The nominations are out for this year's Academy Awards, and it looks like I have some movie watching to do. Maybe it says something about me that I've probably watched more of the films nominated for Razzies than I have for the Oscars, but over the next 30 days (the Oscars air Sunday, February 22, at 8 p.m. on ABC) I hope to at least catch a couple of the big flicks. Below find the nominees for the major categories (for a full list click here), along with some handicapping by the City Newspaper staff. If you have some thoughts, post ‘em in the comments.

Actor in a Leading Role

Richard Jenkins "The Visitor"

Frank Langella "Frost/Nixon"

Sean Penn "Milk"

Brad Pitt "Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Mickey Rourke "The Wrestler"

ERIC REZSNYAK, FEATURES EDITOR:

It's really Rourke's year, but I'm glad to see the talented Jenkins get a nod.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Josh Brolin "Milk"

Robert Downey Jr. "Tropic Thunder"

Philip Seymour Hoffman "Doubt"

Heath Ledger "The Dark Knight"

Michael Shannon "Revolutionary Road"

ERIC: Downey is something of a shocker, and it's good to see hometown boy Hoffman up there (surprising that it's in a supporting capacity, though). I have mixed feelings on the Ledger thing. He was great in the role, but if he wins, will he be rewarded solely for his work, or more for the tragic circumstances surrounding it?

Actress in a Lead Role

Anne Hathaway "Rachel Getting Married"

Angelina Jolie "Changeling"

Melissa Leo "Frozen River"

Meryl Streep "Doubt"

Kate Winslet "The Reader"

ERIC: I'm so excited to see Melissa Leo here; I've been a fan since her days on "Homicide: Life on the Streets." She's up against some real heavyweights, plus the emerging Anne Hathaway. Interesting that Winslet nabbed this for "Reader" instead of "Revolutionary Road."

Actress in a Supporting Role

Amy Adams "Doubt"

Penelope Cruz "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

Viola Davis "Doubt"

Taraji P. Henson "Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Marisa Tomei "The Wrestler"

ERIC: I have to say, I'm totally pulling for Tomei, if only to shut people up about the "My Cousin Vinnie" win.

Best Picture

"Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

"Frost/Nixon"

"Milk"

"The Reader"

"Slumdog Millionaire"

ERIC: I don't know a single person who enjoyed "Benjamin Button," so its dominance this year is kind of surprising. "Slumdog" has the momentum right now, but that could expire before too long. It's too bad that my personal favorite film of the year, "Wall-E," couldn't be considered for this category since it's up for animated film. Those two robots touched me more than any human performance this year.

MARY ANNA TOWLER, EDITOR/PUBLISHER:

Sean Penn ought to get Best Actor for his "Milk" performance, obviously. And I'm disappointed that "Cadillac Records" didn't get a single nomination. Absolutely some of the best acting I've seen in a movie this year. Highlights among the almost exclusively black cast: Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters and Eamonn Walker as Howlin' Wolf.

JEREMY MOULE, STAFF WRITER:

I think "Wall-E" is an outstanding choice for animated feature. On the surface it was an entertaining movie with a cute-as-a-button robot star. But looking deeper it was an excellent cautionary tale about humanity and its relation to the earth.

My gut tells me Heath Ledger's going to win the best supporting actor nominee. He was so convincingly creepy -- you believed he was a total sociopath. Josh Brolin was great in "Milk," I just wish that the movie offered more context and backstory for his character.

Anne Hathaway was outstanding in "Rachel Getting Married," so I'm really happy to see her nominated for best actress in a leading role. I didn't see any of the other performances that were nominated, though I really want to see both "The Reader" and "Changeling."