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...)

True Grit (2010)

In a time when sequels and remakes are so largely bemoaned and debated, why is it a recreation of the iconic John Wayne western True Grit – the only movie for which the beloved actor ever won an academy award – is so widely anticipated, and subsequently appreciated?  Because it is a Coen Brothers film, of course, populated by the pedigree of Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and James Brolin, championed by execs, critics and audiences alike.  This updated take on True Grit is a film built to succeed, and succeed it does.