Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy that The Return of the King was nominated for eleven Academy Awards today, but no nominations in any acting category? Or for cinematography? That’s crazy, ladies and gentlemen. Crazy.
It is, however, nice to see Miramax get shut out. Even the Mighty Weinsteins couldn’t muscle Cold Mountain into the Best Picture running. I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand this new wave of period war epics. Cold Mountain, Master & Commander, and The Last Samurai all look good enough, I suppose, but do any of them contain a giant war-elephant attack? Didn’t think so.
You know what? In all seriousness, over the course of the three LotR movies, award-worthy performances were turned in by Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis, Bernard Hill, and (especially) Sean Bean. Eight actors, three films, and a grand total of one nomination, from the very first film, for the most renowned actor? I’m telling you, man: crazy.