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The 2012 Oscar Nominations (A Pajiba Prediction)

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (66)

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The 84th Annual Academy Award Nominations were announced this morning by two of last year’s winners, Colin Firth and Melissa Leo. Eddie Murphy is set to host the awards this year; Brett Ratner will produce.

Among the nominations, there weren’t a lot of surprises, and in fact a couple of unworthy films (in my opinion) were among the leaders of the field thanks to big names (Steven Spielberg) and the Oscar’s need, in the wake of The Blindside, to shoehorn a feel-good flick into contention. The other films with multiple nominations among the major awards were The Ides of March, Moneyball and the dark-horse, Martha Marcy May Marlene. As usual, however, the very best films of the year were nominated in the screenplay categories.

Here are the 2012 Oscar Nominations. As always, these choices were made by the Academy or Arts and Sciences. Please do not shoot the messenger.


Best Picture

The Ides of March

War Horse

J. Edgar

The Help

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Moneyball

Tree of Life

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Martha Marcy May Marlene


Best Actress

Elisabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene

Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

Viola Davis, The Help

Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn


Best Actor

Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar

Ryan Gosling, The Ides of March

Michael Fassbender, Shame

George Clooney, The Descendants


Best Supporting Actress

Octavia Spencer, The Help

Jessica Chastain, The Help

Sandra Bullock, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Judi Dench, J. Edgar

Evan Rachel Wood, The Ides of March


Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Albert Brooks, Drive

Nick Nolte, Warrior

George Clooney, The Ides of March

John Hawkes, Martha Marcy May Marlene


Best Director

Steven Spielberg, War Horse

George Clooney, The Ides of March

Terrence Malick, Tree of LIfe

Clint Eastwood, J. Edgar

Bennett Miller, Moneyball


Best Writing — Adapted Screenplay

Richard Curtis, Lee Hall, War Horse

George Clooney, Grant Heslov, The Ides of March

Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zallian, Moneyball

Steven Zallian, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Bridget O’Connor, Peter Straughan, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy


Best Writing — Original Screenplay

Dustin Lance Black, J. Edgar

Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris

Will Reiser, 50/50

Sean Durkin, Martha Marcy May Marlene

Diablo Cody, Young Adult









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Comments

Jesus, I certainly hope this list doesn't come to pass. I really don't see Dragon Tattoo doing much of anything award wise. I do like the nomination for Diablo Cody, goign to be fun to see the flames spout up on that one.

I'm pulling for Kristin Wiig as a dark horse nomination. Her performance in "Bridesmaids" was really outstanding. McCarthy got all the attention, and she was great too. But Wiig had to carry the movie and she was terrific.

Posted by: TylerDFC at November 1, 2011 4:08 PM

Meryl Streep: The Irony Lady!!

I realize it's a typo, but oh was there ever a more apt typo.

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 1, 2011 4:16 PM

if J. Edgar is half as good as the previews make it look, it's gonna be fantastic.

And I will cut someone if Nicolas Winding Refn doesn't get a Best Director nod. AnIdes of March nomination for Gosling would be a nomination for the wrong movie.

Posted by: Mel C. at November 1, 2011 4:21 PM

Where is the Walking Dead Review? Hurry please. Thank you.

(Sorry, but there will not be a review this week. TK not only lost power to his house, both the electric wires AND the Internet cables were ripped OFF of his house by falling tree limbs. Dude's in a bad way this week, and "The Walking Dead" is the least of his problems. Apologies. It should return next week.-- DR

Posted by: Amy Joy at November 1, 2011 4:22 PM

I second Amy Joy...I really need someone to address the incessant blubbering on Sunday's Walking Dead that made me start to like Shane the most because he did the only interesting thing in the whole episode (kill zombies) and he didn't cry one time.

Posted by: E the B at November 1, 2011 4:25 PM

You guys are really overestimating "Ides of March", it's not going to get anything beyond an adapted screenplay nod. If Baby Goose gets nominated, it will be for "Drive".

