And the nominees are...

The nominations for the 81st Academy Awards were released earlier this week. Every year, during the days leading up to the Oscars, I attempt to watch as many of the nominated films as I can. Here are the nominees for a few categories.

The Nominees for Best Motion Picture of the Year:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

The Nominees for Achievement in Directing:
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Gus Van Sant, Milk
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actor in a Leading Role:
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 in a Leading Role:
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen Rier
Kate Winslet, THe Reader
Meryl Streep, Doubt

(For a complete list, go to http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b80205_complete_list_of_nominations_81st.html)

I have only watched a few of the films nominated this year, so I have a lot of movies to watch in the next few weeks. The nomination which I am most excited for is the best actor nomination of Richard Jenkins for his role in The Visitor. I watched this movie last January and had forgotten about it as a possible award contender since it was released so early in the year.

The Visitor is a movie on the topic of immigration laws in the US post 9/11. A college professor discovers squatters in his summer apartment and an unlikely friendship is formed. This adds excitement and meaning to the near retirement, recently widowed professor. I am pulling for Richard Jenkins to win the award for the brilliant performance of the college professor. He is a wonderful character actor who is usually seen in supporting roles, so this win would be big for him.

On a different note - also released this week were the nominees for the Razzie awards! The Golden Raspberry Awards are meant to dishonor horrible films of the year. Below is a partial list of their nominations. I am pleased to say that I haven't seen many of the films on this awards list! :) I have only seen What Happens in Vegas which is nominated for worst actress and worst onscreen couple.

Worst Picture
Disaster Movie
Meet the Spartans
The Happening
The Hottie and the Nottie
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
The Love Guru

Worst Actor
Larry the Cable Guy
Eddie Murphy, Meet Dave
Mike Myers, The Love Guru
Al Pacino, 88 Minutes and Righteous Kill
Mark Wahlberg, The Happening and Max Payne

Worst Actress
Jessica Alba, The Eye and The Love Guru
The Entire Cast of The Women
Cameron Diaz, What Happens in Vegas
Paris Hilton, The Hottie and The Nottie
Kate Hudson, Fools' Gold and My Best Friend's Girl

(For a complete list, go to http://www.razzies.com/history/29thNoms.asp)


Happy Award Season everyone!