Okay, so I know a lot of you out there are gearing up for the Brady vs. Manning showdown, and that’s fine. But my Super Bowl doesn’t take place until Sunday, February 26 when the best Hollywood has to offer for 2011 will stand up and claim that coveted golden statuette. This might be a good time to point out that you are only a Super Bowl champion for a year, but you’re an Oscar winner for a lifetime! The nominations were announced last week, and this year, predictably, has its frontrunners like George Clooney for Best Actor for his role in The Descendants as a husband who learns that his wife, who recently suffered a traumatic accident, has been having an affair with a younger man played by Matthew Lillard, who I love, but let’s face it, what woman would cheat on Clooney with him? The celestial stars have also lined up for Octavia Spencer who has been sweeping the Best Supporting Actress category for her incredible performance as the feisty housekeeper Minny Jackson in 2011’s runaway hit The Help. Every awards season has its “darling,” and I hope Spencer doesn’t lose her glass slipper on the way up the stairs to claim her prize.
There were also several nomination surprises this year. Now, how tacky was it when the press let out a collective, audible gasp of disbelief at Jonah Hill’s nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Moneyball. The fact that he held his own on screen with Brad Pitt is prize worthy in-and-of itself. Do I think he’s going to win…not really. Will I be hugely happy for him if he does…absolutely! Another shocker…Nick Nolte for Best Supporting Actor for a little seen but critically acclaimed film Warrior. I didn’t even know Nolte was still alive to tell you the truth, but good for him!
Now let’s get to the interesting stuff, who didn’t get nominated. WHERE IS LEO? I was stunned, mortified and genuinely shocked at his absence from the nominations for his jaw dropping turn as FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover in Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar. Did they miss the fact that Leo brilliantly and beautifully depicted decades in the life of someone who was at one time labeled the most powerful man in the world? Also noticeably absent was Ryan Gosling. He had two critically hailed performances in Drive and The Ides of March this year, but neither garnered him an invitation to the ball. And though three of his actresses received Oscar nods for the help, Tate Taylor did not make the list in the Best Director or Best Adapted Screenplay categories.
Those are just a few of the highlights from this year’s biggest night in movies. So, enjoy the big game this weekend, and then tune in for all the glitz and glamour Tinsel town has to offer on Sunday, February 26th at 7pm on ABC. I will be enjoying all the action at my friend Cherie’s Oscar Party complete with red carpet, champagne and my floor length Oscar de la Renta gown! If you have big plans for Oscar night email your photos to me at [email protected]. I’d love to include them in my post-Oscar highlights online!