'Milk,' 'Nixon' up for best picture Oscar
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- "Milk," "Frost/Nixon" and "The Reader" were nominated for the best picture Oscar in Beverly Hills, Calif., Thursday morning.
Also nominated for the Hollywood film industry's top award were "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Slumdog Millionaire."
Each of the films' directors was also nominated for the best director prize. The nominees in that category are Gus Van Sant for "Milk," Ron Howard for "Frost/Nixon," Stephen Daldry for "The Reader," David Fincher for "Benjamin Button" and Danny Boyle for "Slumdog Millionaire."
Up for best adapted screenplay are the authors of "Benjamin Button," "Doubt," "Frost/Nixon," "The Reader" and "Slumdog Millionaire."
In the running for best original screenplay are the scribes who penned "In Bruges," "Milk," "Happy-Go-Lucky," "Frozen River" and "Wall-E."
The nominees for best animated film are "Bolt," "Kung Fu Panda" and "Wall-E."
Jenkins, Brolin nominated for Oscars
BEVERLY HILLS , Calif., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Richard Jenkins, Frank Langella, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt and Mickey Rourke were nominated for the best actor Oscar Thursday morning in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The men are -- respectively -- the stars of "The Visitor," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "The Wrestler."
Shortlisted for the best actress Oscar are Anne Hathaway for "Rachel Getting Married," Angelina Jolie for "Changeling," Melissa Leo for "Frozen River," Meryl Streep for "Doubt" and Kate Winslet for "The Reader."
Vying for the best supporting actor honor are Josh Brolin for "Milk," Robert Downey Jr. for "Tropic Thunder," " Philip Seymour Hoffman for "Doubt," the late Heath Ledger for "The Dark Knight" and Michael Shannon for "Revolutionary Road."
The nominees for the best supporting actress Oscar are Amy Adams for "Doubt," Penelope Cruz for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," Viola Davis for "Doubt," Taraji P. Henson for "Benjamin Button" and Marisa Tomei for "The Wrestler."
The Oscars will be handed out during a ceremony on Feb. 22
Report: Clooney to make appearance on 'ER'
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor George Clooney is to make an appearance on "ER" as his former television drama wraps up its 15th and final season, sources say.
Show insiders told People magazine that "ER" co-creator John Wells has ordered a closed set while Clooney tapes his scenes in an effort to keep his work there private. How many episodes the "Ocean's 11" and "Syriana" star might appear in and when they may run were unclear.
NBC, Warner Bros. and Clooney's publicist all declined to comment on the story, People.com said.
Clooney played Dr. Doug Ross on the TV medical drama from 1994 to 1999. He returned for a cameo in an episode in 2000.
Martin to be 'SNL' host for 15th time
NEW YORK, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Steve Martin has agreed to make his 15th appearance as host of the New York-based sketch comedy TV show "Saturday Night Live," NBC said.
The actor, comedian, author, playwright and producer is slated to make his first appearance in three years in the episode of the show airing Jan. 31. Grammy Award-nominated singer Jason Mraz is scheduled to be the show's musical guest that night.
Martin's film credits include "Shopgirl," "Cheaper by the Dozen," "The Jerk," "All of Me" "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "Father of the Bride," "Parenthood" and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." He also scripted and starred in the hit comedies "Three Amigos," "Roxanne," "L.A. Story" and "Bowfinger," and the drama "Grand Canyon."
Martin, a 2007 recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor, will be seen starting Feb. 6, reprising his role of Inspector Clouseau in "The Pink Panther 2."
