SAG nominations out, Mirren and DiCaprio lead

By Stone Martindale Jan 4, 2007, 16:47 GMT

may be Leo\'s year too... © David Gabber / Photorazzi

It is the year of Helen Mirren, after all.  Many critics also felt Leonardo DCaprio redeemed himself in the Boston mafia Scorsese hit, "The Departed" as well.  No wonder they top the list of noms for the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

SAG nominations have been announced, and Helen Mirren and Leonardo DiCaprio each have two nods.

The movies getting the love from the Screen Actors Guild are “Babel”, “Dreamgirls” and “Little Miss Sunshine”, each garnering three nominations.

Dame Helen Mirren was nominated for her royal turn as Queen Elizabeth I and II in two projects, she received the nom for best actress in a film as the current monarch in "The Queen" and as best actress in a TV movie or miniseries for her role in "Elizabeth I."

"Blood Diamonds" and "The Departed" were the projects DiCaprio shined in that netted him two nominations, one for best actor in a film for his portrayal of a mercenary in “Blood Diamonds” and another one for supporting-actor in Scorsese’s popular film.

“Dreamgirls” resulted in nominations for actor Eddie Murphy, and recognized newcomer Jennifer Hudson, nominating her for best overall acting ensemble.

Other ensemble nominees were “Babel”, “Bobby”, the superb “The Departed” and the wonderful  “Little Miss Sunshine”.

"Babel" actors Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi, received supporting-actress nominations, while "Little Miss Sunshine" earned nominations for supporting actor Alan Arkin and supporting actress Abigail Breslin.

Best film actress nominees were Helen Mirren "The Queen", Penelope Cruz, "Volver"; Judi Dench, "Notes on a Scandal"; Meryl Streep, "The Devil Wears Prada"; and Kate Winslet, "Little Children."

The best-actor category includes, besides Leonardo DiCaprio "Blood Diamonds"; Ryan Gosling, "Half Nelson"; Peter O'Toole, "Venus"; Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness"; and Forest Whitaker, "The Last King of Scotland."

The Screen Actors Guild Awards are often an accurate precursor that an Oscar is soon to follow.