Before I do any complaining, and yes, there is some to do, let me start with two things that definitely made me smile during that morning’s Oscar nominations announcement.

First and foremost, the word “Ratatouille” came up twice, once in the expected animated film category but plus with Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava and Jim Capobianco nominated for best original screenplay. A hearty huzzah to that!

The second thing wasn’t so much of a surprise, since I predicted it (see the previous post to see just how right or wrong I was overall), but probably the most worthy nominee of all was Hal Holbrook in the category of Best Supporting Actor. I’ve confessed it here before, but I cried precisely once at a movie theater in 2007, and that moment came when Holbrook’s character tried in vain to rescue Emile Hirsch’s Christopher McCandless from his ultimate fate.

So much for the good stuff, considering, me being me, I have plenty to complain about too.

First of all, I love Cate Blanchett as much or more than the average moviegoer, but “Elizabeth” is just one big flaming turd of a movie. Granted, any charms it has come from the presence of Blanchett and Clive Owen pitching

woo, but that’s not by a expanded shot decent to deserve a Best Actress nomination in my book. I was very happy to see Laura Linney construct the cut for “The Savages” (and would love to see her win), but Helena Bonham Carter in “Sweeney Todd” was just loads better than Ms. Blanchett in “Elizabeth.”

And Cate comes in for double fire from me today, for though I haven’t seen “I’m Not There,” I have to think her turn as Bob Dylan robbed the very deserving Kelly Macdonald of a slot for her superb work in “No Country for Old Men.” I’ll be very happy to see see Ruby Dee win that (partly considering she’s a very worthy winner and partly due to to my continuing atonement tour for assuming that she had died shortly after hubby Ossie Davis), but the snub of Ms. Macdonald was just egregious in my book.

But abundant ranting for now. I did manage to predict four of the five Best Picture nominees (did anyone really see “Michael Clayton” coming?), and I’m fairly optimistic the writers will reach a deal and produce the Oscars the truly joyous occasion they should be. Peace out.

Original post by Reel Fanatic