There are other posts I should be uploading before this, but I want to get this off my chest now: the Oscar nominees have been announced. It's not like I hold the Oscars in any divine light; it's flawed just like any other award-giving body and the prestige is becoming more and more limited to helping out the films' box-office. Still...

Initial reactions:

- I'm so glad to see City of God getting a lot of nominations, for a foreign film that not many people have seen. It's been nominated for Director, Cinematography, Editing, and Adapted Screenplay, and yet, NOT for Foreign Language Film. I suspect the Region 1 DVD release will be delayed AGAIN to take advantage of this. I don't mind. If the wait means a possible Special Edition instead of a regular release, it'll be worth it.

- Scarlett Johansson isn't nominated for Best Actress, but Diane Keaton is. For Something's Gotta Give. Hm.

- American Splendor isn't nominated for Best Picture, but Seabiscuit is. Hm. Splendor only got a nod in Adapted Screenplay.

- Glad to see Lost in Translation up for Directing, Picture, Actor, and Original Screenplay.

- Was hoping to see Kill Bill Vol. 1 get a nomination in Sound Editing, at least. Oh well.

- Johnny Depp for Best Actor, eh? Well. Looks like he got Paul Giamatti's slot.

- Keisha Castle-Hughes getting a nod for Best Actress was a surprise. Now I further regret not having caught Whale Rider at Cinemanila.

- I expect Return of the King to snatch up most of the tehnical awards: Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Visual Effects, Sound. But it wasn't nominated for Sound Editing. Though many believe this is the trilogy's year, and will finally snatch those coveted Best Picture, Director trophies.

- We're going to see performances by Annie Lennox, Sting, Elvis Costello, and hopefully, Eugene Levy & Catherine O'Hara will perform their "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" from A Mighty Wind. :)

- If Howard Shore doesn't win for his score of Return of the King... heads will roll.