The Anniston Star ● Sunday, January 13, 2013 ● Page 6E
SUNDAY RECORD YOUR GUIDE TO PUBLIC RECORDS AND VITAL STATISTICS IN CALHOUN COUNTY
Willie Mae Allen, Jacksonville Bobby Baker, Wedowee Lila M. Batchelor, Anniston Cynthia June Bishop, Weaver William Howard Borders, Anniston Marie Brown, Roanoke Nettie Caldwell, Jacksonville Marjorie A. Campbell, Talladega Myra Pritchett Chastain, Anniston Dexter Wade Clark, Boaz Janunita Cobb, Oxford Lottie Crews Cofield, Newell James Collier, Heflin Gene Copenhaver, Anniston Rosie Downey, Piedmont Loretta S. Edwards, Anniston William Swain Fortner, Sand Rock Arthur “Pop Pop” Gadson Jr., Anniston Scharlie Garrett, Talladega Sara Gatlin, Munford Thomas Harold “Buck” Goss, Roanoke Ruth Pirkle Groover, Trussville Dorothy S. Hamil, Anniston Ruby Lois Freeman Hanson, Piedmont Herbert Lindy Haynes, Munford Charles E. Heath, Anniston Betty Galloway Humphrey, Talladega Eva R. Jackson, Talladega
Debra S. “Deb” Judkins, Anniston David W. Ladd, Anniston Ellen Bell Lindsey, Lineville Christine B. Martin, Anniston Mrs. Ray McDonald, LaGrange Cecilia Dear McGill, Anniston R.E. Morgan, Heflin Lester Morris, Hokes Bluff Will Parris, Jacksonville Eddie Eugene Patterson, Ashland Thomas Gerald Powell, Anniston Kelly Jean Reed, Jacksonville Wynell H. Reeves, Gadsden Eloise Goss Rickett, Cedar Bluff Joyce Jewel Robinson, Wonder Lake Betty Royston, Roanoke Judy Kay Shouse, Wedowee Jimmy M. Stewart, Oxford Robert L. Sykes Jr., Anniston William E. “Bill” Terry, Anniston Mescal Ann Dreyer Theobald, Jacksonville Bobby Jack Travis, Anniston Troy Lee Vines, Wellington Dewey Welch, Hartselle Virginia Sutley Nelson Wells, Weaver Clyde Woodard, Anniston Pete K. Yarbrough, Jacksonville
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy enables debtors, through court supervision and protection, to propose and carry out a repayment plan under which creditors are paid, in full or in part, in installments over a three-year period. During that time, debtors are prohibited from starting or continuing collection efforts. The following bankruptcies declared by Calhoun County residents were recorded by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Alabama last week:
Chapter 7 • Mark Timothy Cotton, Anniston • Jerome Carter Jr., Weaver • Mary Ruth Streip, Beck Road, Eastaboga • Jeffrey L. Cobb, Jerrie Dale Drive, Anniston • Michael S. Pace and Lora M. Pace, Lillian Lane, Anniston
Chapter 13
• Michael McNeal and Deborah McNeal, AL 204, Wellington • Jay Allen Echols and Tracy Maria Echols, Alexandria Road, Weaver • Ronald T. Johnston and Valadee S. Johnston, H.J. Bentley Jr. Parkway, Oxford • Alicia R. Smith, E. 15th Street, Anniston • Aaron Kilgore and Tina Kilgore, Brooke Lane, Anniston The material inside the Sunday Record is recorded by The Anniston Star from various institutions and government offices. The public records are published as they appeared on the documents obtained by the newspaper. Direct questions and comments about Sunday Record to Isaac Godwin at jgodwin@jsu.edu.
10 10 10 88
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A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows the debtor to retain certain exempt property, but the debtor’s remaining property is gathered and sold by a trustee from which creditors will receive payment. It may also be used by businesses which wish to terminate their business.
