10 Oscar nominations

Starting next year, not just 5 but 10 movies will vie for the Best Film Oscar.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences made this announcement in a press release this week.

The president of the Academy, Sid Ganis, explained: «Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going to allow Academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories, but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize.»

Cynics say the Academy has bowed to the pressure of the major studios, which will be able to use the additional nominations to market more movies and place more ads during the televised ceremonies.

Others are pleased with the initiative, using «The Dark Knight» as an example: considered as a real masterpiece by millions of fans, the Christopher Nolan movie did not make it among the 5 finalists last year, setting off waves of angry disappointment among many in cyberspace.