2009 Writers Guild of America Nominees

These awards are somewhat skewered by the ineligibility of Inglourious Basterds, District 9, Up, An Education, A Single Man, and The Road. However, they are still very good indicators of what could be nominated come Oscar time. Here are the nominees for this year's WGA Awards

Best Adapted Screenplay

Crazy Heart

Julie & Julia

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Star Trek

Up in the Air

Best Original Screenplay

(500) Days of Summer

Avatar

The Hangover

The Hurt Locker

A Serious Man

WHAT THIS MEANS

As I said above, these nominations are practically rendered meaningless due to the ineligibility of the aforementioned films. However, one cannot ignore the power of the WGA as a surefire indicator of the crop of potential Oscar nominees. Don't read too much into the appearance of Star Trek and The Hangover on this list. While both are extremely well-written films, both would have missed the cut had An Education and Inglourious Basterds been eligible. Their glory is in the nomination and nothing more. The appearance of Crazy Heart in the adapted screenplay should be taken into consideration. The film has now received nominations from both the USC Scripters and the Writers Guild, which basically means it is all but assured of a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars. This attention from both organizations illustrates a healthy respect for the film, which up until now was only interpreted as a vehicle for Jeff Bridges' first Oscar win. Appearances on numerous Top Ten lists, combined with these two nominations, have fueled the fire for Crazy Heart. I look at it as an underdog contender in the Best Picture race and wouldn't be surprised if it appeared as one of the ten nominees come Oscar time. The appearance of Avatar in the Best Original Screenplay category is only meant to cement its status as one of the frontrunners during this Oscar season. There are many critics who would argue that the writing is the weakest part of James Cameron's blockbuster epic. In fact, the problem for worldwide audiences is the choice of dialogue Cameron employs during key scenes in the film. Some say it hinders the quality of the film overall, whereas others dismiss it as a tiny quibble with what is otherwise a masterful work of art. The WGA responded to the film favorably because they responded to Cameron's creative imagination and his devotion to the story. They rewarded Cameron based on his meticulous attention to detail and his impeccable sense of creative structure. In essence, they honored Avatar to give Cameron an ego booster. Right now, Avatar is an unstoppable force with the guilds. It is garnering nominations from virtually every critical organization out there. And above all else, the people love it. Those are two terrific ingredients for a film focused on a Best Picture campaign. In the Adapted Screenplay race, I think it's a battle between Precious and Up in the Air. Both films have been consistent throughout this awards season and are certainly regarded as two of the year's best films. However, I think the edge belongs to Up in the Air, which is part screwball comedy, part emotional drama. It has the George Clooney factor attached to its hip. It pulls the heartstrings in ways you can't imagine. Precious is a moving film as well, but I think audiences are responding more so to Up in the Air because it focuses on America's current economic climate. With regards to the Original Screenplay category, The Hurt Locker has been taking every major critics' award so far. It is regarded as the definitive Iraqi war film and a monumental achievement for director Kathryn Bigelow. But everyone is forgetting how it is a profoundly complex character drama anchored on the intensity of Mark Boal's screenplay. Boal not only takes us into the heart and soul of Iraq, but also into the heart and soul of SSGT William James (played by Jeremy Renner). And what we find are thoughts and feelings that truly illustrate the addictive nature of war and the diseased trick it plays on the human spirit. Mark Boal will garner well-deserved recognition from the WGA for pending The Hurt Locker. Yet one wonders what would happen if he were going up against Quentin Tarantino and Inglourious Basterds. I personally think William James has nothing on The Bear Jew. But that's just me. Look for The Hurt Locker and Up in the Air to emerge victorious with the Writers Guild this year. But do not overlook Avatar or Inglourious Basterds in this Oscar race.