Meet the Men Who Make Oscars

The Blind Side as White Lady Saves the Day and more

(NEWSER) - It’s just about time for the Oscars, but first, check College Humor ’s list of what some of the nominated films should be called, if we’re being honest with ourselves.

• Avatar: Predictable, with James-Cameron-ripping subtitle, “From the guy who knows how to spend $280,000,000.”
• The Blind Side: White Lady Saves the Day
• Inglourious Basterds: Inaccurate Trailer (“Brad Pitt’s hardly in it, and it’s mostly in French.”)

Tarantino's flick has the best shot at top Oscar

(NEWSER) - Though everyone is buzzing about Avatar’s best-picture prospects, Tom O'Neil was an early predictor of Inglourious Basterds snagging the top Oscar prize—and now he’s defending his position. Even though it came out eons ago (in August), the disappointing performance of many much-hyped late-year films leaves Basterds in a position to make a “late-year dash” a la Gladiator or Braveheart, he writes in the Los Angeles Times . More»

Pitt's Benjamin Button scores 13 Oscar nods; Jolie scores for Changeling

(NEWSER) - Oscar was kind to Brangelina today, with both halves of the power couple landing nominations, People reports. Brad Pitt received a best actor nod for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, while Angelina Jolie is in the best actress running for Changeling. “I’m especially happy for David Fincher, for without him there would be no Ben Button,” Pitt said of the director whose film earned 13 nominations overall. More»

Benjamin Button, Slumdog lead the pack

(NEWSER) - Exactly a year after his death, Heath Ledger has been nominated for an Academy Award, AP reports. Ledger's Supporting Actor nod was the only nom for The Dark Knight, while The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire rose to the top with 13 and 10 nominations respectively. Other nominees:

• Best Picture: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire
• Best Director: David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon; Gus Van Sant, Milk; Stephen Daldry, The Reader; Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Gilded statue's price goes from $400 to $500 as gold jumps 40%

(NEWSER) - They’re worth their weight in gold to actors. And this year’s Oscars—carrying a gilding of pure gold—will cost the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences about $500 each, up $100 from last year's 13 1/2-inch tall, 8 1/2-pound statuettes. The price of gold has soared to record levels, reports Bloomberg, as investors looking for safe haven make the metal ever more precious. More»