For Better (and Worse), the Academy Went Beyond the Obvious

They got it right.

Not all of it, but a lot of it, starting at the top.

The first line on the first page of the press release announcing Oscar nominations, under the Performance by an Actor in a leading role category, reads like this:

"Javier Bardemin "Biutiful" (Roadside Attractions).

With that nomination, the Academy's actors branch not only fulfilled my biggest wish going into nominations morning, but proved that they sometimes go beyond the obvious in search of the best.

(Also see: The Full List of Nominees)

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