Rare Achievement

If best actress nominee Fernanda Montenegro or best actor nominee Roberto Benigni wins an award, either would be the first performer in a foreign language film to win since Sophia Loren won for 1961’s “Two Women.”

Royal Company

Both Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench are nominated for their performances as Queen Elizabeth. Blanchett is nominated for best actress in “Elizabeth” and Dench for best supporting actress in “Shakespeare in Love.” Dench was nominated for best actress last year for her performance as Queen Victoria in “Mrs. Brown.”

Doubly Good

Sandy Powell is nominated twice for costume design for “Shakespeare in Love” and “Velvet Goldmine,” with Jonathan Rhys Meyers, above.

‘Life’ Is an ‘Illusion’

“Life Is Beautiful” is only the sixth foreign film to be nominated for best picture. The first was Jean Renoir’s “Grand Illusion,” which was nominated for best film of 1938. “Life Is Beautiful” is the first foreign film to be nominated as best picture and best foreign film since 1969’s French political thriller “Z.” That film went on to win best foreign film and best editing; “Midnight Cowboy” took best film honors for 1969.

Streep’s Top Roles

Meryl Streep receives her 11th nomination this year for playing a dying mother in “One True Thing.” She received both of her Oscars--best supporting for 1979’s “Kramer vs. Kramer” and best actress for 1982’s “Sophie’s Choice”--for playing mothers.

Head to Head, Again

Best supporting nominees Geoffrey Rush (“Shakespeare in Love”) and Billy Bob Thornton (“A Simple Plan”) were competitors two years ago in the best actor category. Rush was nominated for “Shine” and Thornton for “Sling Blade.” Rush went on to win that year.

Three of a Kind?

If Tom Hanks wins for best actor for “Saving Private Ryan,” he will become the only performer to win three best actor awards. Previously, Walter Brennan won three best supporting actor awards and Jack Nicholson has won two best actors and one best supporting actor.