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Gire: Oscar gets it right this time

No huge surprises or bombshells with the announcements of the 88th annual Academy Award nominations Thursday morning.

In fact, the nominations were ho-humly predictable.

Every year or so, a major director gets left off the Oscar list even though his or her movie snags a nod for best picture.

This year, Ridley Scott was that major director, snubbed by Academy voters even though his movie, "The Martian," received nominations for picture, actor, production design and sound mixing.

Not unexpectedly, the racial mix of top nominees is 50 shades of white, with no minority talent securing nods for their performances or work behind the cameras (save for Alejandro G. Inarritu, Mexican director of "The Revenant"). The strongest candidates - Michael B. Jordan for his performance as "Creed," Will Smith in "Concussion" and Idris Elba in "Beasts of No Nation" - were ignored, as was "Creed" director Ryan Coogler.

No shock. The biggest movie of 2015, "Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens," picked up none of the major categories. (The original "Star Wars" was nominated for best picture.) But it did get five anticipated nods in technical categories, including editing, sound and visual effects. Elmhurst native Gary Rydstrom, who did work on sound for "Star Wars," won't be among the names called if the movie wins in that category. He is, however, nominated for sound mixing on "Bridge of Spies."

All in all, this year's Oscars slate is a rock-solid one. There isn't a single undeserving nominee. (Disclaimer: I have not seen all nominees in foreign and animated categories or the film shorts.)

Inarritu's survival tale "The Revenant" leads with 12 nods, among them best picture, director, actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) and supporting actor (Tom Hardy).

George Miller's apocalyptic thriller "Mad Max: Fury Road" followed with 10 nods, including best picture and director.

The 88th annual Academy Awards will be presented live on ABC-TV on Feb. 28 with returning host Chris Rock.

"The Revenant" lead the pack with 12 Oscar nominations, including one for star Leonardo DiCaprio.
Sylvester Stallone received a best supporting actor Oscar nod for returning to the role of Rocky Balboa in "Creed."
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