Correction: Sony Classics received five nominations, not two as previously stated.
The drifting Academy threw a line to the mainland of American moviegoers. For the first time in years, a big-budget, old-style epic love story – but with a twist, thanks to computer graphics – dominated the nominations for this year’s Academy Awards: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” by director David Fincher took 13 nominations, a sweep in the style of “Titanic” and “Braveheart.” With the dismal ratings of last year’s show on the mind of the industry, academy voters tiptoed past small favorites like “Slumdog Millionaire” – which took nods for Best Picture and Screenplay – and downbeat dramas like “Revolutionary Road,” which still nabbed 3 noms. Also of note: a supporting actor nomination for Robert Downey Jr. in blackface, for the comedy “Tropic Thunder.”
Paramount and Warner Bros, the co-producers of ‘Benjamin Button,’ topped the list of movie companies in the Oscar race. Warners took 21 nominations, between “Button” and eight nominations for “The Dark Knight,” while Paramount took 20, thanks to its alliances with DreamWorks, Marvel and its specialty division, Vantage. Fox Searchlight took a slew of nominations too, with 10 nods for “Slumdog Millionaire” and another two for “The Wrestler,” including a best actor nod for Mickey Rourke. Sony Classics received 5 nominations, including two for “Frozen River.”
