Oscar Nominations 2012 Are Almost Here!

The excitement has been building with movie releases of late, and tomorrow you will find out which have made it to the final round. That's right, the Oscar nominations are released tomorrow morning at 5:38 AM (8:38 AM for those of us on the other side) and I cannot WAIT to hear (and see) Jennifer Lawrence as she walks out and announces the lists. This year's nominees won't be too surprising but hopefully there won't be too many snubs. Due to last year's unanticipated 10 Best Picture nominees, the rules have been changed so that between 5 and 10 movies can be nominated. Even though many deserve to be nominated, only the obvious nominees should be given the actual nod. So just like last year, you can check here tomorrow for the full list of nominees! And as an added bonus, I'll give you my list of nominee predictions.

2012 Nomination Predictions

Best Picture

The Tree of Life

The Artist

Hugo

The Descendants (don't understand this is getting so much award circuit hype)

Midnight in Paris (this will probably show up, but not a contender despite how much I loved it. Definitely a contender for Best Original Screenplay or a Best Ensemble award)

War Horse

Best Director

Martin Scorcese

Terrance Malick

Alexander Payne

Michel Hazanvicius

Steven Spielberg

Best Actor

Jean Dujardin

George Clooney

Gary Oldman

Michael Fassbender

Brad Pitt

Best Actress

Meryl Streep

Michelle Williams

Glenn Close

Rooney Mara

Tilda Swinton

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer

Kenneth Branagh

Best Supporting Actress

(I have yet to see The Help but I'm sure there will be 1 or 2 noms here)

Best Cinematography

The Tree of Life

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hugo

Best Original Score

GWTDT

The Artist

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Best Adapted Screenplay

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Hugo

Best Original Screenplay

Young Adult

Midnight in Paris

The Artist

Best Foreign Film

A Separation

Pina

Best Animated Film

The Adventures of Tintin

Best Special Effects

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Super 8

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Best Animal (definitely a necessary addition this year)

Arthur, Jack Russell Terrier, Beginners

Uggie, Jack Russell Terrier, The Artist and Water for Elephants

Joey, Thoroughbred, War Horse

May the movie watching begin!

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Buff Smoothie, courtesy of Alton Brown

Ingredients

• 4 ounces plain, low-fat soy milk
• 4 ounces acai, grape, or pomegranate juice
• 4 ounces frozen banana
• 4 ounces frozen strawberries
• 4 ounces frozen blueberries
• 4 ounces frozen peaches

Directions

Combine the soy milk, juice, banana, strawberries, blueberries, and the peaches in the carafe of a blender. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 8 hours.

In the morning, or when the fruit is partially thawed, put the carafe on the base of the blender, start at the lowest speed and slowly accelerate to medium, until you achieve a vortex. Blend on medium for 1 minute. Increase the speed to high and blend for an additional minute. Serve immediately.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/buff-smoothie-recipe/index.html

I've never had to let my smoothie ingredients set overnight. Worth a try!