Another year another round of mixed bag Oscar nominations. Watching the amount of movies that I do and seeing behind the curtain of the Academy I’ve come to accept a certain level of disappointment in the Oscars.

Both in nominations and wins. I will be doing my 2nd annual personal Oscars in February. For now, we are just going to react to this year’s Oscar nominations, celebrating the films of 2023.

Some overall thoughts:

The nominations are overall uninspiring. A lot of movies I respect but don’t love. Some of my favorites were completely skunked.

Ferrari, The Iron Claw, Asteroid City, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Blackberry, The Killer, All of Us Strangers, and Priscilla. All received zero nominations and should’ve been in multiple categories. Disappointing that none of them received any Academy attention.

Some overall good things I am happy about:

Past Lives and Celine Song, congrats!

Lily Gladstone! Not a shock but she is the only thing I’m passionate about this season.

The Boy and the Heron is at least in Animated, whew.

Paul Giamatti finally got that Best Actor nomination, nearly 20 years after he missed for Sideways.

Now! Without further ado, let’s look at each category:

Visual Effects

The Creator

Godzilla Minus One

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Napoleon

No real big surprises here, the biggest surprise was Oppenheimer being left off the longlist. It's very cool that Godzilla Minus One got in here. I’ll be pulling for that or The Creator, which should probably win.

Sound

The Creator

Maestro

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Oppenheimer

The Zone of Interest

I’m a little surprised Napoleon did not get in here. I don’t think many people were predicting The Creator. One of the personal disappointments but not surprising is The Killer missing out. Possibly too many people saw it at home and not enveloped in a theater where you can really hear the masterful sound design.

Also, where is Ferrari?

Makeup and Hairstyling

Golda

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

Society of the Snow

Another disappointment is no Priscilla. A criminally overlooked film that should’ve easily been nominated for Makeup and Hairstyling, Costume Design, and Production Design. Golda is the surprise here, I didn’t see anyone predicting this. This is Maestro’s to lose and possibly their only win that night.

Music (Original Song)

The Fire Inside – Flaimin’ Hot

I’m Just Ken - Barbie

It Never Went Away – American Symphony

Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People) – Killers of the Flower Moon

What Was I Made For? – Barbie

Oscar Bridesmaid Diane Warren got nominated again. She can notch another loss on her resume. Nominating American Symphony here but not for Best Documentary is a choice. How is “I’m Just Ken” nominated over Dua’s “Dance the Night Away”? the better song.

The winner will be one of the songs from Barbie, hopefully, “What Was I Made For?”

Music (Original Score)

American Fiction – Laura Karpman

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – John Williams

Killers of the Flower Moon – Robbie Robertson

Oppenheimer – Ludwig Goransson

Poor Things – Jerskin Fendrix

Possibly the worst category in terms of nominees this year. Robertson and Goransson are the two good nominees; I think this is Ludwig’s to lose. The biggest surprise is John Williams for another Indiana Jones film.

I think the Academy was on autopilot and saw the film and thought oh John Williams sure. I understand Poor Things getting in, but there are other scores I like better. American Fiction being here just shows the sign of its strength.

Joe Hisaishi missing out for The Boy and the Heron is a massive disappointment. I was keeping hope until the last minute. His score for the Miyazaki film is transcendent.

Costume Design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

No real big surprise here. I was Priscilla could have been nominated, but I knew it wasn’t realistic. I’d probably bump out Napoleon or Oppenheimer for Priscilla and Ferrari. Also, no Asteroid City?

Production Design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

Another category with no surprises. Great production design all around and all would be worthy winners in my opinion. Wish Priscilla was nominated. Rebuilding Graceland on a budget is a feat I cannot imagine how they pulled off.

Again, no Asteroid City?

Cinematography

El Conde

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

El Conde is a big surprise. The big misses are Barbie, Napoleon, The Zone of Interest, and Ferrari. Guess I’ll have to watch El Conde which is on Netflix. Not sure who will win here. Maybe Killers of the Flower Moon? Possibly Poor Things because it’s so in your face.

