Oringinal Song

And the vocally vocal nominees are:

“Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman


“Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman


“Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas


“Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston


“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Stating the obvious but...

Judging by Meta Critic scores there is only one obvious and undeniable W.T.F. Inclusion:

84 - “Avatar”
53 - “The Blind Side”
81 - “District 9”
85 - “An Education”
94 - “The Hurt Locker”
69 - “Inglourious Basterds”
79 - “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
79 - “A Serious Man”
88 - “Up”
83 - “Up in the Air”

An Rotten Tomatoes says the same thing

82 - “Avatar”
70 - “The Blind Side”
90 - “District 9”
94 - “An Education”
97 - “The Hurt Locker”
89 - “Inglourious Basterds”
91 - “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
87 - “A Serious Man”
98 - “Up”
90 - “Up in the Air”

"I am so glad the Oscars are becoming more like the Peoples Choice Awards".

Oscar Nominations

Best Picture

* “Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
* “The Blind Side” Nominees to be determined
* “District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
* “An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
* “The Hurt Locker” Nominees to be determined
* “Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
* “A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
* “Up” Jonas Rivera, Producer
* “Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Actor in a Leading Role

* Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
* George Clooney in “Up in the Air”
* Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
* Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
* Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”

Actor in a Supporting Role

* Matt Damon in “Invictus”
* Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
* Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
* Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
* Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role

* Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
* Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”
* Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
* Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
* Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”

Actress in a Supporting Role

* Penélope Cruz in “Nine”
* Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”
* Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”
* Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”
* Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film

* “Coraline” Henry Selick
* “Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson
* “The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements
* “The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore
* “Up” Pete Docter


Art Direction

* “Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
* “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
* “Nine” Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
* “Sherlock Holmes” Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
* “The Young Victoria” Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

Cinematography

* “Avatar” Mauro Fiore
* “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Bruno Delbonnel
* “The Hurt Locker” Barry Ackroyd
* “Inglourious Basterds” Robert Richardson
* “The White Ribbon” Christian Berger

Costume Design

* “Bright Star” Janet Patterson
* “Coco before Chanel” Catherine Leterrier
* “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Monique Prudhomme
* “Nine” Colleen Atwood
* “The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Directing

* “Avatar” James Cameron
* “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow
* “Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels
* “Up in the Air” Jason Reitman

Documentary (Feature)

* “Burma VJ” Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
* “The Cove” Nominees to be determined
* “Food, Inc.” Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
* “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
* “Which Way Home” Rebecca Cammisa

Documentary (Short Subject)

* “China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
* “The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
* “The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
* “Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
* “Rabbit à la Berlin” Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra

Film Editing

* “Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
* “District 9” Julian Clarke
* “The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
* “Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz

Foreign Language Film

* “Ajami” Israel
* “El Secreto de Sus Ojos” Argentina
* “The Milk of Sorrow” Peru
* “Un Prophète” France
* “The White Ribbon” Germany

Makeup

* “Il Divo” Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
* “Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
* “The Young Victoria” Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

Music (Original Score)

* “Avatar” James Horner
* “Fantastic Mr. Fox” Alexandre Desplat
* “The Hurt Locker” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
* “Sherlock Holmes” Hans Zimmer
* “Up” Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)

* “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
* “Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
* “Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
* “Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
* “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Short Film (Animated)

* “French Roast” Fabrice O. Joubert
* “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
* “The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)” Javier Recio Gracia
* “Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin
* “A Matter of Loaf and Death” Nick Park

Short Film (Live Action)

* “The Door” Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
* “Instead of Abracadabra” Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström
* “Kavi” Gregg Helvey
* “Miracle Fish” Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
* “The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Sound Editing

* “Avatar” Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
* “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson
* “Inglourious Basterds” Wylie Stateman
* “Star Trek” Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
* “Up” Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

Sound Mixing

* “Avatar” Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
* “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
* “Inglourious Basterds” Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
* “Star Trek” Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
* “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson

Visual Effects

* “Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
* “District 9” Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
* “Star Trek” Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

* “District 9” Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
* “An Education” Screenplay by Nick Hornby
* “In the Loop” Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
* “Up in the Air” Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Writing (Original Screenplay)

* “The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal
* “Inglourious Basterds” Written by Quentin Tarantino
* “The Messenger” Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
* “A Serious Man” Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
* “Up” Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy

SAG Nominations

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

JEFF BRIDGES / Bad Blake - "CRAZY HEART"
GEORGE CLOONEY / Ryan Bingham - "UP IN THE AIR"
COLIN FIRTH / George Falconer - "A SINGLE MAN"
MORGAN FREEMAN / Nelson Mandela - "INVICTUS"
JEREMY RENNER / Staff Sgt. William James - "THE HURT LOCKER"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

SANDRA BULLOCK / Leigh Anne Tuohy - "THE BLIND SIDE"
HELEN MIRREN / Sofya - "THE LAST STATION"
CAREY MULLIGAN / Jenny - "AN EDUCATION"
GABOUREY SIDIBE / Precious - "PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE"
MERYL STREEP / Julia Child - "JULIE & JULIA"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

MATT DAMON / Francois Pienaar - "INVICTUS"
WOODY HARRELSON / Captain Tony Stone - "THE MESSENGER"
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER / Tolstoy - "THE LAST STATION"
STANLEY TUCCI / George Harvey - "THE LOVELY BONES"
CHRISTOPH WALTZ / Col. Hans Landa - "INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

PENÉLOPE CRUZ / Carla - "NINE"
VERA FARMIGA / Alex Goran - "UP IN THE AIR"
ANNA KENDRICK / Natalie Keener - "UP IN THE AIR"
DIANE KRUGER / Bridget Von Hammersmark - "INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS"
MO'NIQUE / Mary - "PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE"

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

AN EDUCATION (Sony Pictures Classics)
DOMINIC COOPER / Danny
ALFRED MOLINA / Jack
CAREY MULLIGAN / Jenny
ROSAMUND PIKE / Helen
PETER SARSGAARD / David
EMMA THOMPSON / Headmistress
OLIVIA WILLIAMS / Miss Stubbs

THE HURT LOCKER (Summit Entertainment)
CHRISTIAN CAMARGO / Col. John Cambridge
BRIAN GERAGHTY / Specialist Owen Eldridge
EVANGELINE LILLY / Connie James
ANTHONY MACKIE / Sgt. J.T. Sanborn
JEREMY RENNER / Staff Sgt. William James

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (The Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures)
DANIEL BRÜHL / Fredrick Zoller
AUGUST DIEHL / Major Hellstrom
JULIE DREYFUS / Francesca Mondino
MICHAEL FASSBENDER / Lt. Archie Hicox
SYLVESTER GROTH / Joseph Goebbels
JACKY IDO / Marcel
DIANE KRUGER / Bridget Von Hammersmark
MÉLANIE LAURENT / Shosanna
DENIS MENOCHET / Perrier LaPedite
MIKE MYERS / General Ed French
BRAD PITT / Lt. Aldo Raine
ELI ROTH / Sgt. Donny Donowitz
TIL SCHWEIGER / Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz
ROD TAYLOR / Winston Churchill
CHRISTOPH WALTZ / Col. Hans Landa
MARTIN WUTTKE / Hitler

NINE (The Weinstein Company)
MARION COTILLARD / Luisa Contini
PENÉLOPE CRUZ / Carla
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Guido Contini
JUDI DENCH / Lillian
FERGIE / Saraghina
KATE HUDSON / Stephanie
NICOLE KIDMAN / Claudia
SOPHIA LOREN / Mamma

