Nominees for the 81st annual Academy Awards were announced yesterday morning and as it turns out, three of the five films up for Oscars for "Best Picture" are just now coming to theaters in the Humboldt County hinterland.

We’re trying to decide which one to see first. Director Danny Boyle 's Slumdog Millionaire opens tonight at t he Broadway . Ron " Opie " Howard 's Frost/Nixon and Gus Van Sant 's Milk both open at the Minor . And, the other two best pic noms are still playing: Stephen Daldry 's The Reader i s at Mill Creek ; David Fincher 's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (up for 13 awards) is at Mill Creek and the Broadway. Incidentally, "Best Director" nominees correspond directly with Best Pic this time out.

You might also want to catch "Best Actor" nominee Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler , opening tonight at The Broadway. While I haven't seen the movie yet, I'll go out on a limb and predict the Mickey will win the Oscar this year, and will thank his Chihuahuas in his acceptance speech. The Academy Awards will be presented about a month from now, on Sunday, Feb. 22.