I think it's despicable how Angelina Jolie wasn't nominated for an oscar for her performance in "A Mighty Heart." It was so moving and believable and the Academy is jusn't hesitant to give young and pretty actors/actresses credit.

Autumn Alston, charlotte, north carolina

I think this is one of the best years we've had in a very long time for outstanding films and actors. Whatever wins will have done so against very good competition.

Gary Holbrook , Golden, Colo. USA

Gary Holbrook, Golden, USA/Colorado

Scatter shot comments here since so many people already have made great observations. The Academy Awards are not exempt from politics, as any ninny will tell you and after a while American chauvinism also kicks in, though they still usually honor the best of the UK. That said, 7 nominations for Atonement aren't so shabby, and there are only so many nominations to go around.

Personally, I felt Julie Taymor's Across the Universe deserved a nomination for Art Direction at the very least, but currently it it is au currant to pretend that the next worst thing to Asama Bin Laden was the 60's, which apparently opened up a moral sewer (as opposed to the high-handed government corruption of Nixon, for example). It was a gorgeous film.

Sean Penn has also been ignored this year, as well as Brad Pitt, and many other fine film artists who received nods from the Golden Globes, Sag Awards, etc.

Thems the breaks. Consider how fortunate to have a viable film career at all; that's a reward.

Elan Durham, Santa Monica, CA/USA

As a Canadian, I am thrilled for Sarah Polley, nominated for Adapted Screenplay and I hope that Julie Christie is honoured for her role in Away From Her. Anyone who has seen the film will acknowledge that Gorson Pinsent should have been nominated for a Best Actor award. He is an actor of such subtle genious and modest generosity to co-workers, a true icon of Canadian film and stage, he has said that there was only a limited amount of money to campaign for Oscar recognition and that he was happy that it went to Ms. Christie.
We should all recognise the importance of studio campaigns to get their movies and actors recognised. The Oscars are not a dispassionate appraisal of greatness, they are the result of media and advertising to influence the members of the Accademy. Every so often they get it right, but it is an award of little substance, this year's winner is forgotten within a year or two. But remember Sarah Polley, she is a creative being that has knowledge beyond her years.

Charlotte Naylor, Acton, Canada

At least Johnny Depp was nominated for his role as Sweeney Todd. He deserves and Oscar for his amazing performance.

Mary, Orlando,

Mr Christopher

In your review of Sweeney Todd you state "the boat slips under a spooky London Bridge"

Opps - that bridge with large towers is called TOWER BRIDGE.

Barry Green, Cheam Sutton, UK

Pitt's and Afflecks performance in "The Assassination of Jesse James" Should have got a nomination in Best Actor. I totally agree with that. But if the film didn't receive nominations for the stunning cinematography, lighting, and sound. then there is no Justice!

Best Foreign Film? What about 'The Science Of Sleep'? Or does "Control' or "This is England' qualify?

Don Ash, Wolverhampton, UK

For best foreign film I would nominate Fatih Akim's Die Andere Seite (on the other side). As with Akim's other films, this too was perceptive, clever and topical. But haven't even seen it mentioned. Nowhere. As for Atonement I saw it yesterday and was disappointed and unmoved...yet again a British period piece.

Lucy O'Sullivan, Brussels,

Why don't you talk about Marion Cotillard's Performance?

Alvin, Frankfurt, Germany

As "Chief Film Critic " you might, MIGHT want to highlight that Atonement is in the running for SEVEN oscars!

In any other country (America included) this would be an almighty achievement in itself. Why are you downplaying this huge success?

Is it because you are unlikely to interview those who might win what you consider minor Oscars?

Seriously, get a life. And tell us the truth.

Paul, Sandy, United Kingdom

She can obviously act better than you though! Um, the word 'jealousy' comes to mind.

dominic Stockford, Teddington, UK

The Academy gave Blanchett a nomination for Elizabeth, did they even watch the movie? because if they did they will realise that her performance should be taken as what we see as camp or in the panto. They should give the movie a nom for costume and that would have been enough. Hopefully, she joins the ranks of those with double noms who go home empty handed!

And where is the love for Margot At The Wedding, one of the few movies about women that delivered outstanding performances from its cast especially Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh?

Did they forget about Into The Wild? Why couldn't they have given Emile Hirsch the nomination that they gifted Clooney?

