Nomination

DID PINK FROCKS SABOTAGE MARGOT ROBBIE’S OSCAR CHANCES?

You won’t read this anywhere else, but Margot Robbie is blaming her gimmicky red carpet Barbie pink gowns for possibly costing her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. As we previously revealed, Margot grew tired of dressing like a doll for major events and now she’s griping to pals that the cute but overplayed idea likely played a factor in her not earning a nomination today. Soon after the nominations were announced she confided to friends that dressing like Barbie for many occasions somehow minimized her onscreen efforts of transforming into the doll and she secretly feels it played a part in the snub.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

DONALD TRUMP HAS A BACK-UP PLAN FOR NIKKI HALEY

Just because we’re not a fan doesn’t mean we don’t have a well-placed Donald Trump source and this latest tidbit is a real doozy! The former president is well aware that Nikki Haley is suddenly approaching neck and neck with him. He recently confided to a friend that if he doesn’t win the Republican nomination for president and Nikki does, he plans to run ( and of course fundraise) as a third party candidate which will all but GUARANTEE that Nikki loses. Our source explained that Donald is the epitome of a sore loser and he plans to punish EVERYBODY if he doesn’t get the nomination. Just remember WHERE you read this!

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA  Donald leaving the courtroom

THE TIME WAS JUST RIGHT FOR RIZ AHMED

We didn’t realize that Riz Ahmed, 38, was already an established star in the UK in 2016 when he filmed HBO’s The Night Of, in which he played a young man accused of murder. It was a very impressive introduction in the US. (He also happens to be a rapper back home known as Riz MC) He had more film roles here and even more in England in the last few years before Sound of Metal, which we saw during the pandemic on Prime. An excellent little movie. But during an ordinary Oscar year, it probably would have been overlooked with so many bigger more publicized films. So the pandemic WAS helpful, and so was the recent and extreme pressure in Hollywood to embrace diversity. Perfect timing! Riz is the first Muslim nominated for Best Actor. And it IS about time.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA: Riz arriving at the Toronto Film Festival 2019

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: THE ACADEMY DOESN’T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT

Let’s talk about the Oscar nominations that were announced today. We have a bone to pick with the Academy regarding Best Picture. It’s a GOOD thing that up to 10 films can be nominated – but some of the best movies were left OUT! The Big Sick, The Florida Project, I, Tonya, and yes, The Disaster Artist, were snubbed in favor of the less entertaining and far more PRETENTIOUS all-male Dunkirk, Darkest Hour, and Phantom Thread. (And nobody loves Daniel Day-Lewis more than we do!) We think (and hope) that Three Billboards and The Shape of Water will win most of the awards, but we’re also rooting for the swoon-worthy Call Me By Your Name, Lady Bird, and Get Out. Allison Williams deserved a Best Supporting nomination for Get Out, but there were just too many great female performances this year. Best Actor nominations are disappointing, except for Timothee Chalamet – women really have an advantage this year and none too soon.

Photo: Three Billboards’ brilliant Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell