'Iron' perf proves Streep's mettle

StreepWith her Oscar win for "The Iron Lady," Meryl Streep has joined a decidedly elite club, becoming only the fifth actor to win three Oscars. Katharine Hepburn won four, and Walter Brennan, Ingrid Bergman and Jack Nicholson have three apiece. Streep appeared stunned when her named was called Sunday. Viola Davis had been viewed by many as the likely winner for "The Help." "When I heard my name, I could hear half of America going, 'Oh, no! Not again! Her!' But whatever!" Streep said from the stage. Strep thanked her longtime makeup artist J. Roy Helland, who won the makeup Oscar with Mark Coulier for "The Iron Lady," and then got a large laugh by saying, "I'm never going to be up here again!" Streep received her first Oscar nom for "The Deer Hunter" and won her first Oscar a year later for "Kramer vs. Kramer." She was nominated in 1981 for "The French Lieutenant's Woman," then won the next year for "Sophie's Choice." Streep then racked up a dozen more nominations over the next three decades without winning before taking the trophy Sunday for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady," both as a retiree beset by senility and as formidable politician who peaked with the 1982 Falklands war against Argentina. The 17 Oscar nods for Streep, 62, are the most any performer has been nominated by the Academy, including "Silkwood," "Out of Africa," "A Cry in the Dark," "The Bridges of Madison County," "Adaptation," "The Manchurian Candidate" and "The Devil Wears Prada." She received her 16th nom in 2009 for "Julie & Julia." Besides Davis, Streep bested Glenn Close for "Albert Nobbs," Rooney Mara for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" and Michelle Williams for "My Week With Marilyn." Streep had won her eighth Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award earlier. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Jason Bateman and Wife Welcome Second Daughter

The autumn TV months are materializing. Systems have purchased a large number of new aircraft pilots starring familiar faces including Zachary Levi, Mindy Kaling, Mandy Moore and Sarah Silverman, and from proven producers like Josh Schwartz, J.J. Abrams, Greg Berlanti and Kevin Williamson. Also creating a comeback this season: Legendary figures including Eco-friendly Arrow, Barbara Bradshaw, A Virtual Detective and sweetness and also the Animal. To keep an eye on who's doing what, read our complete list of all of the series projects in contention and appearance back for updates on their own status. Listed here are the NBC aircraft pilots: (Get more information at ABC, CBS, CW and Fox.) Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Andrea ParkerFrances ConroyJames MurrayMandy MooreSarah SilvermanKevin WilliamsonGreg BerlantiJud TaylorMegalyn EchikunwokeZachary LeviJ.J. AbramsJohn WellsJosh SchwartzMadisen BeatyShamelessAmerican Horror StoryMADtvNancy PimentalMichael McDonaldMindy KalingPatrick Heusinger

Nominees to find the best animated film

"The Kitty in Paris"Why it'll win: Directed by Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli, this charming French mystery thriller starring a simple-fingered cat, somewhat girl as well as the photogenic back pathways and roofs of Paris might be another surprise wildcard inside the nominations. Specific squarely at kids, the 2D toon notifies the story of seven-year-old Zoe who discovers that her cat is moonlighting since the real factor -- the kitty crook who helps a close crook steal within the wealthy. Which is Oscar chances got a good start due to its Annie and European Film Award noms.Not: Despite the fact that animation is rather as well as the jazzy score effective, rapid feature (only 65 minutes) ultimately feels somewhat lightweight for grownups. And A Pair Of cat-centric films may be one lots of for Oscar voters -- especially fans of "Tintin"'s Snowy who's lately been started the podium having a lizard together with a panda."Chico & Rita"Why it'll win: Every year that's snubbed some high-profile projects -- including "Cars 2" (which causes it to be the initial Pixar film to not be nommed since the category was created 10 years ago), "The Adventures of Tintin," "Rio," "Arthur Christmas" and "Happy Foot 2," the The the spanish language language film "Chico & Rita" is among two little photos that could to produce the cut. And you can realise why the champion in the European Film Award outshine a couple of from the large boys. Co-directed by Fernando Trueba (whose "Belle Epoque" needed the 1993 foreign-lingo prize), designer Javier Mariscal and Tono Errando, the small-budget ($13 million) but ambitious film for grownups notifies popular story of love, passion and heartbreak occur the jazz cell phone industry's of Cuba, NY, Paris and Vegas across several decades, which is really the only nom starring people rather than animals.Not: Even though it showcases classic hands-attracted 2D animation, in addition to features infectious music (and animated cameos) by such jazz best as Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Cole Porter, Dizzy Gillespie, Woodsy Herman, Tito Puente and Chano Pozo, it may be too retro due to its very own good."Kung Fu Panda 2"Why it'll win: The only real follow-up among the bunch, the boisterous CG comedy offers a great deal opting for this: a superb, worldwide voice-gloomy including Jennifer Aniston, current Oscar nom Gary Oldman and Jack Black, which is lively story, colorful animation and celebration of Chinese culture and art aided transform it into a critical and global hit (it attracted in over $653 million, which $500 million was worldwide). It absolutely was the first DreamWorks Animation feature directed having a lady -- Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who graduated from such projects as "Madagascar" and "Spirit: Stallion in the Cimarron." Which might resonate with a lot of voters.Not: Harder-hearted voters may resent the every so often heavy-handed, self-help book approach to abandonment issues, repressed recollections as well as the energy of tears to heal."Puss in Boots"Why it'll win: Directed by "Shrek 3's" Chris Burns by getting an correctly light and charming touch, executive produced by Guillermo del Toro, and produced by DreamWorks Animation, the CG 3d family-friendly feline feature, which once again stars Antonio Banderas (within the eighth performance as Puss), did remarkably well, both considerably at el born area office. Occur a golden, romanticized version of old The nation, the visually captivating prequel for the "Shrek" films totalled up as much as fifty percent a billion dollars worldwide and was nominated for animated film by such bellwethers since the Globes, the Annie Honours, the PGA as well as the BFCA. And effective voice-over work from Puss sidekicks Salma Hayek as Cat Softpaws and Zach Galifianakis as Humpty Dumpty, additionally to Bill Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris since the murderous villains Jack and Jill, adds to the luster.Not: Voters can experience the tabby tale is just too fluffy. Too as with a time of outsourcing-backlash, the fact "Puss in Boots" was partly animated in India may not sit well."Rango"Why it'll win: With "The Adventures of Tintin" in the running, the initial animation film for "Pirates in the Caribbean" veteran Gore Verbinski and industry VFX giant ILM looks more effective than in the past. Vital pic acquired globally glowing reviews (an 88% on Rotten Tomato vegetables) and charmed auds for the tune more than $242 million worldwide, which causes it to be the 18th finest-grossing film of year. Which is victory within the BFCA honours -- a reliable predictor of Oscar gold, plus a rack of crix wins is only able to help its chances. Aesthetically, furthermore, it marks an absolute change of pace within the usual toon options. Instead of cute, warm and fuzzy figures and corny jokes, this subversive Western starred a delusional bug-eyed chameleon antihero and went for offbeat humor, awesome sight-gags together with a photograph-real scuffed look that deliberately blurred the street between animation and live action.Not: Despite critical kudos and impressive BO, its lizardy hero, unconventional attitude and funky outdoors-the-box visual approach may well be a little a lot of for play-it-safe Oscar voters.EYE Round The Oscars: BEST PICTURE NOMINEESBest Picture Director Animated Film Documentary Language Film Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com