in 2002 (right around the time of the date change).
Amelie and Shrek were replaced by Gosford Park and In the Bedroom in 2001.
At some point in BAFTA’s history, though, you have to stop counting, as they used to hold their awards after the Oscars and therefore, it is impossible to really judge their tastes. However, the last film after that time to win the Oscar without being nominated for a BAFTA was Million Dollar Baby in 2004 (and that was a film they hadn’t seen before it was time to vote).
112 Responses for "The BAFTA Noms Redux"
I know this is old news, but I still marvel: How in the world did Munich get in over The Constant Gardener???
I think The Dark Knight is far from out now…there is really no way to determine that now.
You forgot Clint Eastwood’s nomination for Best Director when counting Changeling’s.
Oh and Dreamgirls was snubbed on the longlist…which is worse.
“…the hokey dialogue at times, the Batman’s voice and the weird third act.”
And that’s also why I think it’s not the best film of the year. I also thought it was pretty racist and misogynistic – but maybe I was just being too sensitive.
And with Milk – maybe they recognized the greatness despite it not having the emotional impact over there that it would have here…it’s one of the few genuinely American-centric films.
I’m more shocked about the Sally Hawkins snub.
“And that’s also why I think it’s not the best film of the year. I also thought it was pretty racist and misogynistic – but maybe I was just being too sensitive. ”
I concur. I find myself wanting it to be nominated, just because it is different from the usual and a more popular movie — not because I think it’s one of the best films of the year.
> “I also thought it [TDK] was pretty racist and misogynistic”
I do like the film even the third act, but I have to admit that when they killed off (SPOILER ALERT!) the ONLY significant female character in the movie, the first thing that went through my head was:
Women In Refrigerators!
(google it….)
Heck, they even left out poor Babs Gordon — who knew Jim loved his SON better than his much more famous daughter?
A lot of black characters got killed too, save Morgan Freeman.
“TDK” still has a far better chance for grabbing a “Best Picture”-nod than “The Reader”, I´m pretty sure. One argument that should not get overlooked: The Academy is pretty aware about the fact that it´s last telecast weren´t seen by many people, for sure the ratings were the lowest in their history.
They NEED some blockbuster there to get the millions of fans out there to watch the show (and I´m not even a “TDK”-fan saying this).
And beside that: Who should slip in? “Happy-go-lucky” is small and – in Academys taste – a bit too small and unspectacular (I liked it, anyway), “Rev Road” didn´t get the critics and guild response one could have expect. What else?
“The Wrestler”? It´s about Mickey Rourke, not the picture.
“Wall-E”? We have a “Animated Pic”-category now, unless 1991, when “Beauty & the Beast” slipped in. That narrows it´s chances, although I wouldn´t write it off – Academy members might be in the “Obama”-mood to lighten up a bit.
[...] Globes, Editors, and Writers. So far, the more things change, the more things stay the same. While Awards Daily wonders what the BAFTA snub portends for The Dark Knight, we’re inclined to say: nothing. Remember, [...]
Seals the deal for Slumdog? {Laughter}
First off you have to automatically knock out Slumdog’s nominations in Lead Actor (no chance in hell), S. Actress for Freida Pinto (That’s a really good laugh, She wasn’t that good in it. I’d have a hard time putting that performance on a Top 20 for Supp. Actress for the year), Prod. Design (I’m still laughing), S. Mixing (less laughter considering it got a CAS nom). British Film which obviously Curious Case was not eligible for.
That brings it down to 7 nominations and none of Curious Case’s are a stretch. Actually you could say that BAFTA missed the boat on Taraji P. Henson who will definitely get an Oscar nomination.
All of the sudden Slumdog has 7 nominations to Curious Case’s 12.
Come Oscar nominations Slumdog is looking at 8 nom’s (remember BAFTA squeezes score & or. song together) and Curious Case is looking healthy at 12 and if it sneaks in for S. Mixing (a possibility) it jumps up to 13 in an elite class of films.
No film nominated for at least 11 Oscars has not gone on to win The Academy Award Best Picture.
Slumdog wins a few Oscars but loses Best Picture to Curious Case.
@ Precursor Fanatic: “No film nominated for at least 11 Oscars has not gone on to win The Academy Award Best Picture.”
Saving Private Ryan!
But I agree on “Slumdog Millionaire” IN NO WAY getting more than 9 nominations, and “Ben Button” looks healthy for about 11, I predict.
But nevertheless, “Slumdog” is the frontrunner – no matter if it won´t top the noms next thursday.
“No film nominated for at least 11 Oscars has not gone on to win The Academy Award Best Picture”
Actually there have been many cases. In recent times I can name a few ones:
1.977: “The Turning Point” got 11 nominations, but it lost Best Picture to “Annie Hall”
1.981: “Reds” got 12 nominations, but it lost Best Picture to “Chariots of Fire”
1.984: “A Passage to India” got 11 nominations, but it lost Best Picture to “Amadeus” (also with 11 nominations)
1.985: “The Color Purple” got 11 nominations, but it lost Best Picture to “Out of Africa” (also with 11 nominations)
2.001: “TLOTR: The Felowship of the Rings” got 13 nominations, but it lost Best Picture to “A Beautiful Mind”
The Color Purple and The Turning Point bith tied with getting the most Oscar Nominations (11 Nominations!) and not winning any of them.
