2024 Oscar Shortlists Include THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR Making the Cut for Best Live Action Short Film

2024 Oscar Shortlists Contain Some Big Surprises

The shortlists for the 2024 Academy Awards included The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar making the cut for Best Live Action Short Film and the lists also showcased some huge surprises, some positive and some disappointing.

Wes Anderson is probably pretty happy that his intriguing live action short film, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, made it into the 2024 Oscars’ shortlist in its respective category. That wasn’t the only good news for Wes Anderson, though. In the Best Original Song category, “Dear Alien (Who Art In Heaven)” from Anderson’s Asteroid City made the Oscars shortlist as well. It was good news that hinted that Anderson could be recognized with some Academy Award love at next year’s ceremony.

In other news regarding the recently revealed shortlists, there were some huge, pleasant surprises and some not so great ones. First, the good news. Thomas Newman’s beautifully realized score for Disney’s Elemental made the shortlist for Best Original Score. Although Newman probably shouldn’t clear off his mantelpiece for an Oscar win, the nomination would be everything for Elemental because it would help solidify how great the animated feature truly was. Newman is definitely deserving of a win but with stiff competition like Oppenheimer‘s score and the one for Killers of the Flower Moon, the nomination would probably have to suffice.

Now, the bad news. In the Best Makeup and Hairstyling category, there were two huge omissions in the shortlist which was revealed. Neither Barbie or Priscilla made the cut for the 10 finalists in that category despite excellent makeup and hairstyles prominently featured in both films. The saving grace is that Bradley Cooper’s Maestro did, indeed, get included. The oddest inclusion in this category was the disappointing makeup for Golda which surprisingly made the list of the 10 finalists. Not to take anything away from that team but making the essence of the great Helen Mirren disappear shouldn’t be rewarded with an Academy Award nomination. Of course, that’s a subjective opinion, so let’s just leave that for now.

There was some other good news regarding the Academy Award shortlists. Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie was on the shortlist for Best Documentary Feature. And, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One deservedly made the cut as a finalist for both Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. Though it will face an uphill battle to make the final list of nominees, it should happen. The Creator also deservedly made the shortlist for Best Visual Effects.

It’s anyone’s guess whether the aforementioned song from Asteroid City will ultimately get an Oscar nod, but the path is certainly there for Wes Anderson’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar to take home the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. It would be great to see Anderson take this honor regardless of how you felt about this controversial short film that has received much critical acclaim and accolades throughout this past year. It’s ultimately all about recognizing one of the great talent, Anderson’s films.

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