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The nominees for the 2015 Golden Globes were revealed this week, on the heels of similar nominations for the SAG Awards. And while these groups aren’t directly connected with the Academy, they certainly have a massive impact on the ongoing state of the Oscar race. We discuss how and why in this week’s Awards Blend podcast.
There’s a lot of movement on the charts this week. Following the Golden Globes and the SAG nominations, I feel comfortable letting films that hung on as Longshots fall by the way side. Some things can change between now and the morning that the Oscar nominations are revealed. But with multiple regional and national critics groups selecting their favorite films – and the HFPA and SAG bodies revealing their top picks – the races in MOST of the major Oscar categories are starting to clear.
As of Friday, December 12, here’s where I think our major contenders stand:  The Frontrunners The Contenders The Dark Horses The Longshots
It’s possible that this category could break major ground if two female directors (in Angelina Jolie and Ava DuVernay) are able to land nominations for their pictures Unbroken and Selma. The more I think about it, the more I think Clint Eastwood, who hasn’t been nominated in the Best Director category since 2006’s Letters from Iwo Jima, returns to the category by returning to the battlefield for American Sniper. His NBR win helps, plus the Academy loves him. We’ll see how Sniper plays in the coming weeks.
 The Frontrunner The Contenders The Dark Horses The Longshots
Easily the toughest category in this year’s Oscar race. There will be at least five worthy Best Actor candidates who’ll be on the outside looking in on the morning of the Oscar announcements, as we discussed in this week’s podcast (on Page One). When picking Frontrunners, I have four who I believe are mortal locks. That means there’s one possible slot open for nearly 20 possible contenders. Who’ll survive the lengthy Opening Stage of the awards campaign?
 The Frontrunners The Contenders The Dark Horses The Longshots
If the Best Actor is stacked, the Best Actress race is rail thin. A few candidates are emerging late, particularly Julianne Moore in the buzzworthy Still Alice. This week, thanks to recognition from SAG and the Golden Globes, Jennifer Aniston announced her presence for her role in the drama Cake, and now looks like she could disrupt the two-horse race between Moore and Reese Witherspoon.
 The Frontrunners The Contenders The Dark Horses The Longshots
As predicted, J.K. Simmons is taking the trophies in the early, regional awards races. Hopefully his wins – as well as positive word-of-mouth – can continue to boost Whiplash at the indie box office on fire. Right now, I’m waiting for someone to step up and challenge Simmons for the lead in this category. It hasn’t happened yet.
 The Frontrunners The Contenders The Dark Horses The Longshots
Much like the Best Picture race, I have one lock (in my mind) for the Supporting Actress race, and it’s tied to Boyhood. Patricia Arquette is the emotional anchor of Richard Linklater’s sprawling, 12-year journey, and her sentimental work should be enough to earn the actress her first Oscar nomination. Who will join her?
 The Frontrunners The Contenders The Dark Horses The Longshots |
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