(I agree. Drive is amazing, NittyGritty, and if I were making the nominations, it would win best picture, best director, and best lead actor. But I think you underestimate the Academy's indifference to stylistic violence and largely unknown directors and its desire to sell the telecast by nominating actors like George Clooney and directors like Steven Spielberg to bring in big audiences, regardless of the quality of their films. Look who is producing the Oscars this year. That said, Ides is great, just not Drive great. -- DR)

Posted by: NittyGritty at November 1, 2011 4:28 PM

So that's it then, huh? I wonder if Emma feels snubbed.

Posted by: Laura at November 1, 2011 4:33 PM

That would be an unusually drool-worthy best actor pool. I would like to nominate myself to console all the losers.

Posted by: Angeleno Ewok at November 1, 2011 4:41 PM

I don't see any way that Midnight in Paris doesn't get a best picture nomination. It's not going to win, but it'll definitely be nominated.

Also, can someone explain why Ides of March was a good movie? I thought it was well acted but annoyingly predictable. Gosling and Clooney didn't elevate that movie to anything more than what it was -- a totally average political thriller.

Posted by: Artemis at November 1, 2011 4:41 PM

Amy Joy, I'll recap for you. Nothing whatsoever happened for two episodes and then at the end it turned out that Shane is a prick again.

Posted by: Doozers at November 1, 2011 4:50 PM

What a shit year for movies.

Posted by: Sean at November 1, 2011 4:51 PM

You think that Academy will nominate Fassbender when Shame has an NC-17 rating? I hope they do, but I would be surprised.

Posted by: Nimue at November 1, 2011 4:52 PM

I'm still mad about Gosling's Blue Valentine snub. Maybe the NC-17 had something to do with that as well.

Posted by: elizabeth at November 1, 2011 4:57 PM

Thr walking dead is seriously in danger of getting on my shit list. Some of the zombies have more personality than half of the cast.

Posted by: Roland at November 1, 2011 5:01 PM

I didn't even realize that War Horse was a Spielberg pic. That one completely crept up on me. Yo, Spielberg, how 'bout getting to work on Interstellar someday?

Posted by: DarthCorleone at November 1, 2011 5:07 PM

Walking Dead recap:

Daryl is a kind, sensitive perceptive type of red neck.
Shane has an excellent survival instinct.
Rick can give four pints of blood in a matter of hours and still walk upright.
Zombies can sometimes move very fast or very slowly depending on what the plot needs at the time.

Lamest episode to date.

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 1, 2011 5:08 PM

And 2011? Wow, I thought 2008 was weak. Where are the glory days of 2007 and 1999? I barely even care about trying to get a hold of Oscar screeners this time, and that's particularly saying something for a year that saw my personal low in theater attendance in an effort to save a buck. Somebody get me a top ten overlooked films for 2011 that aren't the obvious Oscar bait stat, because I know there had to be some excellent ones out there that I missed.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at November 1, 2011 5:13 PM

Whew! I thought this shit was real!

Posted by: AntBee at November 1, 2011 5:39 PM

No Gary Oldman for best actor?! I need him to get recognized by the academy. It's just too depressing

Posted by: RedRage at November 1, 2011 5:47 PM

Thanks everyone....I was just excited to read the comments about what people thought of Shane and his choice. If I had to chose between getting eaten by walkers with Otis and a kid I loved like my own dying in a zombie apocalypse or just Otis and no one had to know. Sorry Otis...thanks for the directions.

If those idiots had just parked closer Otis might still be around.

Posted by: Amy Joy at November 1, 2011 5:53 PM

How accurate were you guys last time?

I did pretty decently, actually:

http://www.pajiba.com/seriously_random_lists/the-2011-academy-award-nominations.php

That was posted November 11th, about three months before announcements. -- DR

Posted by: John W at November 1, 2011 5:56 PM

what about albert nobbs? will that not be out in time? i feel like it'll be a race between glenn close and meryl streep. uglified actress vs actress playing important historical figure.

Posted by: dilwazr at November 1, 2011 5:59 PM

Gary Oldman needs a nod (and a win)
i don't buy your "supporting actress" list

Posted by: carrie at November 1, 2011 6:19 PM

I would love to see Joseph Gordon Leavitt nominated for 50/50, dude was amazing in that movie. I also expect Gary Oldman to be nominated for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. But even after all that I think I would STILL root for Brad Pitt to win. He has been so good for so long, its time for him to get the recognition he deserves beyond the whole pretty boy image.

