BFCA 'Critics Choice' Nominees: It's Hugo vs. The Artist

As you may or may not know, I am a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association. So this weekend, I rushed to turn in my ballot hoping against hope that my tiny voice will save them from their own relentless interest in predicting the Oscars above all else. I hoped, for example, that here is where you'd see a bit of Off Oscar movement for some of the interesting divisive movies such as Melancholia or critical hit only performances like Olivia Colman's in Tyrannosaur or things only critics have seen but that they lovedlovedloved like A Separation (Trust: I'm far from the only one.) While hope springs eternal, this year they held on tight to just what you'd expect: Oscar predictions! There are about 250 members of the BFCA -- you can see a list here --  and remarkably none of us are named Peter Travers though as a group we seem to collectively share his Oscar-hewing choices under the guise of "My opinion - screw Oscar!" (teehee). But what can you do?!

Movieloving duo The Artist and Hugo led the nominations with 11 nods apiece. Let's look at each category. The "Critics Choice" Awards will be held on January 12th, 2012 and broadcast on VH1 as per usual. This year's hosts will be Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer.

BEST PICTURE

• The Artist
• The Descendants
• Drive
• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
• The Help
• Hugo
• Midnight in Paris
• Moneyball
• The Tree of Life
• War Horse 

(SOLE) SURPRISE / BAD NEWS FOR: I really thought Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 would place her given that so many media types (many of them BFCA members) are obsessed with those massive franchises - especially when/because they're ending. Otherwise this is just what you'd expect for an Oscar prediction + DRIVE which, yes, I voted for. Duh!
THREAT TO WIN: I think you're looking at Hugo vs. The Artist and not just due to the nomination count. 
COMPLETELY 100% SNUBBED IN NOMINATIONS: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Coriolanus 
ALMOST 100% SNUBBED IN NOMINATIONS: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo... might this year have been even more "too crowded" for late bloomers and one week qualifiers than other years?

It's HUGO vs. THE ARTIST, each with 11 nominations

BEST DIRECTOR

• Stephen Daldry, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
• Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
• Alexander Payne, The Descendants
• Nicolas Winding Refn, Drive
• Martin Scorsese, Hugo
• Steven Spielberg, War Horse

SURPRISE: Refn's genre effort paid off. And Spielberg's schmaltz-a-thon? That's not a surprise but: Yikes. I guess the BFCA really thinks War Horse will score big with Oscar. Perhaps it shall. Otherwise, it's exactly as you'd expect though I'm pleased to see Refn squeeze in to the Oscar predictions.
BAD NEWS FOR: Woody Allen for Midnight in Paris. He hasn't been nominated for Best Director at the Oscars in a very long time. One wonders if they'll want to welcome him back this year given the "comeback" story with his film's surprise hit status. 
THREAT TO WIN: I'm assuming the BFCA members will swerve towards Scorsese with a combo of hero worship and genuine love for his new film. 

BEST ACTRESS 

• Viola Davis, The Help
• Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene
• Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
• Tilda Swinton, We Need To Talk About Kevin
• Charlize Theron, Young Adult
• Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

SURPRISE: This is good news for Olsen and Swinton who are both still in the fight for an Oscar nod despite films that are more alienating than Oscar goes for. 
BAD NEWS FOR: From an Oscary standpoint this is another nail in Glenn Close's Albert Nobbs coffin. From the needed a boost file, this is a tough blow for Olivia Colman and Kirsten Dunst.

THREAT TO WIN: The BFCA likes to give Meryl Streep best actresses wins and, extraordinarily, they like to do it with ties. It keeps happening (tied with Anne Hathaway in 2008, tied with Sandra Bullock for 2009). so expect her to win her third in 4 years in January... but...

poll by twiigs.com

COMPLETE NOMINATIONS AND MORE COMMENTARY AFTER THE JUMP.

