It never truly feels like Awards Season until the 74th Golden Globe Awards nominations are known and with that being said, it’s official! We’re ready for that gold!  Nominees were announced at 5:00 AM EST this morning and as expected Oscar frontrunner La La Land finds itself on-top with a total seven nods including Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical and Director for 31-year-old visionary Damien Chazelle.  Moonlight is close behind in second with six nominations, many seeing it likely to take Best Motion Picture – Drama.  The two Films will likely face-off for Best Picture when Oscar nominations are announced Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

In the Television categories, FX’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: An American Crime Story dominates with five nominations, with new series like Netflix’s The Crown, HBO’s Westworld and NBC’s This is Us making their presence felt with three nods apiece.

While many industry experts are predicting an Oscar win for 28-year-old Emma Stone, who previously was nominated for 2014’s Birdman, Awards Season thus far has started a bit rocky for the La La Land star who took home Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, but failed to win at last night’s Critics’ Choice Awards.  Important Critics Associations like the Washington DC Area Film Critics and Toronto Film Critics Associations chose Natalie Portman (Jackie) and Sandra Hüller (Toni Erdmann) respectively.

Many also are surprised that while Portman gets a Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama nomination for Jackie, the Film itself isn’t up for Best Motion Picture Drama. While it still has yet to open, but has screened for select Critics, Martin Scorcese‘s passion project Silence also failed to garner a nod, although its presence might be felt at the Oscars. While faring well at the Box Office and critically, both Finding Dory and The Secret Life of Pets failed to get Best Animated Feature Film nods.  Strong performances from past Golden Globe winners Taraji P. Henson (Empire), Rebecca Hall (Christine), Jake Gyllenhaal (Nocturnal Animals) and Tom Hanks (Sully) also weren’t recognized this time around.

A complete list of Nominees can be found here.

The 74th annual GOLDEN GLOBES AWARDS air on NBC Sunday, January 8, 2017, 8:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: eOne Films)

For a third straight week Disney‘s MOANA takes the top of the Box Office, earning $18.8 million this weekend from 3,875 theatres.  In its domestic run thus far, it has grossed $145.3 million.

In second in its debut is Paramount Pictures’ OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY with $16.8 million from 3,210 theatres. The Holiday Comedy with an all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Kate McKinnon and T.J. Miller, gets a B CinemaScore from Audiences and a 44% on the Tomatometer from Critics.

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM lands in third this weekend with $10 million for Warner Bros., just shy of the $200 million-mark over four weeks.

ARRIVAL shows amazing momentum now in its fifth week with $5.2 million for Paramount Pictures, earning $82 million across North America in five weeks.

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS expands to 1,262 theatres for Universal Pictures this weekend, making $3.6 million, a total $6.7 million over four weeks and a second Film for Amy Adams in the Top Ten this weekend in addition to ARRIVAL.

Oscar Contender MANCHESTER BY THE SEA expands to 368 theatres, bringing-in $3,1 million for Mongrel Media/Roadside Attractions. In four weeks it has tallied $8.2 million.

HACKSAW RIDGE rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.3 million for Elevation Pictures/Lionsgate Films, a total $60.8 million in six weeks.

Bubbling under is Oscar favourite LA LA LAND which plays in limited engagement in five theatres to earn an excellent $850k for eOne Films/Liosngate Films.

So we came to Hollywood this Awards Season hoping to see a few stars. Since our unforgettable night at AN EVENING WITH CANADA’S STARS, honouring our country’s best in Cinema, it seems we’ve experienced a bit of trouble finding starpower in this City on Oscars week. Where are the stars hiding?!?

Come on, let’s go on a bit of search together, shall we?

 

BOOM! Found #Sly. #SylversterStallone #Creed #Rocky #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:59am PST

 

#DenzelWashington out partying last night. #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:37am PST

 

#BenAffleck doing the party circuit last night, having a bit too much fun? #Batman #BatmanvSuperman #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:57am PST

 

#CaseyAffleck partying pre-#Oscars. #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:40am PST

 

The adorable little guy who continues to steal our hearts. Love his patriotic style at last night’s #AnEveningWithCanadasStars Gala! #xoTO #JacobTremblay

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 6:57am PST

 

With #StarWars #TheForceAwakens’ #JJAbrams, last night in #LosAngeles.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 5:28am PST

 

I touched #StevenSpielberg. That’s gotta count for something! #LosAngeles #LA

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 5:27am PST

 

