18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Award Nominations Announced

Though the Oscar remains the biggest award in Hollywood, Oscar watchers know to keep an eye on guild and critics' circle awards to see which pics are building the most buzz. This morning saw the announcement of the nominations for the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, with the winners to be announced in a ceremony Sunday, January 29.

Whatever you thought of the racial politics of The Help, it was tough to deny the incredible acting on display, and the cast has duly been rewarded with four nominations — the most of any motion picture this year. The Artist came in second, with three nominations. I was also very happy to Bridesmaids get a couple of nominations, as comedies of that sort usually get overlooked come awards season. All three are up for Outstanding Performance by a Cast, as were The Descendants and Midnight in Paris.

Notable omissions this year include Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Shame. So maybe this won't be the year Gary Oldman finally gets his Oscar after all. Or the year the Academy finally embraces NC-17.

But enough talking from me — read the full list of nominees after the jump.

Demián Bichir, A Better Life

George Clooney, The Descendants

Leonardo DiCaprio, J. Edgar

Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Brad Pitt, Moneyball

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs

Viola Davis, The Help

Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin

Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn

Armie Hammer, J. Edgar

Jonah Hill, Moneyball

Nick Nolte, Warrior

Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Bérénice Bejo, The Artist

Jessica Chastain, The Help

Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids

Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs

Octavia Spencer, The Help

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureThe ArtistBridesmaidsThe DescendantsThe HelpMidnight in ParisPrimetime Television NominationsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood

Paul Giamatti, Too Big To Fail

Greg Kinnear, The Kennedys

Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce

James Woods, Too Big To Fail

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Diane Lane, Cinema Verite

Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

Emily Watson, Appropriate Adult

Betty White, Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Lost Valentine

Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

Patrick J. Adams, Suits

Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire

Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Michael C. Hall, Dexter

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

Kathy Bates, Harry's Law

Glenn Close, Damages

Jessica Lange, American Horror Story

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Ty Burrell, Modern Family

Steve Carell, The Office

John Cryer, Two and a Half Men

Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Julie Bowen, Modern Family

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie

Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesBoardwalk EmpireBreaking BadDexterGame of ThronesThe Good WifeOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series30 RockThe Big Bang TheoryGleeModern FamilyThe OfficeStunt Ensemble NominationsOutstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion PictureThe Adjustment Bureau

Cowboys & Aliens

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

X-Men: First Class

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television SeriesDexter

Game of Thrones

Southland

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

True Blood

Screen Actors Guild Awards 48th Annual Life Achievement Award

Mary Tyler Moore