*Yawn* DGA Nominations

Ava DuVernay was left off of the DGA shortlist this morning in favor of Clint Eastwood and Morten Teldum. 

In hindsight, awards don't mean anything. Year after year great films are produced and go unnoticed by voters in favor of mediocre awards-bait.

But what's so disappointing, is that a film that is not only great (the best of the year) on ever level, but socially relevant, is being shut out of awards contention. And as I sit here typing these words, maybe that's why "Selma" is being snubbed by all of the guilds (PGA, SAG and now the DGA).

Alfonso Cuaron Wins at the DGA: What Does This Mean for Oscar?

Affleck passes the torch to the director of Gravity.

In a not so surprising announcement (unlike last week's tie at the Producers Guild), Alfonso Cuaron was awarded at the Directors Guild Awards last night. It comes as no surprise, because Cuaron has been the frontrunner in this category since Gravity had been seen. Not to mention, he's won the most awards (the only major award he lost was at the NYFCC to Steve McQueen) out of every director in the category.

With the DGA behind him, it's clear to say that he will win the Oscar. But can Gravity win Best Picture?

It very well could. However, while most people will be quick to say that Gravity will win Best Picture and Director (and a shit ton of tech awards), I think that there will be a split between Picture and Director. It doesn't happen very often, but it can happen.

There is an argument that if you're voting for Cuaron, you recognize that Gravity succeeds because it's his masterpiece, and that's true. Without Cuaron, Gravity would not be the amazing experience we all know it is. But to think 12 Years A Slave is only going home with 1 Oscar (Lupita Nyong'o for Supporting Actress) just doesn't seem right to me. It would be the first predominantly black film to win Best Picture, not to mention it's a masterpiece in its own right. I would be happy if Gravity won, but I think this award belongs to 12 Years A Slave; films like this do not come around that often, and should be rewarded.

It'll be interesting to see where BAFTA goes with their Picture choice. Gravity was the film with the most nominations, so if it cleans up, that's how we'll know it's over for 12 YAS.

Full list of winners below.

Where Are We in the Oscar Race?

Gravity, American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave are duking it out for the title of Best Picture of the Year. Who will the DGA pick? 

In the last month, we've heard from numerous critic's groups (including the BFCA), the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and Producers Guild. The Directors Guild will announce their winner on Sunday, and ultimately decide the new frontrunner.

But throughout the announcements and the seemingly endless awards shows, there are 3 films that have consistently come out on top each time. These are the 3 films that are currently duking it out for the win, the big prize.

Each film has its own band of supporters, its own narrative and reason for winning; it's going to be a photo finish.

American Hustle, Gravity and 12 Years A Slave have built and maintained substantial heat in the past few months, but which film has enough gas in the tank to make it to the finish line?

DGA Nominations

Gravity, Wolf of Wall Street, 12 Years A Slave & American Hustle all received support from the Directors Guild.

Good news for Captain Phillips and Wolf of Wall Street; the Directors Guild awarded both Paul Greengrass and Martin Scorsese with nominations amongst Oscar frontrunners Steve McQueen, Alfonso Cuaron and David O. Russell. Both Greengrass' and Scorsese's films received support from the PGA, which strengthens their bid to break into the competitive Best Picture race.

The Coens could've used a nomination here, also missing is Nebraksa's Alexander Payne and Spike Jonze. Unlike the Coens, however, both Payne and Jonze's films were included in the PGA lineup; it seems like Inside Llewyn Davis is on the outside looking in.

Not all is lost though; last year Kathryn Bigelow and Ben Affleck were both nominated for the DGA, with Affleck winning, and were not nominated for the Academy Award. Instead, Michael Hanake and Benh Zeitlen, 2 unseen nominees, were nominated for smaller films. This not only provides a small glimmer of hope for Jonze, the Coens and Payne, but also Dallas Buyers Club director Jean-Marc Vallée, whose film is receiving a ton of indistry and guild support (PGA+SAG+WGA).

The full list of nominees is below: