So today we get one of the first markers in the upcoming Oscar race with the announcement of the 2011 Independent Spirit Award nominees. These can sometimes be an indicator of things to come, giving a clue as to which smaller movies and performances will make the jump to the big dance (such was the case with BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN in 2005). Other times...not so much (FAR FROM HEAVEN in 2002).
WINTER'S BONE showed up well, and led the way with 7 nominations.
The nominations for best Picture went like so:
127 HOURS
BLACK SWAN
GREENBERG
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
WINTER'S BONE
Here's my only question - are 127 HOURS, BLACK SWAN, and KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT really "independent"? I mean they qualify in the fact that all three were made for less than $20M. But especially with the first two being backed by an indie arm of a major studio (Fox Searchlight), don't they seem a little too mainstream?
On the whole though, some great films and performances have been highlighted. Likewise this has to be good news for the Oscar odds of WINTER'S BONE, BLACK SWAN, 127 HOURS and KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT. The full nominee list is down below the jump.
BEST DIRECTOR
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
Danny Boyle, 127 Hours
Lisa Cholodenko, The Kids Are All Right
Debra Granik, Winter’s Bone
John Cameron Mitchell, Rabbit Hole
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
Everything Strange and New
Get Low
The Last Exorcism
Night Catches Us
Tiny Furniture
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
(Given to the best feature made for under $500,000; award given to the writer, director, and producer)
Daddy Longlegs
The Exploding Girl
Lbs.
Lovers of Hate
Obsedila
BEST SCREENPLAY
Stuart Blumberg, Lisa Cholodenko, The Kids Are All Right
Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini, Winter’s Bone
Nicole Holofcener, Please Give
David Lindsay-Abaire, Rabbit Hole
Todd Solondz, Life During Wartime
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Diane Bell, Obselidia
Lena Dunham, Tiny Furniture
Nik Fackler, Lovely, Still
Bob Glaudini, Jack Goes Boating
Dana Adam Shapiro, Evan M. Wiener, Monogamy
BEST FEMALE LEAD
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Greta Gerwig, Greenberg
Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
BEST MALE LEAD
Ronald Bronstein, Daddy Longlegs
Aaron Eckhart, Rabbit Hole
James Franco, 127 Hours
John C. Reilly, Cyrus
Ben Stiller, Greenberg
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Ashley Bell, The Last Exorcism
Dale Dickey, Winter’s Bone
Allison Janney, Life During Wartime
Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jack Goes Boating
Naomi Watts, Mother and Child
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
JOHN HAWKES – Winter’s Bone
SAMUEL L. JACKSON – Mother and Child
BILL MURRAY – Get Low
JOHN ORTIZ – Jack Goes Boating
MARK RUFFALO – The Kids Are All Right
BEST DOCUMENTARY
(Award given to the director)
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP
MARWENCOL
SWEETGRASS
RESTREPO
THUNDER SOUL
BEST FOREIGN FILM
(Award given to the director)
KISSES (Ireland)
MADEMOISELLE CHAMBON (France)
OF GODS AND MEN (Morocco)
THE KING’S SPEECH (United Kingdom)
UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES (Thailand)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Let's Go (2010 Independent Spirit Nominees)
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10 comments:
Kids are alright gonna get a bunch of nominations on topic alone (haven't seen it yet).
Wow Mad, two posts for two days in a row, Christmas isn't for another 25 days :P.
Good point on the 'independent' label. They seem to be apart of a trend of 'quasi-independent' films. Ones with mainstream casts, shot on weaker budgets, but still carry that arthouse vibe. I remember watching Bruce Campbell do an interview where he said a true independent film is one where the people involved have to raise the money themselves and are shot on real low budgets. Nobody knows better than him right?
I also find it interesting which movies (that I haven't seen yet) got acting noms, but not best pic or screenplay - Blue Valentine and Cyrus. Never sure what that means - great actor getting some deserved recognition in a bad film or just an overlooked film. Will have to wait to find out.
@ Joel... Topical doesn't always carry, but it certainly seems poised to get this year's LOST IN TRANSLATION/LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE/JUNO indie-love.
@ Univarn... The funny thing? I was pulling my hair out last night trying to come up with that first post.
Yeah, that was more my thinking with "Indie" as well. I realize that it's hard to get exposure on the really cheap films, but when I think "indie"...I think the sort of stuff where someone's working for a free pizza lunch.
@ Jess... A lot of times it means that they aren't as in play as we thought they were - namely BLUE VALENTINE.
What the hell is Greenberg doing on that shortlist? Really want to see Uncle Boonmee for some reason, thinking it's the title.
These awards aren't terribly creative in their larger categories, are they?
@ Aiden... Didn't see GREENBERG. Is it bad?
@ Simon... No awards are creative in their larger categories...'cept The Golden Globes - they're always wacky!
Might be the worst thing I've seen all year.
I'm not surprised Greenberg got a nod. I'm positive Stiller has best actor in the bag.
@ Aiden... Looks like Fitz is tryin' to pick a fight!
@ Fitz... My money is still on Franco. Though admittedly, I've seen none of the performances he's competing against.
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