2021 Oscar Nominations Are Here! Summary, Projected Winners and Snubs & Surprises Here:

Happy Oscar Nomination Day!

In an unprecedented time like this, theaters closed, award season pushed back, the nominations announced this morning for the 93rd Academy Awards seemed a little too predictable. At least to me. There were a few snubs and surprises, but most of the nominations had been predicted earlier in the season or at other Award Shows, Golden Globes & SAG. While I am the first to admit that I adore Award Season (I dedicated an entire blog to it), this year’s nominees didn’t excite me as much as previous years, though I love to see all that new representation. And I believe the reason why has to do with the elongated season in general, due to the extension, it feels like I have been hearing about or talking about these movies for months and I am in need of some new content.

However, not the only reason that I am slightly bored by the nominations – the films that were nominated this year, to me, were snoozers, with a few outliers. I would love to hear one person explain to me the interest level in “Mank”, David Fincher’s passion project about “Citizen Kane” Writer Herman Mankiewicz, a film that I had to watch in four separate chunks to get a breather. Or the intrigue behind “One Night in Miami” which felt like a long play – great subject matter, but not really what I am looking for in a movie. Just me? Alright.

Nominations By Film (Rotten Tomatoes)

Anyway, there are some films nominated in the Best Picture Category that I adored and spent a ton of time writing about. These films include “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Promising Young Woman,” and “Sound of Metal” which all were awarded generously during this morning’s announcements. However, I am doubting that they will win in the big 4: Best Actor/Actress and Best Picture and Best Director – would love to see it, but chances are slim.

We love to see representation!

But subject matter aside, this morning’s announcements felt like a huge win in category representation, including the following firsts: Muslim nominated in Best Actor (Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal”), first time two women are nominated in Best Director (Chloe Zhao, “Nomadland” and Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman”) and the first time an Asian-American was nominated for Best Actor Category in 93-Years (Steven Yeun, “Minari”). Just great representation in general! The increase in diversity of nominations comes after The Academy’s Announcement this Summer to be more inclusive in its members and voting body, and also in the qualification’s films need to meet in order to be considered in some of the major categories!

All that aside, please see below re-cap of the major nominations and my notes next to my projected winner!

BEST PICTURE

"The Father"

"Judas and the Black Messiah"

"Mank"

"Minari"

"Nomadland"

"Promising Young Woman"

"Sound of Metal"

"The Trial of the Chicago 7"

Best Picture Winner is most likely going to go to “Nomadland” starring Frances McDormand, who is also nominated in Best Actress. The projected winner kind of seems like a no brainer at this point. It has been the most well-received film out of the bunch with extra praise for Chloe Zhao in the Best Director’s Chair. It also went home with Best Picture at the Golden Globes which usually awards films for being flashy. The fact that it swept up Best Picture there, seems like a good indication that it will win again.

Probable Winner: Nomadland

Wild Card: Promising Young Woman

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Maria Bakalova, "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm"

Glenn Close, "Hillbilly Elegy"

Olivia Colman, "The Father"

Amanda Seyfried, "Mank"

Youn Yuh-jung, "Minari"

Lots of surprises here including Bakalova, Close and Yuh-jung! Close’s nomination for “Hillbilly Elegy” marks her 8th nomination. She famously lost in 2018 to Coleman in “The Favourite” and they are up against each other again, with unfortunately, a similar predicted outcome. Close’s nomination at the Oscar’s also comes with her 2021 Razzie Nomination in the same role…It seems very unlikely that she will wall away a winner at this year’s ceremony, especially considering “Hillbilly Elegy” was shut out in all other categories and was poorly received.

Probable Winner: Olivia Colman

Wild Card: Maria Bakalova

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Sacha Baron Cohen, "The Trial of the Chicago 7"

Daniel Kaluuya, "Judas and the Black Messiah"

Leslie Odom Jr., "One Night in Miami"

Paul Raci, "Sound of Metal"

Lakeith Stanfield, "Judas and the Black Messiah"

In a shocking twist, Kaluuya and Stanfield were nominated in the same category this morning for their roles in “Judas & The Black Messiah.” While I am thrilled that they were both nominated, I, like most others, are confused as to why they appear in the same category. In previous nominations, Kaluuya appeared in Supporting with Stanfield was nominated in Lead, where he should be. I am sure it was a shock to Jesse Plemons who woke up this morning, learning that he was the new lead in the movie. Also love that Paul Raci is nominated here, his work in “Sound of Metal” was next level. Seems likely though that the win will go to Kaluuya who won a Golden Globes.

Probable Winner: Daniel Kaluuya

Wild Card: Leslie Odom Jr.

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Riz Ahmed, "Sound of Metal"

Chadwick Boseman, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Anthony Hopkins, "The Father"

Gary Oldman, "Mank"

Steven Yeun, "Minari"

One of the more stacked categories of the year, Best Actor seems most likely to go to Chadwick Boseman in his posthumous nomination. He won for the same role earlier at The Golden Globes and given his outstanding performance, he will take home the Oscar. A great addition to the nomination pool this morning was Steven Yeun for his role in “Minari” a story of an immigrant family moving to Arkansas to start a new life in America. Love to see that, but hate to see that Delroy Lindo was shut out for his role in “Da 5 Bloods.” Had a feeling this was coming considering he wasn’t included in other nominations, but a shame. Also, Riz Ahmed in his first nomination and the first time a Muslim has been included in the Best Actor Category – we love to see change!

