Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Penelope Cruz: Oscar Nominations Are In

The “What to Wear?” Frenzy Officially Begins

As DC recovers from its inaugural hangover (both literally and figuratively), celebs flock back to Hollywood to get ready for the next big party of the year—the Oscars.

Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Angelina Jolie (The Changeling) could pick up his and hers golden statutes.  Both nabbed nominations for their respective lead roles during the 81st Academy Awards nomination ceremony in Los Angeles.  Angelina goes up against Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married, Melissa Leo for Frozen River, Meryl Streep for Doubt (her 15^th), and Kate Winslet for The Reader.

Pitt’s flick, which seems to mirror Demi Moore’s real-life reverse aging process, leads the pack with 13 total nominations.  Slumdog Millionaire is next with 10, while The Dark Knight and Milk racked up eight each. The late Heath Ledger also scored a supporting actor nod for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight on the one-year anniversary of his death (chilling), otherwise the movie was shut out of the top noms.

While it’s nice to be nominated, what to wear is almost more important.  The announcement kicks off a month-long sprint for stylists to pillage Barneys and boutiques to find just the right red carpet moment looks. Bananas!

ShoeMinx predicts color, blues and lemongrass (the new black), will liven up the promenade and one-shoulder gowns will be en vogue. And don’t be surprised to see a dress or two from newly minted fashion darlings, Isobel Toledo and Jason Wu pop up.  Everyone wants to hang with the cool kids in town.

Angelina has been playing it fast and loose lately with her look.  Well, for her at least.  The occasional non-black ensemble here, an asymmetrical hairstyle there . . . who knows, maybe she’ll eventually wear an actual color.

Amy Adams (Doubt) and Penelope Cruz (Vicki Christina Barcelona), will be battling it out for the top spot in the best supporting actress category.  And there may be competition for some of the same dresses; both actresses have the same stylist, though Amy might have a lock on every black dress in town that’s not already hanging in Angelina’s closet.

Rachel Zoe will be cultivating Anne Hathaway’s Oscar night look for the second year in a row.  Expect to see her in a state of frenzy in the front rows at Fashion Week.  Boo, if only the second season of  The Rachel Zoe Project was on for a sneak-peek at the selections!

There’s a twist to this year’s telecast.  Producers are keeping the names of the presenters under wraps, well trying to at least.  Reportedly calls have gone out to Keira Knightley, Kate Beckinsale, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristen Stewart, and Jennifer Aniston.  If the thought of some sweet gowns isn’t enough to pull you in to cozy up to the TV machine, how about the utterly devilish, yet delicious, thought of pairing Jennifer up to present to the cuckolding couple, Bradgelina?  Ratings blitzkrieg!

The awards will be handed out Feb. 22 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by master of ceremonies, X-Man series star Hugh Jackman.

Read the complete list of Oscar nominations here.

Jimmy Choo has been the “Sole Man” of late, getting priceless promo on famous peds from the Golden Globes to DC’s inaugural balls. But will JC continue to be the man or will Rene Caovilla step up on Hollywood’s Night of Nights?