Oscars: November 2008 Archives

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has tapped ''Ratatouille'' composer Michael Giacchino as music director for the upcoming Oscars ceremony.

Fourteen films have been submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in hopes of securing one of the three nominations available in the best animated feature category.

The contenders are ''Bolt,'' ''Delgo,'' ''Dragon Hunters,'' ''Fly Me to the Moon,'' ''Igor,'' ''Kung Fu Panda,'' ''Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,'' ''$9.99,'' ''The Sky Crawlers,'' ''Sword of the Stranger,'' ''The Tale of Despereaux,'' ''Waltz With Bashir'' ''WALL-E'' and ''Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!''

Robert Downey Jr. stands near a life-size "Iron Man" during a news conference in Tokyo, Japan. (AP file)

First, Dave Karger, a blogger at Entertainment Weekly collected a round of early Oscar picks -- actors to watch in the upcoming race. The list includes Frank Langella as Tricky Dick in the still-to-be-released "Frost/Nixon" and Sean Penn in "Milk," opening later this month.

Then, another bunch of Oscar watchers slammed Karger for his list. ...