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Beverley Hills - Unlike in previous years, virtually all the best picture nominees crossed over to mainstream audiences, and those still in theatres will likely receive an Oscar-related boost in business in coming weeks.
The sci-fi thriller Inception and the Facebook drama The Social Network have received eight nominations each and both of them will also vie for best picture in a 10-film field rounded out by Black Swan, The Fighter, The Kids Are All Right, 127 Hours, Toy Story 3 and Winter's Bone.
First-timers
"This year when you look at the titles, and you get to see how many people have seen these movies, there is a clear connection (with moviegoers)," said Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Four of the nominees are currently in the top 10 at the North American box office: The King's Speech, True Grit, Black Swan and The Fighter. Moreover, The King's Speech has been the No 1 film in Britain for the past three weekends, while Black Swan is the new champion in Germany.
The acting field boasts eight first-time nominees, as well as three Britons and two Australian-born actors. Spanish actor Javier Bardem, an Oscar winner in 2008, was the only contender for a foreign-language film, earning a nomination for his lead role in the Mexican drama Biutiful.
Surprise winner
Three of the five directing nominees were first-timers: Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), David O Russell (The Fighter) and Tom Hooper (The King's Speech). The field also included David Fincher (The Social Network) and brothers Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit).
As in recent years there was little surprise among the leading contenders. The Social Network has dominated awards ceremonies leading up to the Oscars, including the Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards.
But the drama hit a major road block on Saturday when The King's Speech was the surprise winner of the top award at the Producers Guild Awards, an event that has been in sync with the Academy Awards 70% of the time.
The sci-fi thriller Inception and the Facebook drama The Social Network have received eight nominations each and both of them will also vie for best picture in a 10-film field rounded out by Black Swan, The Fighter, The Kids Are All Right, 127 Hours, Toy Story 3 and Winter's Bone.
First-timers
"This year when you look at the titles, and you get to see how many people have seen these movies, there is a clear connection (with moviegoers)," said Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Four of the nominees are currently in the top 10 at the North American box office: The King's Speech, True Grit, Black Swan and The Fighter. Moreover, The King's Speech has been the No 1 film in Britain for the past three weekends, while Black Swan is the new champion in Germany.
The acting field boasts eight first-time nominees, as well as three Britons and two Australian-born actors. Spanish actor Javier Bardem, an Oscar winner in 2008, was the only contender for a foreign-language film, earning a nomination for his lead role in the Mexican drama Biutiful.
Surprise winner
Three of the five directing nominees were first-timers: Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), David O Russell (The Fighter) and Tom Hooper (The King's Speech). The field also included David Fincher (The Social Network) and brothers Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit).
As in recent years there was little surprise among the leading contenders. The Social Network has dominated awards ceremonies leading up to the Oscars, including the Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards.
But the drama hit a major road block on Saturday when The King's Speech was the surprise winner of the top award at the Producers Guild Awards, an event that has been in sync with the Academy Awards 70% of the time.
