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Introduction to the 95th Academy Awards
The Academy Awards, or Oscars, are a time-honored tradition in the film industry. Each year, the awards ceremony honors the best films and filmmakers of the year. The 95th Academy Awards will be held on April 9, 2023, and as usual, it has generated a lot of buzz and excitement.
Full List of 95th Academy Awards Nominees
The nominees for the 95th Academy Awards were announced on March 8, 2023, by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The complete list of nominees in major categories is as follows:
Best Picture:
- The Power of the Dog
- Belfast
- Dune
- West Side Story
- Licorice Pizza
- King Richard
- Don’t Look Up
- The Lost Daughter
- Coda
Best Director:
- Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)
- Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)
- Denis Villeneuve (Dune)
- Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)
- Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)
Best Actor:
- Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)
- Will Smith (King Richard)
- Adam Driver (Annette)
- Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)
- Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick…Boom!)
Best Actress:
- Kristen Stewart (Spencer)
- Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)
- Lady Gaga (House of Gucci)
- Alana Haim (Licorice Pizza)
- Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)
Surprises and Snubs Among the 95th Academy Awards Nominees
As with every awards season, there were some surprises and snubs among the 95th Academy Awards nominees. One of the biggest surprises was the nomination of Licorice Pizza for Best Picture, as well as its nominations for Best Director and Best Actress. Many had predicted that the film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, would be overlooked by the Academy.
Another surprise was the lack of nominations for Nightmare Alley, directed by Guillermo del Toro, and Passing, directed by Rebecca Hall. Both films had generated a lot of buzz during the awards season, but failed to receive any major nominations.
In terms of snubs, some fans were disappointed that Jennifer Hudson was not nominated for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in Respect. Also, the lack of diversity among the nominees in major categories has been a point of criticism.
Analysis of the 95th Academy Awards Nominees
Overall, the 95th Academy Awards nominees represent a diverse range of films and filmmakers. Many of the nominated films explore important themes and issues, such as family, identity, and power. It is also notable that many of the nominees feature strong female leads, such as Kristen Stewart in Spencer and Olivia Colman in The Lost Daughter.
