In spite of a potential strike on the horizon and contract negotiations feverishly underway, the Screen Actors Guild took a breather to underscore that it's business as usual at the guild.
Yesterday, with little fuss or ado, reps announced nominees for the Screen Actors Guild Awards which are given out annually to recognize excellence in the Film and Television medium.
"Doubt", a film which recently premiered at the AFI Film Fest in Hollywood amid much praise, garnered the most nods.
In addition to being nominated for best ensemble cast, the drama - adapted for the screen from an award-winning play of the same name - captured kudos for Meryl Streep (Best Actress/lead role), Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Best Actor/supporting role), Viola Davis (Best Actress/supporting role), and Amy Adams (Best Actress/supporting role).
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Milk" were tied for runner-up, so-to-speak.
Each received three nominations - which included best actor (lead role) bows for Brad Pitt in "Button" and Sean Penn in "Milk".Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon), Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), and Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), rounded out the roster.
Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) and Leonardo DiCaprio were passed over for some inexplicable reason.
Maybe the films were released a little too late in the season to receive due consideration by the voting membership?
In the best supporting actor category, Josh Brolin (Milk), Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder), Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), and Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) compete (with previously-mentioned Phillip Seymour Hoffman) for the coveted prize.
The category for best performance by an actress in a lead role looks to be one of the toughest races in the run for a prestigous SAG award.
In addition to Streep, Angelina Jolie (Changeling), Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married), Melissa Leo (Frozen River), and Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road) will be standing in the wings ready to dash on stage in the event actors' ballots tally their way.
The stars have obviously been shining on Ms. Winslet this year.
The Titanic star has also been singled out as Best Actress in a supporting role (The Reader) alongside Adams and Davis. The other two challengers are Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina) and Taraji P. Henson for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button".
In the Television arena - "The Closer", "Mad Men", "The Rock", and "John Adams" - rustled up three nods apiece.
The Award's Ceremony is slated to broadcast on TBS and TNT on January 25th from the Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.
Now, if only a talented individual or two could manage to craft a beautiful award worthy of the occasion to hand out to the winners.
The current actors' award - an ugly eyesore without any aesthetic appeal - sucks in my estimation!
Give me an Emmy any old day!
(pictured below)
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