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL "PUSH" BY SAPPHIRE (Lionsgate)
MARIAH CAREY / Ms. Weiss
LENNY KRAVITZ / Nurse John
MO'NIQUE / Mary
PAULA PATTON / Ms. Rain
SHERRI SHEPHERD / Cornrows
GABOUREY SIDIBE / Precious

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

KEVIN BACON / Lt. Col. Michael R. Strobl - "TAKING CHANCE"
CUBA GOODING, JR. / Ben Carson - "GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY"
JEREMY IRONS / Alfred Stieglitz - "GEORGIA O'KEEFFE"
KEVIN KLINE / Cyrano de Bergerac - "GREAT PERFORMANCES: CYRANO de BERGERAC"
TOM WILKINSON / Salter - "A NUMBER"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

JOAN ALLEN / Georgia O'Keeffe - "GEORGIA O'KEEFFE"
DREW BARRYMORE / Little Edie - "GREY GARDENS"
RUBY DEE / Mrs. Harper - "AMERICA"
JESSICA LANGE / Big Edie - "GREY GARDENS"
SIGOURNEY WEAVER / Mary Griffith - "PRAYERS FOR BOBBY"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

SIMON BAKER / Patrick Jane - "THE MENTALIST"
BRYAN CRANSTON / Walter White - "BREAKING BAD"
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan - "DEXTER"
JON HAMM / Don Draper - "MAD MEN"
HUGH LAURIE / House - "HOUSE"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

PATRICIA ARQUETTE/ Allison Dubois - "MEDIUM"
GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes - "DAMAGES"
MARISKA HARGITAY / Det. Olivia Benson - "LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT"
HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko - "SAVING GRACE"
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick - "THE GOOD WIFE"
KYRA SEDGWICK / Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson - "THE CLOSER"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy - "30 ROCK"
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott - "THE OFFICE"
LARRY DAVID / Himself - "CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM"
TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk - "MONK"
CHARLIE SHEEN / Charlie Harper - "TWO AND A HALF MEN"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly - "SAMANTHA WHO?"
TONI COLLETTE / Tara Gregor - "UNITED STATES OF TARA"
EDIE FALCO / Jackie Peyton - "NURSE JACKIE"
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon - "30 ROCK"
JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS / Christine Campbell - "THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE"

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

THE CLOSER
DEXTER
THE GOOD WIFE
MAD MEN
TRUE BLOOD

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

30 ROCK
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM
GLEE
MODERN FAMILY
THE OFFICE

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

PUBLIC ENEMIES
STAR TREK
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

24
THE CLOSER
DEXTER
HEROES
THE UNIT

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Screen Actors Guild Awards 46th Annual Life Achievement Award
Betty White

Spirit Award nominations!!

Here they are people.
In all their perplexing, cheerable and tantrum starting glory.

This is (for me) the official season kick off (it is so important it is capitalised)
I love the beginning of Awards season!!!!
It keeps me going through the winter months after Christmas.

Heeeeeeeeeeeee


BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer)
(500) Days of Summer
Amreeka
Precious
Sin Nombre
The Last Station

BEST DIRECTOR
Joel & Ethan Coen - 'A Serious Man'
Lee Daniels - 'Precious'
Cary Fukanaga - 'Sin Nombre'
James Grey - 'Two Lovers'
Michael Hoffman - 'The Last Station'

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
A Single Man
Crazy Heart
Easier With Practice
The Messenger
Paranormal Activity

BEST SCREENPLAY
The Messenger
The Last Station
The Vicious Kind
Adventureland
(500) Days of Summer

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Cold Souls
Crazy Heart
Amreeka
Precious
A Single Man

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Maria Bello - 'Downloading Nancy'
Helen Mirren - 'The Last Station'
Gwentyth Paltrow - 'Two Lovers'
Gabby Sidibe - 'Precious'
Nisreen Faour - 'Amreeka'

BEST MALE LEAD
Jeff Bridges - 'Crazy Heart'
Colin Firth - 'A Single Man'
Joseph Gordon Levitt - '(500) Days of Summer'
Souleymane Sy Savane - 'Goodbye Solo'
Adam Scott - 'The Vicious Kind'

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Monique - 'Precious'
Samantha Morton - 'The Messenger'
Natahlie Press - 'Fifty Dean Men Walking'
Mia Wasikowska - 'That Evening Sun'
Dina Korzun - 'Cold Souls'

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Jemaine Clements - 'Gentlemen Broncos'
Woody Harrelson - 'The Messenger'
Cristian McKay - 'Me and Orson Welles'
Ramon McKinnon - 'The Evening Sun'
Christopher Plummer - 'The Last Station'

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
A Serious Man
Sin Nombre
Treeless Mountain
Cold Souls
Bad Lieutenant

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director)
Anvil!
Food Inc
More Than a Game
October Country
Which Way Home

BEST FOREIGN FILM (Award given to the director)
A Prophet
An Education
Everlasting Moments
Mother
The Maid

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
(Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
A Serious Man

PRODUCERS AWARD
Karen Chien
Larry Fessenden
Dia Sokol

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD
Natalia Almada
Bill Ross and Turner Ross
Jessica Oreck


Some interesting inclusions here. What is surprising is who they have left off. Two acting nominations for 'That Evening Sun' and not one for Hal Holbrook. That was odd. Also considering the love for 'Two Lovers' they left out crazy ole Joaquin same for Ben Foster in 'The Messenger'. Seems the male lead category is a bit suspect.

Oscar nominations

So the AMPAS sticks a big middle finger up at the superhero genre, embraces the Holocaust (again), and tells Sally Hawkins that there is no room for a nominee who is not American and who isn't called Kate, Heath Ledger or Penelope.

Best Picture:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"
"Frost/Nixon,"
"Milk,"
"The Reader,"
"Slumdog Millionaire."

Well the Academy sent out a message today. They do not like genre films mixing with the 'real' movies. 'WALL-E' and 'The Dark Knight' snubbed (what do you expect? The best reviewed films of the year hardly make it in. The metacritc scores go like this: Button - 69, Frost/Nixon - 80, Milk - 84, The Reader - 58 and Slumdog - 86. A 56 made it in! WOW!

Best Actor:
Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor";
Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon";
Sean Penn, "Milk";
Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button";
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler."



Ugh, Pitt? Really? Saw 'Gran Torino' last night and prefer Clints performance way over Pitts. Cannot argue with the rest of the bunch.

Best Actress:
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married";
Angelina Jolie, "Changeling";
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River";
Meryl Streep, "Doubt";
Kate Winslet, "The Reader."



The AMPAS need to be shot. Jolie needs to send Sally Hawkins one of her children. So upsetting and so sad for Sally who really deserved to be here. Yay for Leo though

Best Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin, "Milk";
Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder";
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt";
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight";
Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road."



I am one of the few who did really not like Shannon's performance at all. Way too over the top. Very 'look at me' acting. Marsan should have been there instead.

Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, "Doubt";
Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona";
Viola Davis, "Doubt";
Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button";
Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler."



Was Henson better that some of the other contenders? Not really, but she is adorable! Happy to see her here. Guess it is Cruz's to loose.

Best Director:
David Fincher, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button";
Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon";
Gus Van Sant, "Milk";
Stephen Daldry, "The Reader";
Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire."