I’m only miffed because I hate every movie Stephen Daldry makes, just absolute snooze-fests…
while The Dark Knight definitely makes my top 3 of the year (trailing only Slumdog and The Wrestler) I could live with TDK getting snubbed for Rev. Road or Doubt, simply because they were good films. (It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that Milk, Slumdog, Frost/Nixon, and Benjamin Button are in…even if I don’t understand the Frost/Nixon love at all)
Gran Torino or The Reader though?….not so much….
So much for being a “precursor fanatic” – can’t even get the facts straight…
1961 – “Judgment at Nuremberg” = 11 noms, winner was “West Side Story” with 11 noms.
1964 – “Becket” = 12 noms and “Mary Poppins” = 13 noms, winner was “My Fair Lady” with 12 noms.
1966 – “Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” = 13 noms, winner was “A Man for All Seasons” with 8 noms.
1974 – “Chinatown” =11 noms, winner was “The Godfather, Part II” also with 11 noms.
1977 – “Julia” = 11 noms “The Turning Point” = 11 noms, winner was “Annie Hall” with 5 noms.
Plus the others previously mentioned.
I’m skeptical of the influence of the BAFTAs over the Oscars. I’d be very, very surprised if The Reader got in over The Dark Knight. And as much as I love Slumdog, they do seem to be overextending themselves because it’s the great Danny Boyle directing. I mean, Freida Pinto? Really? Even Dev Patel, who is very good in the film, isn’t quite deserving compared to the competition.
Still, I look forward to watching the telecast. I like it better than the Oscars.
I wholeheartedly disagree that it was “racist and misogynistic.” Where the hell did that come from? Good lord, is there to be some sort of checklist whereby all films must adhere to political correctness? I think you must be thinking of the other Warner Bros. Oscar contender this year. When I wrote a piece about well written female characters I noted that the Dark Knight’s was weak, along with Slumdog Millionaire and Changeling but I would never call that sexist. It’s an archetype movie, the Dark Knight is. I remember everyone jumping up and calling Peter Jackson and the LOTR films racist because there were few black people (if any?). What the hell is racist about The Dark Knight? For fuck’s sake. Criticize the film’s plot or writing but holy bejesus, don’t go where it’s not necessary to go. Because at the end of the day, you could make an argument that all of the films up for Oscar are sexist except the ones that won’t get nominated.
Several people had a lot of fun skewering the “11 noms automatically gets Best Pic” clause. The larger point is that ‘Curious Case’ will never win Best Picture. Especially if that clause was your only logic for it winning! There’s no indication that it will. No one loves it – no one (except the Precursor Fanatic?). It is admired, but films that are merely admired, even if they are across the board, ultimately leave the Oscars disappointed.
Remember ‘Gangs of New York’. 10 noms (not 11, but still). Not only did it not win Best Picture, it didn’t win ANYTHING. I can easily picture ‘Button’ coming away similarly. Obviously we’ll see, but meanwhile it’s safe to say there’s no feasible way for it to win Best Picture.
Noah R. re: BAFTA’s telecast. Yes, it tends to be funnier and less stressful than the Oscars. I expect a full Slumdog sweep and here is where the backlash begins, I figure, as you say — it is perhaps a bit much to nominate it for every possible thing. We’ll see how it goes.
and here is where the backlash begins
BEGINS? Have you been reading AD comments for the past months?
I don’t think TDK’s chances for an Oscar best pic nomination will be hurt by its absence as a BAFTA best pic nominee. Unlike Atonement, TDK — as a more quintessentially American tale — doesn’t need to rely as much on British AMPAS members to push it into the nominee column.
I’m disappointed that Leo DiCaprio wasn’t nominated for Rev Road.
Interesting that Amy Adams got a nod but not Viola Davis.
Offhand, I don’t know the timing of voting deadlines and such between the BAFTAs and Oscars, but I do find it interesting that Winslet is finally — and really — competing against herself for best actress.
Glad to see Rev Road’s costumes nominated.
And yes, this really supports Slumdog’s Oscarability even if Patel and Pinto don’t get nominations there.
Well I’ve always been a fan of British humor, and even though he can annoy me sometimes, I like Jonathan Ross as the BAFTAs host. Although I do miss Stephen Fry. And yeah, the backlash is already in full force.
Calm down everyone. The Dark Knight will be nominated for Best Pic, Director, (of course, Ledger), and a slew of craft noms. It is indeed an Academy film. If they can nominate The Fugitive and The Godfather Part III, your precious Dark Knight is in.
Haifa, I have been reading the comments – I don’t really consider them powerful enough to cause any sort of significant backlash – talking about mainstream press here. If the comments had that much of an impact, all three LOTR films would have won, There Will Be Blood would have won, and Aviator would have won.
And Crash wouldn’t have been nominated.
