83rd oscar® nominations have been announced

The nominations for the 83rd Oscar® were announced yesterday at an ungodly hour both here in Australia and in the States. As nominees roused themselves to watch the announcement amid cups of coffee and perhaps a bite of toast, most of the world was tucked up in bed. So, for those who missed the nominations announcement, who scored themselves an invite to the famed awards show?

New dad and acting powerhouse Javier Bardem will be there: he was given the Best Lead Actor nod for his stunning portrayal of a man on the edge in BIUTIFUL. His category also includes such no-name nominees as Colin Firth and Jeff Bridges… But we hadn’t heard the last from BIUTIFUL, which also received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film (director Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, whose previous efforts include AMORES PERROS, will be rapt!), a category in which it was joined by Algeria’s HORS LA LOI (OUTSIDE THE LAW) and the utterly original DOGTOOTH from Greece.

She of the flawless skin and golden hair, Michelle Williams, received her second Oscar® nomination on Wednesday, this one for Best Leading Actress for her sublime work in BLUE VALENTINE. Unfortunately her co-star (and fellow Golden Globe nominee), Ryan Gosling, failed to receive a Best Leading Actor nod – poor Ryan! Michelle is up against such leading ladies as Annette Bening and Natalie Portman, but we reckon she can do it!

Among the best documentaries of the year was one which is arguably not a documentary at all – Banksy’s curious EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP. It is joined by illuminating and troubling features RESTREPO and GASLAND.

I AM LOVE received a nomination for its stunning sartorial prowess (Best Costume Design), while the Jacques Tati-penned THE ILLUSIONIST and Shaun Tan’s gorgeous THE LOST THING received nominations in the Best Animated Feature film and Best Short Animation respectively.

And finally, we are delighted to announce that the glorious Jacki Weaver picked up her very first Oscar® nomination for her terrifying portrayal of Janine “Smurf” Cody. It’s been a banner year for Ms. Weaver, with her performance in ANIMAL KINGDOM dragging in awards from the AFI, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the National Board of Review – not to mention last month’s Golden Globe nomination – and this Oscar® nomination is no doubt the icing on the cake.

Congratulations to all the nominees – I am already looking forward to the telecast on February 28th!