The Oscar nods are out and local Mel Gibson is back on top for the first time in years. Mel’s latest film, “Hacksaw Ridge,” is up for six awards including best picture and best director. It’s a true-life drama about a World War II army medic, which Mel describes as a “love story, not a war story.”
Overall, the sparkling musical and Golden Globe winner “La La Land” swept the competition with 14 nominations, including best picture — tying the all-time records (for “Titanic” and “All About Eve”).
The other big news was that last year’s “Oscars So White” controversy seems to be addressed with lots of diversity in both the film and acting fields. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis are each up for their roles in “Fences.” Octavia Spencer snagged a nomination for best supporting actress in “Hidden Figures.” As for other flicks, there’s “Moonlight,” an African American boy’s coming of age story that also won a Golden Globe. The film’s director, Barry Jenkins, is up but he faces some stiff competition with Gibson, Damien Chazelle of “La La Land,” Kenneth Lonergan of “Manchester by the Sea” and Denis Villeneuve of “Arrival” also in the running. Each of their films made it to the best pic category. The red carpet walk is well underway with actors, writers and director’s guild winners yet to be announced.
A galaxy of stars kicked off the season at the Critic’s Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. It included the film world’s most famous, including Jodie Foster, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Garfield, Amy Adams and Mel Gibson. It’s usually the first thing fans tune into to see what Oscar day may bring. “La La Land” danced off with best picture while Natalie Portman nabbed best actress for her pill box hat portrayal as former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in “Jackie.” Will they be on a winning streak? We’ll have to wait and see.
Meantime, back at the Academy, they’ve widened the range of films for best picture.
That includes not only “Arrival,” “Moonlight,” “Manchester by the Sea, “La La Land,” and “Hacksaw Ridge,” but also “Fences,” “Hell or High Water,” “Hidden Figures” and “Lion.”
The great, grand big carpet walk will take place Feb. 26 and will be seen by millions on ABC with Jimmy Kimmel playing ringleader to the circus. So, pass the champagne, popcorn, Prosecco or Pepsi and pull up a seat, then prepare to celebrate all things celluloid.