Oscar Nominees announced

The Takeaway

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons" led the charge with 13 nominations, Heath Ledger earned a nomination for his supporting role in "The Dark Knight" on the one-year anniversary of his death.

The cult favorite, "Slumdog Millionaire," gained momentum throughout the year, but it did not come out ahead in the number of nominations.  Sharon Waxman, editor-in-chief of TheWrap.com, says, "It looks like they Academy went for a great big budget epic story, big stars."  She continues, "It has been a bunch of years since one movie has dominated like that."

There in a Kate Winslett story here — she won big at the Golden Globes, but it is a little different with this nominee anouncement.  She won twice at the Golden Globes for "The Reader" and "Revolutionary Road, " best actress and best supporting actress, but she only got one nomination from the Academy for the latter.

As for the winners that these nominations will produce, Waxman says, "There is subtle campaigning, and not-so-subtle campaigning that goes on in the next four weeks before the Academy Awards, so I think its perilous to predict today on nominations day.  We’ve got to see what happens in the next four weeks; lots of skeletons can come out of the closet, and we’ll see mudslinging."

We’ve compiled the trailers for all the Best Picture nominees. Click away!
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Milk
The Reader
Frost/Nixon
Slumdog Millionaire

"The Takeaway" is PRI’s new national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.

More at thetakeaway.org

Will you support The World with a monthly donation?

There is no paywall on the story you just read because a community of dedicated listeners and readers have contributed to keep the global news you rely on free and accessible for all. Will you join the 319 donors who have supported The World so far? From now until Dec. 31, your gift will help us unlock a $67,000 match. Donate today to double your impact!