The nominations are in

Once again, I didn't get around to predicting the Oscar nominations before they happened. Tom, who now feels it is his duty, called me on the phone to share the nominees with me. It was a fun phone call. And for the most part, this seems to be a great group of nominees. I say "seems" because I have seen so little to this point. Instead of predictions, you get some comments.

I'm thrilled by the love for No Country for Old Men and it deserves every bit of it. I'm also so happy that Ratatouille gained five nominations and that Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood received the kind of love that No Country did (it was already my next stop in the theatre). I do have some concerns about Juno and all the acclaim it has received. It looks fun and I think I'll like it, but I'm pretty skeptical that it will be great. It reminds me of last year's Little Miss Sunshine. Enjoyable and fun, but it was - in my opinion, nowhere near the best films of the year. Cate Blanchett is a double-nominee - that makes me happy. My boy, as Tom accurately calls him, Phillip Seymour Hoffman's got another nomination - again I smile. I'm pleased for Viggo Mortensen but disappointed (as I expected to be) that Armin Mueller-Stahl (in a masterful performance) wasn't also nominated for Eastern Promises. Michael Moore has another nomination - see they do make me happy.

Now I just need to see some more movies.