Random reactions to today's Academy Awards nominations.

1. Where's Albert Brooks (DRIVE)?
2. Guessing the animated film winner will probably be one of the two mostly-unknown quantities--
either CHICO AND RITA or A CAT IN PARIS.
3. Why didn't one or both of Werner Herzog's documentaries (INTO THE ABYSS and CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS) make the final Best Documentary list?
4. I haven't seen WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN--but I'm thinking Tilda Swinton's more deserving
of being on the Best Actress list than Rooney Mara (good, but not as good as Noomi Rapace).
5. Haven't seen THE HELP, but I'd almost rather see Kate Winslet (CARNAGE) or Shailene Woodley/Judy Greer (THE DESCENDANTS) on the list rather than Jessica Chastain.
6.  Regardless of its detractors in the film review community, EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE deserves the Best Picture nomination it received.
7. Would have preferred the Cliff Martinez score for DRIVE in place of one of the two John Williams
nods.
8. Where's Charlize Theron (YOUNG ADULT)?
9. Hoping Nick Nolte's deserved Supporting Actor nomination brings more sales/rentals to the video release of last year's overlooked-by-audiences WARRIOR.
10. Congratulations in advance to Emmanuel Lubezki for what looks like an inevitable win for his fine cinematography in Terrence Malick's THE TREE OF LIFE.

Best films of 2011--third and final draft

In no specific order: MONEYBALL DRIVE GAINSBOURG YOUNG ADULT TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY INTO THE ABYSS BUCK THE DESCENDANTS THE GUARD MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE JANE EYRE THE TRIP HUGO RANGO SUPER 8 EXTREMELY LOUD AND
INCREDIBLY CLOSE




SORT-OF GUILTY PLEASURES: IRONCLAD TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN DRIVE ANGRY CARS 2



HONORABLE MENTION: BRIDESMAIDS CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS PROJECT NIM RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES RESTLESS RAMPART CONTAGION SARAH'S KEY MY WEEK WITH MARILYN THE IDES OF MARCH CRAZY STUPID LOVE CARNAGE THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN THE SKIN I LIVE IN WARRIOR ATTACK THE BLOCK
OUR IDIOT BROTHER

Best films of 2011--second draft.

In no specific order: MONEYBALL DRIVE GAINSBOURG YOUNG ADULT TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY INTO THE ABYSS BUCK THE DESCENDANTS THE GUARD MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE JANE EYRE THE TRIP HUGO RANGO SUPER 8

SORT-OF GUILTY PLEASURES: IRONCLAD TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN DRIVE ANGRY

HONORABLE MENTION: BRIDESMAIDS CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS PROJECT NIM RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES RESTLESS RAMPART CONTAGION SARAH'S KEY MY WEEK WITH MARILYN THE IDES OF MARCH CRAZY STUPID LOVE CARNAGE THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN THE SKIN I LIVE IN

Best movies of 2011--first draft.

The list below comprises films I've seen as of today. Will post a final list in January. In no specific order: MONEYBALL DRIVE GAINSBOURG YOUNG ADULT TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY INTO THE ABYSS BUCK THE DESCENDANTS THE GUARD MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE JANE EYRE THE TRIP HUGO RANGO SUPER 8 SORT-OF GUILTY PLEASURES: IRONCLAD TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN DRIVE ANGRY HONORABLE MENTION: BRIDESMAIDS CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS PROJECT NIM RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES RESTLESS RAMPART CONTAGION SARAH'S KEY MY WEEK WITH MARILYN THE IDES OF MARCH CRAZY STUPID LOVE