Nominations for the 85th Academy Awards were announced (bright and early) Thursday morning, and while a lot of nods in the major categories were expected, there were a ton of surprises and more than a few snubs.
SNUBS!
- Where's Ben Affleck?! "Argo" has pulled in rave reviews -- for good reason, it's a great film -- but one huge name was missing on the announcement list this morning ... Ben Affleck. Most everyone has assumed that the 40-year-old would receive his first directing nod (if not win) for this film, and his exclusion from the list was definitely the shock of the morning.
- While we're talking directing snubs, "Zero Dark Thirty" director Kathryn Bigelow was surprisingly excluded from the list, along with Tom Hooper for "Les Miserables" and Quentin Tarantino for "Django Unchained." Ben, Kathryn and Tom were all honored with nominations by the Director's Guild of America for their work ... seriously, what's up with this Oscar directing category?
- As for acting, it was surprising that Marion Cotillard was left off the list for her work in "Rust and Bone," Helen Mirren was snubbed for "Hitchcock," and John Hawkes was even overlooked for his performance as a quadriplegic in "The Sessions." A severe physical impairment? That's usually a lock for an Academy honor! And we know it was a long shot, but we were hoping Matthew McConaughey would squeak out a nod for "Magic Mike."
- Where's the Bond love? The Academy plans to honor the 50th anniversary of the film franchise with a special segment during the Oscar telecast, yet "Skyfall" was snubbed in all major categories. No Daniel Craig, no Dame Judi Dench, no Javier Bardem, no Best Picture ... the only saving grace is Adele's nomination for original song.
SURPRISE!
- Who knew a little Austrian movie could take down so many big Hollywood contenders? "Amour," the love story about a retired couple in their 80s who struggle with life when one falls ill, racked up 5 noms in huge categories -- Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director (that explains it!), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film. It's the first foreign language film nominated for Best Picture since Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in 2001.
- While we were rooting for young Quvenzhané Wallis to get a nod for her work in "Beasts of the Southern Wild," we weren't all that hopeful considering she was excluded from both the Golden Globes and SAG nominations. Her nom this morning was a great and well-deserved surprise, and the film scored 4 huge nominations total: Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay.
- The always-amazing Christoph Waltz edged out his "Django Unchained" costar Leonardo DiCaprio and nabbed his second Best Supporting Actor nomination (he won in 2010 for another Quentin Tarantino film, "Inglourious Basterds"). We adore Christoph and he's outstanding in the flick, but ... sigh. You'll get your Oscar one day, Leo. We know you will.
FUN FACTS!
- This year we have the youngest and oldest Best Actress nominees ever! At age 9, little Quvenzhane Wallis from "Beasts of the Southern Wild" is the youngest female to be nominated in any category, moving past Tatum O'Neal who was nominated in the supporting category at age 10 for "Paper Moon" (she's still the youngest winner of all time). Quvenzhane was only 5 when she landed the part.
At the other end of the spectrum, "Amour's" Emmanuelle Riva is the oldest Best Actress nominee ever at age 85. Her 86th birthday happens to fall on Oscar Sunday. What a gift that would be!
- Way to go, "Silver Linings Playbook!" The dark comedy about bi-polarity, sex addiction, football and dance is the first flick since the 1981 movie "Reds" to earn nominations in all four acting categories: Bradley Cooper for Best Actor, Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actress, Robert DeNiro for Supporting Actor, and Jacki Weaver for Supporting Actress. The movie brought in 8 total nods.
- With his nomination for "Lincoln," composer John Williams becomes the most-nominated person alive, with a total of 48 nods. Walt Disney holds the record of most ever with 59.
For the full list of nominees, click here. What were your biggest surprises or snubs? Sound off below!
The 85th Academy Awards, hosted by Seth MacFarlane, air Sunday, February 24 on ABC.
