ACE Eddie noms reveal ‘True Grit’ is in trouble at the Oscars

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Oscar watchers are paying close attention to today’s announcement of the nominations for the American Cinema Editors Award. That guild list usually lines up closely with the Oscar nominees for film editing, which, in turn, often tattles on what’s happening in the Oscar best picture race.

Since 1990, a winner of the ACE award went on to win best picture at the Oscars 14 times. Over the same period of time the best picture champ also won the Oscar for editing 12 times. Many Oscarologists believe there’s a mysterious connection between the two categories, which may be underscored by this fact: Since 1990, every best picture champ was at least nominated for film editing.

That’s bad news for ‘True Grit,’ which was snubbed by the ACE Eddies today and also by the Directors Guild of America Awards. Most Oscarologists believe it will be nominated for the top Academy Award, but now it’s hard to take seriously any speculation that it might pull off an upset over ‘The Social Network,’ ‘The King’s Speech’ and ‘The Fighter.’

The ACE Eddies bids for best drama picture are ‘Black Swan, ‘ ‘The Fighter,’ ‘Inception,’ ‘The King’s Speech’ and ‘The Social Network.’ Contenders in the comedy/musical category: ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ ‘Easy A,’ ‘The Kids Are All Right,’ ‘Made in Dagenham’ and ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World.’

-- Tom O’Neil