81st Annual Academy Award nominations!

First off,

I have to give it up for the Californians that get up at 5:30 am their time. That is impressive for Hollywood. I have to admit this is one favorite evenings of the year. Coming on February 22, 2009 on ABC.

Now begins that time of year where everyone ( read: I) start going to the theatre at every single chance. Each time I get a babysitter, I usually fore go the relaxation of a mani/pedi, or a hair-blow out, and instead I dress in comfy warm clothes, and go to the movies at strange hours where I share a row or entire theatre with one other person. Last year, I saw everything from "I'm not there" (BOOOOOO) to "Once". So, here we go. Expect tons of reviews, in the next coming weeks.

Below is the list. Unfairly, I didn't post ALL the categories...terrible I know.

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

Actor in a Supporting Role:

Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey Jr.-Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger-The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon-Revolutionary Road

Actress in a Leading Role:

Anne Hathaway- Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie- Changeling
Melissa Leo- Frozen River
Meryl Streep- Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader

Actress in a Supporting Role:

Amy Adams Doubt
Penélope Cruz- Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis- Doubt
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei- The Wrestler

Best Animated Film: Bolt, Kung-Fu Panda, and Wall-E

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 Picture of the year:

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

Best Adapted Screenplay:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt - John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon - Peter Morgan
The Reader - David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire- Simon Beaufoy

Best Original Screenplay:

Frozen River -Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky- Mike Leigh
In Bruges- Martin McDonagh
Milk - Dustin Lance Black
WALL-E - Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter

Get out there, enjoy or hate some movies. There is no doubt this year is full of heavy, sad, and thrilling motion pictures and performances, and if you feel silly, do what I do. Come up with a list of things NOT to do in an empty(or full) theatre. Wooo hooo....