BEST ACTOR

• George Clooney, The Descendants
• Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar
• Jean Dujardin, The Artist
• Michael Fassbender, Shame
• Ryan Gosling, Drive
• Brad Pitt, Moneyball

SURPRISE: Ryan Gosling's mask-like brilliance in Drive got a nod!
BAD NEWS FOR: Woody Harrelson (Rampart) and Michael Shannon (Take Shelter) who needed this boost but I guess the mainstream types needed their Leo even whilst drowning in prosthetics and a bad movie.
THREAT TO WIN: The BFCA will try to predict Oscar here but does that mean Clooney, Pitt or Dujardin.... it's tough to say right now.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
• Jessica Chastain, The Help
• Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
• Carey Mulligan, Shame
• Octavia Spencer, The Help
• Shailene Woodley, The Descendants 

SURPRISE: None... though this is good news for Carey Mulligan given how infrequently she seems to show up in Shame honors despite the turn being so revelatory. Who knew she had that in her?
BAD NEWS FOR: Vanessa Redgrave. Someone this year will fall victim to the strange pile-up of one-week qualifiers (more than usual this year). It's sad if it's her given the quality of the performance but I can't ever 100% root for films that aren't really in theaters.
THREAT TO WIN: I'm assuming they'll want to be cute and go for a big moment like (TIE) Melissa McCarthy & Octavia Spencer.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

• Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
• Albert Brooks, Drive
• Nick Nolte, Warrior
• Patton Oswalt, Young Adult
• Christopher Plummer, Beginners
• Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes

SURPRISE: Andy Serkis! Yay. It's category fraud (Cesar is the lead of the film. Or at least he becomes it with Franco as the other lead) but we still dig it since Serkis is to MoCap as Lillian Gish was to silents or Marlon Brando was to the Method.
MILDLY BAD NEWS FOR:  Max von Sydow (Extremely Loud) and Ben Kingsley (Hugo) but they both need coattails from their growing films to pull them into the discussion and that still could happen since both films are still picking up steam.
THREAT TO WIN: I'm guessing Albert Brooks in a walk.

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS

• Asa Butterfield, Hugo
• Elle Fanning, Super 8
• Thomas Horn, Extremely Loud
• Ezra Miller, We Need To Talk About Kevin
• Saoirse Ronan, Hanna
• Shailene Woodley, The Descendants

SURPRISE: None... unless you expected to see Chloe Moretz, a perennial, here again.
BAD NEWS FOR: Any young performance who isn't already famous or headlining a picture. That's how it goes every year. I spend a lot of time on my ballot thinking about this one since you *have to* since there's no Oscar punditry or buzz to help you. This generally results in consensus picks that are fame or lead character driven (Butterfiled for Hugo. Really?) which I think is sad. I don't usually share my ballot (since you get all my favorites at the annual Film Bitch Awards but only one of my choices made it. I also voted for Taissa Farmiga from Higher Ground and Kaden Leos from Drive. Though if I had remembered that Ronan was underage I would have voted for her. It's funny how young actors who have adult sized talent like Saoirse Ronan never seem like teenagers. You want to group them in the with the adults and not leave them at the kiddie table. Shailene gets to sit at both this year.
THREAT TO WIN: I assume this is Shailene's to lose by virtue of The Descendants and with Horn vs. Butterfield splitting the "led the movie we love" votes.

ACTING ENSEMBLE

• The Artist
• Bridesmaids
• The Descendants
• The Help
• Ides of March

SURPRISE: Ides of March is the only thing that qualifies as a surprise here. 
THREAT TO WIN: I'm guessing... actually I have no idea. What'cha think?

