Getting nominated for a best picture Oscar won't mean quite as much now that the motion picture academy has returned to ten nominations in the category. And the winner will almost certainly be less acclaimed — it should take fewer votes to win by a plurality in a field of ten than among five, just like in local elections. But it's a sop to the studios and perhaps a way to create more public interest by nominating more popular films. Reaction starting to be heard:

• "The Academy is officially going the way of the Golden Globes. And that used to be blasphemy, heresy, whatever." Michael Speier, The Wrap
• "Worst idea ever." Nikki Finke
• "We think it's a fine idea, as more competition is more fun." Defamer