The Oscars: Noms and snubs and what I need to see, like now

I've had my coffee and just spent an extensive amount of time this morning reading about Leonardo DiCaprio online.

Fans of his surely haven't been able to get out of bed since Thursday's Oscar nominations were announced and Leo wasn't named for his performance in "Django Unchained."
I am not necessarily upset about the nominees in the best supporting actor category, and I can't judge Tommy Lee Jones or Philip Seymour Hoffman because I haven't seen their films yet. But DiCaprio was FLAWLESS as Calvin Candie.
I loved most everything about Quentin Tarantino's latest baby, but the more I think about it Leo's performance is the best.
"Django Unchained" did get nominated for best picture, Tarantino is in the mix for writing and Christoph Waltz made the cut for best supporting actor.
There is an extra burn for poor poor Leo. Waltz did great and is deserving, but could he have ousted his costar? Awkward.
At least DiCaprio's performance is recognized in other award circles. He received a best supporting actor win from the National Board of Review and Golden Globe nomination, but the Django snub at the Oscars is pretty shocking.
It could be his best role yet and on top of that DiCaprio has a really strong filmography since he started out as an actor.

The Chicago Film Critics Association named Leo the most promising actor after his performance in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" in 1993. He also earned an Oscar nomination for that film, "Blood Diamond," and "The Aviator."

On one hand the Oscars could be considered an over-hyped popularity contest, but it's the culmination of award season and it really doesn't make sense that an actor like Leo can make it through all the other levels only to be cast out at the end.

I didn't see "J. Edgar" but I did catch the look in Leo's baby blues when he lost out at the Golden Globes to George Clooney last year.

Then he got snubbed at the Oscars for that role too. I don't know if I'll be able to take it if he doesn't get what he deserves at the Golden Globes tomorrow.
What does the man have to do to be recognized by the Academy for some of his best roles? He's consistently worked with top actors and directors, including Martin Scorsese on several occasions.
Come on, he even walked Kate Winslet down the aisle at her wedding! He's got a save the world-type foundation and you never really hear much drama about his life. 

Whatever, "Academy," Leo is better than you. 

There is no good transition to get into the other Oscar nominations here, so I'll just move on from my rant. 

I have quite a few of the best pictures to see, but I can do it. To be honest I am not as excited about crossing the titles off my list as I was last year, but "Lincoln" and "Zero Dark Thirty" are intriguing to me. 

I saw "Argo," which cleaned up at the Critic's Choice Awards as the best picture and with a best director nod to Ben Affleck. We'll see what happens at the Globes, but the film is a contender now.

I have "Beasts of a Southern Wild" on DVD to watch and then just need to get through "Amour," "Life of Pi," and "Les Miserables."

It is nice the nominations are out earlier this year so I can keep on task with my list and have more time before the big show.

Comparing the Golden Globes best picture musical/comedy and drama nominees to the Oscars, "Moonrise Kingdom,"  "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen," and "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" did not make the final cut. 

I saw Wes Anderson's picture of course, but not the other two. It would be nice to see that more on the Oscar list, at least for some of the performances. The writing by Anderson and Roman Coppola did get a nod though. 

I admit this is getting really long, but I just find the dynamics of what makes films and actors qualify to be "award winning" very interesting and nonsensical at times.

In the end (ignoring my entire rant about Leo's snub), I hope the award for people behind and in front of the camera is in the form of expression film can be. I have always admired filmmakers for being able to put their individual stamp on documenting true events and history, coming up with something completely from their imagination or bringing a favorite book to life.
That's all, thanks for reading, I need to go watch something now.