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Writer's pictureHaileigh West

Pop Culture: 95th Oscar Nominations Announced


A person’s hand holding a white card titled “BEST PICTURE” in red, beside a red sequined dress

On Tuesday, Jan 24, nominations for the 95th Academy Awards were announced by Riz Ahmed and Allison Williams. The complete list of nominations certainly seemed like it could shape up to be one of the most diverse Oscar seasons in terms of mixing both blockbuster hits with several first time nominees. First time nominees are recognized in 16 of the 20 categories this year. Let’s break down some of the most popular categories, as well as talk about the biggest snubs and disappointments this Oscar season.


Coming in strong was “Everything Everywhere All at Once” with 11 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu) and Best Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan). After sweeping at The Golden Globes on Jan. 10, it is safe to say that this film and ensemble have a strong chance of taking the win in several of these categories.


This was followed close behind by both “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “The Banshees of Inisherin,” both taking nine nominations including Best Picture nods for both, Best Original Screenplay (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) and Best Adapted Screenplay (“All Quiet on the Western Front”). “The Banshees of Inisherin” also captured several nominations for their ensemble, with “All Quiet on the Western Front” getting several production and editing nominations.


One of the top contenders of this awards season is “Elvis”, with the film scoring eight nominations including Best Actor (Austin Butler), Cinematography, Makeup and Hairstyling and Costume Design. After Butler took home The Golden Globe for his role, he is definitely one to watch going into the Oscars.


Several blockbuster films were recognized this year, with “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” both sliding into the Best Picture category. The films also received several other production and editing nominations.


Rounding out the Best Picture category includes others such as “The Fablemans” directed by Steven Spielberg, “Tár,” “Triangle of Sadness” and “Women Talking.”


With any award nominations come the audience opinions of the biggest snubs that did not receive the recognition that many believed to be due. Seemingly the biggest news of the nominations is that the Best Director category is once again all men. After two back to back female directors took home the award both in 2021 for “Nomadland” (Chloe Zhao) and in 2022 for “The Power of the Dog” (Jane Campion). This definitely did not go unnoticed by many, with obvious director snubs present such as Charlotte Wells for “Aftersun,” Gina Prince Bythewood for “The Woman King” and Sarah Polley for “Women Talking.”


Another huge surprise was the recognition of Ana de Armas in “Blonde,” the Marilyn Monroe biopic. Despite its scathing reviews after its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in Sept., somehow the film landed a single nomination for Best Actress at this year's Academy Awards.


While both Angela Bassett for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and Bryan Tyree Henry for “Causeway” earned nominations in the Supporting Actor and Actress categories, both the Best Actress and Best Actor categories were lacking Black performers. Most notably snubbed was Viola Davis for her work in “The Woman King.”


The Oscar campaigns start now for these hopeful artists hoping to take home the gold trophy as a representation of their incredible work. ABC will broadcast the ceremony live on Mar. 12. For a full look at all of this year's nominees, click here


By Haileigh West, Reporter

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