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

• The Artist - Michel Hanavicius
• 50/50 - Will Reiser
• Midnigth in Paris - Woody Allen
• Win Win - Thomas mcCarthy
• Young Adult - Diablo Cody

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

• The Descendants
• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
• The Help
• Hugo
• Moneyball

You'll notice with the screenplay categories and from here on out the BFCA limits themselves to 5 nominees. I really would implore them to be more consistent. This is a transparent display of the unseemly desire to predict the Oscars correctly rather than voting on the best of the year, else why would the "important" (in mainstream eyes) categories get an extra slot to make your prediction ratio better? (Sigh). The big shocker here might well be that Bridesmaids couldn't manage a screenplay nod despite love for the ensemble and Melissa. Do people feel it's too ad-libbed for screenplay honors?

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

• In Darkness
• Le Havre
• A Separation
• The Skin I Live In
• Where Do We Go Now?

Such is the power and name brand recognition of Pedro Almodóvar that the BFCA will nominate him even though he isn't eligible for the Foreign Film prize with Oscar. We need more foreign auteurs with name brand recognition in the States. Not that Pedro Almodóvar's are regular occurences. Go Pedro! For what it's worth I voted for A Separation in more than one category but this is the only place it showed up. I really blame Sony Pictures Classics on this one for not knowing what they have. It's the type of film where had they released it properly it would have become a cause and could have nabbed Screenplay nods and the like. Instead they're sitting on it until New Year's Eve practically, trusting that Oscar will give it a foreign film nod. Why settle for one when you're movie is good enough to compete in more than one category?

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

• The Artist -Guilliaume Schiffman
• Drive - Thomas Newton Sigel
• Hugo - Robert Richardson
• The Tree of Life -Emmanuel Lubezki
• War Horse - Janusz Kaminski

ART DIRECTION

• The Artist
• Harry Potter  and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
• Hugo
• The Tree of Life
• War Horse

Hmmmm. I'd love to see Drive repeat this cinematography nod though I think it's unlikely with Oscar -- they tend not to like the excessively theatrical and night time city stuff and prefer big landscapey epics (see War Horse... though if you ask me that tilts into parody of what constitutes "best cinematography").  They don't pass these awards out at the ceremony (boo!) but I assume Hugo is taking both.

COSTUME DESIGN 

• The Artist - Mark Bridges (WOOT!)
• The Help - Sharen Davis
• Hugo - Sandy Powell
• Jane Eyre - Michael O'Connor (YES!)
• My Week With Marilyn - Jill Taylor

MAKEUP

• Albert Nobbs
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
• The Iron Lady
• J Edgar
• My Week With Marilyn

VISUAL EFFECTS

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
• Hugo
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes
• Super 8
• The Tree of Life

BEST SOUND 

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
• Hugo
• Super 8
• The Tree of Life
• War Horse 

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

• The Adventures of Tintin
• Arthur Christmas
• Kung Fu Panda 2
• Puss in Boots
• Rango

If you're wondering why this list is so mainstream friendly given such an interesting field of possibilities that are up for Oscar please to note that screenings are hard to come by for the foreign films that have qualified for Oscar. I'm dying to see Chico & Rita and Wrinkles and A Cat in Paris. 

BEST ACTION MOVIE

• Drive
• Fast Five
• Hanna
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes
• Super 8

My drawring of Drive. I had to illustrate my review, don'cha know.

Take that dumbass Michigan woman who sued Drive for false advertising when she expected another Fast and Furious style movie! It's nominated alongside Fast Five. 

BEST COMEDY

• Bridesmaids
• Crazy, Stupid, Love
• Horrible Bosses
• Midnight in Paris
• The Muppets

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

• Buck
• Cave of Forgotten Dreams
• George Harrison: Living in the Material World
• Page One: Inside the New York Times
• Project Nim
• Undefeated 

BEST SONG

• “Hello Hello” – performed by Elton John and Lady Gaga/written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin – Gnomeo & Juliet
• “Life’s a Happy Song” – performed by Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Walter/written by Bret McKenzie – The Muppets
• “The Living Proof” – performed by Mary J. Blige/written by Mary J. Blige, Thomas Newman and Harvey Mason, Jr. – The Help
• “Man or Muppet” – performed by Jason Segel and Walter/written by Bret McKenzie – The Muppets
• “Pictures in My Head” – performed by Kermit and the Muppets/written by Jeannie Lurie, Aris Archontis and Chen Neeman – The Muppets

 WHOA. Score for The Muppets with three songs nominated.

