WGA Award Nominations

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 3:57pm

Original Screenplay
JUNO
MICHAEL CLAYTON
THE SAVAGES
KNOCKED UP
LARS AND THE REAL GIRL

Adapted Screenplay
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
THERE WILL BE BLOOD
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
INTO THE WILD
ZODIAC

Documentary Screenplay
THE CAMDEN 28
NANKING
NO END IN SIGHT
THE RAPE OF EUROPA
SICKO
TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE


I am so saddened that ATONEMENT didn't get nominated. But at least ZODIAC was remembered.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 4:48pm

How do you nominate Zodiac and Into the Wild for adapted and ignore Atonement (which is, imho, one of the best film adaptations of all time).

[broadway86]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 7:52pm

It's about time Zodiac got some ****ing recognition. I loved Into the Wild, but I would have put Atonement in over it.

I also enjoyed Knocked Up but I would replace that with, say Year of the Dog.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 7:56pm

Atonement is just getting snubbed again and again. If anything deserves recognition, it's the screenplay. What a shame. I can't believe Zodiac got a nod over it.

And I'm sorry Ratatouille was overlooked.

EDIT: Or are animated films not eligible for WGA?

Updated On: 1/10/08 at 07:56 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 8:03pm

They are, Priest, and that's a shame.

I haven't seen Atonement yet, but I want to! And I'm surprised it's not getting more Guild love. It seems like such a "Best Picture," which may be the problem possibly.

Too typical? Too formulaic?

I'm guessing here.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 8:12pm

Well, Atonement certainly does have the "Oscar-bait" feel to it, which I suppose turns some people off nowadays.

But it is still a fantastic film. The first 45 minutes or so are absolutely flawless and engrossing in every way. Then, I think it lags a little in the middle. But it returns to perfect form by the end.

I haven't read the book yet, but from what I know about it, it sounds absolutely impossible to adapt, yet the film turned out wonderful.

Everything is top notch. Acting, writing, directing, design, score. But, again, it does have that "Oscar-bait" feel. And then there's that five-and-a-half minutes no-cut Steadicam shot that has been so discussed. For some reason, that shot has turned many away from the film, as they feel it was just showing off. I didn't get that at all though. It is a gorgeous shot.

The Oscar nods I'm really hoping it gets are for Best Score, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress for Saoirse Ronan, Best Art Direction, Best Costumes and Best Editing.

And I wouldn't mind it getting nods for Best Actor for James McAvoy, Best Director and Best Picture, though, with the slate of potential nominees, I can see why they might be overlooked more easily than the nods I just mentioned.

[nitsua]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 8:19pm

I've read the book and I've seen the movie, and I didn't like either, although both are perfect, if that makes any sense.

I felt disconnected by each.

A lot of the book, especially the first part, is emotion and thoughts. There's action, but out of 100 pages, only 20 are what the characters are doing. I'm glad the writer let the action speak for itself and didn't add the voice over. That would've been a terrible choice.

The soundtrack was fantastic.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 12:33am

Adore the book, adore the film.

It should win Best Original Score, if nothing else.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:01am

*Very mild vague spoilers re ATONEMENT involved*

Okay, I haven't read the novel ATONEMENT but I did see the film and I think the problem is that it does have this "Oscar" feeling to it all throughout. I loved the beginning, was utterly bored by the middle (basically the part that solely focused on Robbie), and loved the last part (when they moved on from Robbie to the female characters). I'm surprised that it isn't getting more attention from the guilds, makes me wonder its chances at Best Picture. I am also doubting Keira Nightley's nomination, she was fantastic but feel there were worthier performances (perhaps it also has to do with the fact that I didn't think her character was actually a leading character).

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 1:52pm

Stick another dagger into Atonement's Oscar chances.

The ACE award nominations, the Guild award for Editing, came out today, and, as has been the case with every Guild so far, Atonement was absent from the list of nominees.

A shame. I thought the Editing was one of the most perfect parts of the film.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:29pm

To add an additional thought, this movie gets better if you see it more than once. you catch a lot of stuff, and you also gain increased respect for the score, which makes quite an impression on the first view, so it is saying something.

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:29pm

Haven't seen Atonement yet...I'm pretty willing to be I won't like it. I'm just that way. I appreciated NO COUNTRY... but what's the big f-in deal?

HOWEVER, Zodiak is my favorite film this year (thus far...from what I've seen). Not perfect...but thrilling. And it actually had an ending.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:39pm

I respected ZODIAC. But I wouldn't say I loved it.

But I respected and loved NO COUNTRY. I hope it gets widely rereleased once it gets a bunch of Oscar nods, so I can see it again.

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:42pm

Well...I the reason I loved Zodiak is that it made me feel something...intensely. All I felt after NO COUNTRY was 'Now THAT'S good filmmaking.' I respect the hell out of it, but that's all I took away.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:43pm

See, I felt that exact way about ZODIAC. Different strokes, I guess.

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:44pm

Totally...I think they're both actually terrific films...but one inspired and emotional response in me that the other didn't. And it's all good.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:46pm

I just think was a very strong year for so many of our best filmmakers.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:48pm

IMO, this has been a damn good year for movies....so why in God's name are people putting the irritatingly twee and forgettable LARS AND THE REAL GIRL up for any noms in any category in any awards?

[broadway86]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 2:56pm

I think they're both actually terrific films.

Yeah, me too. In a year full of great movies, they're both in the top tier.