The Wrap:
Did Academy voters just clear a path to the stage for Steven Spielberg and "Lincoln?"
Or did they indicate that Spielberg's historical drama has unexpectedly serious challengers, not in the two CIA-themed dramas that were expected to be Best Picture contenders, but in David O. Russell's delicious bipolar comedy "Silver Linings Playbook" and Ang Lee's visionary "Life of Pi."
With a stunning set of nominations highlighted by a Best Director category that almost no one could have envisioned, Oscar voters upended conventional wisdom and placed a huge obstacle in the way of Ben Affleck's "Argo" and Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty," as well as Tom Hooper's "Les Misérables."
Those three directors were left out of the Best Director category in favor of Spielberg, Russell, Lee and two surprises: Michael Haneke for "Amour" and Benh Zeitlin for his first feature, "Beasts of the Southern Wild."
Shaz from FL writes: “The Academy Awards are just around the corner, and if recent shows are any indication, Oppenheimer will be taking its biggest prize. But should it?”
Oscars 2023 might witness new rounds of celebrations, accolades, and the usual reminiscence of the Slapgate fiasco.
Oscars 2023 Live Updates: Check Out the Complete list of Winner from the 95th Academy Awards here.
I am shocked that Ben Affleck didn't get a Nom for Argo. He should at least have been nominated for best Director whether he won or not. He did an outstanding job on that movie and I think it was better than a couple of the ones that were nominated.