Posted by: RabidShihTzu at November 1, 2011 6:27 PM

Gary Oldman will be nominated for best actor. And nothing at all for We Need To Talk About Kevin? Surely not.

Posted by: Neil at November 1, 2011 6:35 PM

I haven't liked any award show since Oldboy got screwed at Cannes. I haven't bothered with any award show in about four years. Oscars, especially. Just garbage. Turrible.

Posted by: googergieger at November 1, 2011 7:48 PM

I agree with your best actor and actress lists.
but where's Nicolas Winding Refn nomination for Best director? where's "Drive" nomination for Best Movie? ok, we are talking about the Academy, but they are not THAT blind.
As much as I can't stand "The Help" kind of movies, I feel we'll have three nominations for Spencer, Chastain and Davis. It's "Precious" case all over again.
What about a best supporting actor nomination for Plummer, "Beginners"? he has even the right "dramatic" role.
I agree with other users comments: Ides of March is not THAT great, forgettable actually, it'll get a screenplay nomination and nothing else. and Evan Rachel Wood nomination is excessive.
Naomi Watts("J.Edgar") and Mulligan("Shame") got more chances for best supporting actress

Posted by: sarah at November 1, 2011 8:00 PM

Holy shit! War Horse is a real movie?!

Posted by: logan at November 1, 2011 8:02 PM

So the two maids in “The Help” got nominated for Oscars, huh? If I’m not mistaken Hatti McDaniel won an Oscar for “Gone With The Wind” in which she played a maid that went by the name of “Mammy."

Posted by: Pookie at November 1, 2011 8:21 PM

You really think we're hitting 10 nominees this year? I'm thinking 6 with a whole lot of vote splitting for tiny indie fair. If there were ten, I'd say you're close save for two films.

You missed the biggest baity film right now that is going to peak when the ballots are due: The Artist. That's going to be the "Wtf? Why [x, y, and z]?" over Ides of March (which will receive the nominations you predicted, with only Wood on the brink of falling out). At least you admit Midnight in Paris is one of the best films of the year, even if you didn't mean to.

Posted by: Robert at November 1, 2011 8:45 PM

"Holy shit! War Horse is a real movie?!"
Posted by: logan at November 1, 2011 8:02 PM

ahahah love it! and so true

Posted by: sarah at November 1, 2011 9:15 PM


it's a " who cares ?" kind of a year unless something is
lurking below the radar. i think MMMM is way overrated and
isn't in the same league as " winter's bone " to which it has
been compared.
the actors and actresses were not given much to work with this
year but how did you omit michael shannon for his performance in
" take shelter ?" for that matter, jessica chastain could receive a
nod for his confused wife.

Posted by: snake at November 1, 2011 9:25 PM

If anyone deserves a long overdue Oscar, it's Leonardo Dicaprio. Btu given the way the Academy usually votes, It'll probably happen in about... oh, I don't know... 20 years.

Posted by: Mel C. at November 1, 2011 10:02 PM

I think there will be a few nominations for the actors in TTSS. Gary Oldman at least.

Posted by: Jules at November 1, 2011 10:16 PM

If we're gonna have our conversation about Walking Dead inside this comment thread:

Am I the only one who thought is was terrible to not have Carl die?

And having a will of iron and unstoppable determination will still not let you give all the blood in your body and still live.

There's no way that fat guy could have outrun those zombies.

After skipping it for two episodes, they'd better have a really good story for what happened to the little girl. I assume that since Carl lived, she will have died horribly.

Posted by: John G. at November 1, 2011 10:28 PM

Wow, My best fríènd ,she just has annóuncéd hér wēddīng wīth a rich mān who is a cèlèbrìty !They mèt via~~~~Sugarmingle.Сσм ~~~~ ..it is the lārgēst and bēst clúb for rich man with yung and beautiful woman and theìr àdmirèrs to chát ōnlìnè. …You do nǒt hávè to bê rīch ór fāmóùs. ,bùt yōu cān meēt yóùr trùē lòvê , It’s wòrthy ǎ try!

