So what happened with Carol this year? Is this just another case of Oscar buzz peaking too early? Because up until very recently, all signs point to this movie being a serious contender to win Best Picture, to say nothing of simply being nominated. It is rather curious, though, that a film with such high praise could secure nominations for Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara (Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively) but somehow fall short of the big prize. Especially since the expansion of the Best Picture category's expansion to include a potential ten films, it really does seem bizarre that Carol wouldn't be included. There were only eight films selected, and they're technically allowed to have up to ten. So what gives, Academy? The story of a young photographer who falls in love with an older woman in 1950s Manhattan seems like the sort of thing that they would really eat up. But alas, this one missed out and will have to settle for their two extraordinary leading ladies getting nominated. Somehow I think they'll be OK with that.