MOVIE QUIZ
The nominations were announced on Monday for the 93rd Academy Awards (the eligibility period actually ran through Feb. 28, 2021 this year), and despite the multiple complications caused by the pandemic, they represent the most diverse slate of nominees in Oscar history: nine people of color in the acting categories; two women up for director; firsts for Asians, Asian Americans and Muslims, etc.
But before we start placing bets on the likely winners, to be announced on Sunday, April 25, let's dig deep on this year's crop of hopefuls. The movie quiz this week examines some of the records set and broken, nominees' past credits and various other motion picture minutiae.
1. It was a possible record two posthumous nominations for Chadwick Boseman this year, but he ended up with only a lead actor nod for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — for which it’s almost certain he’ll win. Several others were named multiple times, however, including Sacha Baron Cohen, up for best supporting actor for “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and as one of the nine screenwriters for “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” Before this year, how many times had he been nominated?
2. Speaking of two-timers, “Hamilton” Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. scored a best supporting actor nomination and a best original song nomination for his work in “One Night in Miami.” That’s the fourth time in four years that a performer has been named in the song category and an acting one for the same film. Which one of these people did not accomplish that feat? A. Lady Gaga for “A Star Is Born” B. Cynthia Erivo for “Harriet” C. Mary J. Blige for “Mudbound” D. John Legend for “Selma”
3. With this week’s supporting actress nomination for “Hillbilly Elegy,” Glenn Close becomes the most nominated actress of all time with no wins (and that’s unlikely to change once the envelopes are opened). And she also ties what legendary actor for the most winless attempts, eight a piece?
4. Chloé Zhao, up for four Oscars this year for “Nomadland,” could best last year’s three-time winner, “Parasite” writer-director Bong Joon-ho. If so, she’ll tie which Hollywood icon in first place with four Oscars in one night?
5. Zhao’s leading lady, Frances Mcdormand is up for best actress and if she wins it’ll be her third award in the lead category, one shy of four-time victor Katharine Hepburn. Who is the only male actor to win three Oscars in the lead category?
6. Real-life Black Panther Fred Hampton, played by supporting actor frontrunner Daniel Kaluuya (who also starred in the other “Black Panther,” coincidentally) in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” was also a minor character in what other 2020 film receiving multiple nominations?
7. Writer-director Emerald Fennell landed three Oscar nominations this year, one in each of those categories, as well as a producer of best picture candidate “Promising Young Woman.” But she’s also an actress, known for playing what personage on Netflix’s “The Crown”?
8. “Soul” is Pixar Animation Studios’ 23rd feature and the 15th one to be nominated for best animated feature, winning 10 times since the category was introduced in 2002. What special significance do “Toy Story 3” and “Up” hold?
9. Anthony Hopkins' best actor nomination for “The Father” makes him the oldest nominee ever in that category and a win would make him the oldest winner at
83. Taking home the Oscar would also secure another record in that field, as well as put him in second place overall actingwise behind Helen Hayes. What is it?
10. New Orleans musician and bandleader for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Jon Batiste, grabbed his first Oscar nomination for best original score for “Soul,” alongside previous winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Scott (who are competing against themselves for “Mank”). He may be the only one with an Oscar nod, but what other frontman from a late night talk show band is connected to “Soul”?
Answers on page 11