No Nolan, No Stanton. Stephen Daldry makes only three films and is nominated for each one. Never bet against him is the new lesson learned.

Best Foreign Film:
"The Baader Meinhof Complex," Germany;
"The Class," France;
"Departures," Japan;
"Revanche," Austria;
"Waltz With Bashir," Israel.



So need to see these films.

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Eric Roth and Robin Swicord, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button";
John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt";
Peter Morgan, "Frost/Nixon";
David Hare, "The Reader";
Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire."



Again the Dark Knight is f*cked over. Such prejudice against the genre.

Best Original Screenplay:
Courtney Hunt, "Frozen River";
Mike Leigh, "Happy-Go-Lucky";
Martin McDonagh, "In Bruges";
Dustin Lance Black, "Milk";
Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter, "WALL-E."



Best category yet.

Best Animated Feature Film:
"Bolt";
"Kung Fu Panda";
"WALL-E."



Not surprised Waltz With Bashir is not here. Still need to see Bolt.

Best Art Direction:
"Changeling,"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"
"The Dark Knight,"
"The Duchess,"
"Revolutionary Road."



Wasn't Button mostly CGI? In that case WALL-E should so be here.

Best Cinematography:
"Changeling,"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"
"The Dark Knight,"
"The Reader,"
"Slumdog Millionaire."



Again, wasn't Button CGI?

Best Sound Mixing:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"
"The Dark Knight,"
"Slumdog Millionaire,"
"WALL-E,"
"Wanted."



These are the categories have have no say in as they are over my head...need to study up on them.

Best Sound Editing:
"The Dark Knight,"
"Iron Man,"
"Slumdog Millionaire,"
"WALL-E,"
"Wanted."



See above.

Best Original Score:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Alexandre Desplat;
"Defiance," James Newton Howard;
"Milk," Danny Elfman;
"Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman;
"WALL-E," Thomas Newman.



The one place I expect The Dark Knight to show up is doesn't.

Best Original Song:
"Down to Earth" from "WALL-E," Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman;
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar;
"O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam.



I love M.I.A. so over the moon for her. Poor Bruce though.

Best Costume:
"Australia,"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"
"The Duchess,"
"Milk,"
"Revolutionary Road."



Yay for Milk!

Best Documentary Feature:
"The Betrayal (Nerakhoon),"
"Encounters at the End of the World,"
"The Garden,"
"Man on Wire,"
"Trouble the Water."



Best Documentary (short subject):
"The Conscience of Nhem En,"
"The Final Inch,"
"Smile Pinki,"
"The Witness -- From the Balcony of Room 306."



Best Film Editing:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"
"The Dark Knight,"
"Frost/Nixon,"
"Milk,"
"Slumdog Millionaire."



So....The Reader isn't good enough for here then!

Best Makeup:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"
"The Dark Knight,"
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army."

yay Hell Boy and The Joker!

Best Animated Short Film:
"La Maison en Petits Cubes,"
"Lavatory -- Lovestory,"
"Oktapodi,"
"Presto,"
"This Way Up."

Presto! all the way

Best Live Action Short Film:
"Auf der Strecke (On the Line),"
"Manon on the Asphalt,"
"New Boy,"
"The Pig,"
"Spielzeugland (Toyland)."

Best Visual Effects:
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"
"The Dark Knight,"
"Iron Man."

Surprised to see The Dark Knight here, but oh so happy. A great line up!

Is it far too dramatic to cry?

Debating if I should live blog..

But they are over so quickly aren't they. I am so nervous right now. I feel like a 17 year old girl about to loose her virginity in the 1950's.

The Producers Guild Awards Announce

And really they are just so zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I mean they could have shaken things up a little. This damn animated category is getting like foreign film, dump the films in there to keep them from shining where they really belong.

Anyway, here are the nominees:

Feature Film:

Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
Frost/Nixon
The Dark Knight

Animated:

Wall-E
Bolt
Kung-Fu Panda

Documentary:

Man on Wire
Trouble the Water
Standard Operating Procedure

Have these old men no sense of adventure?

SAG noms!

Actor

Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Actress

Anne Hatahway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, Rev Road

Supporting Actor

Josh Brolin, Milk
Robert Downey , Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Heath Ledger, The Dark Night
Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire

Supporting Actress

Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, Benjamin Button
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Ensemble

Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

Great news for Taraji P. Henson, Dev Patel, and Amy Adams. Not so great news for 'The Dark Knight' and Sally Hawkins. Surprised by the double nom for Kate, but well done to the Great Kate!

Chicago Film Critics nominations

Have no real idea what to make of these, except these are much better that the Golden Globes. 'The Dark Knight', 'Doubt' and 'Slumdog Millionaire' are in the lead with 5 noms a piece, and 'WALL-E', 'Milk', 'Rachel Getting Married' and 'Benjamin Button' each have 4. Pretty damn cool I have to say!


BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL*E

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle–Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher–The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Christopher Nolan–The Dark Knight
Andrew Stanton–WALL*E
Gus Van Sant–Milk

BEST ACTOR
Clint Eastwood–Gran Torino
Richard Jenkins–The Visitor
Frank Langella–Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn–Milk
Mickey Rourke–The Wrestler

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway–Rachel Getting Married
Sally Hawkins–Happy-Go-Lucky
Angelina Jolie–Changeling
Melissa Leo–Frozen River
Meryl Streep–Doubt

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Robert Downey Jr.–Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman–Doubt
Bill Irwin–Rachel Getting Married
Heath Ledger–The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon–Revolutionary Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams–Doubt
Penelope Cruz–Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis–Doubt
Rosemarie Dewitt–Rachel Getting Married
Kate Winslet–The Reader

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
In Bruges–Martin McDonagh
Milk–Dustin Lance Black
Rachel Getting Married–Jenny Lumet
Synecdoche, N.Y. –Charlie Kaufman
WALL*E–Andrew Stanton & Jim Reardon

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button–Eric Roth
The Dark Knight–Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan
Doubt–John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon–Peter Morgan
Slumdog Millionaire–Simon Beaufoy

BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
The Band’s Visit
Che
A Christmas Tale
I’ve Loved You For So Long
Let the Right One In

BEST DOCUMENTARY
American Teen
Dear Zachary
IOUSA
Man On Wire
Standard Operating Procedure

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Bolt
Kung-Fu Panda
Tale of Desperaux
WALL*E
Waltz with Bashir

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Australia–Mandy Walker
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button–Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight–Wally Pfister
The Fall–Colin Watkinson
Slumdog Millionaire–Anthony Dod Mantle

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button–Alexandre Desplat
The Dark Knight–Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard
Milk–Danny Elfman
Slumdog Millionaire–A.R. Rahman
WALL*E–Thomas Newman

MOST PROMISING PERFORMER
Russell Brand–Forgetting Sarah Marshall
David Kross–The Reader
Lina Leandersson–Let the Right One In
Dev Patel–Slumdog Millionaire
Brandon Walters–Australia

MOST PROMISING FILMMAKER
Tomas Alfredson–Let the Right One In
Lance Hammer–Ballast
Courtney Hunt–Frozen River
Martin McDonagh–In Bruges
Steve McQueen–Hunger

BFCA Announce!!

