Groundhog's Day - A Day for Movies!

I was going to blog today about what is going on in my class but then Oscar nominations were announced and I have opinions!! First and foremost, any other disappointment in the nominations has been forgiven by the simple fact that District 9 made the Best Picture cut. I felt like somehow this was a personal triumph though I had very little to do with its success - I didn't even pay to watch it in the theater. "Free" on a plane. It won't win. I'm not delusional (but would not be opposed to it winning either) - just grateful for the 10 Best Picture nods this year.

Perhaps I should start and end my Oscar update there but...no such luck for you. Along with District 9, the other Best Picture nominations included gimmes, nice surprises, and an out of left field or two. The Hurt Locker, Avatar, Up in the Air, Precious, Up (second animated film in history to be nominated for best picture - anyone know the first?), and Inglorious Basterds were all among the 10 - no real surprises there. The Blind Side definitely blind sided me. I know Sandra Bullock has been getting rave reviews for her performance but the movie has not been in the thick of things this awards season. I was very surprised about that one. The nomination of An Education was a pleasant addition - wasn't sure it was going to make it so yay them! The completely out of left field picture for me is A Serious Man, the latest work by the Coen brothers. Where did that come from? Looking at IMDB I see it has received a handful of Best Picture nominations here and there (more for Best Screenplay) but not the recognition so many others have earned. I imagine a lot of other movie buffs are pondering this one (or rejoicing even?) but I'd be surprised if there weren't a lot of "Who was robbed?" stories popping up soon (or already as I just checked). What do you think? (side note: The Blind Side has received even fewer award season accolades than A Serious Man so both are a bit out there.)

Best actor/actress - no surprises. Everyone who has been nominated all awards season. Sandra Bullock stands a chance of winning both an Oscar and a Razzie (for worst performance by a female lead in All About Steve) this year - that's pretty funny. And a grand old shoutout to Vera Farmiga - Jersey girl does good. She, the lucky dog, received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for acting opposite George Clooney (she previously made out with both Matt Damon and Leo DiCaprio in The Departed). For those not in the know, Vera went to school with Erica (and I think somehow we were all friends with someone in the Farmiga family in high school - there were a lot of them. Her younger sister, Nadia, was a friend of mine) and acted opposite Tim in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He might claim that he has played a pivotal role in her success over the years and, frankly, who can argue. I mean, no one I've been in a play with has earned an Oscar nomination. So well done Tim - your protege has done you proud.

Best Animated Picture has one of the best collections seen in this category in years. I thought I knew what all 5 would be but I was wrong. Up - check. Fantastic Mr. Fox - check. Coraline - check. Princess and the Frog - check. The Secret of Kells - um... I'm going to go look this one up for everyone too. Maybe this is a bi-product of not being in the US - am I just a little behind? Oh my...just looked it up. Ha ha!! It hasn't been released in the US yet but actually takes place right in my neck of the world (as of current). The one nomination that confuses me the most is the one about my backyard. Anywho - maybe it's great!

A concern - as the only animated picture to receive a Best Picture nod, I don't see how Up could actually lose here. Maybe someone more in the know could fill me in. Shouldn't it win? Isn't its inclusion in the Best Picture race a testament that it is better than any other animated movies this year? What am I missing...

Other interesting notes: Kathryn Bigelow is the 4th woman in history to be nominated for best picture. She and ex-hubby James Cameron (you can't make this sort of drama up) have the two films with the most amount of nominations (9 each). Thank goodness they're already divorced - this would have caused it otherwise.

The best part for me...I have friends who want to do an Oscar party with me!! I am going to try to tape it, not watch the news the next day, and have people over for a Monday night viewing. Wish me luck! I will be back next year for those who will be missing my stellar Oscar hospitality - it is, after all, MY Superbowl.

(was the game this weekend - who played - who won? I don't really care that much but thought I'd ask.)