'Gladiator,' Soderbergh lead the way with Oscar nods

	GALLERY
Russell Crowe in "Gladiator"

(CNN) -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its annual Oscar nominations Tuesday morning, and when the smoke cleared, "Gladiator" and Steven Soderbergh stood tallest.

The Ridley Scott-directed "Gladiator," a return to ancient Rome and the men who fought to the death in its Colosseum, led the way in the nomination count. It garnered 12, including best picture, best director in Scott, best actor in Russell Crowe, and best supporting actor in Joaquin Phoenix.

Soderbergh, meantime, received a double dose of good news. Both of the films he released in 2000 -- the legal feel-good film "Erin Brockovich" and "Traffic," a stinging critique of U.S. and Mexican drug policies -- were nominated for best picture and best director.

Soderbergh is the first director since 1938 -- and only the third in history -- to win two best director nominations in the same year.

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The nominations were announced Tuesday morning in Los Angeles by Academy President Robert Rehme and Oscar-winning actress Kathy Bates. The 73rd Academy Awards will be held on March 25, 2001, at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium. Steve Martin will be the host. It will be televised on ABC.

While "Gladiator" topped all nominees, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was a close second with 10 Academy nominations, including best picture and best non-English language film.

"Chocolat," directed by Lasse Hallstrom, rounds out the best picture nominees.

Along with Soderbergh, best director nominations went to Steven Daldry ("Billy Elliot"), Lee ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"), and Scott ("Gladiator").

Will third time be charm for Roberts?

Julia Roberts is hoping the third time's a charm. She was nominated for a best actress Oscar for "Erin Brockovich." It's the bankable star's third nomination by the Academy, though she has yet to win. She'll contend against Joan Allen ("The Contender"), Juliette Binoche ("Chocolat"), Ellen Burstyn ("Requiem for a Dream"), and Laura Linney ("You Can Count On Me").

Best actor nominations went to Javier Bardem ("Before Night Falls"), Russell Crowe ("Gladiator"), Ed Harris ("Pollock"), Geoffrey Rush ("Quills"), and Tom Hanks ("Cast Away"). Hanks has already won two Oscars, and he's been nominated a total of five times. Rush has previously won one Oscar, for "Shine."

Best supporting actor nominations went to Willem Dafoe ("Shadow of the Vampire"), Benicio Del Toro ("Traffic"), Albert Finney ("Erin Brockovich"), Jeff Bridges ("The Contender"), and Joaquin Phoenix ("Gladiator").

Steven Soderbergh was nominated for two best director Oscars for his 2000 films "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich." Both films were also tapped in the best picture category

Nominated for best supporting actress are Judi Dench ("Chocolat"), Marcia Gay Harden ("Pollock"), Kate Hudson ("Almost Famous"), Frances McDormand ("Almost Famous"), and Julie Walters ("Billy Elliot").

Best original screenplay nominations picked by the Academy: "Almost Famous," "Billy Elliot," "Erin Brockovich," "Gladiator," and "You Can Count On Me."

The Academy's pick for best screenplay based on material previously published or produced went to "Chocolat," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "O Brother, Where Art Thou," "Traffic," and "Wonder Boys."

More than 5,000 Academy members pick the nominees in a total of 23 categories, and 242 films were eligible for consideration this year.

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The 10 best -- and 10 worst -- movies of the year
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Steven Soderbergh is busy, happy, planning next film
December 26, 2000
Tom Hanks casts a new role in latest film
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The 73rd Annual Academy Awards

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