“I also thought it was pretty racist and misogynistic”
(Insert rolling eyes smiley here)
All I’m thinking is there’s not gonna be a huge match between the Oscars and BAFTA, not in Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay.
No Sally Hawkins?, No the Dark Knight (PGA, DGA, WGA, ACE) and too much that love for Slumdog Millionaire :S, acting nods’ reallY??
I totally agree with Sasha, how on earth is The Dark Knight racist?? Morgan Freeman is a pillar of awesomeness and morality, and during the last act life-or-death dilemma on the boats, it is a black criminal who finally does the right thing and throws the detonator out the window. Plus, Joker and Two-Face (and Scarecrow!) are all white guys. Seriously, this argument holds no water at all.
However, as for the whole misogynist thing…. well, I don’t necessarily think that the Nolans are misogynists, only that they have no clue how to write real, 3-D female characters, and end up marginalizing the very few that exist in their films to having almost no lines (like Bruce’s mom and Gordon’s wife), or turning them into unreasonable, callous nags like Rachel – who they then kill off.
Seriously, The Dark Knight’s (and Batman Begins’) biggest flaws for me was that the ONLY female character was such a bitch. I could never understand why Bruce loved her, because all she ever does is nag him and criticize him, and then have no sympathy and compassion for him about the hard decisions that he has to make and the tough times that he’s going through. And after she found out he was Batman, why didn’t she want to be with him?? He was doing exactly what she was nagging him to do – and saving her life multiple times in the process – so why can’t she be with him?? Sorry, I’ll stop ranting now, but it’s something that’s really bugged me for a while.
Warner won’t quit on TDK – just like Lions Gate didn’t let up their campaign for Crash, even though BBM was winning everything.
Will Fox Searchlight spend enough to finish off their win or slack off like Focus did for BBM (and is doing with Milk)?
TDK is #2 behind Slumdog, IMO. Warner is the best and has been for several years. Fox Searchlight is still unproven in the biggest game – and will be questionable until the last envelope is opened up Oscar night.
The Dark Knight
Supporting Actor
Cinematography
Editing
Production Design
Costume Design
Sound
Visual Effects
Makeup and Hair
(coughs) Original Score
i think its fantastic that Changeling may be one of the most nominated films this year. it deserves it
As a Brit, I have to admit I’m really disappointed and kind of ashamed of BAFTA for being so sedate and making so many mistakes.
Nevertheless, I really don’t think they mean all that much, particularly when they can be seen to be being too Brit-centric.
Conversely, they probably hold the most influence when they deviated from what would be expected (ie. Marion Cotillard over Julie Christie), so I expect this to be pretty bad news for Sally Hawkins, and it could be pretty bad for Kate if she eventually cancels herself out, or even if she wins for the Reader, which would inevitably confuse the Academy even more on the matter. But I think all this can only help Meryl (Anne really isn’t that strong now).
In Best Actor, I think a Micky Rourke win would mean the most as his Hollywood comeback story would be seen to hold a lot less weight in the minds of BAFTA voters, anything else would be negligible in terms of influence.
I’m not too surprised by TDK not getting BP, you have to remember that Mamma Mia was our Dark Knight this summer, and the reason TDK has become such an oscar lock is it’s massive domestic gross. However, I thought Christopher Nolan would have been nominated, like Paul Greengrass last year for Bourne, guess he’s worked to much in the US, doesn’t have enough friends to vote for him; Nepotism, dontcha just love it!
Before anyone gets up in arms about leading the BAFTA shortlist = certain Oscar glory, two words:
Cold Mountain.
Milk
Picture
Actor
Screenplay
–> Makeup/Hair
TDK’s support was in tech categories (and Heath), but no corresponding directing / writing noms. Changeling had those. If you really wanted to consider wide support, may I venture that it was actually Changeling that was left off Best Film, given its slate of noms, rather than TDK’s? Just sayin’ …
Don’t you mean films that were nominated for BAFTA but not OSCAR, cause I’m pretty sure…certain actually, that Shrek was NOT nominated for Best Picture at by The Academy
Milk got 4 nominations, not three–it also got makeup and hair.
I think the reason Milk didn’t get more nominations here is that it is no exactly a tech driven film, though I think it deserves to be nominated for cinematography, editing and even production design and costumes as the guilds have done in the States.
And there is the British factor–they’re going to nominate the Brits before Americans.
Though the British factor didn’t help RR as much as The Reader.
Tuesday? Sasha, you mean Thursday, right? Unless I remember incorrectly and the nominations are on Tuesday (I hope not as I have a final to study for).
I’ve already said it in another thread, but although with some nods they have indeed been pretty Brit-orientated, only 5 acting noms out of 20 went to Brit actors, and 2 were for the Winslet Girl…….
11 Americans, 1 Indian, 1 Spaniard, 1 Aussie and an Irishman.
(If I’m wrong let me know!!)
Most years even AMPAS nominated around that number of British actors…
The Little Miss Sunshine comparison was never spot on. Slumdog is a serious, global, politically charged drama.
Re: 11 noms.
