Strictly Surprises

Three posts in a day? Never since 2011! But today is an occasion. First, me being back on this blog deserves two posts and another post is about the Oscars! First things first, can we all agree how boring this year's announcement is? I like watching them read it out live and in person while also hearing the press' gasps and cheers. Let's just put the blame on the Academy president who misread Dick Pope as Dick Poop a couple of years ago.

So what are the surprises/snubs today?

Guess who's lazy to edit stills from Florence Foster Jenkins and Arrival?

- Meryl Streep scoring a courtesy nod for Best Actress, this should go to Amy Adams for Arrival. These courtesy nods should stop.
- But Ruth Negga for Loving is a welcome, I was actually expecting more buzz on Loving but this will do just fine.
- Suicide Squad and Passengers scoring nominations! Even multiple noms for Passengers!
- Also 13 Hours and Deepwater Horizon got noms but these two caused cringes rather than wows. I couldn't care less about sound mixing because I don't get it but surely there are better films to score a nod for Best Visual Effects than Deepwater Horizon.

- Now that The Lobster is nominated for original screenplay, I want it to win badly. I don't care if it beats La La Land. Now that I think of it, The Lobster is the most original among the bunch by a large margin.
- A snub in animated film is definitely the Japanese smash hit, Your Name which is way better than any of the noms.
- Sad to see that Pablo Larrain is robbed in anything. No love for Jackie or Neruda for him. At least Jackie received two noms.

- I really like that Allied is nominated in costume design, because if I should choose one thing that stands out for that film, is the costumes particularly the ones worn by Marion Cotillard.
- Loving the love for Arrival! Denis Villeneuve and Bradford Young earned their noms so badly.
- Another cringe is Justin Timberlake's nomination for Best Song which I presume is a business decision to get people watching the broadcast. This is just like The Weeknd last year. Also, JT's song was named worst of the year by TIME. Put that on the 'For Your Consideration' ads.

Even Liam Neeson is gobsmacked by Silence's silence at the Oscars

- Also sad to see Scorsese's Silence given the cold reception by the Academy. At least it is nominated for one.
- Cheers to Mel Gibson's comeback through Hacksaw Ridge!
- In conclusion, this year's race belongs to La La Land with possible upsets from Moonlight, Manchester by the Sea and Arrival. 


I will be back for predictions some time later!