EDITOR’S NOTE
RATE OF BANKRUPTCIES
66
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Last week
MARRIAGE LICENSES
BANKRUPTCIES
DEATHS
This week
• James Michael Rainey of Oxford to Leeann Mitchum of Oxford • Gerald Rodney Keef of Alexandria to Lynn Ann Saino of Collierville, Tenn. • Ozie Ned Tippins Jr. of Anniston to Angela Ursula Norwood of Atlanta, Ga. • Joseph Vincent Marchione III of Anniston
to Toni Michelle Clapper of Anniston • Wilburn Craig Russell of Piedmont to Tina Rebecca Danford of Piedmont • David Lee Waller of Piedmont to Shari Lynn Owen of Weaver • Edward Earl Jones III of Anniston to Shayla Vontrece Ball of Anniston
CATTLE SALE Here is the livestock market report for the Tuesday sale. Receipts for this week 1104 compared to No Sale last week. Receipts a year ago 1161.
FEEDER CLASSES:
Bulls and steers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. 175.00 to 260.00; 300-400 lbs. 170.00 to 212.00; 400-500 lbs. 150.00 to 210.00; 500-600 lbs. 125.00 to 172.50; 600INCORPORATIONS 700 lbs. 105.00 to 152.50. • Fantasy Waterbed • EMC Excavation Con- Heifers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200LLC tractors LLC 300 lbs. Too Few; 300-400 • Leroy Curbow LogDissolved lbs. 150.00 to 177.50; 400ging LLC • Truth and Testify Min- • Professional Resolu- 500 lbs. 130.00 to 152.50; tions LLC 500-600 lbs. 122.00 to istries Inc. • Tri-Star Property • Shooter’s Headquar- 132.50; 600-700 lbs. 116.00 ters LLC to 125.00. Preservation LLC • Pizzeria & Pasta • Emtek Mechanical SLAUGHTER CLASSES: Contractor Inc. Shack LLC Cows: Breakers 77.00 to 80.00; Boners 82.50 to WILLS PROBATED 85.50; Lean 70.00 to 76.00. • Peggy A. Moore • May J. Turner Bulls: Normal Dressing 54• Dixie Finley Roberts • Ozella I. Harris 58% 80.00 to 85.00; High • Heather Louise Sabo Dressing >58% 90.00 to 97.00; Low Dressing
DIVORCES • John Elton Phillips and Melissa Ann Phillips • Sonya Denise Steward and Dennis Norman Steward • Emily Robertson and Joshua Robertson • Steven M. Van Hoose and Theresa Van Hoose • Leah Brittany Purdon and Daniel Austin Purdon • Brandon James Slick and Carmen Deanne Slick • Jamie Renee Coogler and Joseph Shane Coogler • Willard B. Cochran Jr. and Deborah Cochran • Misty Leigh Ford and Matthew Blake Ford • Jane W. Smith and Dannie G. Smith
• Heather Ogle and Garry P. Ogle • Roy Allen Henderson and Traci Henderson • Timothy R. Salers and Donna Salers • Steven Carl Hilburn and Barbara Ann Hilburn • Salena Diane Casey and Michael Anthony Casey • Mark McLeod Minton and Catheryn Minton • Rashieka Whatley and Dietrich Whatley • John Wayne Jordan and Shasta Renee Jordan • Laura Osborne and Jerry Osborne • Annie Holyfield and Bobby Holyfield • Gerrami Lewis Bell and Lauren Ashli Estes
• Robert Scott Briggs and Harolyn Denise Briggs • Christopher East and Brittney East • Laurel Beard Calhoun and Samuel Lee Calhoun • Clinton Doyle and Brandi Shae Doyle • Robert Kimbrough and Martha Kimbrough • Janice L. Watkins and Michael Watkins • Gwendolyn Henderson and Mark Henderson • Nabil Nasser and Cynthia Nasser • James Alton Akles and Patricia Akles • Shederick C. Lynch and Tina Sumner • Jennifer Lynn Lackey and Eliezar Lackey
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com
ARRESTS The people listed in this arrest report, whose names and charges are obtained from public records, are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Anniston
The following felony arrests were reported by the Anniston Police Department (addresses not provided) during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Jordan Hunter Cobb, 27: fraudulent use of a credit card. • Nicholas Scott Norris, 25: domestic violence by strangulation. • Chester Lee Coleman, 52: thirddegree burglary. • Corey Montrell Hill, 36: firstdegree possession of marijuana. • James Don Haygood, 25: distribution of a controlled substance.
