The Reader

It's hard not to feel ambivalent about the Oscars. The nominations and winners are decided by a set of disparate criteria (artistic achievement, industry clout, reputation, studio alignment, marketing dollars) and a voting body that is largely irrelevant to most moviegoers. Still, getting nominated - and winning! - contributes handily to the artistic credibility and financial success of those lucky enough to receive a nod. Oscars also play a big part in helping studios decide what and whom to finance. Which is why it's really no surprise that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button cleaned up in the nominations this year: it's just another Forrest Gump.

So what's there to cheer and jeer about in the Oscars this year? Some thoughts after the jump...

As the Oscar buzz starts to build (already!) this month, get ready to hear a lot about Kate Winslet. The five-time Oscar nominee is likely to be both a Best Actress and a Best Supporting Actress nominee (Oscar rules prohibit her from being nominated twice in one category) for her two upcoming films, The Reader and Revolutionary Road. Winslet has been focusing most of her promotional efforts on Revolutionary Road, which is directed by her husband, Sam Mendes, but she won't need to work hard to generate hype for The Reader. It's already underway, and much of it has to do with Winslet's full frontal sex scenes.