BEST SCORE

• “The Artist” – Ludovic Bource
• “Drive” – Cliff Martinez
• “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” – Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
• “Hugo” – Howard Shore
• “War Horse” – John Williams

Strange selections to an extent here. Reznor and Ross's score doesn't feel like an original revelation the way their work on The Social Network did. Are people responding to Martinez's music in Drive or the synth pop songs? At the Oscars this list will look somewhat different of course as they'll have to make more room for the new John Williams and the old John Williams (That's Alexander Desplat who scored a bajillion things including Extremey Loud and John Williams who could double dip via Tintin)

How are you feeling about these nominations? 

• Extremely Loudly Satisfied
• Satisfied
• "neutral. What if you just feel neutral?"
• Disappointed
• Incredibly Close to Irritated 

Related:
All Oscar Discussions | Oscar Prediction Charts | 

Comments

[dinasztie]

I'm very content with this. I guess the Great Glenn snub was inevitable but at least the Best Actress race now has real suspense.

I'm VERY happy about Melissa being included. she deserves it more than anyone. I think she gave my favorite supporting performance of the year (along with Octavia). I presume that if she gets nominated for an oscar (that will be the hardest for her), she will be a real threat to win. And she would be awfully deserving. If it's not her, I'm all for Octavia.

[DAVE]

Score another victory for underdog Melissa McCarthy :-) Go Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow @ No Glenn Close.

[Ivonne]

As several of my loved ones showed up (Gosling! Fassy! Drive! Serkis!), they overlie the dissapointment over some missing (Kiki), and I am Extremely Loudly Satisfied

[chand]

I am pretty content with these results. However sad that KIKI couldn't get in, however happy that Swinton definitely a contender.
I can't wait to hear from the Sag people tomorrow and they better not snub Williams this time. The Globes not so much since they got too many join the party.

[thelifeof3.14]

No Dunst but there's Meryl so 'neutral'.

[John T]

I love that Desplat is the new John Williams (though Williams never would have gone this long without winning his first Oscar). I also hadn't realized that Thomas Newman did "The Living Proof"-will the eleventh time (finally) be the charm at the Oscars?

Considering that they pride themselves on predicting the Oscars, it seems odd that Olsen gets in over Close-I'm not saying Close is a lock, but Olsen doesn't seem like the obvious sixth place there (I suspect it's Swinton, hence her inclusion).

Also, not to say that 20 isn't young (it is), but how does Shailene Woodley get included in a child actor category-how young do you have to be to qualify?

[NATHANIEL R]

John T -- the category is 21 and under but yeah, i think it should be 17 and younger, no adults qualifying so even Ezra is pushing it.

Ivonne - the turn out for Drive is indeed heartening. I've been surprised to hear so many Oscar voters liking it at parties. I thought it wouldn't be their thing at all (maybe i just accidentally talked to the right people.)

[Katie]

Has Coriolanus been mailed out to SAG and Academy members??

[NATHANIEL R]

Katie -- yes. I got mine. I'm assuming people just aren't watching cuz I don't know how you DON'T nominate Vanessa Redgrave.

[remy]

my favorite performers this year are all mia.
where are kirsten dunst, juliette binoche, olivia collman, corey stoll and ewan mcgregor???

and why nobody is mentioning joel courtney (super 8) for best young actor?

[NATHANIEL R]

Remy -- oh yeah. he was so good in that. UGH. can't believe i forgot him.

[Gustavo]

Complaining that Spielberg makes 'schmaltzy' films is like critcizing Fincher for making 'cynical' films or Woody for making 'joyous' ones. Emotion and sentiment is in his DNA as a storyteller.

