OSCAR Nominees: Why 10 Best Picture Nods with 'NINE' or 'A Single Man' not included?

The nominations for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, announced Tuesday morning, contained all the names Oscar watchers were expecting. The few surprises that slipped through were mild and mostly pleasant.


The big change this year is that for the first time since 1943, 10 movies were nominated for best picture. A lost list is inevitable, so let's get that over with, and then we'll talk. These are the nominees: "Avatar," "The Blind Side," "District 9," "An Education," "The Hurt Locker," "Inglourious Basterds," "Precious," "A Serious Man," "Up" and "Up in the Air."


Gleaning that information is easy. Just look at the nominees for best director: James Cameron ("Avatar"), Kathryn Bigelow ("The Hurt Locker"), Quentin Tarantino ("Inglourious Basterds"), Lee Daniels ("Precious") and Jason Reitman ("Up in the Air"). The films by these directors are the ones with a genuine chance of winning best picture.


In that best actress category, Bullock will be in contention with Meryl Streep ("Julie & Julia") and Mulligan ("An Education") - those three are the probably frontrunners. Also nominated are newcomer Gabourey Sidibe ("Precious") and Helen Mirren, for playing Leo Tolstoy's wife in "The Last Station." The Mirren nomination is the only one that wasn't a sure thing. Perhaps it came about because Academy voters know that Mirren is always good and that they could nominate her with a clear conscience. They wouldn't even have to see the movie.


As for best actor, four nominees were expected: Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart"), George Clooney ("Up in the Air"), Colin Firth ("A Single Man") and Morgan Freeman ("Invictus"). There was some wiggle room for the fifth entry, but the most likely candidate got in: Jeremy Renner ("The Hurt Locker").


Best supporting actor also had four sure things: Matt Damon ("Invictus"), Woody Harrelson ("The Messenger"), Christopher Plummer ("The Last Station"), and Christoph Waltz ("Inglourious Basterds"). The nomination of Stanley Tucci - for playing the serial killer in "The Lovely Bones" - is partly a tribute to his strong work as a character actor throughout his career.


Best supporting actress is headed by Mo'Nique, a favorite to win for "Precious," plus Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga (both for "Up in the Air"), Maggie Gyllenhaal ("Crazy Heart") and Penelope Cruz ("Nine").


Surprise snubs went to 'Nine', 'A Single Man' and Brad Pitt.