SAG Award Nominations

The 18th annual SAG awards, which honor both film and television, will be handed out on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

Here are some of the nominees, along with my commentary. Of course, as it’s a little early on in the award season I haven’t seen many of nominated films or performances, but several of them are on my list so I’ll let you know when I do!

Film:

• Outstanding Ensemble
• The Artist
• Bridesmaids
• The Descendants
• The Help
• Midnight in Paris
Having only seen Bridesmaids, I can’t fairly choose a favorite. Although I didn’t like Bridesmaids – I didn’t find it nearly as funny as everyone else did – I think the ensemble of funny ladies did work well together. I’m planning on seeing The Artist and The Descendants before the end of the month; check back for reviews!

• Outstanding Actress
• Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
• Viola Davis, The Help
• Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
• Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin
• Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
  
  
• Outstanding Actor
• Demian Bichir, A Better Life
• George Clooney, The Descendants
• Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar
• Jean Dujardin, The Artist
• Brad Pitt, Moneyball
Obviously I’m rooting for my favorite actor, Leo, but I haven’t seen Bichir, Clooney or Dujardin.


• Outstanding Supporting Actress
• Berenice Bejo, The Artist
• Jessica Chastain, The Help
• Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
• Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
• Octavia Spencer, The Help
  
  
• Outstanding Supporting Actor
• Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
• Armie Hammer, J. Edgar
• Jonah Hill, Moneyball
• Nick Nolte, Warrior
• Christopher Plummer, Beginners
At the moment, I’m rooting for Hammer, but Beginners just arrived (via Netflix) so I may end up updating my choice!

Television

• Outstanding Ensemble, Comedy
• 30 Rock
• the Big Bang Theory
• Glee
• Modern Family
• The Office
I really wish Community or the deep bench of Parks and Recreation would have received a nomination. I’d easily let go of Glee or The Office for either or both of those. I think Community and PRex could have given Modern Family a run for its money; as the nominees stand, this award belongs to Modern Family.


• Outstanding Ensemble, Drama
• Boardwalk Empire
• Breaking Bad
• Dexter
• Game of Thrones
• The Good Wife
Of the nominees, I only watch Boardwalk and The Good Wife, and of those, I’m rooting for Boardwalk. They have an incredible ensemble bringing some very colorful characters to life.


• Outstanding Actress (drama)
• Kathy Bates, Harry’s Law
• Glenn Close, Damages
• Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
• Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
• Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
  
  
• Outstanding Actor (drama)
• Patrick J. Adams, Suits
• Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
• Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
• Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
• Michael C. Hall, Dexter
I’m super surprised to see Adams on here because the show it awful. I watched the first few episodes and had to stop in order to remain sane.


• Outstanding Actress (comedy)
• Julie Bowen, Modern Family
• Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
• Tina Fey, 30 Rock
• Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
• Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
What a great category! I don’t watch Cleveland, but who doesn’t love Betty White? And the other four ladies are excellent at what they do. Just because so many people in the “biz” love Fey, I give her the edge, but I will be happy with any winner in this category.


• Outstanding Actor (comedy)
• Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
• Ty Burrell, Modern Family
• Steve Carell, The Office
• Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
• Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
I think Steve Carell is a sentimental nomination—which is fine; I’d just like to see Burrell or Stonestreet win.


• Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries
• Diane Lane, Cinema Verite
• Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
• Emily Watson, Appropriate Adult
• Betty White, The Lost Valentine
• Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
For this (and the next category) my money is on the Emmy winners: Winslet and Pearce.


• Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
• Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood
• Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail
• Greg Kinnear, The Kennedys
• Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
• James Woods, Too Big to Fail

And those are the SAG Award nominees. Tune into TBS or TNT on January 29 to see who wins and which stars will introduce themselves as actors at the top of the show. View the full list of nominees at sagawards.org.