[NATHANIEL R]

Gustavo -- hmmm. true enough. But i still feel one can judge whether or not someone's natural proclivities are working to their benefit each time out. Otherwise why not just review movies without seeing them?

[remy]

well i'm kind of surprised that hunter mccracken is not nominated for young best actor and nobody will try to give some congratulations (not considering ensemble) to kristen wiig and her work in bridesmaids?

[marcelo]

nathaniel,
what is the one thing you were dying to say about "dragon tattoo"?
you're free now!

[NATHANIEL R]

Marcelo -- christ if i can remember. I should collect my thoughts now that embargos are lifting on most everything this week and next.

[Marsha Mason]

I'm starting to think "Drive" might actually place on the best pic list. They can go outré once in a while, especially if the film gets a running start. The people who like it really like it, and there's nothing really similar competing with it for votes, whereas I imagine "Hugo," "The Help," "The Artist," "Extremely Loud," and "War Horse" overlapping amongst interested voters. And the fact that "Drive" shows up in this most wannabe of precursors solves some of the coordination problem whereby potential voters only vote if they know it's in the running.

[Peggy Sue]

Incredibly CLOSE to Irritated

[Bia]

We'll see how SAG and Globes pan out, but Olsen is having a nice turnaround after getting bounced by Felicity Jones.

[ferdi]

Very happy for Fassy, Gosling and Mulligan but so saaaad for Glenn Close. Why it seems that critics don't want to recognize how wonderful is her turn in Albert Nobbs?

[Eric Melin]

I voted too -- and was incredibly satisfied to see 'Drive' have such a solid showing! Here's what REALLY disappointed me, however: Kirsten Dunst and Micheal Shannon's performances this year were so affecting and by far the strongest I think -- I really thought they'd have a shot. I'm sad buzz for both of them has all but dissipated this season. Also, Brad Pitt's turn in "Tree of Life,' whatever you think of that film, is the best, most subtle work he's ever done. Nothing for Supporting Actor there?

Here's a funny story: A couple of months ago I was on a set visit with 7 other BFCA members who I just met and tried to bring up how amazing I thought 'Tree of Life' was. There was a collective groan and one of them said, "Ugh, you're one of THEM?" When I said I was looking forward to seeing 'The Artist' later in the year, not one of them had even heard of it.

[Eric Melin]

BTW, I am SO with you on War Horse. Schmaltz may be in his DNA, but this movie is kind of embarrassing.

[Ryan T.]

I'm pretty satisfied, but I still haven't seen THE ARTIST so I've continually felt like I'm on the outside looking in to this year's awards season so far.

Not a hardcore HP fanatic, but I did expect it to show up in the Best Film list if only to keep the conversation going for the film. Happy to see the Ryan Gosling love with all three of his films making an appearance here. But I admit as much as I love Gosling's Driver and Williams' Monroe, for every award they win/get nominated in this year, I still imagine they're getting it for BLUE VALENTINE.

[Sarah]

'Lizzie' with an -'ie'! :)

[Joe K]

One of the most pleasant surprises this awards season has been seeing Drive showing up everywhere. I'm still not convinced it'll turn into much Oscar attention, but it's awfully nice to see it in the conversation. In other news, I guess Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is the big awards non-starter, which is surprising. Originally, I figured that the Brit vote would pull it through, but now I"m honestly wondering if the Brit vote might swing toward Harry Potter instead.

[ramification]

Melissa is looking more and more solid for an Oscar nom, if there was a category they like to reward comedic performances its Supporting Actress and she;s having a monster year, if she gets a GG nom and/or SAG she's set. Who would have guessed it a year ago.

[BK]

Did the BFCA forget about THE STAR SPANGLED MAN from Captain America?!?!? I can't believe it wasn't nominated! Alan Menken!

