{blackbabes} Oscar nominees to gather for annual luncheon

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — The familiar award-season refrain "it's just nice to be nominated" will be celebrated Monday at the motion picture academy's annual luncheon honoring Oscar nominees in all 24 categories.

More than 150 nominees — from hairstylists and makeup artists to auteur directors and A-list actors — are expected to attend the affair at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The guest list includes "American Hustle" stars Amy Adams, Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper; Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto of "Dallas Buyers Club"; Sandra Bullock of "Gravity"; Lupita Nyong'o of "12 Years a Slave"; and many more.

Each nominee for best director is also on the guest list, including Alfonso Cuarón, Steve McQueen, Alexander Payne, David O. Russell and Martin Scorsese.

With the 86th Academy Awards coming in less than three weeks, the race for best picture remains a three-way contest between "American Hustle," ''Gravity" and "12 Years a Slave." ''Gravity," however, appears to have a slight edge following its win at the Jan. 25 Directors Guild Awards, this year's last major contest before the March 2 Oscars. Academy members will cast their Oscar votes Feb. 14-25.

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