'Doubt' Leads Screen Actors Guild Nominees

With one or two exceptions, this is what your acting categories will most likely resemble at the Academy Awards. The Screen Actors Guild has released its list of what matters most in film and television acting for 2008, and there are only a couple selections that are slight surprises. More on that in a second. Doubt took home the most nominations, which isn't a big shock. After all, it has three supporting roles and one unbelievable lead performance, and because it's based on a stage play, the film is a lot more driven by its dialogue. I can't help but think if Frost/Nixon had pushed Michael Sheen for a supporting nomination, he might have made it in that category. Tough to do that, though, when you're the "Frost" part of the equation.Most people might have figured Cate Blanchett would have trumped Angelina Jolie in the Best Actress race, but Jolie gives the much better performance. No slight to Blanchett, but Button is not her best work, and Changeling probably is Jolie's.The Best Actor race is set. Maybe Richard Jenkins doesn't get the Oscar nomination, although what a terrible shame that would be, but the other four guys aren't budging.I was happy to see the Guild honor Slumdog Millionaire and Dev Patel; the ensemble in particular had been overlooked so far this awards season.Best Actor:
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The WrestlerBest Actress:
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road Best Supporting Actor:
Josh Brolin - Milk
Robert Downey, Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
Dev Patel - Slumdog Millionaire Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams - Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Kate Winslet - The Reader Best Ensemble:
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button