[frakafka]

It's a shame!!!!!!Kirsten Dunst is now officially snubbed by stereotyped and political performances.

[denny]

So thrilled for DRIVE - I wasn't as high on the film as I wanted/expected to be, but it's Grade-A suspense and that sort of thing almost never gets nommed for Best Pic awards. Also thrilled at the acting nods for BRIDESMAIDS, although I would like to see some critic's group really go all out and give it to Rose Byrne instead of Melissa McCarthy (great as she is).

How in hell did Malick miss out on a director nom?!?! They clearly had great respect bordering on love for Tree of Life (which, YAY for that film not being forgotten!), so I'm kind of shocked that he didn't get in there.

I'm glad for Elizabeth Olsen (though I'm pissed I didn't get to see her movie) but I do wish they had stumped for Kirsten Dunst instead. She was SO DAMN GOOD in that movie. Also glad for Andy Serkis. Mo-cap is still a bit of a mystery, but it's hard not to see how much better Cesar works with Serkis doing whatever it is he did than it would have been with just regular special effects/animatronics.

[zn3v6]

I'm baffled by the acclaim of Brooks. Love seeing Swinton, who appears more and more as a strong 4th. Still don't get why McCarthy is so singled out, compared to Wiig and Byrne. And if the SAG voters and the Actors branch of AMPAS don’t vote for Redgrave and Oldman, then something is definitely wrong in this oscar race.

I’m starting to really think there is some real bias against Oldman. Not only he has been snubbed his entire career, but even now. I mean, Tinker was in the top 10 of the best rated films at the BFCA, and the movie and Oldman were raved (best reviewed film on Metacritic). Dicaprio, yeah right.

Also: no Redgrave (wasn't she supposed to give a powerhouse performance?), no Shannon (who was terrific), no Von Sydow, no Kingsley, no McTeer, no Close.

[Rebecca]

Brooks is looking like more and more of a lock to win. I won't complain.

[Terris]

IF Meryl wins this year it will be by herself i guess.
But in case she gets another tie I bet it will be with Viola... Meryl would be happy to share the award with her than with anyone else.

[MARK]

Was it me or did melissa m's character seems unrealistic and basically there to laugh at,she overacted way beyond what was needed,the race isn't over yet and redgrave will defo be back at the globes and baftas,i am now thinking it's olsen vs swinton for the last spot,i can't believe it will 5 previous winners/nominees so i plump for olsen.

[Aaron]

@ Mark...THANK YOU! I am baffled by the love Melissa McCarthy has received this awards season...it's a typical, broad comedic performance. Not to imply that it was bad in any way, but my god if actresses like Emma Stone and Emily Blunt can't get in for "Easy A" and "The Devil Wears Prada", respectively (for much more subtle and complex work), then I don't understand how Melissa does. And it HORRIFIES me that she could get in over Vanessa Redgrave who should win this race in a landslide. Ugh, what a nightmare that would be McCarthy got in over her.

[John T]

I don't see it with Brooks-as curmudgeonly as Plummer is, I see this as being a walk-in-the-park sort of win-he's never won a BAFTA, Golden Globe, SAG Award or Oscar, and is a legend in a way that Brooks isn't. Also, him winning will create the latest Triple Crown winner!!!

[Robert G]

I know it won't happen anywhere, but I would really like to see Elle Fanning get an actual Supporting Actress nomination for Super 8. The "young actor" award ghetto always seems like a cop-out. Are people really afraid to judge actors against actors?

[AR]

I'm with John T. I'd be really upset if Brooks takes this over Plummer. I like Brooks and I thought he was fine in Drive but Plummer has so much more going for him, not least of which is a much richer role and performance!

[ICONIC PICTURES]

Art Camacho
Set to Direct

THE UNFORGIVEN
Feature film.

