In an unprecedented move the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has banned Nicolas Chartier, the producer of The Hurt Locker, from attending the ceremony on Sunday.  This is a lucky turn for the film itself as there was talk of it being removed from consideration.

This reprieve was no doubt brought on by the pleas sent out by Chartier in the form of an apology letter.  In it he sites "naivete" and "ignorance of the rules" as playing a part in his actions.    

In a recent interview with Charlie Rose, James Cameron, the creator behind Titanic, and the recent juggernaut Avatar, expressed his desire to see his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow win Best Director for her film The Hurt Locker, rather than himself. He did add one caveat, that for the sake of "Team Avatar" it would be nice to win Best Picture.