It's Oscar time again, well nominations anyway and on February 9th Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey and Academy President Robert Rehme announced this year's nominees. A full list is included below, but it is worth noting that Shakespeare in Love has clocked up a massive thirteen entries with Saving Private Ryan shortly behind on eleven. A number of these have yet to be released in the UK, but our money is firmly on the Spielberg war epic taking most of the top honours, though don't expect a Titanic clean sweep this year. One surprise exclusion is Jim Carrey after his Golden Globe win. It looks as if people still won't take him seriously, but Robin Williams has proved that comedians can win for drama roles. On the British side the charge is lead by Emily Watson and there is only one American in best supporting actress category (there again there was only one American last year in best actress and guess who won?). There is going to be several weeks of wooing of voters and nominees will be brushing up their acceptance speeches - just what will Tom Hanks say next!
Actor in a Leading Role
Roberto Benigni in LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
Tom Hanks in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
Ian McKellen in GODS AND MONSTERS
Nick Nolte in AFFLICTION
Edward Norton in AMERICAN HISTORY X
Actor in a Supporting Role
James Coburn in AFFLICTION
Robert Duvall in A CIVIL ACTION
Ed Harris in THE TRUMAN SHOW
Geoffrey Rush in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Billy Bob Thornton in A SIMPLE PLAN
Actress in a Leading Role
Cate Blanchett in ELIZABETH
Fernanda Montenegro in CENTRAL STATION
Gwyneth Paltrow in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Meryl Streep in ONE TRUE THING
Emily Watson in HILARY AND JACKIE
Actress in a Supporting Role
Kathy Bates in PRIMARY COLORS
Brenda Blethyn in LITTLE VOICE
Judi Dench in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Rachel Griffiths in HILARY AND JACKIE
Lynn Redgrave in GODS AND MONSTERS
Art Direction
ELIZABETH
PLEASANTVILLE
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
WHAT DREAMS MAY COME
Cinematography
A CIVIL ACTION
ELIZABETH
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
THE THIN RED LINE
Costume Design
BELOVED
ELIZABETH
PLEASANTVILLE
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
VELVET GOLDMINE
Directing
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
THE THIN RED LINE
THE TRUMAN SHOW
Documentary Feature
DANCEMAKER
THE FARM: ANGOLA, U.S.A.
THE LAST DAYS
LENNY BRUCE: SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH
REGRET TO INFORM
Documentary Short Subject
THE PERSONALS: Improvisations on Romance in the Golden Years
A PLACE IN THE LAND
SUNRISE OVER TIANANMEN SQUARE
Film Editing
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
OUT OF SIGHT
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
THE THIN RED LINE
Foreign Language Film
CENTRAL STATION
CHILDREN OF HEAVEN
THE GRANDFATHER
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
TANGO
Makeup
ELIZABETH
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Original Musical or Comedy Score
A BUG'S LIFE
MULAN
PATCH ADAMS
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Original Dramatic Score
ELIZABETH
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
PLEASANTVILLE
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
THE THIN RED LINE
Original Song
"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" from ARMAGEDDON
"The Prayer" from QUEST FOR CAMELOT
"A Soft Place to Fall" from THE HORSE WHISPERER
"That'll Do" from BABE: PIG IN THE CITY
"When You Believe" from THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
Best Picture
ELIZABETH
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
THE THIN RED LINE
Short Film - Animated
BUNNY
THE CANTERBURY TALES
JOLLY ROGER
MORE
WHEN LIFE DEPARTS
Short Film - Live Action
CULTURE
ELECTION NIGHT (Valgaften)
HOLIDAY ROMANCE
LA CARTE POSTALE (The Postcard)
VICTOR
Sound
ARMAGEDDON
THE MASK OF ZORRO
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
THE THIN RED LINE
Sound Effects Editing
ARMAGEDDON
THE MASK OF ZORRO
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
Visual Effects
ARMAGEDDON
MIGHTY JOE YOUNG
WHAT DREAMS MAY COME
Screenplay - Original
BULWORTH
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
THE TRUMAN SHOW
Screenplay - Adaptation
GODS AND MONSTERS
OUT OF SIGHT
PRIMARY COLORS
A SIMPLE PLAN
THE THIN RED LINE