• Michael Lloyd Word, 24: attempting a controlled substance crime. • Kenneth Lee Haygood, 22: distribution of a controlled substance. • Randy Shane Phillips, 34: thirddegree domestic violence. • Clint Samuel Whistenant, 24: firstdegree receiving stolen property. • Dow Curran Jones, 25: seconddegree theft. • Demetris Andre Williams III, 20: third-degree burglary. • Delreckus Mondrez Jones, 27: first-degree possession of marijuana.
Calhoun County
The following felony arrests were reported by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office during the sevenday period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
• Amanda Brooke Ford, 28, of Piedmont: second-degree domestic violence. • Rebecca Troxell Stokley, 31, of Anniston: second-degree theft of property. • Jason Daniel Lloyd, 38, of Anniston: failure to appear in court for first-degree unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance. • Homer Jefferson Chapman, 45, of Piedmont: first-degree theft of property. • Heather Lee Shaw, 37, of Anniston: second-degree theft. • Dominick Victor Rintrona Jr., 29, of Alexandria: obstructing justice by using a false I.D. Julius Demetrus Harris, 36: failure to appear in court for third-degree burglary.
Jacksonville
of Pardons and Parole during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. The following felony arrests were Thursday. reported by the Jacksonville Police • Chancelor Todd Chesson, 28, of Department during the seven-day Anniston: probation violation. period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. Oxford • Brandi Starr Ryan, 32: first-degree theft of property. The following felony arrests were • Cindy Hammack Brand, 39: first- reported by the Oxford Police degree theft of property. Department during the seven-day • Sandy Marie Underwood, 29: auto period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. theft. • Renee Carroll Norman, 41, of • Christopher Ryan Maynard, 26: Oxford: four counts of I.D. theft. auto theft. • Wayne Allen Johnston, 41, of • Brent Ashley Craighead, 38: pos- Eastaboga: second-degree receivsession of marijuana, two counts ing stolen property. of possession of dangerous drugs, • Denora Sherelle Sullivan, 31, of possession of a hallucinogen. Temple, Ga.: second-degree theft Pardon and Parole Board of property. • Jennifer Lynn Honea, 27, of AnnisThe following felony arrests were ton: second-degree theft of propreported by the Alabama Board erty.
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS Here are food service establishments recently inspected by the Calhoun County Health Department, along with scores. A score of 100 indicates the inspector found no deficiencies. Potentially hazardous deficiencies (four- or five-point demerit items) are noted. These must be corrected immediately and inspectors say they are often corrected while the inspection is underway. Restaurants earning below 70 must raise their scores within seven days or face closure.
ment (soda nozzles) must be clean and sanitized.
• Silver Lakes, 1 Sunbelt Parkway, Glencoe — 97. • Sonic Drive In, 1529 Greenbrier-Dear Road, Anniston NO MAJOR DEMERITS — 95. • Café McClellan, 171 Town Center Drive, Anniston — 97. • Southern Lady Enterprise, 13316 U.S. 431, Wellington • Discount Food Mart, 7665 U.S. 431, Alexandria — 95. — 99. • Hampton Inn & Suites (Breakfast Pantry), 210 Colonial • Steward’s Market, 8960 Alabama 9, Anniston — 95. Drive, Oxford — 100. • Subway, 206 Grace St., Oxford — 99. • J’s Wings & Fish, 420 W. 15th St., Anniston — 96. • Subway, 5430 McClellan Blvd., Anniston — 99. • Jack’s Family Restaurant, 18 Big Valley Road, Alexandria • The Victoria Restaurant, 1600 Quintard Ave., Anniston — 99. — 98. 4-OR 5-POINT DEMERITS • Quizno’s, 22 Choccolocco Road, Anniston — 99. • VFW Post 924, 100 U.S. 431, Anniston — 97. • Quick Mart, 1020 U.S. 431, North, Anniston — 88, equip- • Romine’s Annistonian, 1709 Noble St., Anniston — 95. • Wendy’s, 150 Leon Smith Parkway, Oxford — 99.
