2012 Oscar Nominations Announced

The 2012 Oscar nominations were announced early Tuesday and critics have already begun predicting winners.

In the male categories, Brad Pitt's "Money Ball" scored two Oscar nods in separate categories and is tipped to win in at least one.

Best Actor in a leading role:
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"
Damien Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy".

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Best Actor in a supporting role:
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warriors"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Max von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close".

Brad Pitt, who many are tipping is likely to win, spoke directly with the Today show after the announcement and said, "we're ecstatic" when asked about his nomination.

In the female categories, producer Chris Columbus' "The Help" leads with the most nominations receiving three nods in two categories.

Best Actress in a leading role:
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo".

Best Actress in a supporting role:
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs".

Although critics have predicted "The Help" will take home at least one award, Michelle Williams has already been tipped as Best Actress for her portrayal as the legendary Marilyn Monroe in David Parfitt's "My Week With Marilyn".

Best Picture:
Brad Pitt, Michael De Luca and Rachael Horovitz's "Moneyball"
Chris Columbus, Brunson Green and Michael Barnathan's "The Help"
Thomas Langmann's "The Artist"
Scott Rudin's "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor's "The Descendants"
Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy's "War Horse"
Graham King, Timothy Headington, Martin Scorsese and actor Johnny Depp's "Hugo"
Letty Aronson, Jaume Roures, and Stephen Tenenbaum's "Midnight in Paris"

The 84th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on Feb 26, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.