The 81st Annual Academy Awards & The Race for Oscar!

They're off! The nominees for Oscar are here and it's a stellar line-up. Among the top contenders is Mickey Rourke, a comeback seasoned vet. After 14 years of battling personal problems, authority issues, and matters that Rourke describes on Charlie Rose as "past childhood shame and abandonment," he is back to take his place as a respected actor in the industry. His movie, The Wrestler has been gaining major notoriety especially after his Golden Globe win. (I'm rooting for ya Mickey!)




Also, seasoned veteran Sean Penn (one of my favorite actors) stars in the movie Milk as San Francisco gay activist, Harvey Milk. His performance has also gained critical acclaim, and he is held in high-esteem as an actor that is one of the best of his generation.

Last, the late great Heath Ledger, in his final full-length feature role as the Joker in The Dark Knight, 2008's biggest summer blockbuster and the second biggest box-office smash only to 1997's Titanic. His phenomenal portrayal of the Joker is the darkest yet and the most complete in reference to the comic-book villain. Regardless of this movie being a superhero film, his performance is well-deserving of Oscar glory.

With so many great performances from this year's Academy Award nominees including Brad Pitt, Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep, Josh Brolin, Angelina Jolie, Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Taraji P. Henson, and much more, The 81st Academy Awards is sure to have one of its best years yet.

For everything Oscar, go to www.oscar.com and be sure to watch the Oscars on Feb. 22 at 8pm ET/ 5 pm PT on ABC.

Charlie Rose has more informative & in-depth interviews into Oscar's top contenders that are worth the view.