Atonement Leads the Baftas With 14 Nominations

With a nomination in nearly every category in which it is eligible, Atonement is the front-runner at the British Academy Awards this year. Both Keira Knightley and James McAvoy were recognized in the Leading Actor and Actress category, and director Joe Wright is also nominated.

As reported by The Herald, Keira Knightley expressed her delight by saying, "The Golden Globe was extraordinary, but to be recognised at home is really special, I'm thrilled." Also sharing the nomination spotlight is Christopher Hampton, who adapted Ian McEwan's novel with storytelling precision.

In 2002, BAFTA moved is announcements and ceremony from April or May to fall just before the Oscars, in order to benefit from awards show fever in the U.S. People Magazine makes mention of this clandestined turn of events and how the schedule change could position the Orange British Academy Film Awards to be one of the only awards shows with celebrities present.

Keira Knightley's Atonement Leads BAFTA Nominations [People Magazine]

Atonement Wins 14 BAFTA Award Nominations [The Herald]

Globe Nominations Leave Oscar Race More Uncertain

After months of speculation, the announcement of the 65th annual Golden Globe nominations this morning has left one thing clear, Atonement, is a bonafide front runner and Oscar contender. The film, based on the novel by Ian McEwan, received seven nominations including Best Motion Picture - Drama and actress and actor nods for Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. The uncertainty presents itself when we examine what films were missed for Golden Globe recognition.

Into the Wild was completely overlooked in all categories except Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Whether this quashes any hope for Academy Award nomination or actually opens the film up for Oscar contention is yet to be seen. The same theory may also hold true for other overlooked movies such as Knocked Up and Waitress. Who needs a golden globe when you can have a golden man?

Another interesting snub comes in the form of Homer Simpson. As a longstanding television show (having stood the longest throughout prime time series history), The Simpsons have never been nominated for a Golden Globe in any television category, ever. Despite being entwined in superlative hell, The Simpsons Movie captured the hearts and minds of the Hollywood Foreign Press voters and snagged a nomination over weaker competition (read Alvin and the Chipmunks and Meet the Robinsons). Improvement is still needed in the realm of motion capture when what should be a visually stunning film like Beowolf fails to impress against more traditional animation. As for Shrek the Third, three times just wasn't a charm.

The 80th Annual Academy Award nominations will be revealed on January 22, 2008. Let's hold any unfounded speculation until that time.