Some locals win, others lose, but the biggest movie prize of all is yet to come.
By Kim Devore / Entertainment Editor
There were plenty of upsets and surprises at 5:38 a.m. on Tues., Jan. 24 when the Oscar nominations were officially announced. Malibu’s Leonardo DiCaprio seemed to be a shoo-in for a Best Actor nomination after his acclaimed performance in “J. Edgar,” but was surprisingly left off the list. Still, there are lots of other Malibu locals to keep an eye on at the Kodak Theatre later this month.
Steven Spielberg, Nick Nolte and Gary Oldman have all been given Oscar nods. Spielberg’s “War Horse” could win by a nose for Best Picture, but it is in a tough race with the Golden Globe-winning silent film “The Artist,” “The Descendants,” “The Help,” “The Tree of Life,” Martin Scorsese’s whimsical “Hugo,” Woody’s Allen’s magical “Midnight in Paris,” the baseball hit “Moneyball” and the 9/11 tale “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,” starring Malibu’s Tom Hanks.
Best Actor is another close contest. Gary Oldman received a nod for his turn in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” which pits the local against Golden Globe- and SAG award-winner Jean Dujardin for “The Artist,” Brad Pitt for “Moneyball” and George Clooney for “The Descendants.”
Meryl Streep may be the favorite for her Globe-winning role as legendary British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady,” but Michelle Williams’ portrayal of Marilyn Monroe and Rooney Mara as “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” are also serious contenders in a category that includes Glenn Close in “Albert Nobbs” and SAG award-winner Viola Davis in “The Help.”
Longtime resident Nick Nolte is up for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the sports drama the “Warrior.” He is going toe to toe against film vet Max von Sydow, who appears in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,” Sunday’s SAG winner Christopher Plummer in “Beginners,” Kenneth Branagh for “My Week with Marilyn” and Jonah Hill in “Moneyball.”
The award season is just getting underway, so expect to see those shiny Gemstar limos lined up along Pacific Coast Highway for weeks to come. But for the biggest, starriest, flashiest night of nights, tune in for the Super Bowl of cinema, the 84th Annual Academy Awards on Sun., Feb. 26.