Probable Winner: Chadwick Boseman

Wild Card: Riz Ahmed

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Viola Davis, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Andra Day, "The United States vs. Billie Holiday"

Vanessa Kirby, "Pieces of a Woman"

Frances McDormand, "Nomadland"

Carey Mulligan, "Promising Young Woman"

Best Actress Nominations have been essentially locked for a while. The one shocking surprise here would have to be Andra Day for her role as Billie Holiday in the “Lee Daniels: The United States v. Billie Holiday.” While this is a surprise for the Oscars, we probably should have suspected the nomination following the Golden Globes where she won Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical. The film was…bad. But her performance was obviously powerful enough to garner a nom. Frances McDormand is the rumored favorite here though. The Academy loves her and “Nomadland” already has a ton of nominations, seems like a given. Would love to see Carey Mulligan or Vanessa Kirby sweep through though – I enjoyed their movies over “Nomadland”

Probable Winner: Frances McDormand

Wild Card: Vanessa Kirby

DIRECTOR

Thomas Vinterberg, "Another Round"

David Fincher, "Mank"

Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari"

Chloe Zhao, "Nomadland"

Emerald Fennell, "Promising Young Woman"

I woke up shocked to read the announcements, good and bad! Let’s start with the good – two female director nominations for the first time ever! There have only been 6 women nominated for Best Director and they have never before been nominated in the same year. Noticeably missing from the nominations was Aaron Sorkin with his direction in “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” While it was nominated in other ways, it certainly seemed that he would be getting a nomination here as well. Thomas Vinterberg and Lee Isaac Chung in the nomination spot surprised me and will definitely make a more interesting race.

Probable Winner: Chloe Zhao

Wild Card: Emerald Fennell

The 93rd Academy Awards will premiere on Sunday, April 25, 2021.

And that’s the sitch!

Full List of Nominations Below:

BEST PICTURE

"The Father"

"Judas and the Black Messiah"

"Mank"

"Minari"

"Nomadland"

"Promising Young Woman"

"Sound of Metal"

"The Trial of the Chicago 7″

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Maria Bakalova, "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm"

Glenn Close, "Hillbilly Elegy"

Olivia Colman, "The Father"

Amanda Seyfried, "Mank"

Youn Yuh-jung, "Minari"

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Sacha Baron Cohen, "The Trial of the Chicago 7"

Daniel Kaluuya, "Judas and the Black Messiah"

Leslie Odom Jr., "One Night in Miami"

Paul Raci, "Sound of Metal"

Lakeith Stanfield, "Judas and the Black Messiah"

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

"Another Round" - Denmark

"Better Days" - Hong Kong

"Collective" - Romania

"The Man Who Sold His Skin" - Tunisia

Qu Vadis, Aida? - Bosnia and Herzegovina

DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)

"Colette"

"A Concerto Is a Conversation"

"Do Not Split"

"Hunger Ward"

"A Love Song For Latasha"

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

"Collective"

"Crip Camp"

"The Mole Agent"

"My Octopus Teacher"

"Time"

ORIGINAL SONG

"Fight For You" from "Judas and the Black Messiah"

"Hear My Voice" from "The Trial of the Chicago 7"

"Husavik" from "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga"

"lo Sì (Seen)" from "The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)"

"Speak Now" from "One Night in Miami..."

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

"Onward"

"Over the Moon"

"A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon"

"Soul"

"Wolfwalkers"

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

"Borat Subsequent MovieFilm"

"The Father"

"Nomadland"

"One Night in Miami"

"The White Tiger"

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

"Judas and the Black Messiah"

"Minari"

"Promising Young Woman"

"Sound of Metal"

"The Trial of the Chicago 7"

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Riz Ahmed, "Sound of Metal"

Chadwick Boseman, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Anthony Hopkins, "The Father"

Gary Oldman, "Mank"

Steven Yeun, "Minari"

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Viola Davis, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Andra Day, "The United States vs. Billie Holiday"

Vanessa Kirby, "Pieces of a Woman"

Frances McDormand, "Nomadland"

Carey Mulligan, "Promising Young Woman"

DIRECTOR

Thomas Vinterberg, "Another Round"

David Fincher, "Mank"

Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari"

Chloe Zhao, "Nomadland"

Emerald Fennell, "Promising Young Woman"

PRODUCTION DESIGN

"The Father"

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

"Mank"

"News of the World"

"Tenet"

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Sean Bobbitt, "Judas and the Black Messiah"

Erik Messerschmidt, "Mank"

Dariusz Wolski, "News of the World"

Joshua James Richards, "Nomadland"

Phedon Papamichael , "The Trial of the Chicago 7"

COSTUME DESIGN

"Emma"

"Ma Rainey's Blackbottom"

"Mank"

"Mulan"

"Pinocchio"

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND

"Greyhound"

"Mank"

"News of the World"

"Soul"

"Sound of Metal"

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

"Burrow"

"Genius Loci"

"If Anything Happens I Love You"

"Opera"

"Yes-People"

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

"Feeling Through"

"The Letter Room"

"The Present"

"Two Distant Strangers"

"White Eye"

ORIGINAL SCORE

"Da 5 Bloods"

"Mank"

"Minari"

"News of the World"

"Soul"

VISUAL EFFECTS

"Love and Monsters"

"The Midnight Sky"

"Mulan"

"The One and Only Ivan"

"Tenet"

FILM EDITING

"The Father"

"Nomadland"

"Promising Young Woman"

"Sound of Metal"

"The Trial of the Chicago 7"

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

"Emma"

"Hillbilly Elegy"

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

"Mank"

"Pinocchio"