And the Nominees are...

On January 25, 2005, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for the 77th Annual Academy Awards. And the nominees are...

BEST PICTURE
THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
FINDING NEVERLAND (Miramax)
MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
RAY (Universal Pictures)
SIDEWAYS (Fox Searchlight)

The only surprise here is that Passion of the Christ was not nominated for Best Picture. Until the Golden Globe Awards I never heard of the movie Sideways.

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
Martin Scorsese for THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
Clint Eastwood for MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
Taylor Hackford for RAY (Universal Pictures)
Alexander Payne for SIDEWAYS (Fox Searchlight)
Mike Leigh for VERA DRAKE (Fine Line Features)

I’m very disappointed that Mel Gibson was not included in the category. It would be nice to see Clint Eastwood win another one for directing.

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Don Cheadle for HOTEL RWANDA (United Artists)
Johnny Depp for FINDING NEVERLAND (Miramax)
Leonardo DiCaprio for THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
Clint Eastwood for MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
Jamie Foxx for RAY (Universal Pictures)

I would like to see Johnny Depp get the Oscar but I have a strong feeling that it will be Jamie Foxx for RAY.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alan Alda for THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
Thomas Haden Church for SIDEWAYS (Fox Searchlight)
Jamie Foxx for COLLATERAL (Dreamworks SKG)
Morgan Freeman for MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
Clive Owen for CLOSER (Columbia Pictures)

I would like to see Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby) win an Oscar.

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Annette Bening - BEING JULIA (Sony Pictures Classics)
Catalina Sandino Moreno - MARIA FULL OF GRACE (Fine Line Features)
Imelda Staunton - VERA DRAKE (Fine Line Features)
Hilary Swank for MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Warner Bros.)
Kate Winslet for ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Focus Features)

Annette Bening, in my opinion, should walk away with the Oscar this year.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett for THE AVIATOR (Miramax)
Laura Linney - KINSEY (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Virginia Madsen for SIDEWAYS (Fox Searchlight)
Sophie Okonedo - HOTEL RWANDA (United Artists)
Natalie Portman for CLOSER (Columbia Pictures)

I would really like to see Natalie Portman win, but I have feeling that this is Cate Blanchett’s year to win.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
THE INCREDIBLES (Disney/Pixar)
SHARK TALE (Dreamworks SKG)
SHREK 2 (Dreamworks SKG)

Since Polar Express was not nominated in this category I hope that Shark Tale wins, this one really made me giggle.

When it gets closer to Oscar Night I’ll post who I think (or hope) will go home with the Oscar.