Phoenix sinks Oscars chances?

Joaquin Phoenix may have nixed his Oscar chances with a tirade against the awards season.

The actor, whose role in Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' has been hotly-tipped for a shot as Best Actor, slated the annual merry-go-round of awards ceremonies, calling them 'total, utter bullsh*t',  during a chat with 'Interview' magazine.

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“I don't want to be a part of it. I don't believe in it,” he said. “It's a carrot, but it's the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life. I don't want this carrot.

“It's totally subjective. Pitting people against each other... It's the stupidest thing in the whole world.”

He went on to talk about his experiences in the awards mix, when he was nominated across the board for playing Johnny Cash in the 2005 biopic 'Walk The Line' – and took home a Golden Globe.

“It was one of the most uncomfortable periods of my life when 'Walk the Line' was going through all the awards stuff and all that,” he went on.

“I never want to have that experience again. I don't know how to explain it - and it's not like I'm in this place where I think I'm just above it - but I just don't ever want to get comfortable with that part of things.”

It's thought that the Academy may take exception to his comments, leaving the door open for Daniel Day-Lewis's performance in Spielberg's 'Lincoln', though Day-Lewis is no fan of the awards season either.

The Oscar nominations are unveiled on January 10.