Awards come, awards go. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences introduced the animated feature film category in 2001. From 1995-99, an award for original musical or comedy score existed. And back when dancing was an elemental part of American filmmaking, between the eight and 10th ceremonies, dance directors were rewarded for their outstanding achievements with golden statues.
Also coming and going were a set number of best picture nominees per season. The first year had three films.
At the fifth ceremony (1931/32), the Academy nominated more than what we know as the standard five films for the award. In 1934 and 1935, 12 films received nods.
But the last year to allow this many nominees was 1943, when “Casablanca” beat out nine other contenders.
From then on, five films were chosen each year.
Until now. With 10 films back on the ballot, the 82nd ceremony will be a battle for the big prize.
The front-runner in the coveted category is the war drama “The Hurt Locker.” Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Jeremy Renner — both up for awards — “Locker” barely made a profit. It was supposed be released in time to be eligible for the 2009 Oscars in February, but was pushed to a June release. It seems that change may catapult the low-budget, little-film-that-could to a statuette.
Not only is this story of soldiers who disable bombs timely and frighteningly realistic, the movie has won all but two of the major film awards in the last season. “Inglourious Basterds” won the Screen Actors Guild award, which judges a film on the acting ensemble. Top-grossing film of all time, “Avatar,” won the Golden
Globe, likely because of its fiscal success. Regardless, expect the Oscar to go to the less talked-about “Locker” because of its winning streak.
When it comes to the directing race, a history brews between two of the nominees. “Avatar” director James Cameron already has three Oscars, thanks to “Titanic.” Running against him is Bigelow, an ex-wife, his third of five.
She has taken every large film award this year, save for the Golden Globe, which went to Cameron, and she is the only woman in the race. Even Cameron has voiced how proud he is of Bigelow’s recent success.
There is no contest in the best actor in a leading role category. Jeff Bridges, up for his work in the small-budget “Crazy Heart,” nabbed his fifth nomination this year. His portrayal of a country musician who has hit the bottom has been praised by his peers. An Academy snub here would be an unwelcome surprise.
Possibly the closest race is that in the leading actress group between Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep. Streep scored her 16th nomination, this year’s for “Julie & Julia.” With two statuettes already, it may be time for Streep to win another; her most recent win was in not-so-recent 1982.
Bullock has her first nod for her role in the book-to-film adaptation “The Blind Side.” She single-handedly carried the $29 million budget film, which came out in late November and is still earning at the box office.
This category is just too close to call.
Audiences can watch the winners thank the Academy, cry tears of joy and fashion stunning eveningwear when the statuettes are given out Sunday on ABC at 7 p.m.
By Chloe O’Conner, Guest Writer