#DaisyRidley, star of #TheForceAwakens last night in L.A.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 5:26am PST

 

With #CarlWeathers, the original #ApolloCreed in #Rocky. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:45am PST

 

Mesmerized still by #OsheaJackson in #StraightOuttaCompton. Son of #IceCube seems poised for stardom. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 7:02am PST

 

#IdrisElba doing the party circuit. #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:53am PST

 

Why this was a dream come true!#ElizabethBanks is one of my faves. Director and Actress got honoured in Hollywood today for her work as a Director. Her response when I thanked her for all she did for #HorseRacing, was “You’re welcome.”. When I told her I got to meet #Beholder today, she was like “No way!!!!”. 🐎

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 3:08pm PST

#FreidaPinto at the #IndependentSpiritAwards earlier.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 28, 2016 at 12:58am PST

The best. #JessicaChastain #IndependentSpiritAwards #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 2:17pm PST

#CateBlanchett, #IndependentSpiritAwards. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 2:16pm PST

Verklempt that I met my #1!! #AcademyAward Nominee #RooneyMara + me. #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 10:53pm PST

#LukeWilson, #IndependentSpiritAwards. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 2:17pm PST

#MichaelKeaton, #IndependentSpiritAwards. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 2:16pm PST

#RamiMalek at the #IndependentSpiritAwards.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 2:16pm PST

An incredible honour photographing and meeting three-time champion and winner of $4.3 million, #Beholder. Got to meet her buddy, the talented Dreamologist too! Thank you to The Mandellas for their hospitality. 🐎 Now back to Beverly Hills we go! #HorseRacing #GetintheGame #Horse #SantaAnita

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 10:43am PST

 

#AaronTaylorJohnson + #SamTaylorJohnson. #AcademyAwards #Oscars #Kickass #FiftyShadesofGrey

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 7:10am PST

 

#NaomiCampbell. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 7:14am PST

 

#JoanCollins celebrating British Film. #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 5:09am PST

#AcademyAward winner #TimRobbins celebrating #LeonardoDiCaprio. #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 28, 2016 at 12:45am PST

 

It’s #Frasier! With #KelseyGrammer. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 28, 2016 at 12:55am PST

 

Funnyman #JamesCorden celebrating British Film. #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 6:52pm PST

My girl #KateHudson. At her fitness wear shop, #Fabletics.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 3:35pm PST

 

#EddieRedmayne celebrating British Film. #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 5:06am PST

 

#AliciaVikander, celebrating British Film. #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 6:52pm PST

 

Chef #GordonRamsay specially designs a menu for those celebrating British Film. #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 6:52pm PST

 

#SissySpacek supporting #LeonardoDiCaprio at private party. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 28, 2016 at 12:49am PST

The lovely and legendary #CharlotteRampling, a Nominee for #45Years. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 28, 2016 at 12:52am PST

 

A pregnant #AnneHathaway quietly shows her support for #LeonardoDiCaprio at a private party. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 28, 2016 at 12:47am PST

 

#AntonioBanderas shows his support for #LeonardoDiCaprio at private party. #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 28, 2016 at 12:50am PST

 

#TimAllen, celebrating the #Oscars early last night. #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:38am PST

 

So cool seeing #RachelMcAdams at the #IndependentSpiritAwards. Congrats #SpotlightMovie on their big splash! Good luck to them tomorrow night at the #Oscars! #xoTO #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 28, 2016 at 1:00am PST

 

She was everything. Academy Award nominee and Canadian Academy member, #ShorehAghdashloo. #AnEveningWithCanadasStars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 7:25am PST

 

Forgot to post this gem with #EmmanuelleChriqui from #AnEveningWithCanadasStars! #xoTO

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 8:10am PST

 

Supermodel #TriciaHelfer. Still gorg. #AnEveningWithCanadasStars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 7:24am PST

 

With funny as hell Presenter #AdamBeach at #AnEveningWithCanadasStars. Can’t wait to see him in #SuicideSquad.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 26, 2016 at 7:01am PST

 

#AishaTyler, out partying. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 7:15am PST

 

Any #DowntonAbbey fans? #JoanneFroggatt celebrating British Film. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:50am PST

 

She honestly is always so sweet. #SarahHyland at Vanity Fair party last night. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:48am PST

 

Sweetheart #BaileeMadison still remembers me from #Toronto! Here she is at Vanity Fair party. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:41am PST

 

#HaileeSteinflee hosting party for Vanity Fair. #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 5:12am PST

 

