With the Independent Spirit Awards nominations announced, many Oscar front-runners were successfully nominated, but others failed to capture the attentions of voters.
"12 Years A Slave" and "Inside Llewyn Davis" were nominated for Best Feature and continued to make a strong case for awards season. Both films have already been nominated at the Gotham Awards for Best film.
Meanwhile, Cate Blanchett continues to be the front-runner in the Best Actress Oscar race. She was nominated for Best Actress at the Independent Spirit Awards and is likely to win considering none of the nominees are strong Oscar contenders.
"All is Lost" and "Nebraska" also showed strength and their nominations for Best Feature are likely to be repeated at the Oscars.
However, a number of Oscar contenders were snubbed because they cost over $20 million and therefore were deemed ineligible for the awards. These include "American Hustle," "Gravity," "Captain Phillips," "Lee Daniel's The Butler," "Lone Survivor," "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "Saving Mr. Banks." "Philomena" did not qualify because it is British.
The lack of Best Feature nominees at the Independent Spirit Awards also affected a number of Oscar hopefuls. "Fruitvale Station" was expected to get a Best Feature nomination like "Beasts of the Southern Wild" did last year. However, the Ryan Coogler film was only nominated for Best First Feature, which never translates to an Oscar nomination. The past Best First Feature winners have included "The Perks of Being Wallflower," "Margin Call" and "Get Low." However, none of these films received a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. The lack of a Best Feature nomination could end the film's hope for an Oscar nomination. If the Spirit and Gotham awards failed to recognize this film, then the Academy is unlikely to look at it.
"Short Term 12" and "Blue Jasmine" were also shunned from this category and their Best Picture chances are likely gone.
A number of films were also snubbed in major categories, making their Oscar chances minimal. These include James Franco's performance for "Spring Breakers," Derek Cianfrance's "The Place Beyond the Pines," "The Way Way Back" and "Ain't Them Bodies Saints."
Greta Gerwig's performance for "Frances Ha" was also mysteriously snubbed even though the film was nominated for Best Film while Octavia Spencer's performance for "Fruitvale Station" was overlooked with Melonie Diaz getting the nod instead. Without love from the Spirit Awards, it is unlikely the Academy will recognize these films.
"Mud," which was one of the best reviewed films of the year, did not get a Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Matthew McConaughey) or Best Feature nomination and most likely will not get any Oscar love. The film's sole nomination was a directing nod but that will not translate.
While Academy tends to surprise, this year's Spirit Awards look similar to what audiences can expect come Academy nominations.
