The Nominees Are . . . .

The Academy announced it's contendors for Oscars. While I'm writing this, I have Entertainment Tonight blaring on the TV. ET seems surprised that Nicole Kidman was snubbed for her performance in Cold Mountain. I have to say, having seen the movie, I'm not surprised. As much as I like her, it wasn't her best performance and she and Jude Law didn't have much on screen chemistry. Renee Z. should win for her performance because she went beyond the range we've seen from her to now. Although I've heard wonderful things about the performance by Shohreh Aghdashloo in House of Sand and Fog.

I'm hoping that Sofia Coppola wins for directing Lost in Translation but it's naive to believe she'll win over Peter Jackson for Lord of the Rings. I hope Lord of the Rings wins for best picture. I believe it was the best picture. Below are the nominees.

Best Actor
Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Ben Kingsley House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law Cold Mountain
Bill Murray Lost in Translation
Sean Penn Mystic River

Best Actress
Keisha Castle-Hughes Whale Rider
Diane Keaton Something's Gotta Give
Samantha Morton In America
Charlize Theron Monster
Naomi Watts 21 Grams

Best Supporting Actor
Alec Baldwin The Cooler
Benicio Del Toro 21 Grams
Djimon Hounsou In America
Tim Robbins Mystic River
Ken Watanabe The Last Samurai

Best Supporting Actress
Shohreh Aghdashloo House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson Pieces of April
Marcia Gay Harden Mystic River
Holly Hunter Thirteen
Renée Zellweger Cold Mountain

Best Director
Sofia Coppola Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood Mystic River
Peter Jackson The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Fernando Meirelles City of God
Peter Weir Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Best Picture
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit