<p>In a competitive year for films, period crime caper 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and dark comedy 'Birdman' cemented their chances by scoring nine nods each at the 87th Academy Award nominations announced today.<br /><br />British World War II drama 'The Imitation Game' closely followed with eight nominations while real-life inspired drama 'American Sniper' and coming-of-age story 'Boyhood' won six nominations each for the Oscars, to be held here on February 22.<br /><br />The Academy, which generally favours more recent releases, did not forget much-earlier released 'Budapest'. The film was one of the nominees in the best picture category along with 'Birdman', 'The Imitation Game' 'American Sniper', 'Boyhood', 'Selma', 'The Theory of Everything' and 'Whiplash'.<br /><br />'Budapest', a whimsical tale about a colourful hotel concierge, also scored Wes Anderson a best director and original screenplay nominations.<br /><br />'Birdman', by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, too spread its wings by getting nominated in a number of key as well as technical categories.<br /><br />Inarritu is nominated as the best director alongside Richard Linklater for his 12-years in making 'Boyhood', Bennett Miller of 'Foxcatcher', Anderson for 'Budapest' and Morten Tyldum of 'The Imitation Game'.<br /><br />Michael Keaton, who plays the role of a washed up actor seeking to resurrect his career in 'Birdman', scored a best actor nomination while Emma Stone was nominated for best supporting honours for the same film.<br /><br />He will fight it out with Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of World War II code-breaker Alan Turing in 'Imitation Game', Bradley Cooper from 'American Sniper', Steve Carell for 'Foxcatcher' and another British star, Golden Globe winner Eddie Redmayne for his role as scientist Stephen Hawking in 'The Theory of Everything'.<br /><br />The best actress category is led by Golden Globe winner Julianne Moore for her performance in 'Still Alice', Marion Cotillard 'Two Days, One Night', Reese Witherspoon for 'Wild', Felicity Jones for 'The Theory of Everything' and the lone nomination to 'Gone Girl' for Rosamund Pike for her brilliant role as a murderous wife.</p>.<p>Academy to announce Oscar nominations in all 24 categories<br />Los Angeles, Jan 10 (PTI) For the first time, the Oscars will be announced live in all 24 categories and in two parts, Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.<br />'Gravity' director Alfonso Cuaron and 'Star Wars' helmer J J Abrams will present special early announcement of 11 categories.<br /><br />Actor Chris Pine and Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs will present nominations in 13 categories, including best picture.<br /><br />"Each of the three years we've produced the show, we have attempted to refresh elements of the process and the telecast," said Zadan and Meron.<br /><br />"This year, we're honored to start a new tradition that celebrates the contributions of all the nominees by announcing all 24 categories. We're thrilled that a distinguished actor and two world-class film directors are part of the initial launch," they added.<br /><br />At 5:30 am on January 15, Cuaron and Abrams will announce the nominees in the following categories: Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Film Editing, Original Song, Production Design, Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects.<br /><br />Pine and Boone Isaacs will take to the stage eight minutes later to unveil the nominations for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Original Screenplay and Best Picture.<br /><br />"We're delighted to have Chris, Alfonso and J J participate in the excitement of nominations morning, which, for the first time, will highlight nominees in all categories," said Boone Isaacs.<br />Oscar awards will take place on February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. </p>.<p>Academy to announce Oscar nominations in all 24 categoriesLos Angeles, Jan 9 (PTI) For the first time, the Oscars will be announced live in all 24 categories and in two parts, Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.<br /><br />'Gravity' director Alfonso Cuaron and 'Star Wars' helmer J J Abrams will present special early announcement of 11 categories.<br /><br />Actor Chris Pine and Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs will present nominations in 13 categories, including best picture.<br /><br />"Each of the three years we've produced the show, we have attempted to refresh elements of the process and the telecast," said Zadan and Meron.<br /><br />"This year, we're honored to start a new tradition that celebrates the contributions of all the nominees by announcing all 24 categories. We're thrilled that a distinguished actor and two world-class film directors are part of the initial launch," they added.<br /><br />At 5:30 am on January 15, Cuaron and Abrams will announce the nominees in the following categories: Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Film Editing, Original Song, Production Design, Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects.<br /><br />Pine and Boone Isaacs will take to the stage eight minutes later to unveil the nominations for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress,Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Original Screenplay and Best Picture.<br /><br />"We're delighted to have Chris, Alfonso and J J participate in the excitement of nominations morning, which, for the first time, will highlight nominees in all categories," said Boone Isaacs.<br />Oscar awards will take place on February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. </p>
<p>In a competitive year for films, period crime caper 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and dark comedy 'Birdman' cemented their chances by scoring nine nods each at the 87th Academy Award nominations announced today.<br /><br />British World War II drama 'The Imitation Game' closely followed with eight nominations while real-life inspired drama 'American Sniper' and coming-of-age story 'Boyhood' won six nominations each for the Oscars, to be held here on February 22.<br /><br />The Academy, which generally favours more recent releases, did not forget much-earlier released 'Budapest'. The film was one of the nominees in the best picture category along with 'Birdman', 'The Imitation Game' 'American Sniper', 'Boyhood', 'Selma', 'The Theory of Everything' and 'Whiplash'.<br /><br />'Budapest', a whimsical tale about a colourful hotel concierge, also scored Wes Anderson a best director and original screenplay nominations.<br /><br />'Birdman', by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, too spread its wings by getting nominated in a number of key as well as technical categories.<br /><br />Inarritu is nominated as the best director alongside Richard Linklater for his 12-years in making 'Boyhood', Bennett Miller of 'Foxcatcher', Anderson for 'Budapest' and Morten Tyldum of 'The Imitation Game'.<br /><br />Michael Keaton, who plays the role of a washed up actor seeking to resurrect his career in 'Birdman', scored a best actor nomination while Emma Stone was nominated for best supporting honours for the same film.<br /><br />He will fight it out with Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of World War II code-breaker Alan Turing in 'Imitation Game', Bradley Cooper from 'American Sniper', Steve Carell for 'Foxcatcher' and another British star, Golden Globe winner Eddie Redmayne for his role as scientist Stephen Hawking in 'The Theory of Everything'.<br /><br />The best actress category is led by Golden Globe winner Julianne Moore for her performance in 'Still Alice', Marion Cotillard 'Two Days, One Night', Reese Witherspoon for 'Wild', Felicity Jones for 'The Theory of Everything' and the lone nomination to 'Gone Girl' for Rosamund Pike for her brilliant role as a murderous wife.</p>.<p>Academy to announce Oscar nominations in all 24 categories<br />Los Angeles, Jan 10 (PTI) For the first time, the Oscars will be announced live in all 24 categories and in two parts, Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.<br />'Gravity' director Alfonso Cuaron and 'Star Wars' helmer J J Abrams will present special early announcement of 11 categories.<br /><br />Actor Chris Pine and Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs will present nominations in 13 categories, including best picture.<br /><br />"Each of the three years we've produced the show, we have attempted to refresh elements of the process and the telecast," said Zadan and Meron.<br /><br />"This year, we're honored to start a new tradition that celebrates the contributions of all the nominees by announcing all 24 categories. We're thrilled that a distinguished actor and two world-class film directors are part of the initial launch," they added.<br /><br />At 5:30 am on January 15, Cuaron and Abrams will announce the nominees in the following categories: Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Film Editing, Original Song, Production Design, Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects.<br /><br />Pine and Boone Isaacs will take to the stage eight minutes later to unveil the nominations for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Original Screenplay and Best Picture.<br /><br />"We're delighted to have Chris, Alfonso and J J participate in the excitement of nominations morning, which, for the first time, will highlight nominees in all categories," said Boone Isaacs.<br />Oscar awards will take place on February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. </p>.<p>Academy to announce Oscar nominations in all 24 categoriesLos Angeles, Jan 9 (PTI) For the first time, the Oscars will be announced live in all 24 categories and in two parts, Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.<br /><br />'Gravity' director Alfonso Cuaron and 'Star Wars' helmer J J Abrams will present special early announcement of 11 categories.<br /><br />Actor Chris Pine and Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs will present nominations in 13 categories, including best picture.<br /><br />"Each of the three years we've produced the show, we have attempted to refresh elements of the process and the telecast," said Zadan and Meron.<br /><br />"This year, we're honored to start a new tradition that celebrates the contributions of all the nominees by announcing all 24 categories. We're thrilled that a distinguished actor and two world-class film directors are part of the initial launch," they added.<br /><br />At 5:30 am on January 15, Cuaron and Abrams will announce the nominees in the following categories: Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Film Editing, Original Song, Production Design, Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects.<br /><br />Pine and Boone Isaacs will take to the stage eight minutes later to unveil the nominations for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress,Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Original Screenplay and Best Picture.<br /><br />"We're delighted to have Chris, Alfonso and J J participate in the excitement of nominations morning, which, for the first time, will highlight nominees in all categories," said Boone Isaacs.<br />Oscar awards will take place on February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. </p>