Posted by: Sara at November 1, 2011 10:49 PM

Best Picture: Good except replace Ides and Tree Of Life with The Artist and The Descendants.
Best Actress: Spot On.
Best Actor: Replace Gosling's role in Ides with Drive.
Best Supporting Actress: Replace Wood with Bejo from the Artist.
Best Supporting Actor: Replace Clooney with Hammer from J Edgar
Best Director: Clooney and Malick for Payne and The Artist's director with the really long name.

Posted by: Ja Ja Ja at November 1, 2011 11:06 PM

'If we're gonna have our conversation about Walking Dead inside this comment thread:

Am I the only one who thought is was terrible to not have Carl die?"

Carl has much more horror to see and go thru...if they follow the comic. Much more. Carl actually is the most interesting character. Has the most character development. Not all of it so good.

Posted by: Sean at November 1, 2011 11:20 PM

Before anyone jumps on me for what I'm about to write, let me just say: yes, I'm pathetic, and I know it.

I want Alan Rickman to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor for HP7pt2.

Otherwise, the list is excellent, except I tend to think that Bryce Dallas Howard and not Octavia Spencer will be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Howard has the Hollywood pedigree that the Academy loves (at least, I can't explain Gwyneth P.'s win for Shakespeare in Love any other way). If Spencer is nominated, it'll be at the expense of Jessica Chastain.

Posted by: PDamian at November 1, 2011 11:40 PM

I know this is really really OT but sending some good thoughts to TK and all his important peeps.

Posted by: mc-rox at November 2, 2011 12:13 AM

Do we really think Ides of March is gonna do this well with Oscar noms? I mean, I agree it is Oscar bait but....the movie is just so average. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed it...but come on. There were barely any acting moments...there's no way any actor from this movie gets nominated. It'll be nominated for Best Picture only bc they have to fill in 10 nominations...but Best Director? Eh.

Anyways, Attack the Block deserves recognition somewhere, somehow. It won't get it though.

Posted by: Littlejon2001 at November 2, 2011 1:21 AM

no Fincher, really? unless he gave the Academy chemical burns with lye last year for revenge, I feel like he'll get at least a nod for Dragon Tattoo.

Posted by: whatevia at November 2, 2011 1:50 AM

Only 3 of these films have opened here in Australia (Tree of Life, the Help, Drive).

Consequently, I care less about the Oscars this year than I did last. Woo!

Posted by: Shan at November 2, 2011 2:07 AM

no gary oldman. fuck off.

Posted by: maxpurr at November 2, 2011 3:07 AM

Good stuff, but I think Harrelson and Oldman will get nominated - so I'd imagine it will be:

Oldman
Harrelson
Di Caprio
Fassbender
Clooney

Posted by: Caspar at November 2, 2011 5:46 AM

Albert Brooks must win the Supporting Actor, his performance was chilling and completely unexpected.

Posted by: Morosey at November 2, 2011 8:03 AM

I'm calling it: Streep 2012

People love her, she's playing a real person, and it's been a while. It's a lock.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at November 2, 2011 1:09 PM

I think Glenn Close is the early favourite for Albert Nobbs isn't she? And We Need to talk about Kevin is getting a lot of love over on this side of the pond. I think the Artist will sneak in a few nominations, especially best actor for Jean Dujardin.

Posted by: Katie at November 2, 2011 1:40 PM

Damn Dustin, you were pretty much spot on.

Posted by: John W at November 2, 2011 6:45 PM

Best Picture

J. Edgar- See comment for best Director below.

Best Actress

Merly Streep-It’s fucking Merly Streep.

Best Actor

Michael Fassbender- He’s the lest douchiest.

Best Supporting Actress

Sandra Bullock- It’s basically a pity fuck, seeing as she had married a troubled undercover Nazi that she promptly divorced. And to top it off she adopted that cute little black kid. The academy will eat that shit up.

Best Supporting Actor

Albert Brooks- This is his year.

Best Director

Clint Eastwood- Enough with Spielberg already. Who at the academy has the balls to tell Eastwood that Clooney is a better director?

Best Writing: Adapted Screenplay

Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zallian, Moneyball- Sorkin is a world class pompous asshole, but he’s a great writer.