FORECLOSURES • Jason Mayfield, F.E. McCullar’s subdivision, block 3, lot 2. • Adrian Fernandez, Pinewood subdivision, block C, lot 10. • Charlotte A. Campbell, High Oaks subdivision, 3rd addition, lot 42. • Roxane L. Ensing, a parcel of land in section 24, township
15, range 7. • Martha J. Hammock, a parcel of land in section 36, township 16, range 7. • Crystal Land, Fox Trace subdivision, 1st addition, lot 7. • Keith N. Katz and Tammy Katz, Crestline subdivision, block G, lot 1. • Raymond Bynum and Mary S. Bynum, Vaughan’s subdivi-
sion, lots 78-185. • Terry L. Reed, a parcel of land in section 36, township 16, range 6. • Wayne E. Pearce and Sherry J. Pearce, Cynthia Crescent addition to Sunset Heights, block 1, lots 3 and 4. • Ronald Wayne Rath and Marie E. Rath, Mimosa subdivision, lot 10.
WE BUY GOLD Silver and Diamonds
DIAMOND DEPOT •
Snow St., Oxford - Across from Cheaha Bank • (256) 365-2087
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SUNDAY RECORD
The Anniston Star
Sunday, January13, 2013 Page 7E
CALENDAR: AnnistonStar.com/calendar PROPERTY TRANSFERRED • RW Investments LLC to Tina Wine, McKendree’s re-subdivision of C.S. Fite, lot 4, $100. • O. Anne Travers to Brooks Lipscomb & CO. Inc., a parcel of land in section 24, township 15, range 7, $10. • United States of America to McClellan Development Authority, a parcel of land in sections 11/14, township 15, range 8; sections 21/23/26, township 15, range 8. • Longleaf Development LLC to Jacob B. Pence, a parcel of land in section 30, township 16, range 7, $1. • Bank of America to Housing & Urban Development, Hidden Valley subdivision, lot 46, $1. • Robert R. Rogers and Peggy Jean P. Rogers to Robert R. Rogers Farms LLC, a parcel of land in sections 27/34, township 12, range 10, $100. • Housing & Urban Development to Lauren Ashley Papaspiros, a parcel of land in section 3, township 15, range 9, $80,000. • Houston Jenkins Jr. to Brad Almaroad and Jodi Almaroad, a parcel of land in section 8, township 14, range 8, $10. • Edsell Haynes and Dorothy W. Haynes to Phillip L. Haynes and Rhonda K. Haynes, a parcel of land in section 4, township 16, range 7, $10. • Phillip J. Winkles to Wesley Porter and Andrew Porter, Smith Heights, block B, lot 6, $10. • Joseph Cain George and Elizabeth Ann George to Joseph Brandon George and Amy Elizabeth George, a parcel of land in section
12, township 13, range 7, $10. • Joe New and Margaret New to Norma Gross, a parcel of land in section 17, township 15, range 8, $10. • Jack Johnson to Elbert Bright and Linda Bright, Highland Cemetery, division C, lot 128, plots 1-8, $10. • Clifton C. Sandefer-Estate to Terry L. Sandefer, a parcel of land in sections 2/11, township 13, range 7, $10. • John V. Ford to Doris C. Ford, Afton-Brae subdivision, block B, lot 11, $1. • Edward Kyle Price and Brittany Nicole Price to Stephen L. Wade, Buckhorn subdivision, phase 3, block C, lot 12, $10. • Grant Todd Sparks, Marsha Sparks Flint, Robert Sterling Sparks and Mary Sparks Blunt to Joel Moore, Smith Heights, block B, lot 1, $10. • David Lentjes to Harry Marcus Jones, Club