Academy Awards (Oscars) Nominees 2014

Hanks in Captain Phillips

There always seems to be a surprise when the list of nominees comes out and the Academy Awards 2014 list is no different. Tom Hanks was completely snubbed in the Best Actor category although "Captain Phillips" is in the running for Best Picture. Also snubbed pretty much is "Saving Mr. Banks," the audience's darling film of the year.

"Nebraska," which has audiences snoozing has been nominated in several categories, including Best Picture ~ the big one. I will surprised ~ and disappointed ~ if "12 Years a Slave," doesn't take the top Oscar this year and another for the director, Steve McQueen.

Best picture 

"12 Years a Slave" 

"The Wolf of Wall Street" 

"Captain Phillips" 

"Her" 

"American Hustle" 

"Gravity" 

"Dallas Buyers Club" 

"Nebraska" 

"Philomena"

Best animated feature 

"The Wind Rises" 

"Frozen" 

"Despicable Me 2" 

"Ernest & Celestine"

"The Croods"

Best director 

Steve McQueen -- "12 Years a Slave" 

David O. Russell -- "American Hustle" 

Alfonso Cuaron -- "Gravity" 

Alexander Payne -- "Nebraska" 

Martin Scorsese -- "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Best actor 

Bruce Dern -- "Nebraska" 

Chiwetel Ejiofor -- "12 Years a Slave" 

Matthew McConaughey -- "Dallas Buyers Club" 

Leonardo DiCaprio -- "The Wolf of Wall Street" 

Christian Bale -- "American Hustle"

Best actress 

Amy Adams -- "American Hustle" 

Cate Blanchett -- "Blue Jasmine" 

Judi Dench -- "Philomena" 

Sandra Bullock -- "Gravity" 

Meryl Streep -- "August: Osage County"

Best supporting actor 

Barkhad Abdi -- "Captain Phillips" 

Bradley Cooper -- "American Hustle" 

Jonah Hill -- "The Wolf of Wall Street" 

Jared Leto -- "Dallas Buyers Club" 

Michael Fassbender -- "12 Years a Slave"

Best supporting actress 

Jennifer Lawrence -- "American Hustle" 

Lupita Nyong'o -- "12 Years a Slave" 

June Squibb -- "Nebraska" 

Julia Roberts -- "August: Osage County" 

Sally Hawkins -- "Blue Jasmine"

Best original screenplay 

"American Hustle" -- David O. Russell and Eric Warren Singer 

"Blue Jasmine" -- Woody Allen 

"Her" -- Spike Jonze 

"Nebraska" -- Bob Nelson 

"Dallas Buyers Club" -- Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack

Image: Academy Awards

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go, and Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser. Read Infused, her spirits & wine lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Review: Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary DVD

I still remember when I attempted to "fly" like Mary Poppins with my trusty Mary Poppins umbrella ~ off the shed's roof at my parent's house. I was about 9 years old, I believe.

To this day, I wonder how I made it through childhood with my adventures constantly putting me in dangerous paths. I can only assume that the dear nanny was looking out for me that windy day.

We all have films we grew up watching and revisiting them bring that warm wave of nostalgia. Walt Disney, M. L. Travers and the new film, Saving Mr. Banks, brings the Disney classic Mary Poppins, back around as well with its 50th anniversary DVD. It's no surprise that the film comes out during the 50th anniversary year. The release of the two-pack special edition gives a few things the original did not contain.

As a fan of the nanny who flies in to take care of the family in 1910, I looked forward to the release of the DVD. Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke are still enjoyable after all these years. This is a perfect example of how a movie becomes a classic. A story that spans time, values worth applying tour own lives, and extreme talent in the form of actors, lyricists, directors and choreographers, among others. The story, based on the works of P.L. Travers, is strong, flows seamlessly and stands the test of time.

The modern take on the movie consists of the other extras. The disc has a great sing-along, karaoke style for kids, bringing them into the story even more. The making of the film extra is enlightening with the behind-the-scenes-look. Blu Ray is also included in the two-pack, as well as a code so you can watch it on a smartphone.

Special commentary, interviews and conversations with and between costars, and song creators make the DVD a fun way to find out about the making of the movie. Deleted scenes are included, and it is digitally restored.

Bottom Line: Bringing Mary Poppins out of the vault to share with the nest generation can only be described as a scrumpdilicious idea.

For more information on the 50th anniversary edition, visit Disney.com.
Images: Disney

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Read Infused, a spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com Gotta Go is published at www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Elizabeth writes food and dining magazine columns: Destination Dining and Cork & Fork. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.