Gary Thompson: Academy Awards' hits & misses

TODAY, OSCAR snubees are wondering what they have to do to get a nomination.

Cut off an arm?

Possibly. It worked for James Franco in "127 Hours," for "True Grit," and for "Winter's Bone."

All of these limb-rending epics scored nominations for cast and crew yesterday, while other folks went home . . . empty-handed.

Like Chris Nolan. His hit "Inception" scored nine nominations, second only to "True Grit" (10) and "The King's Speech" (12), but he was again shut out in the race for best director (shades of "The Dark Knight"). And it's a little weird his six-planed story is not up for a best-editing Oscar.

Also a little weird - neither Andrew Garfield nor Justin Timberlake scored acting nominations for "The Social Network," leading to speculation they might have split votes in the supporting actor category. It's a mild surprise, given that Timberlake would have given the awards broadcast the glam and demographic punch the academy sorely desires, as evidenced by its choice of Franco and Anne Hathaway to co-host this year.

Most of the nomination surprises were pleasant - like "True Grit" getting 10 noms, after being completely ignored by the goofballs at the Golden Globes.

"True Grit" has suddenly made itself a co-favorite along with "The Social Network" (9) and "The King's Speech," which, by the way, got its first sour press in a piece by Christopher Hitchens at slate.com. Best actor Javier Bardem became the first man to be nominated for a Spanish-only performance in Mexico's "Biutiful," and Jeremy Renner ("The Town") was a slight surprise as best supporting actor.

The academy evidently loved "The Fighter," and nominated Christian Bale for best supporting actor, but couldn't find room for co-star Mark Wahlberg (as producer, he's nominated in the best picture category). Amy Adams and Melissa Leo were both nominated for best supporting actress, so everybody BUT Wahlberg got some academy love.

Another surprise, Jacki Weaver for supporting actress in "Animal Kingdom," the Australian drama (just out on DVD, still playing in Ambler) about a boy sent to live with crime-family relatives. Nothing for Mila Kunis in "Black Swan," or Lesley Manville in Mike Leigh's "Another Year." (Leigh was nominated for best original screenplay.) Helena Bonham Carter received a nod for "The King's Speech."

"Winter's Bone," the little movie that could, also won a best picture nod and writing nom for writer-director Debra Granik, best actress for Jennifer Lawrence and best supporting actor for John Hawkes.

Another indie, "The Kids Are All Right," won nominations for best picture, screenplay, for Mark Ruffalo (best supporting actor), and for Annette Bening as best actress, though there was no room for her co-star, Julianne Moore.

Jeff and Christina Lurie's "Inside Job" (they funded and executive-produced) was nominated for best documentary, and Michelle Williams won a best actress nod for her work in the locally shot "Blue Valentine."

Pocono resident Josh Fox, who made the self-distributed documentary "Gasland" about natural gas fracking in his back yard and across the country, also scored a best doc nomination. Might be worth checking out on DVD, as our new governor is determined to lift the drilling ban in our state forests. Also up for best doc - "Exit Through the Gift Shop." Not up for best documentary, the critically acclaimed "Waiting for 'Superman.' "

The best director category, regarded as a window into the academy's thinking as to the strongest best pictures, shows nominations for Darren Aronofsky ("Black Swan"), David O. Russell ("The Fighter"), David Fincher ("The Social Network"), Joel and Ethan Coen ("True Grit") and Tom Hooper ("The King's Speech"). The Academy Awards show airs on ABC on Feb. 27.