Bening, Franco Score Oscar Nods

The Kids Are All Right scored nods for best picture, actress for Annette Bening, supporting actor for Mark Ruffalo, and screenplay, while James Franco netted one for best actor for 127 Hours, as nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards were announced this morning.

Kids, the Lisa Cholodenko-helmed box office hit about a lesbian family at a crossroads, made an impressive showing this morning, marking the first time a lesbian-directed film has been nominated for best picture. Choldenko and cowriter Stuart Blumberg are nominees for best original screenplay, but costar Julianne Moore was passed over for a best actress nomination.

Bening's main competition for the trophy is expected to come from Natalie Portman, nominated for the psychological ballet drama Black Swan. Portman's costar Mila Kunis, with whom she shares a torrid love scene, was overlooked for a best supporting actress nod.

Many gay faves found favor again this year, including Javier Bardem, previously nominated as gay poet Reinaldo Arenas in 2000's Before Night Falls, who is up for best actor again for Biutiful, and Nicole Kidman, previous winner as bisexual novelist Virginia Woolf in 2002's The Hours, nominated for best actress in Rabbit Hole. The Cher musical Burlesque was a surprising omission in best costume design and original song categories.