The Oscar race

The dashing Gregory Peck accepting his Oscar from the lovely Sphia Loren for the classic 'To Kill A Mockingbird' in 1962 is indeed, a picture perfect Oscar moment, of which there have been many over the last seventy nine years.
So which of the leading men this year will walk away with a golden statuette under his arm? The nominations for the Best Actor in a Leading role are:
George Clooney for 'Michael Clayton'
Daniel Day Lewis for 'There will be blood'
Johnny Depp for 'Sweeney Todd'
Tommy Lee Jones for 'In The Valley of Elah'
Viggo Mortensen for 'Eastern Promises'
The best of the best has finally been selected. The nominations for the 80th Annual Academy Awards are out, and with that the race for the coveted golden staute has begun.
'Best Film' nominations
Two films lead the nominations for the 80th Annual Academy Awards. 'No Country For Old Men', the latest film from Joel and Ethan Coen, and 'There Will Be Blood', a gritty drama about a pioneering California oilman. "There Will Be Blood" has already picked up eight nominations.
Joining them on the 'Best Film' list is the war drama 'Atonement', the teenage comedy 'Juno' and the legal thriller 'Michael Clayton' starring George Clooney.
'Best Actor' nominations
Clooney nominated for 'Michael Clayton' will compete against Danile Day Lewis for 'There will be blood', Johnny Depp for 'Sweeney Todd, Tommy Lee Jones for 'In The Valley of Elah' and Viggo Mortensen for 'Eastern Promises'.
'Best Actress' nominations
Australian actress Cate Blanchett has received two nominations for her lead role in 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age', and for her supporting role as Bob Dylan in 'I'm Not There'. The other lead-actress contenders are British veteran Julie Christie for 'Away From Her', French actress Marion Cotillard for 'La Vie en Rose', Laura Linney for 'The Savages' and Canadian actress Ellen Page for 'Juno'.
The 80th Annual Academy Awards will be handed out in Hollywood on February 24, though the Hollywood writers' strike (now in its 12th week), could force the event organizers to change the format if the walkout is not resolved by then.