Film Editing

Anatomy of a Fall

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things

Generally, if you want to win Best Picture you need to be nominated in Editing. That indicator is starting to fall away. However, if you do think of this category in those terms your big winner could be here. Oppenheimer is the safe bet.

I’m not surprised Poor Things is here but I think the editing is the film’s major weakness. That film could be used to trim another 15 minutes. Anatomy of a Fall here is a cool nomination and a good one. No Ferrari?

Live Action Short Film

The Actor

Invincible

Knight of Fortune

Red, White, and Blue

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Documentary Short Film

The ABCs of Book Banning

The Barber of Little Rock

The Island In Between

The Last Repair Shop

Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó

Animated Short Film

Letter to a Pig

Ninety-Five Senses

Our Uniform

Pachyderme

War Is Over!

The shorts are the categories I do not know much about going into nomination morning, simply because they don’t get the attention and distribution the feature films do. I have seen The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. But I cannot wait to watch all of these shorts.

Documentary Feature Film

Bobi Wine: The People’s President

The Eternal Memory

Four Daughters

To Kill a Tiger

20 Days in Mariupol

The same goes for this category. I have only seen 20 Days in Mariupol, which is a tough watch, but a timely one. It might be too abrasive to win here but given its timeliness, I think it has a good shot.

Animated Feature Film

The Boy and the Heron

Elemental

Nimona

Robot Dreams

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

I have seen three of these films. Still need to watch Nimona and Robot Dreams. I wish Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem was nominated here, especially over Elemental. The Boy and the Heron is one of the ten best films I saw last year and would be in my personal Best Picture lineup.

International Feature Film

Io Capitano

Perfect Days

Society of the Snow

The Teachers’ Lounge

The Zone of Interest

Frustratingly, I have only seen one of these films because it’s the only one available (Society of the Snow on Netflix.). I am finally seeing The Zone of Interest this weekend I have my ticket! Looking forward to catching up with the other three as well.

The Taste of Things missing here is a big surprise. Shows maybe France should’ve picked Anatomy of a Fall as their selection. I’ve heard nothing but excellent things about The Taste of Things and look forward to watching it.

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Anatomy of a Fall – Justine Triet and Arthur Harari

The Holdovers - David Hemingson

Maestro - Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer

May December - Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik

Past Lives - Celine Song

With Barbie, moving to Adapted this category is wide open. Pretty good overall if you don’t count Maestro. Would’ve liked to see The Iron Claw here but oh well. Same for The Boy and the Heron, and Asteroid City.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

American Fiction - Cord Jefferson

Barbie - Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach

Oppenheimer - Christopher Nolan

Poor Things - Tony McNamara

The Zone of Interest - Jonathan Glazer

Killers of the Flower Moon not being here is shocking. The only script better than it in this lineup is Oppenheimer (Remember I haven’t seen The Zone of Interest yet). I don’t care for American Fiction so it can be bounced, and Poor Things.

Killers of the Flower Moon, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Ferrari, and All of Us Strangers would’ve all been worthy nominees here.

Directing

Anatomy of a Fall - Justine Triet

Killers of the Flower Moon - Martin Scorsese

Oppenheimer - Christopher Nolan

Poor Things - Yorgos Lanthimos

The Zone of Interest - Jonathan Glazer

The big surprise is Justine getting in over Greta Gerwig for Barbie. The directing branch is very international, so you can always count on an international director getting in. This year we got two, most people were predicting Glazer to be nominated but Justine was much more of a fringe pick.

I would’ve liked Celine Song to get in here for Past Lives, but I knew that was a long shot.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Emily Blunt - Oppenheimer

Danielle Brooks - The Color Purple

America Ferrera - Barbie

Jodie Foster - Nyad

Da’Vine Joy Randolph - The Holdovers

This is the category I have the biggest gripes with, what are we doing here? No Penelope Cruz for Ferrari. No Rachel McAdams for Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. I would’ve nominated Taraji P. Henson for The Color Purple of Danielle.