BEST PICTURE

Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E
The Wrestler

BEST ACTOR

Clint Eastwood - Gran Torino
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

BEST ACTRESS

Kate Beckinsale - Nothing But the Truth
Cate Blanchett - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Meryl Streep - Doubt

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey, Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
James Franco - Milk

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Vera Farmiga - Nothing But the Truth
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Doubt
Milk
Rachel Getting Married

BEST DIRECTOR

Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Christopher Nolan - The Dark Knight
Gus Van Sant - Milk

BEST WRITER (Original or Adapted Screenplay)

Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire
Dustin Lance Black - Milk
Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
Eric Roth - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
John Patrick Shanley - Doubt

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Wall-E
Waltz With Bashir

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS (Under 21)

Dakota Fanning - The Secret Life of Bees
David Kross - The Reader
Dev Petal - Slumdog Millionaire
Brandon Walters - Australia

BEST ACTION MOVIE

The Dark Knight
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Quantum of Solace
Wanted

BEST COMEDY MOVIE

Burn After Reading
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Role Models
Tropic Thunder
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

John Adams
Recount
Coco Chanel

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

A Christmas Tale
Gomorrah
I’ve Loved You So Long
Let the Right One In
Mongol
Waltz With Bashir

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

I.O.U.S.A.
Man On Wire
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Standard Operating Procedure
Young At Heart

BEST SONG

“Another Way to Die” (performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys, written by Jack White) - Quantum of Solace
“Down to Earth” (performed by Peter Gabriel, written by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman) - Wall-E
“I Thought I Lost You” (performed Miley Cyrus and John Travolta, written by Miley Cyrus and Jeffrey Steele) - Bolt
“Jaiho” (performed by Sukhwinder Singh, written by A.R. Rahman and Gulzar) - Slumdog Millionaire
“The Wrestler” (performed by Bruce Springsteen, written by Bruce Springsteen) - The Wrestler

BEST COMPOSER

Alexandre Desp lat - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Clint Eastwood - Changeling
Danny Elfman - Milk
Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard - The Dark Knight
A.R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire

What is the most interesting is the snub of 'Revolutionary Road'. Shut out completely. Leo, Kate and Michael all snub snubby snub snubbed. Also snubbed was poor Kristen Scott Thomas. Saddest snub for me though was for Sally Hawkins. If one performance has been heralded this year, out of all lead actresses it is her and Melissa Leo.

Also interesting is the strong showing of 'Changeling' considering many people wrote it off (even managed a score nod).

Also 'Nothing But The Truth' managed noms for Lead Actress (Kate Beckinsale) and Supporting Actress (Vera Farminga). Can they make it through in the end?

'Milk' and 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' each got 6 nods, and 'The Dark Knight', 'Slumdog Millionaire' and 'Doubt' each got 6. Is that our Best Pic line up?

Golden Globe Predictions

Tried to throw some no guts no glory predictions in there (Anna Faris, Michelle Williams, Australia, 'WALL-E' for comedy) They could happen, they could not.

I also have 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' (typing that out is getting old quickly), and 'Milk' tied with 5 nominations a piece, but hey, I am hopeful.
I had 'WALL-E' in the Comedy Picture mix, but have now removed it as it seems it is not eligible - Replaced it with 'Mamma Mia' - The HFPA loves a musical.

We will find out a week from now!

Best Picture Drama

‘Australia’
‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
‘The Dark Knight’
‘Milk’
‘Slumdog Millionaire’
‘The Wrestler’

Best Actress Drama

Angelina Jolie – ‘Changeling’
Anne Hathaway – ‘Rachel Getting Married’
Melissa Leo – Frozen River’
Meryl Streep – ‘Doubt’
Michelle Williams – ‘Wendy and Lucy’
Kate Winslet – ‘Revolutionary Road’

Best Actor Drama

Brad Pitt – ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
Clint Eastwood – ‘Gran Torino’
Frank Langella – ‘Frost/Nixon’
Sean Penn – ‘Milk’
Mickey Rourke – ‘The Wrestler’

Best Picture Comedy

‘In Bruges’
‘Happy Go Lucky’
‘Last Chance Harvey’
'Mama Mia
‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’


Best Actress Comedy

Anna Faris – ‘The House Bunny’
Sally Hawkins – ‘Happy Go Lucky’
Sarah Jessica Parker – ‘Sex and the City: The Movie’
Meryl Streep – ‘Mamma Mia’
Emma Thompson – ‘Last Chance Harvey’

Best Actor Comedy

Javier Bardem – ‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’
Jim Carrey – ‘Yes Man’
George Clooney – ‘Burn After Reading’
Ricky Gervais – ‘Ghost Town’
Dustin Hoffman – ‘Last Chance Harvey’

Best Supporting Actress

Penelope Cruz – ‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’
Viola Davis – ‘Doubt’
Rosemarie Dewitt – ‘Rachel Getting Married’
Taraji P. Henson – ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
Kate Winslet – ‘The Reader’

Best Supporting Actor

Robert Downey, Jr. – ‘Tropic Thunder’
James Franco – ‘Milk’
Heath Ledger – ‘The Dark Knight’
Philip Seymour Hoffman – ‘Doubt’
Michael Shannon – ‘Revolutionary Road’

Best Director

Woody Allen – ‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’
Danny Boyle – ‘Slumdog Millionaire’
David Fincher – ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
Christopher Nolan – ‘The Dark Knight’
Gus Van Sant – ‘Milk’

Best Screenplay

‘Happy Go Lucky’
‘Milk’
‘Slumdog Millionaire’
‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’
‘WALL – E’

Original Score

‘Australia’
‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’
‘The Dark Knight’
‘Revolutionary Road’
‘WALL-E’

Original Song

‘Australia’
‘Quantum of Solace’
‘Sex and the City: The Movie’
‘WALL – E’
‘The Wrestler’

Animated Feature

‘Horton Hears a Who!’
‘Kung Fu Panda’
‘WALL-E’

Foreign Language Film

‘The Class’
‘Gomorrah’
‘Let the Right One In’
‘Reprise’
‘Waltz with Bashir’

So what do you think? Am I totally out there with these?

Independent Spirit Awards Nominations

Best Feature

“Ballast”
“Frozen River”
“Rachel Getting Married”
“Wendy and Lucy”
“The Wrestler”

Best Director

Ramin Bahrani, “Chop Shop”
Jonathan Demme, “Rachel Getting Married”
Lance Hammer, “Ballast”
Courtney Hunt, “Frozen River”
Thomas McCarthy, “The Visitor”

Best First Feature

“Afterschool”
“Medicine for Melancholy”
“Sangre de Mi Sangre”
“Sleep Dealer”
“Synecdoche, New York”

John Cassavetes Award (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000)

“In Search of a Midnight Kiss”
“Prince of Broadway”
“The Signal”
“Take Out”
“Turn the River”

Best First Screenplay

Dustin Lance Black, “Milk”
Lance Hammer, “Ballast”
Courtney Hunt, “Frozen River”
Jonathan Levine, “The Wackness”
Jenny Lumet, “Rachel Getting Married”

Best Screenplay

Woody Allen, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Anna Fleck and Ryan Boden, “Sugar”
Charlie Kaufman, “Synecdoche, New York”
Howard A. Rodman, “Savage Grace”
Christopher Zalla, “Sangre de Mi Sangre”

Best Female Lead

Summer Bishil, “Towelhead”
Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”
Melissa Leo, “Frozen River”
Tarra Riggs, “Ballast”
Michelle Williams, “Wendy and Lucy”

