Solitude and Hope: Y'all Come Visit!

Cowboy romantic bonding, a gay author biopic and the often humorous story of a transsexual woman all captured Oscar nominations Tuesday. "Brokeback Mountain" led the Academy Awards field Tuesday with eight nominations, among them best picture and honors for actor Heath Ledger and director Ang Lee. "We didn't make the film for any kind of political movement, Ledger told the Associated Press following the nomination announcement. " We never expected to change people's minds but if it does affect people's hearts, if perceptions can get altered, that's a good thing."

"Capote", the story of gay author Truman Capote while he was writing his classic "In Cold Blood" was also nominated for best picture along with "Crash," "Good Night, and Good Luck," "Munich."

"Capote" star Philip Seymour Hoffman joined Ledger in a best actor nomination, along with Terrence Howard, "Hustle & Flow"; Joaquin Phoenix, "Walk the Line"; and David Strathairn, "Good Night, and Good Luck." Hoffman has already won a Golden Globe for best actor for "Capote".

Felicity Huffman, who stars as a pre-op transsexual in "Transamerica" was nominated for best actress. Huffman has already won the Golden Globe award for best dramatic actress for "Transamerica". Also receiving nominations in the category are Judi Dench, "Mrs. Henderson Presents"; Keira Knightley, "Pride & Prejudice"; Charlize Theron, "North Country"; and Reese Witherspoon, "Walk the Line."


Jake Gyllenhaal, who stars with Ledger in "Brokeback Mountain" got a nod in the supporting actor category. Also named were George Clooney, "Syriana"; Matt Dillon, "Crash"; Paul Giamatti, "Cinderella Man"; and William Hurt, "A History of Violence."
Brokeback's Michelle Williams was nominated best supporting actress. She joins Amy Adams, "Junebug"; Catherine Keener, "Capote"; Frances McDormand, "North Country"; and Rachel Weisz, "The Constant Gardener".

For best director it was Ang Lee for "Brokeback Mountain" and Bennett Miller for "Capote". They're competing against Paul Haggis, "Crash"; George Clooney, "Good Night, and Good Luck."; and Steven Spielberg, "Munich." Lee has already picked up best director awards for Brokeback at the Directors Guild and the Golden Globes.

Brokeback, Capote and Munich also received nominations for best adapted screenplays. Nods went to Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana for Brokeback, Dan Futterman for Capote, and to Tony Kushner and Eric Roth, "Munich." Kushner is best remembered for his award winning "Angeles in America". Brokeback also got nominations for best original score.

The Oscar winners will be announced at the March 5th award ceremony in Hollywood.