BAFTA NOMINATIONS

It’s good to be in the camp of Space thriller Gravity which took home 11 BAFTA nominations today putting it just ahead of many other top film contenders in 2013 at Britain’s top film honors, while 12 Years of Slave and American Hustle are still in contention by staying in the running with 10 categories.
Gravity which stars Oscar winners Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, was shortlisted in categories including best film, actress, & director for Alfonso Cuaron; best sound and visual effects, and outstanding British film were no surprises given the film’s topics and much-discussed filmmaking techniques since its release in the Fall of last year.

The nomination for top British film gave Gravity the edge over many of its’ film rivals which are topping much of the award ceremonies during this Season in the US, including the slavery drama 12 Years of Slave and clitic-darling Her.

Other films competing for the BAFTA best film award is the David O’ Russell con-men caper American Hustle, true-life sea-thriller Captain Phillips, and the Dame Judi Dench, star-leading Philomena – of which is the only film in the Top 5 not nominated for Best Director.

Acting noms went to American Hustle, Nebraska, The Wolf of Wall Street, Captain Phillips, Blue Jasmine and Saving Mr. Banks with Meryl Streep’s performance being looked at as an oversight in August: Osage County and being blamed for a late release date in the season as a primary downfall.

While he BAFTAs don’t have necessarily a completely solid record in predicting which films go on to scoop the biggest movie honors at next month’s Academy Awards, many tend to see duplicates.

The awards ceremony for the BAFTAs, formally called the EE British Academy Film Awards, takes place in London on February 16.

For the full nominees, visit BAFTA.