Bond foiled again in best picture Oscar mission

Actor Daniel Craig (L) and actress Berenice Marlohe pose for photographers during a photocall for the film "Skyfall" in Paris October 25, 2012. Makers of the new James Bond movie "Skyfall" have striven to combine the old-school values that made 007 such a success over the last 50 years with enough modern mores to keep the silver screen's favourite super spy relevant in a post-Cold War world.[Photo/Agencies]

The latest James Bond movie "Skyfall" won five Oscar nominations on Thursday, the highest tally for a 007 picture, but the major categories including best picture once again eluded the franchise that has just celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Hopes had been raised by bookmakers and some film critics that one of Britain's most lucrative and best-loved cultural exports would finally make his mark at the Academy Awards at the 23rd time of asking.

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Skyfall, the first official Bond movie to make more than $1 billion at the box office, also won rave reviews from professionals and the public.

"Give Bond an Oscar!" was the headline of Daily Mail movie critic Chris Tookey's review of Skyfall when it hit theatres in October, reflecting a mood of optimism among the more patriotic sections of the British press.

There was a further boost last week when Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson were among the nominees for a Producers Guild Award alongside prestige films like "Lincoln" and "Zero Dark Thirty".

Reactions to the Oscar nominations summed up the sense of disappointment particularly in Britain, where there had been talk not only of a best picture nod but also recognition for cast members Judi Dench and Javier Bardem.

Dench, who plays Bond's boss 'M', said she was "very, very sorry" the film had not been nominated in any of the major categories.

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