Renowned Action film Director Art Camacho has just announced that he is currently in development/pre-production of his latest Sci-Fi Action Film “The Unforgiven”, a film about a Group of Undesirables on a Mission to save mankind.

This film is set in a post-apocalyptic era, where warfare has wiped out most of mankind and a rag tag set of misfits are Humanity’s last hope. The Unforgiven will re-team Art Camacho with action stars Don “The Dragon’ Wilson, Cynthia “Lady Dragon” Rothrock, veteran action icon James Lew, and Martin Kove. Additionally Camacho is in talks with action star Conan Lee, UFC champ Fabiano Iha and a host of other action stars, MMA champions and Sci-FI icons to appear in the film. It is based on a story written By Art Camacho about a man coming to terms with his own mortality in search of redemption, in a bleak future where all hope has been decimated by war. In addition to the heart and soul of the film, Camacho promises high-octane and riveting action in the film.

This will be the first of three projects Camacho has signed on to produce/Direct for Fledgling Production Company: Iconic Pictures. Iconic will produce and secure financing for the film with Producer Jason Abustan in the lead, and Manny Pacquiao's Aunt Lilia Lao has signed on to Associate Produce. As a successful business man, Jason Abustan runs and operates numerous lucrative franchised businesses that give him the know-how and ability to run a production of this scale. As an accomplished actor, Jason Abustan has been featured in numerous independent films and commercials. He joined forces with Art Camacho and his reputable team of industry professionals to create a niche in action films. “This is going to be our homage to Stallone’s highly successful “The Expendables”, According to Abustan.

This film comes on the heels of Camacho’s producing the first ever Spanish language MMA action films “Cage Fight” and “Once upon a fight”; both of which are in post-production and set for release in 2012.

IMDB Press release link-

http://www.imdb.com/news/ni19482305/

Movie website-www.unforgivenmovie.com

[Joel]

"Are people responding to Martinez's music in Drive or the synth pop songs?" I wonder the same thing. Luckily the Film Bitch Awards recognize soundtracks, from an original source or otherwise! Surprised the Chemical Brothers' score for "Hanna" didn't show up here.

[Brian Z]

These nominations continue one of the great disapointments of the 2011 season in regard to one actor; Hunter McCracken. His work as the youthful Jack in 'Tree of Life' is one of the year's most underrated performance. In an organization that allows a special award for young talents, McCracken's failure to receive a nod seems peculiar to me.

[Josh R]

When was the last time someone was Oscar-nominated for a Shakespeare adaptation? Was it Branaugh? If so, that's a pretty long stretch - especially considering how many worthy performances there have been in films adapted from the Shakespeare canon since then. I think there's an initimidation/impatience factor when it comes to the Bard - I suspect a lot of people will turn off the dvd after 15 minutes or so if their ears don't immediately adjust to the language (to be honest, that's usually how long it takes me before my brain is willing to process most of what's being said.) I know plenty of people who - with some degree of embarrassment - will admit that they don't go to see Shakespeare films because the language barrier is too much for them - even if they can follow the action, a lot of it seems to be going over their heads...and no one likes to be made to feel stupid at the movies (that's what the theatre and certain programs on public television are for.) Are Academy members and/or critics really that different from the average moviegoer? I'm thinking Redgrave faces an uphill battle - not to be too culturally insensitive here, but if people whose first language is English dread and/or don't even want to attempt watching Shakespeare, what are the odds that The Hollywood Foreign Press Association will come to her rescue?

[Jack]

Don't lose faith in A Separation! Only four of LA's choices for Screenplay ever got snubbed and only one of those was in the past 20 years (About Schmidt)! Even with films for whom the nomination wasn't guaranteed, like Happy-Go-Lucky or The Savages!

