Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences president Cheryl Boone Isaacs and A-list star of Thor, Chris Hemsworth, announced the nominees for the 2014 Academy Awards Thursday, January 16, live from Beverly Hills, California.
First up was the reveal of the nominees for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role,” where the younger faces of Hollywood stole the spotlight. Captain Phillips actor Barkhad Abdi was as surprised as the rest of his competitors in the industry when he discovered his nomination for the Academy Award. Previously a Minnesota limousine driver, Abdi answered a call for an audition alongside Tom Hanks for this film, and never imagined being nominated for one of the most coveted awards in media history.
“I’m really humbled and honored and really happy about the nomination. I still cannot comprehend it fully,” Abdi said, according to USA Today.
Bradley Cooper, who plays Richie Dimaso in American Hustle, was additionally nominated in this category, marking his second time in the Oscar pool. Also making his second appearance on the nominations list was 30-year-old Jonah Hill, who earned the spot for his role, alongside “Best Actor” nominee, Leonardo DiCaprio, in The Wolf of Wall Street. Hollywood heartthrobs Michael Fassbender and Jared Leto were also nominated for their respective roles in 12 Years a Slave and Dallas Buyers Club. Leto won the Golden Globe for his role in Dallas Buyers Club and some critics believe that he may have a chance to win again March 2.
When Hemsworth announced the nominations for “Best Actress in a Leading Role,” the crowd erupted into anticipatory whispers. The most nominated actress of all time, Meryl Streep, added the eighteenth nod to her collection for her role in August: Osage County.
Streep goes head-to-head for the award with another legendary actress, 79-year-old Judi Dench, who was selected for her role in Philomena.  This film was also nominated for “Best Picture.” Nevertheless, according to www.independent.co.uk, critics favor Cate Blanchett for the award. Her role in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine has already won her the Golden Globe for the category.
Among the various A-list stars, Sandra Bullock and Amy Adams are also up for the award this year for their respective roles in Gravity and American Hustle. These two leading ladies’ gripping performances had moviegoers and the Academy board voters hooked.
Also nominated for American Hustle are previous Academy Award winners Jennifer Lawrence, for “Best Supporting Actress,”  and Christian Bale, for  “Best Actor in a Motion Picture.”
This year marks 23-year-old Lawrence’s third nomination. She already won an Oscar for her role in Silver Linings Playbook last year. Lawrence competes with 86-year-old June Squibb, A-lister Julia Roberts, Sally Hawkins and Lupita Nyong’o for the award.
“I am really excited for the Oscars. I really hope that Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio win. That would be amazing,” Convent of the Sacred Heart junior Lily Pillari said.
Along with Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Dern, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Matthew McConaughey are also nominated for “Best Actor in a Leading Role.” DiCaprio’s fourth nomination has received significant attention. Although DiCaprio has yet to win an Academy Award, his win at the Golden Globes this year has the media speculating that he will take home an esteemed gold statue.
“DiCaprio also won the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, at the Golden Globes this year, always a good sign that good things are to come at the Oscars,” according to www.contactmusic.com.
Chiwetel Ejiofor, who played the protagonist of 12 Years a Slave, also caught the media’s attention after his nomination.

“I am hugely grateful to the Academy for this great honor, and, of course, to Solomon Northup for sharing his story through his breathtaking book,” Ejiofor said in an interview with ABC News.
12 Years a Slave, Ejiofor’s breakout film, was also nominated for “Best Picture.”  Critics report a tight race for “Best Picture” among American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave and Gravity. Alfonso Cuaron, director of Gravity, won the Golden Globe for “Best Director,” but his film fell short in the “Best Motion Picture, Drama” category to 12 Years a Slave.  Also nominated for “Best Picture” are Dallas Buyers Club, Captain Phillips, Her, Nebraska and Philomena.  The Wolf of Wall Street makes an appearance in the category as well as in multiple others, including “Best Director” for Martin Scorsese.
Although critics attempt to predict the winners of the 2014, it will be a close battle for the Academy Awards. The Oscars will be hosted by Ellen Degeneres March 2, 2014.
– Sarah Jackmauh, Co-Features Editor

Sources:
Oscars: Nominees Announced for Academy Awards | TIME.com http://entertainment.time.com/2014/01/16/live-the-oscars-2014-nominations/#ixzz2qcCGVQ7O
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/01/16/barkhad-abdi-oscar-nomination-reaction/4517565/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/16/oscar-nominations-2014_n_4589577.html
http://entertainment.time.com/2014/01/16/live-the-oscars-2014-nominations/#ixzz2qcCGVQ7O
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/01/16/barkhad-abdi-oscar-nomination-reaction/4517565/
http://www.contactmusic.com/article/is-this-the-year-leonardo-dicaprio-will-finally-win-an-oscar_4027307
http://entertainment.time.com/2014/01/16/live-the-oscars-2014-nominations/?iid=ent-article-mostpop1
http://oscar.go.com/nominees
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/oscars-2014-nominations-12-years-a-slave-and-philomena-win-nods-in-strong-year-for-british-film-9064597.html
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000658/awards
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/amy-adams-chiwetel-ejiofor-react-oscar-nominations/story?id=21557366