84th Academy Award Nominations: ‘The Artist,’ ‘The Descendants,’ ‘Hugo’ And ‘Moneyball’ Honored In Many Categories

This morning the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 84th Academy Awards. Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone,The Hunger Games) read the new Oscar nods, with by Academy President Tom Sherak.

The big nominees wereThe Descendants,The Artist, andHugo, all which come as no surprise. ButMoneyballscored four big nominations,Tinker Tailor Soldier Spyalso walked away with a couple big nods, andThe Muppetsis now Oscar-nominated.The Adventures of Tintinwas shut out of the Best Animated Film category, and Andy Serkis did not end up with a nomination for his work inRise of the Planet of the Apes.

As is so often the case with the Oscars, you can make a list of snubs that is almost longer than the nomination list. Indie faves got nothing:Michael Fassbender’s performance inShameis not recognized, andMartha Marcy May MarleneandMelancholiaare both absent any nominations. But indies and challenging films don’t often do well at the Oscars, so no big surprise there.Drivedid score a sound editing nod, but got no love forAlbert Brooksin the Best Supporting Actor category.

And the Best Animated Film category is just wild: Pixar loses out, and two films that few audiences will be aware of,A Cat in ParisandChico & Rita, get nominated. I expect there will be a lot of conversation over that list. But I like animated films get nominated when they’re not big splashy family and marketing affairs. Take a look at footage fromChico & Rita— it’s beautiful.

Here are the nominations.

Best Picture

Best Director

Best Actor In a Supporting Role

Best Actressin a Supporting Role

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Animated Feature Film

Cinematography

Foreign Language Film

Music (Original Song)

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Writing (Original Screenplay)

Art Direction

Costume Design

Documentary Feature

Documentary Short

Film Editing

Music (Original Score)

Short Film (Animated)

Short Film (Live Action)

Sound Editing

Sound Mixing

Visual Effects

The 84th Academy Awards will be presented by Billy Crystal and a host of guests at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday February 26.