"Nebraska" Up For Six Oscars
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: How did you and mom end up getting married?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MAN: She wanted to.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MAN: You didn't?</s>PAUL: Bruce Dern in his Oscar-nominated performance in the movie "Nebraska." This little black and white film has become so huge. Nominated for six Oscars, including best picture, which, of course, is a big one. And the academy award ceremony, well, gosh, at this point you can count down hours away. All eyes going to be on who takes that top prize of best picture.</s>BLACKWELL: You got "American Hustle" and "Gravity" tied for the most nominations. You know, this year's Oscar ceremony is supposed to be, we're expecting it at least it will be jam-packed with star power and some amazing musical guests. CNN entertainment correspondent Nischelle Turner takes a look ahead.</s>NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The 86th academy awards is set to be Hollywood's biggest party with Ellen DeGeneres as ring leader expect nominees like Meryl Streep and Matthew McConaughey to get their groove on with the talk show queen. Hollywood heavyweights like Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt are up for some of the night's biggest awards, ensuring it will be no shortage of star power.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Got to be the best we've ever done.</s>TURNER: Nineteen seventy co-artists pitted against astronauts for the most trophies. "Gravity" and "American Hustle" lead the pack with ten nominations apiece. Facing off against "12 Years a Slave," "Philomena," "Captain Phillips," "Dallas Buyers Club," "Nebraska" and the "Wolf of Wall Street" in one of the tightest best picture races in Oscar history. Golden globe winner Cate Blanchett is the best actress contender, going head-to-head with the likes of Sandra Bullock, Amy Adams, Judi Dench and with a record 18th nomination, Meryl Streep. First-time nominee Matthew McConaughey lands in the best actor category against Christian Bale, Bruce Dern, Leonardo DiCaprio and Chiwetel Ejiofor. But this year could be all about the music. Idina Menzel, Pharrell, U2 and Karen O were set to perform the best original song nominees making the Oscars one of the biggest concerts of the year. With hot performances and a host like Ellen, it may not be the winners that get everybody talking. Nischelle Turner, CNN, Hollywood.</s>BLACKWELL: So, count down to the Oscars tonight with CNN. Our Oscar special, "Hollywood's Biggest Night: The Road to Gold" airs at 6:00 p.m. Eastern. And then after the Oscars beginning at midnight join Nischelle Turner and Piers Morgan for our live post show "And The Winner Is." But let's check in with CNN's John King for a look on what's coming up on "Inside Politics" this morning. Good morning, John.</s>JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Victor and Christi. Got the coffee, getting ready. Coming up now, Hillary Clinton's calculations about 2016. How will they be affected by the release of previously secret papers from the Clinton era White House? We're also looking ahead to the big test for the 2016 Republican hopefuls. Plus, who controls the Republican Party, the Tea Party or the GOP establishment? All that plus a glimpse at tomorrow's news today coming up on "Inside Politics." Guys?</s>BLACKWELL: Thanks, John. Watch "Inside Politics" with John King coming up at about, let's say, 35 minutes from now right here on CNN. Oh, Toronto's crack smoking mayor. He is getting us to Hollywood this weekend.</s>PAUL: Is he ever going to have a title other than that is the question. We're going to show you what happened when he landed, yes, at LAX, who he run in to a baggage claim, very curious here.