[Mareko]

Who the hell are Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer? *ducks*

[Kyle]

I was expecting Glenn Close to rally at this point. If she can't manage Globes/SAG nods, then that ship has sailed. And nothing for Janet McTeer either. "The Artist" and "Hugo" leading the field in the "year of bygone film era" pictures. That's kind of nice to see happen. Andy Serkis! Woot! Melissa McCarthy! Hells yeah! Get that Oscar nomination! Let the haters suck on it. Nice to see Almodovar there for "The Skin I Live In" despite no Oscar hope in FFL. It's disappointing not seeing Chloe Moretz in Young Actress. I would have had her ahead of Elle Fanning. Did not expect the love for "Drive" at all. It looks like Jessica Chastain's entry out of her hundred films this year will be "The Help." That's the way it should be I think. I didn't know the "Muppets" had three original songs? I thought it was just two. That's all that can get in at the Oscars anyway, but great for them. And even if the film that surrounded him was a mess, I'm glad DiCaprio's getting noticed in lead actor. He did a great job in a film that failed him. I wouldn't penalize him for it, and I'd nominate him in lead actor.

[Mareko]

Meh. (Does that count as Extremely Loudly Close to Incredibly Neutral?)

Thought bubbles: I LOVE the love for Drive; hate BFCA's sluttiness when it comes to "cast" (vs. austerity for "crew"); have a sneaking suspicion War Whore's...er, Horse's nomination tally belongs, in a more just world, to The Adventures of Tintin; and wonder what the age limit is for Best Young Actor/Actress (Shailene Woodley is 20 years old, for God's sake).

P.S. A Separation, Bridesmaids (ensemble) and Emmanuel Lubezki for the win!

[John T]

I can't fathom McTeer making it if Close doesn't-I know she's probably the "standout" but the media being what it is, I just can't see a situation where McTeer makes it and Close doesn't (the opposite, yes, though).

I agree on the McCracken thing-what more did the Critics Choice want? It's in a Best Picture frontrunner and an acclaimed performance. I'm surprised that it managed to be beat out by Ezra Miller.

[Daniel Armour]

Disappointed to see no HP in Best Picture but not surprised. Glad to see Olsen get nominated but I wish the film would get some recognition as well. Glad Mulligan, Fassbender and Gosling are getting recognized for their work.

Also happy to see Drive get a well-deserved Cinematography nomination. Haven't seen Hugo, The Artist, War Horse, Midnight In Paris or Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close yet so I can't comment on those. Pretty much as expected, overall.

[NATHANIEL R]

Josh R -- stop terrifying me so!!! But i get your point and it's a good one. I thought Redgrave's legend would be enough but perhaps I'm wrong.

Mareko -- the age range is 21 and under but ,as previously stated, i think it whould be 17 and under. No adults allowed.

[Richter Scale]

Why is no one mentioning Nick Nolte's nomination for Warrior? Totally did not see that coming and I'm really happy for him because I thought he was fantastic in that movie!!! I thought because the film had been such a flop that he would be all but forgotten, but it's great to see that he got some attention. I don't think it'll carry him all the way to an Oscar nomination, but I'll take this recognition.

I was also very happy for the Drive nominations, but I really wish Michael Shannon had been nominated, because it is the performance that has affected me the most this year. I still have to see quite a few movies (like you know, I live in Mexico, we won't be getting many of these films until February) but seriously, that performance is hard to top in my mind. I do, however, love the Comedy Movie category (where's the commentary on that?, it's a pretty good lineup, even if I would have liked to make some space for Beginners, in this and other categories).

[Philip]

YAY MELISSA!!!!!!!!!! Go girl! Get that Oscar nod!

However, I'm sad @ no Kiki :( I really wanted her to get in that 6th slot. I'm sad for Glenn, but it had to happen to someone and I'm happy it didn't happen to Elizabeth or Charlize; I want them both to be nominated. But Kiki!!! :( Couldn't get in Tilda's spot (though I'm sure she's deserving too)?

I hope Viola wins best actress. Please please please.

I wish Bridesmaids had gotten a screenplay nod. :( Kristen needs something.