Also add in – 1951: A Streetcar Named Desire had 13, A Place in the Sun got 11, and both lost to An American in Paris.
Most recent example was overlooked: 2004 – Aviator’s 11 loses to Million Dollar Baby.
As regards 11 nominations,,,
Mr Smith Goes To Washtington (12) loses to GWTW (13)
Sergeant York (11) loses to How Green Was My Valley (10)
The Song of Bernadette (12) loses to Casablanca (8)
Wilson (11) loses to Going My Way (10)
Johnny Belinda (12) loses to Hamlet (8)
Sunset Blvd (11) loses to All About Eve (14)
IMO I think we’ve hit that point where everyone is over-analyzing the other awards programs. I think this will be a year when the Acadamy will go it’s own way and pick what it wants.
I think everyone in the Acadamy is well aware of the declining ratings and the ratings for the globes only solidified that.
Let me be upfront in saying I am not on the “Slumdog” bandwagon. I thought it was a good movie, but don’t think it deserves the sweeping love that has come it’s way. I think it’s a great first film from an extremely talented director.
Also take note that your talking about the acadamy which took how long to give Martin S. and award?
I think TDK will be a best pick nom and I still believe Benjiman Button will win.
The indy-centric films have had a great run being nominated and even winning at the Oscars, but I think this year will see a turn back to more traditional material. In that aspect, I believe TDK is actually the kind of sweeping epic that they will like (even if it’s a “comic book” movie.) It still has all the major componants.
Kate Winslet is probably the only one I see being helped by the other awards. I think this will secure her a win for Supporting Actress. Having done that I still firmly believe that the best actress award will go to Streep.
I am excited to see the SAG awards because it will actually give us a glimpse at how the real acadamy voters are thinking! That will be the time to analyze and for me to maybe rearrange my winners list!
Hey Sasha, the nominations are announced on THURSDAY the 22nd (I’m sure that was a typo). I have no idea what the BAFTAs mean for “The Dark Knight,” but I can’t imagine that after getting PGA, WGA and DGA nods that it would suddenly be left in the dust. At least, I hope not. *fingers crossed tightly.* And for those folks calling TDK “racist and misogynistic” – are you smoking crack?!
Also, as far as Winslet goes, someone wrote that her being nominated twice in lead actress will “confuse” Oscar votes. Nope – the Oscar ballots were due before these nominations came out, so they already cast her lot as far as category is concerned. And my gut is telling me that they will do what BAFTA correctly did – place her in LEAD actress for “The Reader” and snub “Rev Road” altogether (remember Keisha Castle-Hughes from “Whale Rider?” That distributor tried the same “supporting actress” tactic and it didn’t work). I liked RR and Winslet’s performance, but are either one Oscar-worthy? Not really.
TDK got the nominations it deserved except editing which IMO it should not have been nominated for.I’m happy to see TDK snubbed in picture, director and screenplay.
I was concerned The Reader would show up in best picture when the film received 13 longlist mentions. The Reader received BP mentions at both GG and now BAFTA. I guess the Weinstein’s are back though I would be surprised to see TR with a Oscar BP nom.
My theory is that you see the biggest disconnection between BAFTA and the Oscars when there are popular/well-reviewed movies that are particularly AMERICAN in their theme or style. Batman is iconically American. Milk is a real American tale. Even Ben Button is quite American, with its New Orleans setting and characters. So I expect those movies to make a stronger showing at Oscar.
Certainly, for example, Taraji Henson would be favored over Freida Pinto (she will not be nominated, doesn’t deserve it even though she wasn’t bad or anything). Gus Van Sant will probably get into director. Etc etc.
I think Slumdog will win Best Pic because of this (frankly inexplicable) groundswell of support, but it’s not going to win much beyond that– I don’t see it getting any acting wins or many technical awards. Even director is a little questionable.
The most nominations will CERTAINLY be Ben Button, although it may end up winning only a couple of them. I think the awards count is going to be very spread out, no one taking more than 3 or 4.
Sasha,
M$B was seen before the BAFTA vote it made the longlist for screenplay, supp actor and lead actress. They just didn’t like it much.
“If the comments had that much of an impact, all three LOTR films would have won, There Will Be Blood would have won, and Aviator would have won.”
I agree with you that nothing is taking Slumdog down — certainly not my reaction to it, which started out wan/moderately disappointed in September and got more bitter once the first of many “You just hate love” or “Obviously you cannot appreciate fairy tales/social realism/India” flames came my way. But There Will Be Blood would’ve won, if comments like those from the Slumdog unenthused had an impact? I don’t know. I certainly would’ve voted for it, if that’s what you mean. But I was pleased with No Country and started no uproar about it winning, as most Blood fans were. And I also would’ve been happy to see Juno get some love.
So I don’t know that there’s this Slumdog-naysayers are just perpetual contrarians thing that you seem to be identifying.
I love TDK but look a little bit closer. Snubs for Viola Davis, Josh Brolin, Anne Hathaway, Sally Hawkins,…?
I mean not only TDK was snubbed. Big names that we know are locked for Oscars didnt appear here.