#DowntonAbbey fave #LesleyNicol. She is the sweetest lady!! #AcademyAwards #Oscars

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 7:23am PST

 

With #PrettyLittleLiars star #JulianMorris. #Oscars #AcademyAwards

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 7:26am PST

 

Hilarious seeing #Scrubs star #DonaldFaison in Beverly Hills!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 28, 2016 at 12:44am PST

With #Selfie royalty, #StalkerSarah! 📷

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Feb 27, 2016 at 6:46am PST

Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?😉

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Yes, you’ve seen the Movies in time for Awards Season, but what about the great songs featured in them?  Up for Best Original Song at next months’ Academy Awards are these five finalists. Spanning from the institution of James Bond to a much-talked-about BDSM Romance to a gripping Documentary about College Rape, these songs are a cross-section of the diverse Films we saw in 2015.

WRITING’S ON THE WALL (SPECTRE) – SAM SMITH

TIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU (THE HUNTING GROUND) – LADY GAGA

EARNED IT (FIFTY SHADES OF GREY) – THE WEEKND

MANTA RAY (RACING EXTINCTION) – J. RALPH + ANTONY

SIMPLE SONG #3 (YOUTH) – SUMI JO

The 88th ACADEMY AWARDS air 7 PM Sunday, February 28, 2016 on ABC.

(Photo credit: Sony Music/Universal Music/Milan Records/Rumor Mill Records)

Nominees for the 2016 Academy Awards were announced earlier this morning in Los Angeles. Although there were a few surprises, much of what we have seen thus far this Awards Season, including the Golden Globes this past weekend, has been punctuated.

Leading the way with 12 nominations is The Revenant which thus far this season has swept major awards including the Golden Globes this past weekend in the important Motion Picture Drama, Director and Actor in a Drama categories. Its competitors include Spotlight, The Martian, Bridge of Spies, The Big Short, Room and Brooklyn.  Spotlight, The Revenant and Room all were filmed in Canada, while Brooklyn is a co-Canadian production.

Leonardo DiCaprio, seen widely as the prohibitive choice to take Best Actor for his work in The Revenant, solidified his standing with an expected nomination. Other nominees in the category include a surprising Bryan Cranston, Eddie Redmayne, Michael Fassbender and Matt Damon.

Brie Larson literally has come out of nowhere before Awards Season, to now be a forced to be reckoned with in the Best Actress category for her Room performance. Propelled in its festival circuit run by a People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, Room after much debate also secured itself among the year’s best with a nod for Best Picture. Larson is up against Awards Season veteran and two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett who could well join the likes of Meryl Streep to win a third for her fantastic performance in Carol. Also nominated are Jennifer Lawrence, Saoirse Ronan and legendary actress Charlotte Rampling.

The Supporting Actor category saw nominated for the first time since 1977, Sylvester Stallone, who nabbed a long-overdue Golden Globe this past weekend for his work in latest Rocky installment, Creed. An overdue Tom Hardy, previous winner Christian Bale, Mark Rylance and Mark Ruffalo round-out the bunch. Missing noticably is Canadian Child Actor Jacob Tremblay who has received much acclaim for his breakthrough performance in Room.

The Supporting Actress category continues to be a hotly-contested one. While Academy Award winner Kate Winslet won a Golden Globe for her performance in Steve Jobs, she faces stiff competition in Rooney Mara for her acclaimed understated performance in Carol. Also up are Toronto’s own Rachel McAdams, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alicia Vikander. Kristen Stewart for Clouds of Sils Maria is seen as an omission.

Up for Best Director are Tom McCarthy (Spotlight), George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road), Lenny Abrahamson (Room), Alejandro Gonzalez-Inaritu (The Revenant) and Adam McKay (The Big Short). The Winner of this category often is seen as a precursor to Best Picture.

The Oscars air on ABC Sunday, February 28, 2016 7 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Oscars.Com)

Although it was a competitive year, there would be no stopping Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s BIRDMAN from winning coveted BEST PICTURE at the 87th Academy Awards tonight!  This latest victory caps-off a Campaign for the Dramedy beginning with a release last October.  Since then, among others, it has nabbed several important Best Picture Awards including yesterday’s Independent Spirit Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and several more. Mexican Filmmaker Iñárritu was awarded Best Director for BIRDMAN, his second nomination after getting a nod for 2007’s Babel.

Winning Best Actor, first-time Nominee at the age of 33 was English Star Eddie Redmayne, recognized for his phenomenal work as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.  He took a moment to dedicate his win to ALS awareness.

