Brokeback Mountain climbs up in Oscar buzz

Gay romance Brokeback cemented its position as an Oscar frontrunner by making both lists in a follow-up to the seven Golden Globe nominations8212;more than any other film8212;it earned in December.

Making a comeback was race relations drama Crash, which also made both guilds8217; lists after a disappointing show at Golden Globe nominations. Surprising no-shows on the two guild lists were director Steven Spielberg8217;s Munich, Woody Allen8217;s Match Point and Peter Jackson8217;s King Kong.

Along with Brokeback and Crash, Good Night, and Good Luck, about newsman Edward R Murrow8217;s clash with Senator Joe McCarthy, Capote, about writer Truman Capote, and Walk the Line, about the romance between singers Johnny Cash and June Carter, will vie for the PGA8217;s producer of the year honor.

In one surprise, the WGA put hit comedy The 40 Year-Old Virgin, about a guy who is shy around girls, among its nominees for best original screenplay. It was joined by Good Night, Crash, Cinderella Man8212;about a Depression-era boxer8217;s comeback8212;and The Squid and the Whale, about two boys dealing with their parents8217; breakup.

The Screen Actors8217; Guild and Directors8217; Guild of America will name nominees for their awards on Thursday and combined, the four lists should help narrow contenders for Oscars.