And we have to remember: this is british. Which means they will put their way of looking at cinema first than any other thing. It’s obvious why they liked Mamma Mia and The Reader over TDK, it’s pure history and geography.
I think that U.S people vote in a very different way. For example, if Winslet had left empty handed the Globes and went on to win a BAFTA, that wouldnt really mean anything for Oscars. But she did win in LA so its important for Oscars. (Ballots where due for Monday, so they had some hours between seeing the Globes and voting and mailing, at least LA voters).
Some guilds in North America chose Wall-E and TDK over others as best pictures of the year. That cant be just overlooked.
The race is still on, believe it or not. And as some of you always say, anything can happen.
> “However, as for the whole misogynist thing…. well, I don’t necessarily think that the Nolans are misogynists, only that they have no clue how to write real, 3-D female characters, and end up marginalizing the very few that exist in their films to having almost no lines (like Bruce’s mom and Gordon’s wife), or turning them into unreasonable, callous nags like Rachel – who they then kill off. ”
I can buy this explanation of the Nolan Batman films, and I think it’s the same problem that occurs in the comics. Hence the Women In Refrigerators reference.
Does that make it sexist — I’d say it reflects cultural sexism, even if the writers aren’t trying to be jerks. Does it make it misogynistic? Not sure. At what point does ignoring female characters or using them as plot devices shift from simply reflecting systemic problems creating women charactrs to revealing misogyny on the part of the writers?
Why is BAFTA seen as a precursor anyways? They announce their nominees loooong after the Academy members turn in theirs.
Unpleasant non BAFTA nomination, in his country, I think this perhaps many reasons, firstly desperately promote a double nomination for leading actress, then Kristin Scott Thomas is an actress beloved by the British Academy, I do not know that Angelina and the factor of “Brangelina” changelling which was well received in Britain.
But when the British Academy wants someone he considers it and took into account Frieda Pinto and Dev Patel, their actions are considered better than Sally, not to say that Europeans did not like Happy go lucky because it was well received by the public in Berlin and winning.
I really believe that by this evaluation in relation to Hawkins very painful and unjust and it is best to be silent BRITS members and not try to explain an unexplained reason and logic.
In my opinion, the BAFTA’s will have little to no effect on the Dark Knight’s Best Pic chances. Historically, the BAFTA’s have nominated many films that weren’t even legitimate contenders for Best Pic.
DGA is the true precurssor. If I’m not mistaken, 88% of DGA winners go on to win Best Director and 90% go on to win Best Pic. The BAFTA’s are a fun show, but I think will have little to no effect.
Plus, Winslett’s role in The Reader would be considered Supporting by the Academy, in my opinion.
@ Phil
“Precursor” awards can be useful as predictors in two ways:
1. They influence Oscar voters, thus showing how they will vote, or
2. They reveal already existing trends, showing us how certain groups did vote.
Frankly, I think the second way is more important. Last year’s BAFTAs are a prime example, because they showed us that the British members of AMPAS had thrown their weight hard behind Atonement.
That movie was totally MIA at the PGA, DGA, SAG and WGA. But it got 14 nominations at the BAFTAs, which was a huge clue that the Brits in AMPAS were not going to let it go unnominated.
This year it’s less crucial, because we already know that Slumdog is on a roll. But still, that’s why we follow the BAFTAs.
I wonder what this does for Kate Winslet. Will it hurt her chances of winning Supporting Actress at the Oscars if she’s competing against herself in the Lead category? What if she wins Best Actress BAFTA for The Reader but is nominated in both categories at the Oscars?
I have a bad feeling Milk could get snubbed, like it was at the Globes. I feel like it can’t really be that five choices are locked, particularly with the voting method they use, and I’m a little worried it could be that one. I could see it being Frost/Nixon, though, because who would really have that as their #1 choice?
Oscar ballots were due before these nominations came out. TDK is still going strong, as no one in America gives a crap about The Reader.
No Leo and No Colin. How is Brad Pitt better than Leo and Colin?
WHERE IS SHITY HAWKINS?
BEST ACTRESS ON THE OSCARS
ANNE
ANGIE
KRISTIN
MERYL
KATE
GO ANGIEEEE
Big Chosh
I just can’t belive how many Brits they left out. Usually they have a long list of British nominees. I mean Brad Pitt twice, Eastwood for Director (I don’t think anyone saw that one coming) and Angelina J. instead of Sally Hawkins or Keira Knightley (because their British). Do they want real star power at the Bafta’s this year? I am just scratching my head. I can hardly wait to see what happens on 1/22.
Keep in mind that BAFTA just adored the Daniel Craig James Bond movie. The British love their big-budget trash* as long as its theirs. For some reason, the Dark Knight isn’t ‘theirs’ enough.
Good lord, Judi Dench almost made Supporting Actress for Quantum of Solace!
