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<\/p>","url":"2008/12/4/Milk-11-4.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Milk 11"},{"captionHeading":"Richard Jenkins - The Visitor","caption":"Sean Penn is an acting heavyweight and Best Actor Oscar winner for 2003's Mystic River. His performance as gay rights champion and city official Harvey Milk ticks a lot of Oscar success boxes - based on a real life person, overcomes hardship, meets a tragically early demise but continues to inspire hope. And above all of this, Penn's performance is really<\/i> good.
\r\n<\/p>","url":"2008/12/4/Milk-11-4.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Milk 11"},{"captionHeading":"Richard Jenkins - The Visitor","caption":"
Consummate character actor Richard Jenkins is one of those performers people recognise but most likely cannot name. But, the star, whose previous work includes Six Feet Under and Burn After Reading, should brace himself for increased attention following his nomination here as a brittle professor forced to take in two illegal immigrants.<\/p>","url":"2008/12/4/The-Visitor-2.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"The visitor"},{"captionHeading":"Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon","caption":"
Frank Langella is having a late career renaissance with his stellar turn as the disgraced president Nixon, the only Commander-in-Chief ever to resign the position. Following numerous nominations this nod marks Langella's first Oscar nom.<\/p>","url":"2008/10/15/FrostNixon-2.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Frost/Nixon"},{"captionHeading":"Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button","caption":"
Fast proving himself Hollywood's most interesting pin-up, Brad Pitt's first nomination for Best Actor climaxes a recent run of first rate performances in unusual movies, including The Assassination of Jesse James and Burn After Reading. Pitt was previously nominated in 1996 for Best Supporting Actor in 12 Monkeys, and this nom for his portrayal of the titular character who ages in reverse, is thoroughly deserved.<\/p>","url":"2008/12/4/The-Curious-Case-Of-Benjamin-Button.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button"},{"captionHeading":"Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler","caption":"
He may not be the prettiest boy on the list, but Mickey Rourke has truly earnt his Best Actor nomination. Following years in the Hollywood wilderness, he slowly worked his way back into the inner circle via supporting roles and bit parts to prove he was employable. He faces stiff competition from Sean Penn and Brad Pitt, but a win leave not a dry eye in the house.<\/p>","url":"2008/11/21/The-Wrestler.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"The Wrestler"},{"captionHeading":"WINNER - Kate Winslet - The Reader","caption":"
National treasure Kate was a dead-cert for inclusion amongst the leading ladies... but everyone expected it to be for Revolutionary Road. Instead it's for her part in fellow nominee Stephen Daldry's post-Holocaust drama, a role that earned her Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globes. Not sure what counts against her most - the category confusion or the wince-making speeches she made.<\/p>","url":"2008/12/11/The-Reader-05-1.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"The Reader 05"},{"captionHeading":"Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married","caption":"
Her role as a self-loathing drug addict is far from cute but could it bring a fairytale ending for the grown-up star of The Princess Diaries?<\/p>","url":"2008/12/4/Rachel-Getting-Married-02-4.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Rachel Getting Married 02"},{"captionHeading":"Angelina Jolie - Changeling","caption":"
Angelina could have another set of twins on her hands if her maternal role in Clint Eastwood's 1920s drama lands her a booked to go with her Best Supporting gong from Girl, Interrupted.<\/p>","url":"2008/11/26/Changeling-3.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Changeling 3"},{"captionHeading":"Melissa Leo - Frozen River","caption":"
As a mother who turns to smuggling to support her kids, this tense drama presents a rare leading role for the much-respected Leo. A win would be an upset, but just reward for her work ethic: she's credited with 15 film appearances since Frozen River was released!<\/p>","url":"2008/12/9/Frozen-River-10-4.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Frozen River 10"},{"captionHeading":"Meryl Streep - Doubt","caption":"
Another year, another nomination for America's thespian queen. As a nun who accuses Philip Seymour Hoffman's priest of child molestation, she finds herself on the shortlist for an astonishing 15th time. Only two wins though - c'mon Meryl, you're slacking.<\/p>","url":"2008/12/5/Doubt-37-4.jpg","width":570,"height":364,"alt":"Doubt 37"}];