Entertainment
Independent Spirit Award Nominations Are Out, Which Means We Can Predict Oscar Snubs
Grab your moody scarf, beret, pack of smokes (note: author does not condone smoking), and head on down to the nearest independent movie theater because the Independent Spirit Award nominations are upon us! This year’s ceremony will be hosted by the hilarious comedian-with-a-conscience Patton Oswalt in Santa Monica on March 1. The big films that racked up the most nominations for the honors are 12 Years a Slave, Nebraska, Short Term 12, Blue Jasmine, and Fruitvale Station.
The Independent Spirit Awards often hint at future Oscar nominations for the bigger films. 12 Years a Slave, as well as Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club, are absolute shoe-ins for the little golden man. However, not all who shine in the indies are nominated for an Oscar. Oh! if only the masses could see The Spectacular Now. Here’s our predictions for the independent films and actors who deserve accolades in the big leagues, but are likely to be benched for the Oscars.
*Author's note: I sincerely hope I am proven wrong by the Academy on all accounts. *
'Frances Ha' — Best Picture
Frances Ha was nominated for Best Feature in the Spirit Awards, and that’s it… talk about snubs! Though we’re keeping our fingers crossed the black-and-white film about dance, New York, and much much more gets a Best Original Screenplay nod. And in case you missed it, here’s screenwriter and star Greta Gerwig dancing to Arcade Fire and giving you a lot of feelings.
'Inside Llewyn Davis' — Best Picture
This one is a tough call because it’s a Coen Brothers film. Joel and Ethan are quite often the Oscar favorites, but the buzz surrounding their latest piece about folk music in 1960s Greenwich Village is substantially less than past films. But still, it is the Coen Brothers.
Julie Delpy, Best Actress —'Before Midnight'
This one actually pains me to write. Delpy’s emotional and heartbreaking Before Sunrise series has been some of the most consistent, beautiful filmmaking. But alas, time and time again Delpy seems to be overlooked for her writing and performances… except for one screenplay nom. ONE. FOR SHAME, ACADEMY.
Michael B Jordan, Best Actor — 'Fruitvale Station'
BUUUUUUUH. Okay this one is actually more painful to write. As completely deserving as Jordan is for his guttural performance in Fruitvale Station, it’s likely he will be overlooked by the Academy. Reasoning? Weirdly enough, because the film was released in the summer. Oscar films almost always come out at the end of the year. Because remember, that’s why Les Mis was apparently “good.”
Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, Best Original Screenplay — 'The Spectacular Now'
Ever since Little Miss Sunshine, every year the Oscars recognizes maybe one independent film that was, ya know, funny. Yes, I know, shocking news that funny films should be taken seriously. Though sadly, it looks like this year’s Little Miss Sunshine will be from the same people who made Little Miss Sunshine, The Way Way Back.
Michael Fassbender, Best Supporting Actor — '12 Years a Slave'
Fassbender was dubiously snubbed for an Oscar in 2012 for his performance in Shame and in 2009 for a Supporting Actor nod in Inglorious Basterds. Sadly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Academy did it again. Are they pulling a Leo DiCaprio on him? Let’s hope not.