View Heights, block 561, lots 7-10, $10. • David E. Dodgen and Carol S. Dodgen to Mindy McGill Long, a parcel of land in sections 34/35, township 15, range 5, $497,334. • Nettleton Properties LLC to Brandon J. Boscia, Gaps Grove subdivision, lot 14, $157,500. • Ambrose Bulk Plant No. 2 LLC to Ambrose Bulk Plant LLC, a parcel of land near 500 W. 18th Street, Anniston, $1. • Leyden Properites LLC to Anne Ambrose Family LLC, a parcel of land in section 11, township 16, range 8, $1. • Julio O. Haro and Carla B. Haro to Carla B. Haro, Afton Brae subdivision, block B,
lot 10, $1. • Ehney Ambrose Family LLC to Ambrose Bulk Plant LLC, a parcel of land in section 12, township 16, range 7, $1. • Devery L. Howell-Mitchell to Devery L. Starr, Westwood subdivision, block A, lot 6, $10. • Mink Creek Investments LLC to J&M Enterprises LLC, a parcel of land in section 7, township 16, range 9, $17,500. • James H. Jacobs Jr. and Laura A. Jacobs to Jeff Beck Broadcasting Group LLC, F. Emma Conner’s subdivision, block 4; F. Emma Conner’s subdivision, block 5, lots 1 and 13, $10. • Brian Keith Israel to Steven H. Smith and Elizabeth W. Smith, Cloverdale subdivision, Saks addition, block 9, lot 4, $30,000. • Birch LLC to Chad A. Brewer and Regan F. Brewer, Cider Ridge subdivision, phase 1 reassessment, block WH, lot 9WH, $190,000. • Heirs of Margaret Williamon to Eslin David Roper and Eslin Clinton Roper, a parcel of land in section 4, township 14, range 8, $10. • Gerald H. Pryor to Pryor Holdings LLC, Shipman subdivision, lot 1, $10. • Gerald H. Pryor to Pryor Holdings LLC, Corning Highlands subdivision, block F, lots 3 and 4, $10. • Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to Bridges Properties LLC, Virgil Harper’s subdivision, lot 3, $23,600. • Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. to Cecil Lee Taylor, Lyncoya subdivision, Grady Vaughn’s addition, block 2, lot 3, $31,500.
• Clarence B. Oaks Jr.-Estate to Jubalain Tucker and Wanda Tucker, a parcel of land in section 35, township 13, range 6, $70,000. • Twanda P. Martin to James Turner and Gloria Turner, a parcel of land in section 25, township 16, range 6, $10. • Michael D. Waddell and Cari H. Waddell to Gordon R. Stinson and Kathy Stinson, Waterford Valley subdivision, phase II, block A, lot 37, $10. • Betty Jean Cole and Jean W. Cole to Johnny C. Stinson and Mary E. Stinson, a parcel of land in section 3, township 15, range 8, $10. • Katy A. Cooper to Juan Hernandez and Luz Maria Deflin, Mechanicsville, block 9, lot 1, $6,500. • Elizabeth R. Finch to Melanie Crowe and Jantzen Davis, a parcel of land in section 14, township 13, range 7, $1. • Marvin F. Tye and Christine Annette Tye to Marvin F. Tye and Christine A. Tye Revocable Trust, Jacksonville Mining & Manufacturing Co., block 372, lots 11-13, $10. • P.D. Pritchett to Nettleton Properties LLC, Gaps Grove subdivision, lot 6, $10. • T&B Properties LLC to Jaymes R. Skinner and Crystal A. Skinner, Cooper’s Cove, phase I, lot 1, $10. • P.D. Pritchett to Phillip Pritchett, Jacksonville Mining & Manufacturing Co., block 388, lots 11-14, $10.
