Here are the nominees in the main categories at the 87th Academy Awards, to be handed out on February 22 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood:

Dark comedy "Birdman" and stylish crime caper "The Grand Budapest Hotel" topped the Oscars nominations list Thursday with nine each, firing the starting gun on the home stretch of Hollywood's awards race.

In second place was World War II code-breaking thriller "The Imitation Game," with eight nominations. Clint Eastwood's "American Sniper" and coming-of-age drama "Boyhood" each earned six nods. 

The main operating unit of troubled US casino giant Caesars Entertainment -- owners of the famed Caesars Palace in Las Vegas -- said Wednesday it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Caesars Entertainment Operating Company said the move was part of a restructuring plan aimed at strengthening its financial position and slashing debt, but that all its properties would remain open for business.

On a recent Saturday afternoon, Bradley Cooper took his curtain call at Broadway's Booth Theater, where he's starring in "The Elephant Man." He then had to race to a meeting, conduct an interview for this article, and find time to eat and nap before taking the stage again for his 8 p.m. show.

There's definitely a lot going on for Cooper, who turned 40 earlier this month. Along with eight Broadway performances a week, he's busy promoting one of his biggest movies to date, as both actor and producer: Clint Eastwood's "American Sniper," in which Cooper transforms himself — to much critical acclaim — into late Navy SEAL marksman Chris Kyle, a real-life personality whom he looks and sounds nothing like.

Paddington Bear. How well we know him. He's cuddly, he's loyal, he's sensitive. He's well-traveled — but loves to stay home, too. And he can whip up a mean homemade marmalade.

As Mom would say, what's not to love?

The black cast members of the hit series "Orange Is the New Black" will be honored by Essence magazine at its pre-Oscars luncheon next month.

The magazine announced Wednesday that it will honor seven cast members including Uzo Aduba and Laverne Cox at its Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon on Feb. 19.

"Transformers 4: Age of Extinction" topped nominations announced Wednesday for the Razzies, Hollywood's anti-awards celebrating the worst movies of 2014.

Michael Bay's blockbuster sequel scored nods in seven categories, including Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay and Worst Sequel for the Razzies, which will be handed out on the eve of this year's Oscars.

Hollywood is counting down the hours before the unveiling early Thursday of nominees for this year's Oscars, the climax of Tinseltown's awards season.

Coming-of-age drama "Boyhood" and dark comedy "Birdman" are expected to be among the frontrunners for coveted Best Picture honors. 

Madonna, AC/DC and Ariana Grande are among the first performers announced to take the stage at the Grammy Awards next month.

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and country star Eric Church will also perform at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, The Recording Academy announced Tuesday.

Amazon Studios is delivering Woody Allen as creator of his first-ever TV series.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker will write and direct all of the episodes of the half-hour series. A full season has been ordered for Amazon's Prime Instant Video, the company announced Tuesday. The series is expected to premiere in 2016.