Best Writing: Original Screenplay

Dustin Lance Black- Motherfuckers ain’t forgot about that shit you pulled in the past, Woody.
J. Edgar- The academy will bow and make Eastwood’s day.


Posted by: Pookie at November 2, 2011 8:12 PM

I really do hope Dragon Tattoo gets some attetion as i'm a big Fincher fan, but realy no Tilda Swinton for Best Actress - We need to talk about Kevin?

Posted by: Atche at November 3, 2011 3:58 PM

i just want leonardo to finally get his oscar.

Posted by: Jeannine at November 3, 2011 4:28 PM

Glenn Close and janet mcteer for albert nobbs will def get a nod

Posted by: day at November 6, 2011 6:22 PM

Mel Gibson should gotten an Oscar nod for Best Actor in the movie The Beaver. Even he is a lot better actor than Leonardo Dicaprio. He has acted a lot longer than Leo.

Posted by: Clemi Hacker at November 12, 2011 4:15 PM

Hitler's Grave by daryush Shokof gets my votes for;
Best Film
Best Directing Daryush Shokof
Best Original script Daryush Shokof

this is one movie that places a new image of original concept into your euyes after you leave the theater.for me Hitler's Grave should not just be nominated for the above but deserves to win all 3 categories
seeing it is believing it

Posted by: jane at November 24, 2011 8:23 AM

i would recommend Hitler's Grave to all those who want to see a movie and not the people or companies records who try anything to sell you their products.Hitler's Grave is a film that stands on it,s own merits and is a land slide away from every day business as usual stories we all have seen million times over.it gets my vote for;
Best Film
Best Directing for Daryush Shokof
Best original script by Daryush Shokof
and perhaps;
best actress for Taies Farzan
best supporting actor for Vadim Glowna

Posted by: wofgang schoeler at November 28, 2011 7:15 AM

Where is Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs..............one of the greatest performances of the year.....& Carrey Mulligan for Shame..................they atleat deserve a nomination................

Posted by: aryan at December 10, 2011 2:34 AM

,i hope this nominations are not official,,harry potter and the deathly hallows part 2 deserves the best of all the best!

Posted by: Zchelle at December 10, 2011 7:33 PM

Its been one week and I can not seem to find a way to stop thinking about Nick Noltes performance in Warrior. I am forever thankfull for having experienced it!

Posted by: MurderU at December 13, 2011 7:55 AM

WHERE is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2?!? You would think after making eight movies and breaking the opening box-office record with 475.5 Million (just opening weekend) they would get some recongnition!

Posted by: Jessie at December 14, 2011 5:50 PM

Im rooting for Nick Nolte. Warrior was absolutely fantastic. My prediction is Warrior will end up with a similar following to Shawshank redemption. Once folks start hearing about how great it is, this movie will explode.

Posted by: Tt3 at December 15, 2011 6:23 PM

I have absolutely no problem with the nominations for the best supporting actor category but I wish they would have included Alan Rickman in there somewhere because his performance in harry potter and the deathly hallows part 2 was in my opinion one of the best performances of the whole year and I truly believe he should have been recognized for it :)

Posted by: lynn at December 18, 2011 1:23 AM

I srsly miss one movie in all ur predictions:
warrior! its one of the most intense movies ive ever seen. dont get urself irritated by the fighting. if u havnt seen the movie, drop everything and run right towards the next theatre, u wont regret it

nick nolte should be best supporting actor
Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton should have been recognized for their outstanding performance.
i would also suggest a best picture and best directer nomination for warrior

well, being honest: warrior is the only really awesome movie this year.

Posted by: Jok3r at December 18, 2011 9:46 PM

WTF? NO EMMA STONE??? What's up with "The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo" nominations??

Posted by: HELLNO at December 19, 2011 7:36 PM

WOW Dustin!!

Great list.

Shame the nominations aren't announced until the 24th of January 2012!!

p.s. The Tree of Life? Worst film ever. No chance.

Posted by: Martin at December 20, 2011 3:35 PM

people who obsess and engage in these pedantically infantile exercises of oscar predictions are absolute losers. GET A LIFE!

Posted by: misha at December 25, 2011 1:25 PM