And the nominees are... available!

Gotcha! Hehehe.

In a nutshell, Clint Eastwood got shut out for “Gran Torino,” “Doubt” got snubbed for Best Picture and Heath Ledger got that posthumous nod.

I know what you all are thinking — “Dude! That Facebook group, like, totally worked!” ­— and you can stop it right now.

Nomination speculation for “The Dark Knight” has swirled around as ominously as the Bat signal. We all know the fans wanted Ledger to be honored for his last film appearance and now the critics have confirmed they were listening.

This is good. Not because “The Dark Knight” was incredibly spectacular — yep, I said it — but because the Academy is notorious for ignoring popular interests. Sure the Oscars is film’s greatest popularity contest, but the little golden statue is notorious for going to recipients not favored by the masses.

“Brokeback Mountain” anyone? Or how about Kate or Leo in “Titanic”?

Speaking of Leo, he must be pissed! Not only has he frequented the public eye with notable causes, such as the environment, he totally got smoked for “Revolutionary Road.” First Kate has to suggest that he do the part, he gets his hopes up for some long-overdue recognition, and WHAMO! Nothing. Door slammed. End of story.

At least the Best Actress race will be entertaining. Who’s gonna get it? It’s this year’s greatest toss-up between Anne Hathaway (“Rachel Getting Married”), Kate Winslet (“The Reader”) and Meryl Streep (“Doubt”). Winslet was the Golden Globe favorite this year, but she was shunned at this year’s Critic’s Choice Awards.

My opinion? Give it to Winslet. Streep already has a small collection of golden naked men on her mantel. Hathaway hasn’t even hit 30 and she’s getting gussied up for the big awards show.
I know. Say that to Anna Paquin.

As for Best Picture, years past have taught us the Academy enjoys picking an underdog or unlikely contender and making it the cat’s pajamas. This year “Slumdog Millionaire” fills that role. Not that it’s anything short of a masterpiece, but the late publicity and release date, and relatively unknown actors, it doesn’t fit the formula people use for “favorite to win.” In 2005, it was “Crash.” In 2006, people just gave up hoping for “The Departed” when they saw director Martin Scorsese’s track record with the Academy. With “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Peter Jackson finally got it the third time, as the critics bemoaned “Oh, just give it to ‘em already!”

In 30 days, we will know. Until then, print off your ballots and set up your pools. Yeah, you know you want to.

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