*I mean ‘trash’ in the Pauline Kael sense, i.e. good old fashioned entertainment
U CANT WAIT? OKEY IM GONNA TELL U
ANGELINA AND BRAD MAKE IT
SHE IS A LOCK FOR THE BEST ACTRESS NOMINATION NOT LIKE THE LAST YEAR SHE WAS SNUBBED FOR THE OSCAR, BAFTA AND ST. LOUIS CRITICS ASSOCIATION. THIS YEAR SHE GOT BAFTA AND ST. LOUIS NOMINATIONS
ACADEMY NEEDS RATING SO BAD, THEY JUST BRINGS BRANGELINA TO THE SHOW.
FOR ALL THE SALLY LOVERS THERE ARE SOME HOPES FOR U, SHE IS STILL FIGHTIN WITH KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS FOR THE LAST SPOT
Freida Pinto for Best Supporting Actress?
What the hell? Apparently they give out awards for looking pretty now.
Ah, caps lock. The universal language of undeniable truth.
jorge… Did you seriously call Sally Hawkins, “Shity Hawkins”?
Very mature. And, by the way, the word is “shitty”.
THE DARK KNIGHT snub surprised me, for Chris Nolan is British and well, BAFTAs tend to make love to their fellow national brothers and sisters.
Boyle is British, so that support didn’t surprise me.
They’re called the BAFTAs for a reasnon.
BAFTA matters to TDK because Bourne Ultimatum and Casino Royale both managed to be nominated for best British film with BU also receiving a best director nom. All three LOTR films and Titanic were nominated for best film. TDK missed in BP and BD. TDK looks weak for a blockbuster and could be heading for a Dreamgirls type snub next thurs from AMPAS.
Here’s me thinking the pro-British swing would be a perfect way to boost the fabulous Sally Hawkins into the spotlight for a second time following her Globe win. Turns out they’ve snubbed her altogether. Truly shameful.
And come ON. The actress category is far too competitive this year for them to be giving out double nominations. (It’s also too competitive for Angelina to be nominated at all.)
Plus side: Kristin is in! This could potentially boost her into the Oscars (long shot, though). Down side: Angelina is almost certainly a lock – and thus one of Melissa Leo or Sally Hawkins will lose their well-deserved place on the Best Actress list.
“What the hell is racist about The Dark Knight? For fuck’s sake”
SASHA, has anyone told you, you look sexy when you get angry?
I don’t recall any “hokey dialogue” in the movie, and I didn’t find the third act to be weird.
The british like to choose a film that is “stagnant” in the oscar race and rally for it (Big Fish, The Constant Gardener, for example). When the oscar nominations come out, though, and said film is not in the best picture, they ignore it at the awards or toss it one or two bafta’s…
So while it may be worrisome, one shouldn’t lose too much sleep over the “TDK” snub.
Just like Atonement last year, and The Queen the year before that, Slumdog was assured of the win before the nominations were even announced. Regardless of its quality (and I quite enjoyed it), the BAFTA will always, always reward the “British” movie in the pack, even if (in the case of the Queen, for instance) it’s clearly not anywhere near the best film. It’s a predictable annoyance about the BAFTAs, and also explains the Slumdog acting noms.
Amy Adams over Viola Davis is an interesting one, given the momentum has seemed on Davis’ side for the nom thus far.
Clint in director, but not actor? Well they seemed to have liked Changeling to be fair…
And finally….Frost/Nixon. Solid, dependable three star entertainment, and yet it just keeps showing up on best picture nominees list. I almost feel bad for it, given that those noms seem to have “making up the numbers” written all over them. They couldn’t nominate a film like Wall-E (best reviewed film of the year) instead? Oh well….Slumdog’s winning picture, at least that’s a safe bet.
Ok..I apologize for my english but..
Brad Pitt twice?I haven’t seen TCCOBB yet, but he was average at best in BAR (which is the worst Coen bros movie after Ladykillers).
And Dev Patel for best actor?Over DiCaprio,Jenkins and Farrell?I thought he was awful (and Slumdog terribly overrated).
Can someone enlight me, please?I haven’t seen Revolutionary Road yet but what do you think about DiCaprio’s performance?Is it not worthy of at least a nom?I mean, i read several reviews and he received a lot of praises..so the fact that the whole award season keeps snubbing him surprises me.
Do you think he could show up on nominations morning à la Johnny Depp last year? I know he won the Globe (and undeserved win if you ask me) but that was pretty much it, right?
Dicaprio did a decent job, but personally, I still thought he’s still too boyish to play a middle aged guy who’s life was slipping away. Winslet was a lot more believable in her role.
