Oscar Talk...

I was all a bumble yesterday, being all giidy about the Oscar Nominations, that I hardly had time for ye - my public (if there really is anybody out there at all). So, while I sit here in my living room listening to a little Sinatra, I'll run down a few interesting (or not so much so) tidbits about the Oscars.

But first, a little bit of predictive thoughts: As we all know, Brokeback Mountain has been the frontrunner for a while now - but don't tell that to Crash. As BBM should know - and just ask Bugsy, Apollo 13, Shakespeare in Love, Moulin Rouge, The Hours and The Aviator - being the early frontrunner is not necessarily a good thing to be. I think - although I hate to say it - that BBM may now be in trouble from the onslaught of Crash's momentum. We'll see as the next five weeks progress.

And speaking of predictions - I ended up going 71% in my calculations (1% up from last year), but 85% in the "Big 8" categories. Not too shabby I guess.

Didjya know that BBM's league leading 8 nominations is the lowest amount for the top nom-getter since American Beauty did the same in 1999?

Also, with Woody Allen's Best Screenplay nod, he grabs up lifetime nomination #21 (he's won three).

Other interesting tidbits?

This marks the first time since the aforementioned 1999, that all ten screenplays were English-Language. In fact, there is not a single Foreign-Language film nominated outside the (obvious) category of Froeirgn-Language Film.

Then we have the three Animated nominees: The first time since the inception of the category (back in 2001) that there is not a one CG-created movie. 2D, claymation & stop-motion instead. The first time the Academy actually picked the BEST THREE films for nominations. None of that Pixar shit that tries to pull itself off as animated motin picture (although Pixar IS nominated for Best Animated Short).

Although Russell Crowe came up empty-handed yesterday morn (a thing I couldn't be happier about), Heath Ledger's nomination for Best Actor makes this the eleventh consecutive year with at least one Aussie in the acting line-up.

As far as my Oscar Pages go - most are updated, and there will be new items of interest added throughout the month of February, so check back. And don't forget the Oscars are not the only Awards Nominations being announced this week. The Second Annual Cinematheque Award Nominations will be announced on Saturday, February 4th. Stick around folks, cause that ain't the half of it. Coming on March 1st will be the Cinematheque Award Winners (in all 57 categories mind you). In April will be the posting of my Greatest Films List, followed by The Greatest Auteurs in May and the Greatest Actors & Actresses in June, and the ever-popular Top 5 Project will return in July - and never forget about the Top 10 Project - the never-ending Best Films/Directors compilation master list.