Jump For Joy

The announcement of yesterday's Oscar nominations brought forth ebullient - yet naturally modest - reactions from the nominees as potential winners gushed shamelessly at being picked for this year's running. "I am honored to receive these nominations. Working on Gosford Park, was a joy and a delight thanks to the glorious cast," glowed Best Director favourite, Robert Altman. "To be recognized by the Academy makes it all the sweeter." Also vying for the award, Lord of The Rings director Peter Jackson had stayed up with friends and crewmembers from the film, playing boardgames until the list was finally read out. "I never want to expect something or take anything for granted," Best Actress nominee Sissy Spacek told Variety. But what did she do when hopes were finally confirmed? "I called Marisa [Tomei] and we shared a few minutes of quality squealing time." Tomei, also ecstatic at her nomination, then ran over to see her neighbour, whose documentary Artists and Orphans, a True Drama, also received a nod. "It's uncanny. Sharon and I live on the same floor, two doors apart, so we are celebrating together!" Nicole Kidman, who surprised many by receiving her nomination for Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge rather than The Others, was on the Dogville set in Sweden with Lars Von Trier when the nominations went out. "One of the crew came and held up a little sign, behind the camera, right after we'd finished," she told Ananova. "I've never been nominated before and I am so, so thrilled." Halle Berry, who had been up wrapping Valentine's day presents when she heard the news, was slightly more serious, emphasising the significance of her nomination. "Women of colour are not often recognized, and I still do not know if I will live to see the day that a black woman wins the leading actress Oscar, but this is a good step in the right direction." "Oscar is one of the few awards where the nomination itself is a victory," said Ali star and Best Actor nominee Will Smith. "Win or lose, I still get to hear the words 'Oscar nominee' in front if my name for the next few weeks. That, in itself, is surreal." But, having been twice nominated before, Iris supporting actress Kate Winslet remained pleasantly level-headed about the news. "My agent called and said, 'here we go again.'"