Meredith Fraser '08: So I woke up earlier this morning than I have in a long time ... to watch the Oscar nominations be announced. Whoa.
Matt Hill '08: Sad.
MF: Shut up, fool, you know you did too.
MH: True. But that's because my roommate has drill this term, and he wouldn't shut his alarm off -- why is it that all the radio stations around here just play country?
MF: Oh, you love country, don't lie. But what did you think?
MH: I don't know. Probably the biggest surprise this year was that, well, there weren't any surprises -- "Munich," Keira Knightley and Terrence Howard might apply, but they were on everyone's radar anyway.
MF: Whatever. "Munich" wasn't supposed to get a nod, even though it's one of the best political-commentary movies ever. It just didn't get any Golden-Globes love so now it's the dark horse. I think everybody and their mom would have bet money on "Walk the Line."
MH: Well, yeah. My mom liked it.
MF: It wouldn't have won anyway. The best bet for that movie getting any awards will definitely be Reese Witherspoon for Best Actress -- which she will win. She's so charming and consistent in her role. Plus, just look at all the critics and guild awards.
MH: Wish. I loved her, too, but aren't you a little worried about Felicity Huffman? It's the ultimate Oscar role: a woman playing a man trying to be a woman. How can you top that? Reese might be in the lead, but Felicity's breathing down her neck.
MF: Yeah, I guess. In a really creepy, manly way.
MH: Yeah. Makes sense, though: Reese is hot.
MF: And married. With children.
MH: Hot.
MF: Enough, clown. What did you think of the director nominations? Yesterday I said that if Bennett Miller (who directed "Capote") were nominated for Best Director I would do cartwheels across the Green.
MH: Yeah, and?
MF: Well, it snowed, so I couldn't.
MH: True. I don't know, I was a bit disappointed with the directing category -- when was the last time it lined up completely with the best picture nominees? I mean, Paul Haggis did a great job with "Crash," but it's really more of a writing achievement than a directorial one. P.T. Anderson's probably sitting at home wondering why "Magnolia" didn't get the same kind of attention. I think some of the other movies that didn't make it to the Best Picture shortlist should've popped up here. Where, for instance, is David Cronenberg? Where's Woody?
MF: Are we still talking about movies? Anyway, both "Match Point" and "A History of Violence" got totally screwed. "A History of Violence" was directed so well: it was a really original take on the psychological crime genre. And Maria Bello? No Supporting Actress nomination? What?
MH: Same goes for Scarlett Johansson. Nothing for "Lost in Translation," and now nothing this year. She's gone everywhere from quiet and lonely to bold and seductive. Oscar just doesn't seem to like her. At least Isaac Mizrahi does.
MF: Ah, don't lie, you do, too. I think the thing with the supporting categories this year is that they were wide open -- there were seven or eight people fighting for five spots for both the men and the women. As for Best Actor, though, I'm actually really happy that Terrence Howard got the nomination over Russell Crowe -- that'll teach him not to throw phones at people.
MH: I was actually hoping Howard would get two -- one for lead actor in "Hustle & Flow" and one for "Crash" in the supporting category. It's been a big year for him, and I think he's finally going to start getting more of the roles he deserves. Too bad William Hurt snuck in for what was basically a cameo in "A History of Violence."
MF: It was a memorable cameo, though. When he walked on the screen the movie became so horrifying -- he's got this Hannibal Lecter-like appeal. His role was small but important to the movie's success. Kind of like Judi Dench in "Elizabeth."
MH: Meh. That damn woman gets nominated for everything she does. She could have been one of those zombie-like aborigines in "King Kong" and they would've given her a special achievement award.
MF: Yeah. And really -- who has even seen "Mrs. Henderson Presents?" The Best Actress category this year is absurdly weak. It seems like every time Charlize Theron puts a little dirt on her face they throw statuettes at her feet.
MH: Best Actor is pretty strong, though -- the best it's been since that showdown between Jack Nicholson, Daniel Day-Lewis and Adrien Brody three years ago. It'll definitely come down to Heath Ledger and Philip Seymour Hoffman, but I feel bad for Joaquin Phoenix. If "Ray" hadn't come out last year he would have had a much better chance.
MF: Yeah, Philip Seymour's definitely going to win. And speaking of him, "Capote" got a Best picture nomination! Woo! Best picture of the decade! The perfect biopic!
MH: I know, I know. But really, without "Walk the Line," the best picture nominees this year are really a bunch of downers: we've got rampant racism, a morally-ruined writer, corrupt senators, terrorism in the Middle East and a couple of sexually-repressed cowboys. And no pudding.
MF: They're a sad bunch, but they're a quality bunch.
MH: Maybe, but it's just a boring category on the whole -- we already know "Brokeback" is going to win.
MF: Well, you never know. "Crash" is coming from behind, even though the idea of it winning makes a lot of people furious. Someone threw a can of soda about it in Film Society on Monday. And maybe "Walk the Line" will win as a write-in candidate. Who knows?
MH: My mom would be happy.
MF: My mom would only be happy if "In Her Shoes" won every category.
MH: My mom liked that one, too. Maybe they should get together.
MF: "Brokeback 2: Girly Style!"
MH: "Pamela Fraser, I wish I knew how to quit you!"
2005 OSCAR NOMINEES
Best Picture: "Brokeback Mountain," "Capote," "Crash," "Good Night, and Good Luck," "Munich."
Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote"; Terrence Howard, "Hustle & Flow"; Heath Ledger, "Brokeback Mountain"; Joaquin Phoenix, "Walk the Line"; David Strathairn, "Good Night, and Good Luck."
Actress: Judi Dench, "Mrs. Henderson Presents"; Felicity Huffman, "Transamerica"; Keira Knightley, "Pride & Prejudice"; Charlize Theron, "North Country"; Reese Witherspoon, "Walk the Line."
Supporting Actor: George Clooney, "Syriana"; Matt Dillon, "Crash"; Paul Giamatti, "Cinderella Man"; Jake Gyllenhaal, "Brokeback Mountain"; William Hurt, "A History of Violence."
Supporting Actress: Amy Adams, "Junebug"; Catherine Keener, "Capote"; Frances McDormand, "North Country"; Rachel Weisz, "The Constant Gardener"; Michelle Williams, "Brokeback Mountain."
Director: Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain"; Bennett Miller, "Capote"; Paul Haggis, "Crash"; George Clooney, "Good Night, and Good Luck"; Steven Spielberg, "Munich."
Adapted Screenplay: Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, "Brokeback Mountain"; Dan Futterman, "Capote"; Jeffrey Caine, "The Constant Gardener"; Josh Olson, "A History of Violence"; Tony Kushner and Eric Roth, "Munich."
Original Screenplay: Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco, "Crash"; George Clooney and Grant Heslov, "Good Night, and Good Luck"; Woody Allen, "Match Point"; Noah Baumbach, "The Squid and the Whale"; Stephen Gaghan, "Syriana."