The end of the writers strike last month came just in time for Oscar season, as the annual display of Hollywood’s glitz and glamour descends on the Kodak Theatre Sunday night. While the gloom of the strike threatened the show, the nominees for best picture took on a similar tone. With dark films — such as No Country for Old Men, Atonement and There Will Be Blood — dominating the Oscars, other upstarts such as Juno hope to steal the show.
Jon Stewart will be hosting this year’s Academy Awards, and will be cracking jokes in his introduction to ease the nerves of the nominees sitting in the audience. One of the most highly anticipated awards shows, the Academy Awards is watched by about 40 million viewers a year and is a result of months of preparation and rehearsal. With the nomination ballots in and the votes cast, the question on everyone’s mind is, “Who will take home the Oscar?”
Here’s a breakdown of who to look for Sunday night.
Best Actor
George ClooneyMichael Clayton
Nominated roleAs Michael Clayton, George Clooney works at a powerful law firm. He finds himself in danger when, in a controversial lawsuit, he investigates his colleagues’ actions.
Academy Award historyThis is the fourth Academy Award nomination for George Clooney. He was previously nominated for: * Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) — Nominee, Directing * Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) — Nominee, Writing (Original) * Syriana (2005) — Winner, Actor in a Supporting Role
Daniel Day-LewisThere Will Be Blood
Nominated roleAs Daniel Plainview, Daniel Day-Lewis plays a California oilman who will stop at nothing to achieve wealth and power.
Academy Award historyThis is the fourth Academy Award nomination for Daniel Day-Lewis. He was previously nominated for: * Gangs of New York (2002) — Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role * In the Name of the Father (1993) — Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role * My Left Foot(1989) — Winner, Actor in a Leading Role
Johnny DeppSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Nominated roleJohnny Depp plays Sweeney Todd, a barber in Victorian London who stages murderous revenge against the corrupt judge who ruined his life.
Academy Award historyThis is the third Academy Award nomination for Johnny Depp. He was previously nominated for: * Finding Neverland (2004) — Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role * Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) — Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role
Tommy Lee JonesIn the Valley of Elah
Nominated roleTommy Lee Jones plays Hank Deerfield, a Vietnam veteran who searches for his missing son.
Academy Award historyThis is the third Academy Award nomination for Tommy Lee Jones. He was previously nominated for: * The Fugitive(1993) — Winner, Actor in a Supporting Role * JFK(1991) — Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role
Viggo MortensenEastern Promises
Nominated roleAs Nikolai, Viggo Mortensen plays a Russian mobster’s ambitious driver and accomplice.
Academy Award historyThis is the first Academy Award nomination for Viggo Mortensen.
Best Actress
Cate BlanchettElizabeth: The Golden Age
Nominated roleAs Queen Elizabeth I, Cate Blanchett portrays the English monarch during the crucial years of her long reign.
Academy Award historyIncluding her nomination this year for Actress in a Supporting Role for I’m Not There, this is the fifth Academy Award nomination for Cate Blanchett. She was previously nominated for: * Notes on a Scandal (2006) — Nominee, Actress in a Supporting Role * The Aviator (2004) — Winner, Actress in a Supporting Role * Elizabeth (1998) — Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role Julie ChristieAway From Her
Nominated roleAs Fiona, Julie Christie plays a woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease who begins to slip farther and farther away from the husband who loves her.
Academy Award historyThis is the fourth Academy Award nomination for Julie Christie. She was previously nominated for: * Afterglow (1997) — Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role * McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) — Nominee, Actress * Darling (1965) — Winner, Actress
Marion CotillardLa Vie en Rose
Nominated roleMarion Cotillard plays Edith Piaf, the legendary French singer who started on the streets of Paris and rose to international fame.
Academy Award historyThis is the first Academy Award nomination for Marion Cotillard.
Laura LinneyThe Savages
Nominated roleLaura Linney portrays Wendy Savage, a struggling playwright who, along with her brother, must care for their elderly father.
Academy Award historyThis is the third Academy Award nomination for Laura Linney. She was previously nominated for: * Kinsey (2004) — Nominee, Actress in a Supporting Role * You Can Count on Me (2000) — Nominee, Actress in a Leading Role
Ellen PageJuno
Nominated roleAs Juno MacGuff, Ellen Page plays a teenage girl who, after getting pregnant, begins a search for a suitable couple to adopt the baby.
Academy Award historyThis is the first Academy Award nomination for Ellen Page.
