'Artist,' Scorsese's 'Hugo' shine brightest in 2012 Oscar nominations

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences paid homage this year to the early days of cinema by bestowing the lion's share of Oscar nominations on two films that are valentines to the early days of cinema. "Hugo," Martin Scorsese's heartfelt love letter to filmmaking, earned the most nominations with 11, including best picture, best director and best screenplay as well as several technical Oscars. "The Artist," the low-budget black-and-white silent movie that offers a glimpse of Hollywood during its transition to the "talkies," earned 10 nominations, including nods for best picture, best director, screenplay, actor and supporting actress.

By Susan King