Sally, London, UK

I am shocked that AMERICAN GANGSTER nor Denzel Wahington and Russell Crowe get nominations.

For me an avid movie goer it is the best movie I have seen for a long time.

Colin Gatenby

Bali,Indonesia

colin gatenby, gianyar,bali, indonesia

Hi Mr. Christopher.

I am American and I find your comments "spot on"! It doesn't help either that the Academy is having a hard time with films that appeal to women.

But this 'backlash' of British works bodes of a backlash for all the successes of the past years. The pendulum swings. Hopefully everyone can just get on with it and make good movies whilst Hollywood continues to wallow in their envy.

Cheers;-)

SickOfCritics, Los Angeles, CA, USA

How can anyone say Keira Knightley cannot act...did you not see Pride & Prejudice? She was exceptional in that movie and it was a disgrace that she was not nominated for a Bafta (at least she was nominated as Best Actress for her role as Lizzy by the Academy, so clearly people do feel she can act!). I thought Joe Wright should have been nominated for Best Director (in place of Juno's director most definately) but I loved what he did with P&P much better. As for James McAvoy? Maybe his part wasn't big enough in Atonement to be nominated but I predict great things are in store for him, he is a brilliant actor. He can act by basically saying nothing, he is a natural and I'm very excited to see what both he and Keira will continue to do with their careers. Of all the actors in Atonement, I think it was James who carried the film.

Nikita, NY, USA

"There is nothing remotely even-handed about these Oscar nominations. Frankly there never is."

indeed. they have even less credibility as an indicator of merit than film critics. why would anyone take them seriously?

jem, london, uk

I must agree with Guy from London to some degree. I don't know if the British film industry has been over-represented but for Mr. Christopher to infer that there has been some slight is a little foolish. The praise from this side of the Atlantic is genuine though, not patronizing. Americans have traditionally had a real affinity for all of the UK's arts, music, theater, film and literature. The real problem with the Oscars and all other entertainment awards is the political connection. Today's nominations and awards are based more on the political message in the film or the political affiliation of the actor or director. This is blatantly obvious and has greatly detracted from the integrity of the whole process.

Steven C., New Jersey, USA

At last, the folk handing out the nominations have realised that Keira Knightly cannot act. The young lady needs to learn to close that open mouth and take on a few more expressions other than to look totally gormless. She has obviously been told that to look vacant is enough, but, when she comes up against the likes of Julie Christie the talent gap is too big to ignore.

Jenni B, Birmingham, UK

The Golden Globes should be renamed the British Globes.
Year in and year out anyone or anything that has even a remote tie tot he Brits is overly rewarded with an award.

Atonement, PLEASE, even the divinely beautiful Ms. Knightley couldn't save this from being the biggest YAWN of the year.

randall thomas, West Mifflin, USA/PA

I get the sense that some people (the author of this article included) think there should be some kind of quota system for British films when Oscar nominations are considered. Surely the nominees should be selected on merit alone? And I think they are - as the absence of Atonement this year testifies (a film which was beautifully shot but wholly unfulfilling).

As one commentator has already stated, we are in fact over-represented at the Oscars. In fact, I always found Hollywood's praise of our film industry strangely patronising, like adults praising a mediocre painting because it was produced by an eleven year old...

Guy, London,

On the contrary - the Americans ALWAYS over-reward the British. Helen Mirren wins an Ocsar for the Queen - a TV movie. Atonement won the Golden Globe, despite having a self destructive third act that reduced the story to nonsense.

Year after year, the Academy over-rewards mediocre British films and film talent. Let's hear it for the Coen brothers and Paul Thomas Anderson - their films add something new to cinema.

richard block, London, UK

This article smacks of local patriotism and chauvinism.

Atonement should get an award for the Most Pretentious Film of the Year.

And to its shame, Bafta did not put the Scots Gaelic film Seachd forward for a foreign-language Academy Award.

wilson, London, UK

Why are the Academy, in your opinion, 'ageing'? A crop of new people are invited to join every year, and most of them are quite young. Last years invitees included Keira Knightley, Jake Gylenhaal and Scarlett Johanssen. Their stomachs are probably no more tender than yours, but almost certainly younger.

George Haig Brewster, Los Angeles, USA

A shockingly inadequate list of nominations. Best outcome is the continuation of the screenwriters guild strike and the effective abandonment of the oscar ceremony. Academy need fresh blood!

julian Smith, rio de Janeiro, brazil