No more #HiddenFences jokes again. The world will recognize both movies as “Fences” and “Hidden Figures” are up for Hollywood’s highest honor, Best Film, at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. They’ll go up against “The Arrival,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Lion,” “La La Land,” “Hell or High Water,” “Manchester By The Sea” and “Moonlight.”
Nominations were announced this morning in L.A. for the February 26 Oscars and “Moonlight” received the second most nominations this year with six (“La La Land” led with seven) including Best Director with Barry Jenkins. Although Denzel Washington was snubbed in the Best Director category, he did earn his seventh overall acting Academy Award nomination for his adulterous, headstrong head of household character in “Fences.” Washington has previously won for Best Supporting Actor in 1990 for his role in “Glory” and in 2002 for Best Actor with “Training Day.” This year Denzel is up against Ryan Gosling, Casey Affleck, Viggo Mortensen and Andrew Garfield.
Denzel’s “Fences” co-star Viola Davis, is up for Best Supporting Actress this year. She’s previously been up for Best Supporting Actress in 2009 for her character in “Doubt” and for Best Actress in 2012 for “The Help.” Octavia Spencer who did win Best Supporting Actress for “The Help” five years ago, faces off against Davis again this year in the same category along with Michelle Williams, Nicole Kidman and Naomie Harris.
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Mahershala Ali who broke out as a star earlier this year with his role as “Cottonmouth” on Marvel’s NetFlix fan adored hit “Luke Cage” continued his momentum with a Best Supporting Actor nod for his provocative turn in “Moonlight.” Dev Patel, Lucas Hedges, Michael Shannon and the legendary Jeff Bridges are all also up for the same honor.
Other nomination highlights include The Rock’s “Moana” for Best Animated Feature Film and director Ava DuVernay “13th” for Best Documentary. Justin Timberlake and Hamilton’s Lin Manuel face each other in the Best Original Song Category for “Trolls’ “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana” respectively.