IT’S certainly been a glorious year for film, no arguments there.

The BAFTA award nominations were revealed this week and the superb Gravity, American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave lead the pack.

I only just got around to seeing Gravity and it’s certainly a wonder of digital effects. I shan’t be embarking on the space programme any time soon though after staggering out of the IMAX feeling decidedly shaky.

Don’t be surprised if my film of 2013 Mary Poppins biopic Saving Mr Banks performs strongly, alongside another Tom Hanks classic white-knuckle drama Captain Phillips and Philomena, the adoption tearjerker starring Judi Dench.

But with so many incredible releases come some notable snubs as well.

It’s not called the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for nothing. Usually there’s a distinct British bias, but despite Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom earning a Best British Film nod, neither of its UK stars Idris Elba and Naomie Harris were nominated for their stirring portrayals of Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

Hotly tipped for an Oscar, Robert Redford misses out on a nod for All Is Lost as well. While Sandra Bullock put in an astonishing turn while lost in space, his at sea was perhaps even more remarkable. There was no witty repartee with George Clooney to move things along and virtually no dialogue in the gripping 106 minutes – a feat in itself.

And no mention whatsoever for our very own Colin Firth who impresses in The Railway Man. The powerful tale of survival, love and redemption is out today.

But he’s Darcy. And he went to my college.

Well if that’s not nepotism, I don’t know what is!

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