SAG nominations: 18 things that make me happy

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, that period when the holiday season and award season meet! This morning, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nominations were announced!

I am so behind on the nominated films, simply because the majority hasn’t yet been released here in México, but there are still many things for me to celebrate among the list.

1. American Hustle, my most anticipated movie of the year, nabbed a ‘Best Ensemble’ nom, the SAG equivalent to ‘Best Picture’. How could it not? Bradley Cooper + Christian Bale + Amy Adams + Jennifer Lawrence + Robert DeNiro + Jeremy Renner! SERIOUSLY.
2. Same goes for August: Osage County, written by Tracy Letts (Killer Joe), and starring Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Cooper, Juliette Lewis, Abigail Breslin, Margo Martindale and Dermot Mulroney. I can’t even.
3. The Butler is also in the category. I just saw this last Friday (review coming soon) and while its corniness prevented it from being a great film, the cast is superb: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Elijah Kelley, Cuba Gooding Jr., James Marsden, Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Redgrave, Terrence Howard, Robin Williams, John Cusack, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda and Liev Schreiber. Whoa.
4. I also watched Captain Phillips fairly recently and while I didn’t love it, the central performance by Tom Hanks shows incredible dedication and is one of the best displays of acting I’ve seen this year. Thoroughly deserved nomination.
5. So glad that Matthew McConaughey got a mention for his work in Dallas Buyers Club. Haven’t watched it yet, but Matt is one of the best actors working today and he’s had great performance after great performance in the last two years.
6. Forest Whitaker, who was actually in town yesterday, is among the ‘Best Actor’ nominees as well, for his terrific, transformative performance as Cecil Gaines in The Butler.
7. One of my favorite actresses, Cate Blanchett, got a nod for her work in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine. She’s favored to win and, while I haven’t seen her work yet, it’d be hard for me to argue with the pick. She’s a flawless actor.
8. Sandra Bullock for Gravity. This makes me so happy, as Sandra completely carried this film and made me think of her as an Actress with a capital ‘A’.
9. Philomena got Judi Dench a nomination, something I’m convinced she deserves. Dench is one of those actresses that can do no wrong in my eyes.
10. Meryl Streep for August: Osage County. What can I say? She’s my favorite actress, the queen, and should get nominated for every award ever.
11. Thrilled about Emma Thompson getting a ‘Best Actress’ nod as well (for Saving Mr. Banks). Wonderful actress and I have a soft spot for her because she reminds me of my mom a little.
12. First-time actor Barkhad Abdi getting nominated for his turn in Captain Phillips is awesome. His work in the film is not perfect (he tends to over-act sometimes, which can be attributed to inexperience) but there are stunning flashes of raw talent in his performance.
13. Daniel Brühl for Rush. Brühl was definitely the highlight of this exciting film and his portrayal of Niki Lauda was incredible.
14. Michael Fassbender for 12 Years a Slave. Who doesn’t love The Fass?
15. A posthumous nomination for James Gandolfini, who also should’ve gotten one last year for his outstanding turn in Killing Them Softly.
16. Jared fucking Leto. I think he’s one of the coolest guys ever, an underrated actor and a fantastic singer that should be a superstar. Let’s hope the love for his turn as a transsexual in Dallas Buyers Club gets him there.
17. Jennifer Lawrence. She’s one of the best actresses working right now, and I’m convinced she’s the next Meryl. I’m in love with her, and if you’re not, there’s something wrong with you.
18. Oprah! The queen of the U.S. and gajillionaire is also a splendid actress who should be in more films. Expect a second (yes, second) Oscar nomination for Winfrey, who was magnificent in The Butler.

What did you think of the nominations? Which nods are you celebrating and which snubs have you throwing a tantrum?