Best Male Lead

Javier Bardem, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Richard Jenkins, “The Visitor”
Sean Penn, “Milk”
Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker”
Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

Best Supporting Female

Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Rosemarie DeWitt, “Rachel Getting Married”
Rosie Perez, “The Take”
Misty Upham, “Frozen River”
Debra Winger, “Rachel Getting Married”

Best Supporting Male

James Franco, “Milk”
Anthony Mackie, “The Hurt Locker”
Charlie McDermott, “Frozen River”
JimMyron Ross, “Ballast”
Haaz Sleiman, “The Visitor”

Best Cinematography

Maryse Alberti, “The Wrestler”
Lol Crowley, “Ballast”
James Laxton, “Medicine for Melancholy”
Harris Savides, “Milk”
Michael Simmonds, “Chop Shop”

Best Documentary

“The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)”
“Encounters at the End of the World”
“Man on Wire”
“The Order of Myths”
“Up the Yangtze”

Best Foreign Film

“The Class” (France)
“Gomorrah” (Italy)
“Hunger” (UK/Ireland)
“Secret of the Grain” (France)
“Silent Light” (Mexico/France/Netherlands/Germany)

With all the nominations for "Frozen River" this seriously will put Melissa Leo is a near lock position for the Oscar nom. Also the love for "Rachel Getting Married" will be helpful for that film in other categories. This also helps "Ballast" in getting a screenplay Oscar nod. Other people this helps is Misty Upman, Richard Jenkins, James Franco and especially Michelle Williams - with an Actress and Picture nod.

Golden Satellites chime in

Take these nominees with a pinch of salt. The main thing these are note worthy for is seeing the films that are actually getting a lot of noms. These include 'Milk', 'The Dark Knight' and 'Australia'.

I wouldn't worry too much about the omission of Penelope Cruz and Viola Davis right now, although it is surprising to think Beyonce Knowles beat them (someone needs some star appeal at the ceremony!).

This is the awards kick off (not a really good indication though) and it never ever fails to get me slightly excited. I have a nice big grin and am excited to get back to blogging after my self imposed exile.

BFI Nominations

Here are the nominations for the British Independant Film Awards.

Initial reactions are that 'Happy-Go-Lucky' very surprisingly was not nominated for Picture, Director and Screenplay. In fact I am a little floored about that, but still think it may be embraced by the Academy.

'Man on a Wire' is definitely the documentary to beat come this years Oscars, or at least it is in lead position. Does anything else stand a chance?

'Hunger' has made a huge impact, as had 'In Bruges' and the actors of 'The Duchess'.

Probably what has grabbed my attention the most is the nomination for Samantha Morton in 'The Daisy Chain'. I had not idea this has been released (technically 'Slumdog Millionaire' hasn't either) because you know I love me some Morton.

Anything surprise you here?

Complete list of 80th annual Academy Award nominations

I am feeling all snuggly and warm. Like I am nestled in between Keira and James staring at the sea.



1. Best Picture:
"Atonement,"
"Juno,"
"Michael Clayton,"
"No Country for Old Men,"
"There Will Be Blood."

Wow….I like everyone of these. A FIRST!

2. Actor:
George Clooney, "Michael Clayton";
Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood";
Johnny Depp, "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street";
Tommy Lee Jones, "In the Valley of Elah";
Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises."

Tommy Lee!!! What a surprise! Empire magazine said there was no way he wouldn’t be nominated and I laughed…..pie on my face. Wish McAvoy was here though

3. Actress:
Cate Blanchett, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age";
Julie Christie, "Away From Her";
Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose";
Laura Linney, "The Savages";
Ellen Page, "Juno."

Blanchett…….REALLY?????? This is counter balanced by the wonderful nomination of Laura Linney

4. Supporting Actor:
Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford";
Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men";
Hal Holbrook, "Into the Wild";
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War";
Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton."

How boring. Poor Tommy Lee (well not really, but still)

5. Supporting Actress:
Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There";
Ruby Dee, "American Gangster";
Saoirse Ronan, "Atonement";
Amy Ryan, "Gone Baby Gone";
Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton."

Wonderful….aside from Ryan I have NO problem with this. Swap Ryan for Samantha Morton and I would have had an orgasm

6. Director:
Julian Schnabel, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly";
Jason Reitman, "Juno";
Tony Gilroy, "Michael Clayton";
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men";
Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be Blood."

Poor Poor Joe Wright. I honestly believe that “Atonement” was more of a directors film then “Juno”.

7. Foreign Film:
"Beaufort," Israel;
“The Counterfeiters," Austria;
"Katyn," Poland;
"Mongol," Kazakhstan;
"12," Russia.

Booo….Hisssss!

8. Adapted Screenplay:
Christopher Hampton, "Atonement";
Sarah Polley, "Away from Her";
Ronald Harwood, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly";
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men";
Paul Thomas Anderson, "There Will Be Blood."

WAY TO GO SARAH POLLEY!!!! A wonderful acknowledgement of her work.

9. Original Screenplay:
Diablo Cody, "Juno";
Nancy Oliver, "Lars and the Real Girl";
Tony Gilroy, "Michael Clayton";
Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava and Jim Capobianco, "Ratatouille";
Tamara Jenkins, "The Savages."

It is a breast fest!!! So wonderful to see so many women here, and deservingly so. Also very happy for Brad Bird!

10. Animated Feature Film:
"Persepolis";
“Ratatouille";
"Surf's Up."

um……no “Simpsons”….poor Homer.

11. Art Direction:
"American Gangster,"
"Atonement,"
"The Golden Compass,"
"Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,"
"There Will Be Blood."

Another great line up. “Sunshine” would have been another good one though.

12. Cinematography:
"The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,"
"Atonement,"
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,"
"No Country for Old Men,"
"There Will Be Blood."

Fantastic line up, I would have loved to see “Sunshine” here as well, but that was NEVER going to happen.

13. Sound Mixing:
"The Bourne Ultimatum,"
"No Country for Old Men,"
"Ratatouille,"
"3:10 to Yuma,"
"Transformers."

Notice how “Beowulf” was completely shut out.

14. Sound Editing:
"The Bourne Ultimatum,"
"No Country for Old Men,"
"Ratatouille,"
"There Will Be Blood,"
"Transformers."

15. Original Score:
"Atonement," Dario Marianelli;
"The Kite Runner," Alberto Iglesias;
"Michael Clayton," James Newton Howard;
"Ratatouille," Michael Giacchino;
"3:10 to Yuma," Marco Beltrami.

Dario had better win!!

16. Original Song:
"Falling Slowly" from "Once," Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova;
"Happy Working Song" from "Enchanted," Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz;
"Raise It Up" from "August Rush," Nominees to be determined;
"So Close" from "Enchanted," Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz;
"That's How You Know" from "Enchanted," Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

Wow…I smell a Dreamgirls snub……Go “Once”

17. Costume:
"Across the Universe,"
"Atonement,"
"Elizabeth: The Golden Age,"
"La Vie en Rose,"
"Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

Great line up, but so sad for “Hairspray” Really wanted some sequinned magic in the mix!

18. Documentary Feature:
"No End in Sight,"
"Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience,"
"Sicko,"
"Taxi to the Dark Side,"
"War/Dance."

No idea here

19. Documentary (short subject):
"Freeheld,"
"La Corona (The Crown),"
"Salim Baba,"
“Sari's Mother."

20. Film Editing:
"The Bourne Ultimatum,"
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,"
"Into the Wild,"
"No Country for Old Men,"
"There Will Be Blood."

