Academy Awards (Oscars) Nominees 2014

Hanks in Captain Phillips

There always seems to be a surprise when the list of nominees comes out and the Academy Awards 2014 list is no different. Tom Hanks was completely snubbed in the Best Actor category although "Captain Phillips" is in the running for Best Picture. Also snubbed pretty much is "Saving Mr. Banks," the audience's darling film of the year.

"Nebraska," which has audiences snoozing has been nominated in several categories, including Best Picture ~ the big one. I will surprised ~ and disappointed ~ if "12 Years a Slave," doesn't take the top Oscar this year and another for the director, Steve McQueen.

Best picture 

"12 Years a Slave" 

"The Wolf of Wall Street" 

"Captain Phillips" 

"Her" 

"American Hustle" 

"Gravity" 

"Dallas Buyers Club" 

"Nebraska" 

"Philomena"

Best animated feature 

"The Wind Rises" 

"Frozen" 

"Despicable Me 2" 

"Ernest & Celestine"

"The Croods"

Best director 

Steve McQueen -- "12 Years a Slave" 

David O. Russell -- "American Hustle" 

Alfonso Cuaron -- "Gravity" 

Alexander Payne -- "Nebraska" 

Martin Scorsese -- "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Best actor 

Bruce Dern -- "Nebraska" 

Chiwetel Ejiofor -- "12 Years a Slave" 

Matthew McConaughey -- "Dallas Buyers Club" 

Leonardo DiCaprio -- "The Wolf of Wall Street" 

Christian Bale -- "American Hustle"

Best actress 

Amy Adams -- "American Hustle" 

Cate Blanchett -- "Blue Jasmine" 

Judi Dench -- "Philomena" 

Sandra Bullock -- "Gravity" 

Meryl Streep -- "August: Osage County"

Best supporting actor 

Barkhad Abdi -- "Captain Phillips" 

Bradley Cooper -- "American Hustle" 

Jonah Hill -- "The Wolf of Wall Street" 

Jared Leto -- "Dallas Buyers Club" 

Michael Fassbender -- "12 Years a Slave"

Best supporting actress 

Jennifer Lawrence -- "American Hustle" 

Lupita Nyong'o -- "12 Years a Slave" 

June Squibb -- "Nebraska" 

Julia Roberts -- "August: Osage County" 

Sally Hawkins -- "Blue Jasmine"

Best original screenplay 

"American Hustle" -- David O. Russell and Eric Warren Singer 

"Blue Jasmine" -- Woody Allen 

"Her" -- Spike Jonze 

"Nebraska" -- Bob Nelson 

"Dallas Buyers Club" -- Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack

Image: Academy Awards

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go, and Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser. Read Infused, her spirits & wine lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

DVD Review: Alice in Wonderland

Disney's Alice in Wonderland is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Those who grew up on the story by Lewis Carroll about a fair-haired child falling down a hole and enjoying an adventure, will be happy at the news. But, is it appropriate for today's parenting style?

Maybe. And, then again, maybe not.

A disclaimer at the beginning of the film tells children in text that smoking is a bad idea. Problem is...preschoolers don't read big words. Children of an age to read probably already know Mom and Dad puff or know that it is bad...verrrry bad. Either way this disclaimer comes across as something inserted due to requirements by a government or watchdog group.

The film itself is exactly as remembered. Sweet, and silly, in a fun way. Alice follows a rabbit instead of sitting around being bored by her governess and ends up, literally, heads over heels in trouble and adventure. Taken at face value, this film still hits it out of the ballpark for animation, evolution of story and...that marvelous league of talent that, seemingly, only Walt himself could find and gather.
Sterling Holloway, also known for his portrayal of Kaa, the Indiana python, in The Jungle Book, provides the voice for the Cheshire Cat. Especially noteworthy is the comedic genius of Ed Wynn (1905-92) as the voice actor for the Mad Hatter.

Bottom Line: This Blu-ray included anniversary edition of Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland is a must-have for Disney film collectors and film lovers alike.


Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.


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