Oscar Nominations Announced

Once again the British are in a strong position to sweep the boards at this year's Oscars. Last year the British-made (if not financed) Shakespeare in Love swept the board, but this year it's up to individual Brits to bring home the honours, from Sam Mendes for American Beauty to Janet McTeer for best actress. No fewer than four Brits are up for the main awards in the acting nominations announced by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences today while Sam Mendes' American Beauty appears in eight categories. Biggest surprise of the announcements was the success of Lasse Hallstrom