It is a bit of an understatement to say that I am disappointed with the BAFTA nominations. I expected The Dark Knight and Christopher Nolan to be recognized….like they should have. Glad to see some love for In Bruges…..but I expected much more like director & Farrell. Glad to see Gleeson in. To echo some of the other comments…..Where the heck is Ralph Fiennes? Not too long ago it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that he was probably in with the BAFTAs considering his performances In Bruges and The Duchess and his recognition with the British Ind. Film and London Film Critics…….but with the last minute surge of The Reader…..it proved to be one film too many. I suspect his vote was split 3 ways since he made it in for 3 movies on the longlist in the first round of voting. It’d be interesting to know how many votes he actually got. Damn that Harvey Weinstein for ruining pretty much a shoe-in nomination. The Reader love is interesting. I always suspected it was a movie that appealed more to Academy members than critics……and the BAFTA love is evidence of that. It will be interesting if AMPAS follows the same path. I can’t remember how many BAFTA members are AMPAS members but there is some crossover. Also, I am quite pleased that the BAFTA folks didn’t fall for the category fraud thats been pushed for Winslets performance in The Reader. To have pushed her for Best Supporting Actress all along is ridiculous. If I were Penelope Cruz…..I would have had more than a few things to say to Harvey on Golden Globe night.
di Caprio is a bad actor,revolutionary road is kate winslet show,kate the great,leo the mediocre
No way TDK is going to get a nod for best pic
specially after being snubbed by the Golden Globes and the BAFTAS
thank god….
I thought that all those who wrote their opinions were balanced and that people cast their opinions freely whatever it was, but who is this mad ¿? who told an actress shit, poor fan.
Resentful.
***I don’t recall any “hokey dialogue” in the movie, and I didn’t find the third act to be weird.***
All 382 times when all the plot points, twists, and narrative shifts are explained in gratingly expository detail to the audience. Not to mention the horrific “one-liners,” if you can call them that, lines that plagued “Begins” as well.
Slumdog is still winning Best Picture
Best Picture
Director
Adapted Screenplay
Cinematography
Editing
Score
I like the bafta nominations so far – Brad was excellent in BAR, for me at least, he was the main reason of watching the movie… Brad’s roles are getting better and better – he is a character actor – don’t hate him b/c he’s beautiful. Oh yeah, I think Angelina is very deserving of all her nominations and I’m hoping to see her nominated for an Oscar as well.
I have a feeling that Slumdog is going to win Best Picture even though I clearly think Curious Case is the superior film. We’re in line for a Crash vs. Brokeback regret year. Five or let’s say 10 years down the road will Slumdog have the staying power of a great Best Picture winner but on the other hand I think Curious Case’s technical marvels & overall filmmaking will withstand an Oscar loss far more than Slumdog could ever.
@ Nancy Kriparos, I love this:
“If I were Penelope Cruz…..I would have had more than a few things to say to Harvey on Golden Globe night.”
Something like: “After all, I had thoughts of killing you.”?
Maybe that’s what Winslet and Cruz were planning when chatting at the Golden Globes.
Just like Atonement last year, and The Queen the year before that, Slumdog was assured of the win before the nominations were even announced. Regardless of its quality (and I quite enjoyed it), the BAFTA will always, always reward the “British” movie in the pack, even if (in the case of the Queen, for instance) it’s clearly not anywhere near the best film. It’s a predictable annoyance about the BAFTAs, and also explains the Slumdog acting noms.
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How did Brokeback Mountain win Best Picture at the BAFTAs? It’s such an American story and wasn’t produced by the Brits. And it was directed by Ang Lee. I guess it was too good to ignore. The Aviator, a very American film, also won but that was produced by a Brit.
Iggy, that was good for a laugh. Nice one.
I do think Kate Winslet is supporting in “The Reader”, actually. And still, Penélope is better in “VCB”.
But seriously, that has never seemed to be an issue for award-giving organizations, specially AMPAS: Reese Witherspoon’s part in “Walk the Line” was so supporting, she doesn’t even appear until halfway through the movie. Still, she WON the Best Actress category over Felicity Huffman who not only was lightyears better than her, but was also the actual lead in “Transamerica”.
That same year, Reese’s current squeeze Jake Gyllenhaal was nominated as supporting for “Brokeback Mountain”, when he CLEARLY had a lead role in the film.
So, talk about contradictions…
benjamin button will lead the nominations with 11-13, followed by TDK with 9-11 and slumdog far behind them with 9 nominations at the most…
still think you overrate slumdog.
it will be between the bat and the button…how it’s right to be…
you said it so many time…how to ignore the biggest movie of the year especially with this high quality???
PS: just saw slumdog for second time…if the score wins…I’m gonna puke and turn the TV off…that’s disco fucking dance music from india!!!
I’d prefer at this point to award the silly but still nice jai ho song!
I finally saw The Wrestler this week. Mickey Rourke was simply incredible. What he must have gone through while making that film–physically, emotionally, mentally. He deserves that Oscar. Also saw Vicky Cristina Barcelona, as well. Penelope Cruz was very good, and I can see why she’s been getting accolades. The screen sizzles whenever she’s on. I thought the cast was uniformly good, actually–it’s Woody Allen’s best since Bullets over Broadway, in my opinion. Liked Rebecca Hall–she embodied Woody Allen’s neuroses quite well, I thought.
I’m glad Pinto and Patel are getting attention for another reason–it means potentially more diversity on our screens in the coming years as they start to be cast in more films–provided they (or their agents) make good choices, of course.
#76 – Jason, DiCaprio is not playing a “middle-aged” man “Revolutionary Road.” He’s playing a 30 year old. In fact, his 30th birthday is noted in the film. You’d know that if you really saw the movie.
