With all of Hollywood preparing for the 90th Oscar Awards night, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has already released its list of official nominees and first 12 presenters for the big night. Most film nominees received previous nods from other award-giving bodies, but movie fans and critics find that several names and titles that were "expected" to make the cut were snubbed from this year's list.
Academy President John Bailey, actor Andy Serkis, and actress Tiffany Haddish announced the full nominations list at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California last Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Leading the count with 13 nominations and continuing its awards season streak is Guillermo del Toro's "Shape of Water." Alongside del Toro's film are the other Best Picture category nominees, such as "Call Me by Your Name," "Darkest Hour," "Dunkirk," "Get Out," "Lady Bird," "Phantom Thread," "The Post," "The Shape of Water," and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." "Dunkirk" also got eight nominations, while "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" received seven from The Academy.
The 90th Oscars could potentially make history once again if "Mudbound" cinematographer Rachel Morrison wins against her male contemporaries, as she is the first female cinematographer nominee. "Get Out," which was both critically acclaimed and a blockbuster hit, might become Jordan Peele's ticket to making history as well. Peele is in the running for Best Director and is also a nominee for Best Original Screenplay. Hugh Jackman starrer "Logan" is also making waves as the first superhero film to be nominated for its writing.
According to the New York Times, the 90th Oscars comes with its fair share of snubs. James Franco, who was lauded for his role in "The Disaster Artist" might have been kept out of the running due to allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior. Nanjiani's "The Big Sick" may have received a Best Ensemble nod from the Screen Actors Guild, but it was denied an Oscar nomination. Director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks were also not nominated for their movie, "The Post".
The first 12 presenters for the awards were also announced, namely, Mahershala Ali ("Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse), Chadwick Boseman ("Black Panther"), Viola Davis ("Widows"), Laura Dern ("Star Wars: The Last Jedi"), Jennifer Garner ("Peppermint"), Greta Gerwig ("Lady Bird"), Tiffany Haddish ("Girls Trip"), Tom Holland ("Avengers: Infinity War"), Kumail Nanjiani ("The Big Sick"), Margot Robbie ("I, Tonya"), Emma Stone ("Battle of the Sexes"), and Daniela Vega ("A Fantastic Woman").
Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel will be returning to host the 90th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 4, at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
