"The Descendants" and "Hugo" continue to build Oscar momentum today as the two acclaimed films led the list of nominations for this year's Satellite Awards.
'The Descendants" scored six nods, earning nominations for best Motion Picture, Adapted Screenplay, and Editing as well as Director (Alexander Payne), Actor (George Clooney) and Supporting Actress (Judy Greer over co-star Shailene Woodley in a bit of a surprise). "Hugo," meanwhile, also landed Motion Picture and Director nominations for Martin Scorsese in addition to nods for Cinematography, Visual Effects and Art Design.
Of course, with the Satellite Awards nominating between eight and 10 candidates for every category, it's to be expected that most of this year's frontrunners would earn nominations. Still, because of the expanded field, being left off the list could be a blow to a film or individual's Oscar chances.
So among those who further cemented their status as legitimate candidates this award season with Satellite nominations are the Best Actress trio of Viola Davis ("The Help"), Glenn Close ("Albert Nobbs") and Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady); Supporting Actress nominee Jessica Chastain ("The Tree of Life"); Supporting Actors Christopher Plummer ("Beginners") and Albert Brooks ("Drive"); and the French silent film "The Artist," which in an ongoing trend was nominated in the Motion Picture category but not, oddly enough, in the best Foreign Film category.
And in fanboy news, motion capture performer Andy Serkis earned a Supporting Actor nomination for "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," while "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; Part 2" landed nods for Cinematography, Sound and Score but was shut out of the best Motion Picture category.
Given out by the International Press Association, the Satellite Awards, which have been issued annually since 1996, recognize excellence in film, television and video games in over 40 categories. Winners will be announced on December 18, but complete list of nominees can be seen on their official website right now.