So much for the BAFTAS having a bias for British actors. It is a crying shame that Ralph Fiennes didn’t get a single nomination. The man is in three films this year and is magnificent throughout. What more does a talented British actor have to do to get recognized by his countrymen? Yet somehow I have to go along with this Mickey Rourke hype.
Don’t you people realize that The Dark Knight was not as big over in Europe as it was in America? Mamma Mia was the biggest movie over there for christ sake, and that got nominated for a BAFTA. This doesn’t always have something to do with what the Academy chooses. TDK is too big to ignore in America, and has very high chances of a nomination.
amd of a win as well…
@ Jason (#76)
“Dicaprio did a decent job, but personally, I still thought he’s still too boyish to play a middle aged guy who’s life was slipping away.”
Revolutionary Road (the novel)
page 10:
page 76:
DiCaprio is 34. In physicality and temperament, he’s perfectly cast. It’s as if Richard Yates wrote Frank Wheeler with DiCaprio in mind 12 years before Leo was born.
[Thanks, Pumpkin. I see now you beat me to it.]
Thanks, Ryan.
Bottom line Adams, Leo deserved that damn nomination miles ahead of Pitt or Patel.
Still, TDK will sweep the Oscars. Six or seven statuettes. And I’M NOT A DIE HARD FAN OF TDK.
The Academy rules. Fuck the GG, fuck th BAFTAs and everyone else. As simple as that.
Gillespie, dude, these BAFTA noms totally suck, but that doesn’t mean the Academy rules, LOL. Not by a LONG shot!!! As a matter of fact, AMPAS sucks even worse.
Seriously though, they nominated Clint Eastwood (and for the lesser of his two middling films this year) over the way more deserving Sam Mendes, Christopher Nolan and Mike Leigh who, mind you, are all British?
What. A. Joke.
So much for the BAFTAS having a bias for British actors. It is a crying shame that Ralph Fiennes didn’t get a single nomination. The man is in three films this year and is magnificent throughout. What more does a talented British actor have to do to get recognized by his countrymen? Yet somehow I have to go along with this Mickey Rourke hype.
************
Fiennes got nominated for The Duchess.
A thought worth mulling over:
Kate Winslet might actually be nominated for Lead Actress in The Reader. If that’s the case, she would be Ms. Streep’s only real competition. The other thought I had was were it not for Ms. Cotillard’s win last year, Kristin Scott Thomas might be given more attention. Kristin’s performance was devastating and a master class in acting.
Between Ms. Streep in Doubt and Kate Winslet in The Reader:
This would be hands down in favor of Ms. Winslet. That performance was outstanding and seriously affecting. Ms. Streep had a moment of wonderful vulnerability but she was not able to sustain my interest when she finally broke down in front of Amy Adams during the film’s final scene. Something was slightly off in the performance. It felt forced, in my opinion. But then again, who am I?
daveylow:
I’m pretty sure Ralph Fiennes was not nominated for anything.
I actually think the BAFTA’s this year are not that Brit-focused, although people seem to complain when they nominate a Brit.
Only 5 UK acting nominations.
Clint over Nolan, Mendes or Leigh.
NO Happy-Go-Lucky love.
NO Michael Sheen.
CCofBB and Milk both nommed with little or no Brit involvment.
What always surprises me are the technical nominations. ABBA getting nommed for work they did 30 years ago????????
Are the oscar noms this Tuesday? The awards calendar says this Thursday?
@ They are on Thursday. Tuesday is Obama-Day!
Carlos,
I wrote “Fuck the GG and fuck the Baftas” because, at the end, the Academy does what they want. See Crash, for example. Maybe I shouldn’t have written that they rule.
I really don’t understand why Cate Blanchett’ s performance have been snubbed my many awards nominations! It’s a great performance…
I was so disappointed that Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson were overlooked.
@Gillespie:
LOL, exactly man. Saying that it rules was taking it a bit too far! Then again, don’t they ALL ultimately do whatever the fuck they want…?
Anyway, we’ll just have to wait and see…
The Oscars will take a giant step towards becoming irrelevant if both The Dark Knight and Wall-E are passed over for Best Picture nominations. For one thing, snubbing both of these picture will result in a dramatic drop in viewership. That means fewer advertising dollars spent and a drop in ROI for those that have already purchased advertising time for the evening. I don’t care what anybody says, Oscar voters have to keep that in mind.
Button: The cinematography is the bait, the story is the switch.
Slumdog: The buzz is the bait, the story and acting is the switch.
Milk: Reasonable follow-through
The Reader: An absolutely brilliant film
The Wrestler: Better than advertised
Gran Torino: Better than advertised
Frost/Nixon: Rather watch grass grow, that boring
Revolutionary Road: Fantastic film
The Dark Knight: Lives up to the hype
Wall-E: The Years Best
My Oscar noms for Best Picture:
The Dark Night
Wall-E*
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
The Wrestler
Honorable Mention:
Burn after Reading
*my best picture
Here’s my prediction for best british film
2009 BAFTAS
An Education
Bright Star
The Damned United
In the Loop
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
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