Jodie is good in a not-so-good film. Emily’s character is underwritten, the main problem with Oppenheimer. America Ferrera for Barbie is really bizarre to me.

She's not bad but it’s uninspired. Also, her getting in and Margot Robbie not is very weird. The only good nomination in my opinion is Da’Vine Joy Randolph who will cakewalk to a win here.

I would’ve also killed Tattoo Cardinal to be here for Killers of the Flower Moon but figured that’d only happen if the Academy was over the moon for the film. Same for All of US Strangers, which was skunked by the Academy.

I didn’t expect Claire Foy to be nominated, but she should have been. This is just a poor category this year because it’s essentially written in permanent marker who will win.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Sterling K. Brown - American Fiction

Robert De Niro - Killers of the Flower Moon

Robert Downey Jr. - Oppenheimer

Ryan Gosling - Barbie

Mark Ruffalo - Poor Things

The only surprise is Willem Dafoe missing out. Sterling likely got his spot. Sterling is fun in American Fiction but I don’t like that film. I really wanted Glenn Howerton for Blackberry here even though I knew he was never going to be nominated.

Another miss is Charles Melton for May December who got too hot too early and ran out of steam. Clearly, the Academy didn’t like May December outside of the script. I think RDJ is winning here and he’ll give a very charming speech.

Actress in a Leading Role

Annette Bening - Nyad

Lily Gladstone - Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Hüller - Anatomy of a Fall

Carey Mulligan - Maestro

Emma Stone - Poor Things

It is a battle between the Stones! Lily and Emma will be battling it out until the Oscar voting ends. The big surprise is Margot Robbie missing for Barbie. How do you nominate Ken and not Barbie? It’s like the Academy missed the point of Barbie.

Good for Sandra Huller, a deserved nomination. I wish Greta Lee was nominated here for Past Lives. And the less likely Teyana Taylor for A Thousand and One. But don’t worry I’m sure they’ll show up in my personal Oscars.

Actor in a Leading Role

Bradley Cooper - Maestro

Colman Domingo - Rustin

Paul Giamatti - The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy - Oppenheimer

Jeffrey Wright - American Fiction

Again a big shock, no Leonardo DiCaprio for Killers of the Flower Moon. Personally, I wouldn’t have nominated him, he gets blown off the screen by Lily and Robert. Good for Colman Domingo and Jeffrey Wright for finally getting nominations. I am happy for them even if it is for films I don’t care for.

I think this race is between Paul and Cillian. Paul finally receiving a Best Actor nomination after all these years in the industry. Don’t be surprised if he upsets Cillian here. We’ll have to see what happens at SAG.

Zac Efron in The Iron Claw is one of the great performances this year and a crime he missed and that film missed everything. Speaking of a film that skunked, I would have Adam Driver for Ferrari here. I don’t care that he’s not Italian, he is incredible in that film.

Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers is heartbreakingly good. A shame he didn’t pull more awards attention, because he should have.

Best Picture

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

Barbie

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Past Lives

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

Not sure when the last time the PGAs (Producers Guild of America) and the Academy Award for Best Picture went 10/10 in crossover nominations. Oppenheimer seems to be the odds-on favorite unless something gains steam like American Fiction.

Its main competitor is The Holdovers with Anatomy of a Fall in a distant third. Maybe when people can finally see The Zone of Interest it’ll gain more traction.

In my personal lineup, I would have 4 of these films; The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer, and Past Lives. I haven’t seen The Zone of Interest so I cannot speak to that film.

Overall it’s a lineup I mostly respect but not love.

I think a lot of this is already etched onto the statuettes. Some categories are still open races like the writing categories. Mostly, this feels like an unexcitable Oscars to come.