SAG nominations announced, 2010 Oscar picture clearing up

The 2010 Oscars are drawing closer. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards were just announced this morning, and there are a couple of surprises from the Golden Globes, but not too many. “Precious,” “Inglourious Basterds,” and “Up in the Air” each scored three nominations.

Best Cast
“An Education”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Inglourious Basterds”
“Nine”
“Precious”

Somehow, “Up in the Air” was left out of this category. Substitute that for “An Education,” and I think you have your five leading Best Picture contenders–although I predict “Nine” will lose more steam when it some out to mostly negative reviews on Christmas.

Best Actor
Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney, “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth, “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker”

OK, Viggo (“The Road”), Sarsgaard (“An Education”), and Ben Foster (“The Messenger”) are really going to have trouble catching up to these five. If anyone will do it it will be Foster. Nice to see Renner here, especially since he was snubbed at the Golden Globes.

Best Actress
Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren, “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan, “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious”
Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”

Left out here: C’mon, now, seriously? Bullock? What about Emily Blunt for “The Young Victoria”? I’m very excited to see Gabourey Sidibe for “Precious” here. One more step towards her deserved Oscar nom.

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon, “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson, “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer, “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci, “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”

Alfred Molina (“An Education”) and Christian McKay (“Me and Orson Welles”) obviously just don’t have the support. Too bad, really. Damon should be nominated for “The Informant!” instead of “Invictus.”

Best Supporting Actress
Penélope Cruz, “Nine”
Vera Farmiga, “Up in the Air”
Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”
Diane Kruger, “Inglourious Basterds”
Mo’Nique, “Precious”

Diane Kruger! Yes! Where is her costar Mélanie Laurent, though? Well, I guess she was placed on the ballot in the lead actress category. Don’t count Julianne Moore out for “A Single Man,” though, come Oscar time.

Eric Melin

Eric is the Editor-in-Chief of Scene-Stealers.com, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and contributor for The Pitch. He’s former President of the KCFCC, and drummer for The Dead Girls, Ultimate Fakebook, and Truck Stop Love . He is also the 2013 Air Guitar World Champion Mean Melin, ranked 4th best of all-time. Eric goes to 11. Follow him at: