10. The Muppets (Best Song)
I know, I know! "The Muppets" got nominated for Best Original Song, but is one enough? They only nominated two songs in the category, the academy could have nominated "Life's a Happy Song" or "Pictures in My Head". At the very least "Let's Talk About Me", the hysterical rap from the character that inspired Fox News to cry anti-capitalist wolf, could have picked up a nod. This would not have been the first time a single film picked up multiple nominations for Original Song. "Beauty and the Beast", 'The Lion King", "Enchanted", and "Dreamgirls" all picked up three, but in 2008 the Academy decided that three was too many, and scaled it back to two. That still should have given "The Muppets" one more.
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: With only two nominations in the category, there was nothing I would have dropped.
What should win: "Man or Muppet" - Bret McKenzie
What will probably win: "Man or Muppet" - Bret McKenzie
9. Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (Best Documentary Feature)
This was a very entrancing documentary about one man's inability to stay still, and his spiral toward self destruction after being screwed over by a network that promised him so much. I'll be honest, and say that I have not seen a single documentary on the list this year. I don't know what is good, and what isn't, but this film was spectacular, and when at his most vulnerable, O'Brien became a sympathetic character that was hard to not watch.
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: Based solely on the plot synopses of the five film nominated, I would say "Undefeated" which sounds like a pretty good film.
What should win: "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
What will probably win: "Hell and Back Again"
8. War Horse (Best Director - Steven Spielberg)
How did Spielberg direct the most epic film of the year, and not get nominated for it? This film fired on every cylinder, and the beautiful direction shined through every well shot frame. Cinematographer Janusz Kaminski got his nomination, and there is no reason the he shouldn't have, but where is the wunderkind's? He has two directing Oscars already, but this may the best film he has done since 1998's "Saving Private Ryan", but I don't think that discredits the marvel that was "Munich"
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: "Tree of Life" - Terrence Malick. If you didn't know, I did not enjoy this movie at all.
What should win: Hugo - Martin Scorsese
What will probably win: Hugo - Martin Scorsese
7. Hugo: (Best Supporting Actress - Chloe Grace Moretz)
Sometimes children are just better actors, and Moretz has shown nothing but incredible poise in her young career. I don't know why this movie didn't get one single acting nomination. The ensemble was top notch, and there was not a single weak performance in the bunch. The two leads brought the audience into this world, and kept you interested in an adventure that lead them trough the greatest love letter to cinema I've ever witnessed.
Who shouldn't have gotten nominated: Jessica Chastain - "The Help". This is a cheesy performance in a decent film.
Who should win: Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids"
Who will proabably win: Octavia Spencer - "The Help"
6. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (Sound Mixing/Sound Editing)
This was such an enjoyable action film, and usually when an action film this good comes around, the Academy recognizes it with a few technical awards. Not this year. There were a few good films in the bunch, and a couple that didn't have exceptional sound mixing/editing. Everything about this film was phenomenal: the chases, the sand storm, the explosions. Brad Bird presented a wall of sound, and made it believable.
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Saying that this is an Oscar nominated film hurts as bad as saying possible Presidential Nominee Ron Paul.
What should win: Hugo
What will probably win: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
5. Drive (Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks)
Albert Brooks may not have won this category if nominated, but his hauntingly violent performance in "Drive was among one of the best of the year. He plays against type, and makes one frightening Jewish mob boss. A lack of a nomination for anyone in this film should be considered criminal.
Who shouldn't have been nominated: Nick Nolte - "Warrior". I have nothing against Nick Nolte, or this film, but out of the five nominees, he's the only one I wouldn't have thought to nominate in the first place.
Who should win: Christoper Plummer - "Beginners"
Who will probably win: Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"
4. Young Adult (Best Actress - Charlize Theron)
Theron was absolutely vile in "Young Adult". She was immature, brutal, and, for lack of a better term, a complete bitch. Watching her destroy herself was an absolute joy. This performance was one of the best of the year, and my jaw hit the floor when it wasn't nominated. There were one or two people who didn't deserve itin this category. Their spot could have gone to Theron.
Who shouldn't have been nominated: Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady". A yawner of a movie, and a mediocre performance not worthy of time, let alone an Oscar.
Who should win: Rooney Mara - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Who will probably win: Michelle Williams - "My Week with Marilyn"
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Best Picture)
Only 9 Best Picture nominations this year, and one of them was NOT David Fincher's adaptation of Steig Larsson's novel! Why? "The Help" got nominated, and it was half as good as this movie. You can make the argument that it didn't do anything to expand on the original film, but that doesn't matter. Anyone coming into this film blind, would walk away with a visceral film experience.
What shouldn't have been nominated: "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close". Why? Just, why?
What should win: Hugo
What will probably win: The Artist
2. The Ides of March (Best Actor - Ryan Gosling... or "Drive")
This was the year of Gosling! Where did his nominations go? "Ides of March" and "Drive" were two very strong, very different performances, and he made them both work in glorious fashion. Add his sauve turn in "Crazy Stupid Love", and you have a full range of what this young man is capable of. I also wanted to put Asa Butterfield from Hugo on here, but this snub was much worse.
Who shouldn't have been nominated: Demian Bichir - "A Better Life". He's a dark horse nomination, and Gosling would be too, but three great roles, and no nominations is a horrible oversight.
Who should win: Gary Oldman - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Who will probably win: George Clooney - "The Descendants"
1. The Adventures of Tintin (Best Animated Feature)
What were you idiots thinking? "Tintin" was one of the best films of the holiday season, nay, THE YEAR! Yet, you nominate forgettable fare like "Rio" and "Puss in Boots". I realize it's difficult to expect the Academy to take a catergory seriously when they continue to just write off the entire medium of film making. Animated films are not a genre, just like foreign film, and deserve a modicum of respect. This was a great film, by one of the all time great directors, so what happened?
What shouldn't have been nominated: "Puss in Boots". A lame cash in on a once good series.
What should win: Who cares? Without "Tintin" there are no strong contenders.
What will probably win: "Rango"
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