BLOTTER Crimes are listed by location. Anonymous tips may be called in to Crime Stoppers at 256-238-1414. A reward of up to $1,000 may be given.
Anniston
The following property crimes were reported to the Anniston Police Department during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Burglaries • Residence, unspecified block of Morrisville Road: laptop computer, television, game console, firearms. • Residence, 3500 block of Gurnee Avenue: game consoles, television, headphones, tablet computer. • Residence, 400 block of South Christine Avenue: televisions, game console, controllers. • Residence, 300 block of Old Gadsden Highway: washing machine. • Residence, 600 block of East 18th Street: television, laptop computer. • Residence, 3000 block of Brighton Avenue: game console, television, DVD player. • Residence, 1700 block of Pomotaw Trail: television, laptop computer, tablet computer, game console, games. • Residence, 4700 block of Post Oak Road: television, guitar, firearm, jewelry. • Residence, 1200 block of Vida Drive: televisions, firearms, laptop computer, game console. • Residence, 5000 block of Borders Drive: television, game console.
• Residence, 1400 block of Cooper Avenue: laptop computer. • Residence, 200 block of Brenda Road: power tools. • Street, 1200 block of Morrisville Road: fire hose, brass hydrant wrench. • Residence, 5100 block of McClellan Boulevard: laptop computer. • Residence, 900 block of Terry Road: jewelry. • Residence, 2200 block of Moore Avenue: coins, purses. • Residence, 400 block of 29th Street: televisions. • Residence, 2300 block of Walnut Avenue: jewelry, television, tablet computer. • Residence, 1200 block of Chatwood Drive: dolls.
Court: cell phone. • Residence, 2800 block of McKleroy Avenue: air conditioning unit, awning roof. • Residence, 1300 block of Wild Oak Drive: leaf blower. • Residence, 2700 block of Simpson Street: vacuum cleaner. • Residence, 300 block of Mulberry Avenue: fishing rods, reels, tackle box containing lures.
Auto-related thefts
• Residence, 700 block of 8th Avenue Northeast: laptop computer, television, bank card.
Thefts
• Residence, 100 block of Broadcast Boulevard: cash. • Jacksonville High School, 1000 George Douthit Drive S.W.: cell phone. • Residence, 800 block of Holly Avenue Northeast: firearm.
Auto-related thefts
• Residence, 400 block of East 54th Street: • Residence, 900 block of Maple Lane: 1990 1997 Ford Ranger. • Residence, 5300 block of Whisperwood Honda Accord. • Parking lot, 300 block of Nisbet Street Court: 2009 Toyota Camry. Northwest: money order, keys.
Calhoun County
Oxford
The following property crimes were reportThefts ed to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office The following property crimes were • Residence, 1400 block of Cooper Avenue: during the seven-day period ending at 7 reported to the Oxford Police Department laptop computer. during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Bar, 700 block of South Quintard Avenue: a.m. Thursday. Burglaries cell phone. Burglaries • Residence, 5100 block of Arrow Avenue: • Residence, Boynton Avenue, Anniston: • Oxford Middle School, 1750 U.S. 78 W: clothing, bible. firearm. cell phone. • Residence, unspecified block of Donnie Thefts • Word Alive Food Bank, 5337 U.S. 78 W: Lane: jewelry, lock box, vehicle titles. • Residence, 200 block of West 45th Street: • School, Clairmont Drive, Weaver: cell tires and rims. phones and cases. • Walmart, 90 Plaza Lane: merchandise. jewelry. (Recovered 01-05-2013) • Residence, 300 block of Elm Street: cell Jacksonville • Parking lot of Reids Auto Inc., 503 W. Hamphone. • Commercial location, 100 block of Sum- The following property crimes were report- ric Drive: firearm. merall Gate Road: medications. ed to the Jacksonville Police Department • Department store, first block of Plaza • Department store, 1700 block of Quintard during the 10-day period ending at 7 a.m. Lane: tires, bolt cutters. (Recovered 0107-2013) Avenue: Theft by fraudulent leasing a game Thursday. • Residence, first block of Old Creek Trail: console. jewelry. • Residence, 5300 block of Whisperwood Burglaries
Topsy-turvy Oscar nominees signal surprises in store BY GLENN WHIPP
The academy is giving the director’s award for the 85th time but has nominated a woman on just four occasions. Bigelow’s snub stands as the latest example that, three years after her win for “The Hurt Locker,” industry sexism remains alive and well.
