Independent Spirit Awards

Now that the Golden Globes has flopped and the Academy Awards are in jeopardy, the Screen Actors Guild and Film Independent Spirit awards shows have a chance to shine this year. Both shows—the proverbial bridesmaids—have been granted waivers from the Writers Guild of America, so the stars are expected to show up in their designer finest. What else are they going to do with those red carpet gems they've been hording all year?  read more »

Okay, so maybe not all of us understood Todd Haynes' quirky tribute to Bob Dylan I'm Not There (The Observer's Andrew Sarris: "I confess. I was bored and confused most of the time"), but his "unique vision" is just what makes it an indie movie. That's why Mr. Haynes movie the pack of indie movies with four nominations and one honorary award for the 22nd annual Film Independent's Spirit Awards. I'm Not There nabbed nods for best feature, director, supporting male for Marcus Carl Franklin and supporting actress for Cate Blanchett, as well as the inaugural Robert Altman Award, which honors a film's director, casting director and ensemble cast.

As predicted Julian Schnabel's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Sarris: Conscious life itself, even at its most extremely limited parameters, has never been so richly ennobled on the screen as it is here.) and Jason Reitman's Juno (one of Sara Vilkomerson's Nine for November and December) each picked up four nominations, including best picture and director. Tamara Jenkins' The Savages also nabbed four nominations, including best screenplay and best male lead for Philip Seymour Hoffman. We're excited for that one!

Zach Braff and Lisa Kudrow announced the nominees Tuesday morning from the Sofitel Hotel in Los Angeles this morning.

Winners will be announced on Feb. 23, the day before the Academy Awards.

Full list of nominees after the jump.

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