2012 Oscar nominations announced

By Julia Ferrell
Ames247 Staff Writer

This week, the 2012 Academy Awards nominees were announced. From mainstream comedies to silent black and white films, this year’s Oscars night will recognize a wide range of film and acting talents.

Upon hearing the announcement, Iowa State students and faculty are already preparing their Oscar party ballots.

Thomas Beell, professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Mass Communicaiton and former Ames Tribune movie reviewer, is pleased with this year’s nominees and said that because the Academy has increased the number of films and individuals that can be nominated, it has allowed a wider range of films to be recognized.

“For a long time, the number of nominations was limited so many films that were really pretty good were left out. Since they’ve increased the number of nominees … it makes it possible for smaller films to get in,” Beell said. “I think the Academy members have been inclined to try to share the wealth a little bit. … There are ways for a film to get recognized and honored.”

Geoffrey Sauer, associate professor of English, said most Oscar nominations are based strongly on public reactions to the films. Sauer, however, does not always agree with that strategy of selection.

“The Oscar nominations tend to all the benefits and weaknesses of crowd sourcing,” Sauer said. “But sometimes, the process doesn’t recognize some imaginative or creative works as much as I’d like.”

This year, however, one ground-breaking film has been largely recognized. “The Artist,” an innovative black and white silent film, has been nominated in several categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor in a Lead Role and Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

“I think it’s phenomenal that one of the films getting the most nominations is largely silent,” Beell said. “But I think that also suggests the members of the Academy are, in a way, nostalgic about the business, and this movie pays homage to the past and the origin of movies.”

Beell also noted that of roughly 5,000 members of the Academy, a large amount are an older generation “representing a different time,” which might affect the styles of films they prefer to nominate.

Regardless of the films’ styles, both Sauer and Beell agreed that films looking for nominations must meet other certain requirements to be considered for an award. Sauer, for example, personally looks for films that will have “lasting popularity.”

Although films are released throughout the year, Beell said films are often more likely to be nominated if they are released later in the awards season.

“The fear is that if you release a film early in the year, it will be overlooked and forgotten,” Beell said.

In one case, Rooney Mara, the actress who portrayed Lisbeth Salander in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” was on the fence for some film experts, as the film’s December release could have made it too late in the game for her to be considered for the Best Actress category. In the end, however, Mara was selected over several other actresses that have been speculated nominees for months.

Beell also said good filming techniques and audience reactions play a significant role in establishing nominees. He also noted that although they are not necessary, big-name actors and actresses often help give films an extra boost.

Although there are many aspects of films that are considered when selecting nominees, the Oscars are “as good at predicting lasting classics as any awards process I know,” Sauer said.

2012 Academy Award nominations include:

Best Picture

Actor in a Lead Role

Demian Bichir — “A Better Life“
George Clooney — “The Descendants”
Jean Dujardin — “The Artist”
Gary Oldman — “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy“
Brad Pitt — “Moneyball”

Actress in a Lead Role

Glenn Close — “Albert Nobbs“
Viola Davis — “The Help”
Rooney Mara — “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo“
Meryl Streep — “The Iron Lady“
Michelle Williams — “My Week with Marilyn“

Actor in a Supporting Role

Kenneth Branagh — “My Week with Marilyn”
Jonah Hill — “Moneyball”
Nick Nolte — “Warrior“
Christopher Plummer — “Beginners“
Max von Sydow — “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”

Actress in a Supporting Role

Berenice Bejo — “The Artist”
Jessica Chastain — “The Help”
Melissa McCarthy — “Bridesmaids“
Janet McTeer — “Albert Nobbs”
Octavia Spencer — “The Help”

To view the full list of nominations, visit the Oscars 2012 website.

What are your favorite Oscar picks?

Lauren Dentler, freshman in performing arts

“I’m really rooting for Gary Oldman, because it’s his first time being nominated and he’s an amazing actor.”

Samuel Wenndt, freshman in chemical engineering

“I’ve seen Jonah Hill movies, Jonah Hill’s funny. … I like comedies.”

Kaitlyn Klein, senior in animal science

“I saw ‘The Help,’ and I liked that. And I liked ‘Bridesmaids’ too.”

Michael Johnson, senior in electrical engineering

“I liked ‘War Horse’ but I’m not sure if it’s Best Picture material. I enjoyed ‘Moneyball.’ My friend helped on a documentary that is nominated, called ‘If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front’.”