After four previous nominations, a tearful Julianne Moore at long last gets a Best Actress trophy for her turn in STILL ALICE, in which she plays a Professor suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. The Actress stunned in a unique Chanel number, never before seen on a runway. She thanked her Family and took a moment to direct attention to finding a cure for Alzheimers, and also Richard Glatzer, Director/Writer of Still Alice, whom is suffering from ALS.

As expected, J.K. Simmons as expected took Best Supporting Actor for a stirring performance as a psychotic Conductor in WHIPLASH.  Patricia Arquette likewise would go on to take Best Supporting Actress for her performance in BOYHOOD, getting cheers from the likes of Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez after making a call to the Industry for equal rights and equal pay for Women.

See it again here:

Why Meryl Streep and J.Lo. freaked out over Patricia Arquette’s Oscar speech. http://t.co/v9IxK6xt8r pic.twitter.com/QbmGr1LSeY

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 23, 2015

Stars shined bright on the rainy Red Carpet tonight and turning many heads were Rising Star Margot Robbie in Van Cleef and Arpels in a sheer long-sleeve black gown with a deep plunging ‘V’. Seen widely prior as an Oscar Contender for her fantastic performance in CAKE, Jennifer Aniston donned her signature hair, stunning in a shiny Versace number, fitting her perfect. Reese Witherspoon seen for the first time in Tom Ford this Awards Season, looked stunning with an off-the-shoulder dress just days after being spotted at the Designer’s Show.  As for the Gentlemen, Performer Adam Levine and Presenter Josh Hutcherson displayed bespoke tailoring and impeccable grooming, both in Armani!

Star of Stage and Screen Neil Patrick Harris, hosted delivering the laughs with a spirited opening number where he was joined by Anna Kendrick and Jack Black, referring to Motion Pictures as “moving pictures”.  He even stripped down to his skivvies for the sake of entertainment!

See his Intro here:

Megastar Lady Gaga warmed the heart of Julie Andrews with a flawless Medley Tribute to the Sound of Music, easily one of the evening’s biggest Highlights!

And for a Canadian connection, Craig Mann, whom I am proud to say I went to High School with at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering – we both took Musical Keyboarding – won Best Sound Mixing for WHIPLASH!

For a complete list of Winners, click here.

(Photo/video credit: Getty Images)

With the 87th annual ACADEMY AWARDS set to take place tonight, we asked our resident Experts their opinions on which Film will win coveted BEST PICTURE. Though the Award is widely seen as a two-horse Race between BIRDMAN and BOYHOOD, each has their opinion on that potential Dark Horse that could pull the wool right over our eyes and surprise us tonight!

Come, let’s take a peek…

George Kozera (Twitter: @PartyG)
“My personal pick for Best Picture is BOYHOOD. My Dark Horse is Bradley Cooper for Best Actor. There’s a lotta love there for Sniper.”.

Justin Waldman (Twitter: @JDubs12)
“BIRDMAN! Because the Movie is absolutely astonishing in its ability to be a one take Film with no cuts or breaks.

AMERICAN SNIPER is my Dark Horse pick as there is a bit of a Republican slant in the Academy, I feel…”.

Jonathan Godfrey 
“Richard Linklater is a distinct and continuously impressive Auteur in Cinema, and if accolades are available let them wander his way.

BOYHOOD is worthy of another award on its mantle place. It drives the Audience to feel something, to connect with something transcendent. It’s charming to know it will continue to be celebrated on the World Stage.

I definitely don’t have a Dark Horse.”.

David Baldwin (Twitter: @DonFishies)
“Its going to be BIRDMAN or BOYHOOD. Both terrific Films, wide scopes and amazing performances. Leaning on the former more because I love Michael Keaton, and hope he wins too. Dark Horse is AMERICAN SNIPER — it just may steal the Show!”.

Mr. Will (Twitter: @Mrwillw)

“If this were the Mr. Will Awards, it certainly would be WHIPLASH‘s year, however in all probability we will be seeing the Team behind BOYHOOD at the podium.  What a remarkable feat in Cinema, a real tour-de-force!

Therefore, my Dark Horse pick, WHIPLASH.  Most likely Winner, BOYHOOD.  No shock if the also genius BIRDMAN won, but BOYHOOD gets the slight edge.”.

The 87th annual ACADEMY AWARDS, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, air on ABC at 7 PM EST.

E!’s Live From the Red Carpet starts 5:30 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Mongrel Media/Warner Bros.)

