1. Five Nominations For Best “Author Film” Directors
The nominations for best director of this year are a magic combination as all of them conduct the film by their own original screenplay. Guillermo Del Toro, the director of The Shape Of Water, is leading the calls at present. If he can receive an award this time, it will mean that the “The Three Amigos in Cinema” (including Alfonso Cuaron, Alejandro González Iñárrituall) all have won Oscar awards.
2. Martin McDonagh Missed Out For Best Director
Martin McDonagh, the writer-director of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, missed out in the directing category but he was recognized for the film’s original screenplay. This may remind you of the time that Ben Affleck also didn’t receive a nomination for best director, but received many supporting awards for his work Argo, the best picture in 2013. Therefore, could McDonagh’s surprise exclusion increase the chances of the film taking the top prize? It’s too early to say for sure.
3. The Last Film For Daniel Day-Lewis
It’s 6th time for Daniel Day-Lewis to be nominated for best actor as well as for Denzel Washington. Who will be the winner finally is a tough call for many fans? Although Daniel has won an Academy Award three times, he has claimed in public that Phantom Thread will be his last work. You never know, that could be the thing that sways the judges.
4. Greta Gerwig Is Gunning For Best Director
Greta Gerwig, the writer-director of Lady Bird, becomes only the fifth female filmmaker to get a nomination in this category. Could she become the second woman to win the award (after Kathryn Bigelow in 2010)?
5. Oscar History Is Made
Rachel Morrison, who shot Netflix racial drama Mudbound, has made Oscar history by becoming the first woman ever to be nominated for the best cinematography award. Mudbound star Mary J Blige has also rewritten the record books, becoming the first person to receive nominations for acting and songwriting in the same year.
6. Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan is a well-known director but less successful at the Oscar’s. This year however his name does crop up on the list. He was nominated for the best director and Dunkirk for best film. Let’s hope Nolan can catch a break.
7. 14th Time Lucky or Pity For Deakins?
Roger Deakins has stoically clapped the best cinematographer winner 13 times now, after being nominated multiple times without a win. His first nomination was in 1995 for The Shawshank Redemption, now has his 14th nomination for his work on Blade Runner 2049. Could he win this time?
8. The Youngest Best Actor Nominations
20-year-old boy Timothee Chalamet was nominated for best actor, making him the youngest best-actor nominee in decades. His work Call Me by Your Name has also received a best-picture nomination.
9. Get Out Gets A Look-In
Get Out, the horror film starring British actor Daniel Kaluuya, performed better than some expected. It was nominated for best picture, while Kaluuya got a best actor nomination. Jordan Peele, the film’s writer-director, was also nominated for both best original screenplay and best director, making him only the fifth black director to be shortlisted in the latter category.
10. Seeing and “Sewing” Double
British pair Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer were nominated for best production design for both Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast and wartime drama Darkest Hour. Fellow Brit Jacqueline Durran was also up against herself in the best costume design category, for the same two movies.
11. James Franco Snubbed
James Franco was involved in allegations of sexual misconduct (which he denies) which resulted in him failing to get the best actor nomination for the Disaster Artist. The allegations were made in the wake of Franco winning a Golden Globe for playing filmmaker Tommy Wiseau in the Disaster Artist.
12. Logan – The Best Adapted Screenplay
Usually adapted screenplay is not a noteworthy category, but things are different this year as a result of Hugh Jackman’s Logan. It’s the first time for a superhero movie to survive the second-round of nominations, which in of itself represents a great achievement. It only has an outside chance of winning but it is proving that the genre doesn’t only have special effects, it can also have a great screenplay and story.
