Oscars Nominations 2015

Since actor Chris Pine, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, and directors J.J. Abrams and Alfonso Cuarón unveiled the nominees for the 2015 Oscars, there have been some drama surrounding the 'Oscar snubs' as the impact of the film Selma, actress Jennifer Aniston and director Angelina Jolie seem to be have been missed by the voting members.

Actor Chris Pine and Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs

The 87th Oscars nominees include some predicted films (Boyhood and Birdman) alongside some surprises which have managed to squeeze their way in. But there are also some major snubs that have caused many to question the Academy’s decisions. First up is Selma. Although this film has managed two nominations (Best Picture and Original Song) there was widespread shock when Ava DuVernay wasn’t nominated in the Director category. Additionally, lead actor David Oyelowo's stunning performance as the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. has been dismissed. Although the civil rights film has been one of the most well received movies of the year, its absence in the major categories has made this year's Oscars now one of the least diverse awards ceremonies within recent memory.

Selma

No ethnic minorities are represented within the 20 acting nominees and the Academy has not taken the opportunity to make history by giving a nomination to the first black female director for a genuinely great film (Ava DuVernay for Selma). This is a huge u-turn from last year’s Oscar’s, as 12 Years a Slave, Steve McQueen and Lupita Nyong’o were the big winners, which gave a feeling of change and equality within the film industry. It’s a shame the Academy seems to have taken a step back and not given credit to ethnic actors, actresses and directors.

Selma Director, Ava DuVernay

Selma wasn’t the only film to be given slighted, as the animated feature The Lego Movie surprisingly has not been nominated, aside from Best Original Song. Now this makes no sense at all since it was the highest domestic grossing film making over $257 million and included the vocal stylings of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell and Elizabeth Banks who made this one of the best animated features of the year. It is wildly inventive, captivating children and adults alike. This is a ridiculous snub in my opinion so I guess not everything is awesome!

The Lego Movie

Jennifer Aniston has also been ignored (*gasp*)! Finally, the Friends star has had her breakthrough 'moment' for a drama, being bombarded with praise for her performance in Cake. Aniston managed to secure Golden Globe and SAG (Screen Actors Guild) nominations, but the Oscars voters didn’t take the bait. It has been a year of strong female performances and whilst Amy Adams in Big Eyes gained strong critical acclaim and won the Golden Globe award, and yet she also has surprisingly been snubbed.

Jennifer Aniston in Cake

Angelina Jolie has also been left by the wayside as she was not included in the Best Director category for Unbroken and the film failed to make the Best Picture category even though the Academy could have nominated up to ten movies. The film does have nominations for its cinematography and sound mixing, but is that good enough?

Angelina Jolie on the set of Unbroken

Clint Eastwood hasn’t been nominated for American Sniper within the Best Director category. Tell me, how a film can be nominated for Best Picture but not Best Director? This is the first time that a Clint Eastwood work has been up for Best Picture without having his directorial efforts recognised.

Clint Eastwood on the set of American Sniper

Other snubs: FoxCatcher failed to scrape a nomination for best picture or supporting actor for Channing Tatum. Nightcrawler star Jake Gyllanhall was also left off the Best Actors list, along with Jessica Chastain who was nominated at the Golden Globes for Supporting Actress for A Most Violent Year, and was named best actress at Critic’s Choice Movie Awards for her performance,. Is she not the obvious choice?

Whilst many of these slights are shocking, and have created some grand debates, no matter how much we moan they are still not going to be Oscar contenders this year. So, let’s look at the films and the actors/actresses, directors, etc. who are nominated, as I will predict who I think will win.

Best Picture
American Sniper
Birdman
Boyhood - will win
The Grand Budapest Hotel - could win
The Imitation Game
Selma - should win
The Theory of Everything
Whiplash

(Gone Girl - should have been nominated)

(Clockwise: Selma, The Imitation Game, The Grand Budapest Hotel,
Boyhood, Birdman and The Theory of Everything)

Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman) - could win
Richard Linklater (Boyhood) - will win; should win
Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher)
Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel)
Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game)

(Ava DuVernay, Selma - should have been nominated)

Best Actor
Steve Carell (Foxcatcher)
Bradley Cooper (American Sniper)
Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game)
Michael Keaton (Birdman) - will win
Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) - could win; should win

(Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler - should have been nominated)

Steve Carell, Bradley Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Keaton and Eddie Redmayne

Marion Cotillard, Felicity Jones, Julianne Moore, Rosamund Pike and Reese Witherspoon

Best Actress
Marion Cotillard (Two Days One Night)
Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything)
Julianne Moore (Still Alice) - will win
Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) - should win
Reese Witherspoon (Wild) - could win

(Jennifer Aniston, Cake - should have been nominated)

Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall (The Judge)
Ethan Hawke (Boyhood)
Edward Norton (Birdman) - could win
Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher) - should win (give him a chance!)
J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) - will win

(Josh Brolin, Inherent Vice - should have been nominated)

Robert Duvall, Ethan Hawke, Edward Norton, Mark Ruffalo and J.K. Simmons

Patricia Arquette, Laura Dern, Keira Knightley, Emma Stone and Meryl Streep

Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) - will win; should win
Laura Dern (Wild)
Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game)
Emma Stone (Birdman) - could win
Meryl Streep (Into The Woods)

(Tilda Swinton, Snowpiercer - should have been nominated)

Adapted Screenplay
Jason Hall (American Sniper)
Graham Moore (The Imitation Game) - will win
Paul Thomas Anderson (Inherent Vice) - should win
Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything)
Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) - could win

(Gone Girl - should have been nominated)

Original Screenplay
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr, Armando Bo (Birdman) - could win
Richard Linklater (Boyhood)
E Max Frye and Dan Futterman (Foxcatcher)
Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness (The Grand Budapest Hotel) - will win
Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler) - should win

(Mr. Turner - should have been nominated)

Animated Feature
Big Hero 6
The Boxtrolls
How To Train Your Dragon 2 - will win; should win
Song of the Sea - could win
The Tale of Princess Kaguya

(The Lego Movie - should have been nominated)