The 83rd Academy Award Nominations - Picks and Reactions

The nominees for this year’s Academy Awards were announced this morning. Hearts were spirited or broken, producers pleased or pissed… and now four weeks into 2011, we may finally begin to close the door on 2010.

Here’s a rundown of the nominees, as well as some off the cuff reactions and quick picks (which I reserve the right to change until the week… the day… the hour… the minute before the Oscars go live...)

The Fighter (2010)

 Directed by cinematic wild card David O. Russell, The Fighter is a bristling family drama with a sneaky battle strategy – it lulls you in with the promise of underdog sports heroics, chides you into dropping your guard with surprising comedic geniality, then lands a powerhouse punch on your movie-loving soft spot, that solar plexus of cinematic adoration occupied by childhood favorites, modern classics, and repeat viewings