The 87th annual Academy Awards Luncheon was held earlier today at the Beverly Hilton and in keeping with annual tradition, this year’s Nominees, along with Ceremony  Host Neil Patrick Harris, grouped together for a Class Photo.  Among the Nominees in attendance were the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Clint Eastwood, Emma Stone, Rosamund Pike, Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon, Eddie Redmayne, Bradley Cooper and several more.

See the Class of 2015 (photo via Rebecca Keegan):

Oprah, Clint and 150 or so fellow Oscar nominees at today’s luncheon

A photo posted by Rebecca Keegan (@that_rebecca) on Feb 2, 2015 at 2:40pm PST

We adore this Photo of this year’s Lead Actress Nominees getting friendly:

Voting for The Academy still is underway with the fate of this year’s Nominees to be unveiled live on ABC Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 7:00 PM EST!

(Photo: Oscars.org/Rebecca Keegan)

After significant wins at the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards this past weekend, BIRDMAN and THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL lead the way at the upcoming 87th annual Academy Awards, as announced earlier this morning in Los Angeles by Chris Pine, J.J. Abrams and Alfonso Cuarón. The two Films received nine nominations each and will be going head-to-head for top honours in Best Picture, Cinematography, Writing (Original Screenplay) and Directing.  The latter received no nominations in the Acting categories.

Following closely with eight nominations is Winner of the People’s Choice Award (on numerous occasions a Pre-cursor to Oscar success)  at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, THE IMITATION GAME. Meanwhile, BOYHOOD which won Best Motion Picture, Drama at the Golden Globes would go-on to garner six nominations today tying with AMERICAN SNIPER, which has had the quietest Awards Campaign thus far as it  proceeds in a gradual roll-out to theatres. All three of these Films are up for Best Picture.

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, WHIPLASH and INTERSTELLAR received five nominations apiece also, with the former two up for Best Picture and the latter receiving recognition almost exclusively in technical categories.

The Best Actor category is perhaps the most competitive with Golden Globe Winners Michael Keaton (Birdman) and Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) up against Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Bradley Cooper (American Sniper) and Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game).  Many are seeing the omissions of David Oyelowo (Selma) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler) as major snubs, after being present much of this Awards Season for their riveting performances respectively. Bradley Cooper now has the distinction of being the first Actor in a decade to receive three consecutive (Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle and now American Sniper) Oscar nominations; the last to do so was his former Partner, Renee Zellweger.

Julianne Moore leads a strong group in the Best Actress category after a win at the Golden Globes for Still Alice.  Her other strong Best Actress performance in Maps to the Stars did not get recognition this morning, but this could well be a blessing in eliminating split votes against herself. Reese Witherspoon (Wild) also is seen as a strong Contender, alongside Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) and Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) – the latter whose Campaign has varied between Supporting Actress and Lead Actress. A surprise was Oscar Winner Marion Cotillard‘s appearance on the list for her work in French Drama Two Days, One Night. Amy Adams, who was awarded Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy for Big Eyes on Sunday unfortunately will not be a Contender.

J.K. Simmons is seen as a definitive choice for Best Supporting Actor with his performance as a sadistic Conductor in Whiplash. Two-time Nominee Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher), three-time Nominee Edward Norton (Birdman),  four-time Nominee Ethan Hawke (Boyhood) and Oscar Winner Robert Duvall (The Judge) round-out the Group.

After being quiet this Awards Season, many are thrilled that Lauren Dern gets recognized for her work in Wild for Best Supporting Actress.  She is now a two-time Nominee after getting her first nod in 1992’s Rambling Rose.  Dern will be up against Golden Globe Winner Patricia Arquette (Boyhood), Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game), Emma Stone (Birdman) and three-time Oscar Winner Meryl Streep (Into the Woods).  Some are seeing Jessica Chastain‘s omission in A Most Violent Year also a snub.

For a complete list of Nominees, visit the official Oscars Website.

The  87th annual Academy Awards air on ABC Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 7:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: ABC)

After a victory at the Golden Globes this past weekend, a Video for Common and John Legend‘s Glory finally sees a release. The Track is featured in the widely-acclaimed SELMA.

If you haven’t heard the Track yet, check it out below in full:

After a successful campaign by African-American Business Leaders, Students across America have been granted the opportunity to see Selma for free as part of the #SELMAFORSTUDENTS Initiative. How amazing is that?

Learn more about the SELMA Soundtrack, now in stores here.

Paramount Pictures release SELMA, now in theatres.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)