Oscar nods overlook 'Fahrenheit 9/11'

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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, challenging conventional notions of Tinseltown as a knee-jerk liberal monolith, snubbed "Fahrenheit 9/11," Michael Moore's hostile documentary on President Bush, in this year's Oscar nominations, which were announced yesterday in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Mel Gibson's visceral re-enactment of the Crucifixion, "The Passion of the Christ," earned just three nominations in minor categories, including best cinematography. The independently released feature had stunned the film world with its breakout worldwide box office success.

In the major Oscar categories, there were fewer surprises.

Three biographical features -- "The Aviator," "Finding Neverland" and "Ray" -- were nominated for best picture, along with director Alexander Payne's unsentimental buddy movie "Sideways" and the boxing tear-jerker "Million Dollar Baby."

"The Aviator," which recalls the youthful Howard Hughes, led all contenders with 11 nominations, including director Martin Scorsese and cast members Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett and Alan Alda.

"Finding Neverland," starring Johnny Depp as author James M. Barrie at the time he wrote "Peter Pan," and "Million Dollar Baby," directed by and co-starring Clint Eastwood, shared the runner-up spot with seven nominations each.

A finalist for best direction, a category he won in 1992 for "Unforgiven," Mr. Eastwood also placed himself and two other cast members, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman, in the acting races.

Perhaps overreaching in the wake of a Cannes Film Festival grand prize and the phenomenal summertime success of "Fahrenheit 9/11," Mr. Moore declined to submit the paperwork that would have made the film eligible as best documentary feature.

He had won the category two years ago for "Bowling for Columbine" and used his acceptance speech to berate the president soon after American troops invaded Iraq.

While spurning a likely nomination for best documentary, Mr. Moore waged a fruitless campaign to land "Fahrenheit" a best picture nod.