Big Picture: Oscar, the early results

By Patrick Goldstein, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

The votes haven't been counted, the envelopes haven't been opened and the speeches haven't been given. But it's far enough along in Oscar season to start thinking about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

It's certainly been a great year for the newcomers. Ellen Page and Marion Cotillard earned their first lead actress nominations -- if Page wins, she will be the youngest lead actress in academy history at barely 21. The supporting actress category includes a host of first-time nominees, including one for "Atonement's" 13-year-old Saoirse Ronan.

And the director category is loaded with Oscar nominee newcomers, including Tony Gilroy, who at 51 earned a director nomination in his first turn at bat for "Michael Clayton."

Here's a look at some other entries in our annual look at the winners and losers of the season.