‘Argo’
Los Angeles Times
If the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences moved up its nominations this year to combat the sense that the Oscars were becoming an awards-season afterthought, then Thursday’s slate of nominees certainly accomplished that goal. That was good news for one Benh (Zeitlin, director of “Beasts of the Southern Wild”), and a bummer for another (“Argo” helmer Ben Affleck), and who’s to say the surprises will stop there. What to make of these topsy-turvy noms? Here are five take-aways:
4. And speaking of directors, they don’t like interlopers either Although the directors branch has been known to nominate movie stars making their directorial debuts (Kevin Costner, Robert Redford), it takes a cautious route with actors seen as encroaching on their territory. Ron Howard won the DGA Award in 1995 for the popular “Apollo 13,” but the academy’s directors branch didn’t even bother to nominate him. That might be good news for the DGA-nominated Affleck, who could well win that guild’s feature film award next month. Had Affleck won a nom, as nearly everyone expected, he could well have taken the Oscar too, because the huge actors branch would have been eligible to vote.
1. Throw out conventional thought this year There wasn’t nearly as much overlap between the academy’s choices and those of the various guilds, most of whom announced their picks after Oscar voters had turned in their ballots. And even with the Screen Actors Guild, which announced its picks last month, the split was significant. The last two years, academy voters and SAG members agreed on 17 out of 20 nominees. Three years ago, it was 19 out of 20. This year: Just 14 overlapped. The divide among voters deciding the directing races was even more extreme, with the academy matching just two of the Directors Guild of America nominees. One can argue with the quality of the choices, but beyond dispute is that for the first time in many years, the academy has put its own distinctive stamp on the awards-season landscape. When Oscars are handed out Feb. 24, there will be more suspense. That’s a good thing.
2. That said, ‘Lincoln’ is still the movie to beat
‘Lincoln’ ‘Zero Dark Thirty’
Steven Spielberg’s noble historical drama led the field with 12 nominations. About 75 percent of the time, that distinction translates into a win, though it didn’t help “Hugo” last year. “Lincoln” has also racked up nominations from every major awards indicator and its commercial success would seem to make it a popular choice for just about everyone. Of course, the last time Spielberg had a presumptive favorite, “Sav-
ing Private Ryan” came up short, bested by “Shakespeare in Love.” Can Harvey Weinstein pull off the same feat again this year and persuade voters to choose the lighthearted “Silver Linings Playbook” over Spielberg’s weighty drama? Probably not. But it’s sure going to be fun to watch him try.
3. The directors branch remains a boy’s club How else to explain Bigelow’s
shocking omission? “Zero Dark Thirty” screened plenty, so it’s not like the critically acclaimed thriller wasn’t seen. And it scored a best picture nomination, as well as nods for actress Jessica Chastain, screenplay, editing and sound editing, indicating that those voters who saw it found much to admire. The directors branch, however, withheld its approval, even though the onetime Oscar winner has been lauded extensively elsewhere.
5. Outside of Daniel Day-Lewis losing, anything remains possible Oscar ballots are due 40 days from now, i.e. the same amount of time, as the story goes, it rained on Noah’s ark. Look for Oscar campaigners to inundate academy members during this long, long chasm of time, attempting the neat trick of keeping their films in the conversation without making voters sick of them.