Boo for Atonement, but it never was an editing awards magnet…far to subtle. Best Pic is between “No Country” and “There Will Be Blood”

21. Makeup:
"La Vie en Rose,"
"Norbit,"
"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

Gotta say I really thought the makeup in “La Vie En Rose” was superb!

22. Animated Short Film:
"I Met the Walrus,"
"Madame Tutli-Putli,"
"Meme Les Pigeons Vont au Paradis (Even Pigeons Go to Heaven),"
"My Love (Moya Lyubov),"
"Peter & the Wolf."

Awe…I like the sound of the pigeon movie

23. Live Action Short Film:
"At Night,"
"Il Supplente (The Substitute),"
"Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets),"
"Tanghi Argentini,"
"The Tonto Woman."

nothing to say. YAY for ‘The Tonto Woman’ ?

24. Visual Effects:
"The Golden Compass,"
"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End,"
"Transformers."

Strong line up, would have loved to have seen “Sunshine” here though. Guess it is too ‘indie’ though

The Online Film Critics Society Noms

As you all know I am totally 'meh' with this years Oscar race. Not sure why, perhaps it is just the lack of surprises, or the large margins the 'front runners' have.
It seems a 'No Country for Old Men' no brainer in Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay and Supporting Actor. Amy/Cate has Supporting Actress, Julie/Ellen has Best Actress and Daniel/George has Lead Actor (most probably, unless Sweeney pulls the lead out).

But then the Online Film Critics Society throw a few surprises in that give me hope. They are not a reliable source, but anything that breaks the same old-same old line up is WONDERFUL news in my book.

The Noms:

PICTURE
- Atonement
- Juno
- No Country For Old Men
- There Will Be Blood
- Zodiac - nice little reminder to the powers that be. try not to forget one of the years best.

DIRECTOR
- Paul Thomas Anderson - There Will Be Blood
- Joel & Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men
- David Cronenberg - Eastern Promises - over Joe Wright???? as much as I admire David, not a cool move.
- David Fincher - Zodiac - again a nice little reminder.
- Julian Schnabel - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

ACTOR
- George Clooney - Michael Clayton
- Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood
- Emile Hirsch - Into the Wild
- Frank Langella - Starting Out in the Evening - happy about this. hope he can translate it.
- Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises

ACTRESS
- Julie Christie - Away From Her
- Marion Cotillard - La Vie En Rose
- Angelina Jolie - A Mighty Heart
- Laura Linney - The Savages - finally...YAY Laura....breaking up a boring line up
- Ellen Page - Juno

SUPPORTING ACTOR
- Casey Affleck - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
- Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
- Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson’s War
- Hal Holbrook - Into the Wild
- Tom Wilkinson–Michael Clayton

- boring line up

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
- Cate Blanchett - I’m Not There
- Jennifer Garner - Juno
- Kelly MacDonald - No Country for Old Men
- Saoirse Ronan - Atonement
- Amy Ryan - Gone Baby Gone
- Tilda Swinton - Michael Clayton

- and here I was thinking they would struggle to find 5 worthy nominees. Well we can assume Garner and MacDonald are not going to replicate this to Oscar (but who knows) So that leaves the other four as likely candidates. As long as Swinton and Ronan are nominated I am happy

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
- Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
- Eastern Promises
- Juno
- Michael Clayton
- Ratatouille - all the way Mae!

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
- Atonement
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
- No Country For Old Men
- There Will Be Blood
- Zodiac

CINEMATOGRAPHY
- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
- Atonement
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
- No Country for Old Men
- There Will Be Blood

EDITING
- Atonement
- The Bourne Ultimatum
- No Country For Old Men
- There Will Be Blood
- Zodiac

SCORE
- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
- Atonement
- Into the Wild
- Once - hurrah and hazzah
- There Will Be Blood

DOCUMENTARY
- In the Shadow of the Moon
- Into Great Silence
- King of Kong, The
- No End in Sight
- Sicko

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM (NON-ENGLISH)
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
- The Host - So damn cool
- La Vie En Rose
- Lives of Others
- The Orphanage

ANIMATED FEATURE
- Beowulf
- Paprika
- Persepolis
- Ratatouille
- The Simpsons Movie

BREAKTHROUGH FILMMAKER
- Ben Affleck - Gone Baby Gone
- Juan Antonio Bayona - The Orphanage
- John Carney - Once - Yay again....another nice reminder...too little, but nice anyway
- Tony Gilroy - Michael Clayton
- Sarah Polley - Away From Her

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMER
- Nikki Blonsky - Hairspray
- Glen Hansard - Once
- Sam Riley - Control
- Carice Van Houten - Black Book
- Tang Wei - Lust, Caution

S.A.G. hates the Brits

So the Screen Actors Guild stick two middle fingers up at both “Sweeney Todd” and “Atonement” each scoring a very disheartening 0 nominations.
Still think “Atonement” may be the best live action film I have seen this year…but who am I aside from an above average movie goer.

Here are the nominations:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

GEORGE CLOONEY / Michael Clayton - "Michael Clayton" (Warner Bros. Pictures)
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Daniel Plainview - "There Will Be Blood" (Paramount Vantage)
RYAN GOSLING / Lars Lindstrom - "Lars And The Real Girl" (Sidney Kimmel Entertainment)
EMILE HIRSCH / Christopher McCandless- "Into The Wild" (Paramount Vantage)
VIGGO MORTENSEN / Nikolai - "Eastern Promises" (Focus Features)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

CATE BLANCHETT / Queen Elizabeth I - "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" (Universal Pictures)
JULIE CHRISTIE / Fiona - "Away From Her" (Lionsgate)
MARION COTILLARD / Edith Piaf - "La Vie En Rose" (Picturehouse)
ANGELINA JOLIE / Mariane Pearl - "A Mighty Heart" (Paramount Vantage)
ELLEN PAGE / Juno MacGuff - "Juno" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

CASEY AFFLECK / Robert Ford - "The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford" (Warner Bros. Pictures)
JAVIER BARDEM / Anton Chigurh - "No Country For Old Men" (Miramax Films)
HAL HOLBROOK / Ron Franz - "Into The Wild" (Paramount Vantage)
TOMMY LEE JONES / Ed Tom Bell - "No Country For Old Men" (Miramax Films)
TOM WILKINSON / Arthur Edens - "Michael Clayton" (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

CATE BLANCHETT / Jude - "I'm Not There" (The Weinstein Company)
RUBY DEE / Mama Lucas - "American Gangster" (Universal Pictures)
CATHERINE KEENER / Jan Burres - "Into The Wild" (Paramount Vantage)
AMY RYAN / Helene McCready - "Gone Baby Gone" (Miramax Films)
TILDA SWINTON / Karen Crowder - "Michael Clayton" (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

3:10 TO YUMA (Lionsgate)

CHRISTIAN BALE / Dan Evans
RUSSELL CROWE / Ben Wade
PETER FONDA / Byron McElroy
GRETCHEN MOL / Alice Evans
DALLAS ROBERTS / Grayson Butterfield
VINESSA SHAW / Emmy Roberts
BEN FOSTER / Charlie Prince
ALAN TUDYK / Doc Potter
LOGAN LERMAN / Will Evans





AMERICAN GANGSTER (Universal Pictures)

