This morning the nominees for the 2012 Academy Awards were announced by Jennifer Lawrence and Academy president Tom Sherak at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, and there were quite a few surprises.
Most notably among this year’s surprise noms was Melissa McCarthy, who earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role Bridesmaids, – which was brilliant – but not the typical type of performance the Academy acknowledges. Another surprise was the Best Original Screenplay nomination for Bridesmaids‘ writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo.
Nick Nolte’s nomination for Supporting Actor for Warrior and Gary Oldman’s nod for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy were also surprising.
But, more predictable was this year’s list of Best Picture nominations, which are not only testaments to great film-making, but showcase some of the world’s most bautiful locales.
Here’s a look at where all of this year’s Best Picture nominees were filmed:
The Artist
The Artist was shot in Los Angeles in the fall of 2010 and at the time we confess we thought it was just “some French film”, little did we know…
The movie used both Paramount Studios and Warner Brothers for their soundstages. They also spent time filming at the Million Dollar Theatre in downtown L.A.
The Descendents
The Descendants was filmed in a residential neighborhood in Nuuanu, Oahu (just outside of Honolulu), in Hanalei, Kauai, and on a private ranch on Kauai’s South Side (which was used as the family’s land, an important aspect of the movie), among other locations throughout Oahu and Kauai. It was also named one of our Top 5 Most Travel-Inspiring Movies of 2011!
Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was filmed in New York City last year at various locations throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan including Central Park, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and Gramercy Park.
The Help
The Help is set in Jackson, Mississippi’s Bellhaven neighborhood, where Kathryn Stockett – who wrote the novel the book that the movie is based on – spent much of her childhood. Given the success of the film, the city of Jackson has created a tour of the area, based on locations featured in the book, which can be downloaded at VistiJackson.com.
Though the movie was set in Jackson, much of it was actually filmed in Greenwood, where The Alluvian Hotel has created a special package deal which includes one night accommodations, a hard back copy of The Help, a commemorative poster, self-guided tour information of all the locations in Greenwood where the movie was filmed, and a chocolate treat straight from the pages of the book! Guided tours available with 48 hours notice. The package starts at $235.
Hugo
Hugo (known as The Invention of Hugo Cabret while it was filming) was primarily shot on soundstages in London and Paris, including Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, Shepperton Studios and Longcross Studios in Surrey, England. Among the few non-union locations used in the movie are La Sorbonne, Paris 5 in Paris, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Peterborough Train Station in Cambridgeshire, England.
Midnight In Paris
Midnight In Paris was filmed on location in some of Paris’ most romantic locations include Monet’s Garden at Giverny, the Hotel Bristol (where Gil and Inez stay while in Paris), and Maxim’s Restaurant (Gil and Adriana visit Maxim’s and travel back to the the Belle Époque). And, if you want to follow in Woody’s footsteps, check out the downloadable walking tour of the parks, restaurants, and museums featured in Midnight in Paris at Paris.fr.
Moneyball
Moneyball was primarily filmed in L.A., at various locations including Dodgers Satdium. In addition, they spent a couple weeks filming at the Coliseum in Oakland, CA and Boston’s Fenway Park.
The Tree of Life
The Tree of Life was filmed all over Texas back in the spring of 2008. The movie shot scenes in Houston, Dallas, Waco, Austin, La Grange, Bastrop, Smithville, and Matagorda. Locations of note include the Smithville home used in the movie, which is only two blocks away from the home used in the 1998 movie Hope Floats.
Dallas’ Chapel of Thanksgiving, located in downtown’s Thanksgiving Square on Pacific Avenue is also featured in the film, along with Houston’s Downtown and Museum District.
Warhorse
War Horse was filmed at several locations throughout the U.K., including Devon where it is set, but the most picturesque of all its locations is the village of Castle Combe in Chippenham. The small village was shut down last fall while Steven Spielberg filmed scenes for the movie outside the Cotswold homes that line its streets. The best way to see Castle Combe is on foot. A free waking tour of the village can be downloaded here.
