Before I begin, I’d like to let everyone know that I am not attempting to write formally with these blog entries. So, that’s why this blog comes across as a random rant most of the time. Just a heads up. Now, without further ado, here are my initial thoughts on the 2009 Oscar nominations…

First, everyone needs to chill out. I’ve heard many people, especially teenagers complain about “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’s” abundance of nominations (13 to be exact). After overhearing a few of them, I realized that most of these naysayers had not even seen the film. Don’t knock it till you try it, people! Plus, “Button” is a big, sweeping epic. What did you expect? It is the exact kind of movie the Academy drools over. Look at “Lord of the Rings” (which, like “Button,” was deserving of all its accolades).

I hate to seem like a hypocrite and keep talking about “The Dark Knight” (A few weeks ago if you recall, I scolded people for talking the movie to death). However, I must mention that I am not nearly as shocked as everyone else that it was “snubbed” for a Best Picture nod. It has gotten plenty of recognition and the nominees that took its place are just as deserving. Having said that, I actually would have still loved to see it be nominated and win Best Picture. It is the kind of film the Academy needs to recognize more often: a film that seamlessly belnds “popcorn entertainment” with profound social and psychological analysis. What bugs me, though, is the fact that most of the teenagers that complain about it not being nominated have not seen the other Best Picture nominees. Once again, don’t knock them till you’ve tried them.

The only Best Picture nominee that I feel is less deserving is “Slumdog Millionaire.” It amounts to nothing more than a mildly charming movie. Ultimately forgettable. It doesn’t have the transcendent quality of “The Dark Knight” or “Frost/Nixon” or many other films released this year. However, it will win Best Picture based on its sentimentality and contrived tenderness.

In terms of the acting categories, I am satisfied (with the exception of Amy Adams’ nomination for “Doubt.” I’m still trying to figure out what exactly she did in that movie to deserve a nod for Best Supporting Actress).

Here are some  people and films I feel were unfairly snubbed…

Josh Brolin for his surprisingly sympathetic and rich portrayal of George W. Bush in “W.”

Michael Sheen for his extremely charismatic performance in “Frost/Nixon.”

Darren Aronofsky for his powerfully understated direction of “The Wrestler.”

Christopher Nolan for transcending the comic book genre with his direction of “The Dark Knight.”

“Religulous” for being the funniest and most insightful documentary of the year.

Richard Dreyfus for his often chilling portrayal of Dick Cheney in “W.”

That’s all for now, folks. See you on the Red Carpet (I wish).