ARMAND ASSANTE / Dominic Cattano
JOSH BROLIN / Detective Trupo
RUSSELL CROWE / Richie Roberts
RUBY DEE / Mama Lucas
CHIWETEL EJIOFOR / Huey Lucas
IDRIS ELBA / Tango
CUBA GOODING, JR. / Nicky Barnes
CARLA GUGINO / Laurie Roberts
JOHN HAWKES / Freddie Spearman
TED LEVINE / Lou Toback
JOE MORTON / Charlie Williams
LYMARI NADAL / Eva
JOHN ORTIZ / Javier J. Rivera
RZA / Moses Jones
YUL VAZQUEZ / Alfonse Abruzzo
DENZEL WASHINGTON / Frank Lucas


HAIRSPRAY (New Line Cinema)

NIKKI BLONSKY / Tracy Turnblad
AMANDA BYNES / Penny Pingleton
PAUL DOOLEY / Mr. Spritzer
ZAC EFRON / Link Larkin
ALLISON JANNEY / Prudy Pingleton
ELIJAH KELLEY / Seaweed
JAMES MARSDEN / Corny Collins
MICHELLE PFEIFFER / Velma Von Tussle
QUEEN LATIFAH / Motormouth Maybelle
BRITTANY SNOW / Amber Von Tussle
JERRY STILLER / Mr. French
JOHN TRAVOLTA / Edna Turnblad
CHRISTOPHER WALKEN / Wilbur Turnblad


INTO THE WILD (Paramount Vantage)

BRIAN DIERKER / Rainey
MARCIA GAY HARDEN / Billie McCandless
EMILE HIRSCH / Chris McCandless
HAL HOLBROOK / Ron Franz
WILLIAM HURT / Walt McCandless
CATHERINE KEENER / Jan Burres
JENA MALONE / Carine McCandless
KRISTEN STEWART / Tracy Tatro
VINCE VAUGHN / Wayne Westerberg





NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Miramax Films)

JAVIER BARDEM / Anton Chigurh
JOSH BROLIN / Llewelyn Moss
GARRET DILLAHUNT / Wendell
TESS HARPER / Loretta Bell
WOODY HARRELSON / Carson Wells
TOMMY LEE JONES / Ed Tom Bell
KELLY MACDONALD / Carla Jean Moss





I will now just go and continue to listen to the brilliant album ‘Robyn’ by Robyn.

The girl is AMAZING!

HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION 2008 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007

"ATONEMENT" leads with 7 noms!

1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

AMERICAN GANGSTER

ATONEMENT

EASTERN PROMISES

THE GREAT DEBATERS

MICHAEL CLAYTON

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Wonderful news for "Eastern Promises" and "There Will Be Blood". "The Great Debaters" is an interesting surprise, but most likely only made it because is brand spanking new and feels 'important'

2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

CATE BLANCHETT – ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE
JULIE CHRISTIE – AWAY FROM HER
JODIE FOSTER – THE BRAVE ONE
ANGELINA JOLIE – A MIGHTY HEART
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY – ATONEMENT

Keira needed this to stay alive. Nice to see Jodie nominated as well. Of course this will look extremely different come Oscar time with the comedy/musical actresses owning this year. It is likely that 3 of these ladies will be dropped.

3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

GEORGE CLOONEY – MICHAEL CLAYTON
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS – THERE WILL BE BLOOD
JAMES MCAVOY – ATONEMENT
VIGGO MORTENSEN – EASTERN PROMISES
DENZEL WASHINGTON – AMERICAN GANGSTER

Yay James!!! He so deserves this. I am most happy to see Viggo's name finally appear. He was sensational, and now with this nomination and his film in Best Picture drama, he has finally gotten the traction he needs. This will either go to Clooney (star fucking) or Day-Lewis. The biggest snub would have to be for Frank Langella in "Starting Out in the Evening" he has a few critics awards going in...now he hits a bump in the road.

4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR
HAIRSPRAY
JUNO
SWEENEY TODD

No "Knocked Up" or "Enchanted". Kind of happy to see "Across the Universe" here though.

5.BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

AMY ADAMS – ENCHANTED
NIKKI BLONSKY – HAIRSPRAY
HELENA BONHAM CARTER – SWEENEY TODD
MARION COTILLARD – LA VIE EN ROSE
ELLEN PAGE – JUNO

Poor poor Laura Linney. What does the lady have to do? Still this is a strong line up. Expect to see Marion walk away with this......unless Ellen and Amy start getting vicious

6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

JOHNNY DEPP – SWEENEY TODD
RYAN GOSLING – LARS AND THE REAL GIRL
TOM HANKS – CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – THE SAVAGES
JOHN C. REILLY – WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY

Johnny Depp all the way.

7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

BEE MOVIE
RATATOUILLE
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE

There is no way Pixar can loose this, unless they are all "Simpsons" geeks

8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS (ROMANIA)
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (FRANCE AND USA)
THE KITE RUNNER (USA)
LUST, CAUTION (TAIWAN)
PERSEPOLIS (FRANCE)

With a nod for Director and Screenplay "The Diving Bell" will surely walk away with this. Interesting that "Persepolis" gets in here, but not in Animated......those crazy HFPA' and their crack smoking"

9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

CATE BLANCHETT – I’M NOT THERE
JULIA ROBERTS – CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR
SAOIRSE RONAN –ATONEMENT
AMY RYAN – GONE BABY GONE
TILDA SWINTON – MICHAEL CLAYTON

My god did Saoirse and Tilda need this. Julia is not a threat...it is just yet another case of star fucking on a mammoth scale. I wonder who will win though. Cate seems likely, but Saoirse and Amy could upset

10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

CASEY AFFLECK – THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD
JAVIER BARDEM –NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR
JOHN TRAVOLTA – HAIRSPRAY
TOM WILKINSON – MICHAEL CLAYTON

Is the Travolta nod some sort of tragic foreshadowing? You know he got his nomination at the expense of Hal Holbrook. And why does Hoffman get two nods but Linney gets nothing?? I wouldn't be surprised to see Affleck get this, although fully expecting Bardem to walk with it.

11. BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE

TIM BURTON – SWEENEY TODD
ETHAN COEN & JOEL COEN – NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
JULIAN SCHNABEL – THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
RIDLEY SCOTT – AMERICAN GANGSTER
JOE WRIGHT – ATONEMENT

Who will they go for. This is a tough category. I think Schnabel and Scott are out, but the other three...hmmm....head scratching in the worst. Me thinks Wright could slip through unless they LOVE "Sweeney". Such a shame that they snubbed P.T. Anderson here...

12. BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

DIABLO CODY – JUNO
ETHAN COEN & JOEL COEN – NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON – ATONEMENT
RONALD HARWOOD – THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
AARON SORKIN – CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR

...and here. Also "The Savages" should totally be here. "Atonement" and "Juno" will fight this one to the death.

13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE

MICHAEL BROOK, KAKI KING, EDDIE VEDDER – INTO THE WILD
CLINT EASTWOOD – GRACE IS GONE
ALBERTO IGLESIAS – THE KITE RUNNER
DARIO MARIANELLI – ATONEMENT
HOWARD SHORE – EASTERN PROMISES

Hmmmmm. "Atonement" has got this one unless they love "The Kite Runner".

14. BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE

"DESPEDIDA" – LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA
"GRACE IS GONE" – GRACE IS GONE
"GUARANTEED" – INTO THE WILD
"THAT’S HOW YOU KNOW" – ENCHANTED
"WALK HARD" – WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY

Those bastards. How could they not nominate "Falling Slowly"

15. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

BIG LOVE (HBO)
DAMAGES (FX NETWORKS)
GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)
HOUSE (FOX)
MAD MEN (AMC)
THE TUDORS (SHOWTIME)

16. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

PATRICIA ARQUETTE – MEDIUM
GLENN CLOSE – DAMAGES
MINNIE DRIVER – THE RICHES
EDIE FALCO – THE SOPRANOS
SALLY FIELD – BROTHERS & SISTERS
HOLLY HUNTER – SAVING GRACE
KYRA SEDGWICK – THE CLOSER

A nice collection of film actresses. A total of 12 Oscar nominations between them.

17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

MICHAEL C. HALL – DEXTER
JON HAMM – MAD MEN
HUGH LAURIE – HOUSE
JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS – THE TUDORS
BILL PAXTON – BIG LOVE

18. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

30 ROCK (NBC)
CALIFORNICATION (SHOWTIME)
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
EXTRAS (HBO)
PUSHING DAISIES (ABC)


19.BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICAL

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE – SAMANTHA WHO?
AMERICA FERRERA – UGLY BETTY
TINA FEY – 30 ROCK
ANNA FRIEL – PUSHING DAISIES
MARY-LOUISE PARKER – WEEDS

20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL

ALEC BALDWIN – 30 ROCK
STEVE CARELL – THE OFFICE
DAVID DUCHOVNY – CALIFORNICATION
RICKY GERVAIS – EXTRAS
LEE PACE – PUSHING DAISIES

21. BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE (HBO)
THE COMPANY (TNT)
FIVE DAYS (HBO)
LONGFORD (HBO)
THE STATE WITHIN (BBC AMERICA)


22. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD – AS YOU LIKE IT
DEBRA MESSING – THE STARTER WIFE
QUEEN LATIFAH – LIFE SUPPORT
SISSY SPACEK – PICTURES OF HOLLIS WOODS
RUTH WILSON – JANE EYRE (MASTERPIECE THEATRE)

23. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

ADAM BEACH – BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED – KNEE
ERNEST BORGNINE – A GRANDPA FOR CHRISTMAS
JIM BROADBENT – LONGFORD
JASON ISAACS – THE STATE WITHIN
JAMES NESBITT – JEKYLL

24. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

ROSE BYRNE – DAMAGES
RACHEL GRIFFITHS – BROTHERS & SISTERS
KATHERINE HEIGL – GREY’S ANATOMY
SAMANTHA MORTON – LONGFORD
ANNA PAQUIN – BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED - KNEE
JAIME PRESSLY – MY NAME IS EARL

25. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

TED DANSON – DAMAGES
KEVIN DILLON – ENTOURAGE
JEREMY PIVEN – ENTOURAGE
ANDY SERKIS – LONGFORD
WILLIAM SHATNER – BOSTON LEGAL
DONALD SUTHERLAND – DIRTY SEXY MONEY

The Broadcast Critics Association Announce Nominees

My comments are in italics


Best Picture
American Gangster
Atonement
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Into the Wild
Juno
The Kite Runner
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
Sweeney Todd
There Will Be Blood
Pretty by the numbers Top 10. The omission of “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead raises eyebrows for this blogger, and how sad “Once” is not showing up here. Guess Best Song it is.

Best Actor
George Clooney - Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp - Sweeney Todd
Ryan Gosling - Lars and the Real Girl
Emile Hirsch - Into the Wild
Viggo Mortensen - Eastern Promises

Ryan and Emile are serious contenders again. A shame it comes at the expense of James McAvoy. It seems Denzel is no longer a safish bet anymore. Wonderful to see Viggo showing up FINALLY

Best Actress
Amy Adams - Enchanted
Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie - Away From Her
Marion Cotillard - La Vie en Rose
Angelina Jolie - A Mighty Heart
Ellen Page - Juno

Oh Dear. From the reviews I figured Keira would be here. It seems “Atonement” is being made to suffer from advanced buzz. Must say I am a little surprised to see Cate here, especially over Knightly, and Foster. The most glaring omission is of course Laura Linney. The poor lamb.

Best Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson's War
Hal Holbrook - Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton

Was seriously hoping Max Von Sydow would show up here given the love for “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”.


Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett - I'm Not There
Catherine Keener - Into the Wild
Vanessa Redgrave - Atonement
Amy Ryan - Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton - Michael Clayton

So happy for Redgrave and surprised to see Keener here, guess she bumped off Saoirse Ronan. Ronan should win in her other category though

Best Acting Ensemble
Hairspray
Juno
No Country for Old Men
Sweeney Todd
Gone Baby Gone
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

The omission of “Atonement” is glaring.

Best Director
Tim Burton - Sweeney Todd
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men
Sidney Lumet - Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Sean Penn - Into the Wild
Julian Schnabel - The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Joe Wright - Atonement

”Could there be major differences in Best Picture and Director come Oscar time?

Best Writer
Diablo Cody - Juno
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - No Country for Old Men
Tony Gilroy - Michael Clayton
Nancy Oliver - Lars and the Real Girl
Sean Penn - Into the Wild
Aaron Sorkin - Charlie Wilson's War

Another fine example of the “Atonement” backlash (which is unwarranted)


Best Animated Feature
Bee Movie
Beowulf
Persepolis
Ratatouille
The Simpsons Movie

”We all know the Rat will win this. Unless “Persepolis” pulls a steal.


Best Young Actor
Michael Cera - Juno
Michael Cera - Superbad
Freddie Highmore - August Rush
Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada - The Kite Runner
Edward Sanders - Sweeney Todd

This could go to Cera, but I am thinking Mahmoodzada will take it.


Best Young Actress
Nikki Blonsky - Hairspray
Dakota Blue Richards - The Golden Compass
AnnaSophia Robb - Bridge to Terabithia
Saoirse Ronan - Atonement

If Saoirse does not win this, then I have lost all faith in justice.


Best Comedy Movie
Dan in Real Life
Hairspray
Juno
Knocked Up
Superbad

This has gotta go to “Juno” as the only comedy up for Best Picture.


Best Family Film
August Rush
Enchanted
The Golden Compass
Hairspray
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

This is a very tricky category, but I think “Hairspray” should take this.

Best Foreign Language Film
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days
La Vie en Rose
Lust, Caution
The Orphanage

Wonderful to see “The Orphanage” show up here, but this is going to “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”

Best Song
"Come So Far", Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley - Hairspray
"Do You Feel Me", Anthony Hamilton - American Gangster
"Falling Slowly", Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, Jesse L. Martin and Cast - Once
"Guaranteed", Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild
"That's How You Know", Amy Adams - Enchanted

This is where “Once” will clean up….sadly.


Best Composer
Marco Beltrami - 3:10 to Yuma
Alexandre Desplat - Lust, Caution
Clint Eastwood - Grace Is Gone
Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood
Dario Marianelli - Atonement
Alan Menken - Enchanted

Jonny and Dario will battle this one out.

Best Documentary
Darfur Now
In the Shadow of the Moon
The King of Kong
No End In Sight
Sharkwater
Sicko

What a strong line up! Gotta love those documentaries.