Oscar Nominations 2012 List
The nominations for the 2012 Academy Awards were released Tuesday. While many of the Oscar nominations were expected, the Academy surprised critics and fans with certain nominations and with other snubs. Who do you think will win the Oscar for "Best Picture," "Best Actor" and "Best Actress?" REUTERS

Oscar Nominations - the 2012 Announcement Date. The List's snubs and shockers including Extremely Loud and Tree of Life up for best picture. (REUTERS)

1. Best Picture: ''The Artist,'' ''The Descendants,'' ''Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,'' ''The Help,'' ''Hugo,'' ''Midnight in Paris,'' ''Moneyball,'' ''The Tree of Life,'' ''War Horse.''

Shockers/Snubs:

-Terrence Malick's Tree of Life -- snubbed at the Golden Globes -- got a second wind with Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Director, and Cinematography.

-After receiving very mixed reviews (and a 48% on Rotten Tomatoes), Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close found its way on the nominations list.

-Golden Globe Best Picture nominees The Ides of March, 50/50, My Week With Marilyn, and Bridesmaids were snubbed by the Academy.

-Fan favorite Drive was left off the awards list.

2. Actor: Demián Bichir, ''A Better Life''; George Clooney, ''The Descendants''; Jean Dujardin, ''The Artist''; Gary Oldman, ''Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy''; Brad Pitt, ''Moneyball.''

Shockers/Snubs:

-Underdog Demián Bichir of the little-watched A Better Life was recognized for his understated performance as a gardener in East L.A.

-Favorites like Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar), Ryan Gosling (The Ides of March), Michael Fassbender (Shame) and Owen Wilson (Midnight in Paris) were left off the list.

3. Actress: Glenn Close, ''Albert Nobbs''; Viola Davis, ''The Help''; Rooney Mara, ''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo''; Meryl Streep, ''The Iron Lady''; Michelle Williams, ''My Week with Marilyn.''

Shockers/Snubs:

-Though she's topped Best Actress lists in Europe and across the globe, Tilda Swinton did not get recognition for her tour-de-force performance in We Need to Talk About Kevin.

-Newcomer Rooney Mara edged out stiff competition like Charlize Theron (Young Adult) and the cast of Carnage to make the list.

-Fan favorite Kristen Wiig did not make the cut for her comical turn in the summer blockbuster Bridesmaids.

4. Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh, ''My Week with Marilyn''; Jonah Hill, ''Moneyball''; Nick Nolte, ''Warrior''; Christopher Plummer, ''Beginners''; Max von Sydow, ''Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.''

Shockers/Snubs:

-With very little Oscar buzz, Max von Sydow slipped onto the list for Extremely Loud.

-Armie Hammer (J. Edgar), Albert Brooks (Drive), and Viggo Mortesen (A Dangerous Method) were all nominated for other awards this season but did not get an Oscar nod.

5. Supporting Actress: Berenice Bejo, ''The Artist''; Jessica Chastain, ''The Help''; Melissa McCarthy, ''Bridesmaids''; Janet McTeer, ''Albert Nobbs''; Octavia Spencer, '' The Help.''

Shockers/Snubs:

-There was just one shocker in this predictable list: Shailene Woodley went unrecognized for her breakthrough performance in The Descendants.

6. Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, ''The Artist''; Alexander Payne, ''The Descendants''; Martin Scorsese, ''Hugo''; Woody Allen, ''Midnight in Paris''; Terrence Malick, ''The Tree of Life.''

Shockers/Snubs:

-The Best Directing Category always seems to feature the industry's biggest characters (i.e. Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Terrence Malick). This list is no exception. Notably missing from the list, however, is George Clooney (The Ides of March).

7. Foreign Language Film: ''Bullhead,'' Belgium; ''Footnote,'' Israel; ''In Darkness,'' Poland; ''Monsieur Lazhar,'' Canada; ''A Separation,'' Iran.

Shockers/Snubs:

-Last week, the Academy revealed the nine films shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Those that didn't make the cut include Superclasico - Denmark; Omar Killed Me - Moroco; and Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale - Taiwan.

-Wim Wenders' Pina was also shortlisted for the category but was instead nominated for Best Documentary.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, ''The Descendants''; John Logan, ''Hugo''; George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon, ''The Ides of March''; Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin and Stan Chervin, ''Moneyball''; Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan, ''Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.''

Shockers/Snubs:

-Major snubs include The Help, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and We Need to Talk about Kevin.

9. Original Screenplay: Michel Hazanavicius, ''The Artist''; Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, ''Bridesmaids''; J.C. Chandor, ''Margin Call''; Woody Allen, ''Midnight in Paris''; Asghar Farhadi, ''A Separation.''

Shockers/Snubs:

-It's rare to see a foreign language film in the Original Screenplay category, but the critically-lauded Iranian film A Separation won over critics with its powerful exploration of the meaning of family.

-A silent film as Best Original Screenplay? Don't be too shocked. The Artist made it on over a dozen other Best Original Screenplay lists this year.

10. Documentary Feature: ''Hell and Back Again,'' ''If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front,'' ''Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory,'' ''Pina,'' ''Undefeated.''

Shockers/Snubs:

-Previous Oscar winner James Marsh (Man on Wire) did not get nominated for Project Nim.

-The cinematic profile of a noted veteran New York City fashion photographer Bill Cunningham New York also went unrecognized by the Oscars.

What do you think about the 2012 Oscar nominations? Do you agree with the list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!