'Help,' 'Bridesmaids' earn nods for producer award (AP)

LOS ANGELES ? The historical epic "War Horse," the Deep South drama "The Help," the silent film "The Artist" and the wedding comedy "Bridesmaids" are in the running for top honors from the Producers Guild of America.

Also nominated Tuesday for the guild's big film prize are two George Clooney tales: the family drama "The Descendants" and the political saga "The Ides of March." Two Paris stories made the cut, the family adventure "Hugo" and the romantic fantasy "Midnight in Paris."

Rounding out the 10 nominees are the thriller "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and the sports tale "Moneyball."

Animated contenders for the Jan. 21 awards are "The Adventures of Tintin," "Cars 2," "Kung Fu Panda 2," "Puss in Boots" and "Rango."

Along with honors from other Hollywood professional groups such as actors, directors and writers guilds, the producer prizes help sort out contenders for the Academy Awards, whose nominations come out Jan. 24.

The Producers Guild field represents a heavy-hitting lineup of Oscar winners and nominees, including Steven Spielberg ("War Horse" and "Tintin"), Martin Scorsese ("Hugo"), Woody Allen ("Midnight in Paris"), David Fincher ("Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"), Alexander Payne ("The Descendants") and Bennett Miller ("Moneyball").

Besides starring in "The Descendants," Clooney multi-tasked on "Ides of March," directing, producing, co-starring and co-writing.

Among other Producers Guild nominees:

? Film documentary: "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest"; "Bill Cunningham New York"; "Project Nim"; "Senna"; "The Union."

? TV comedy series: "30 Rock"; "The Big Bang Theory"; "Glee"; "Modern Family"; "Parks and Recreation."

? TV drama series: "Boardwalk Empire"; "Dexter"; "Game of Thrones"; "The Good Wife"; "Mad Men."

? Long-form television: "Cinema Verite"; "Downton Abbey"; "The Kennedys"; "Mildred Pierce"; "Too Big to Fail."

? Live entertainment and talk TV: "The Colbert Report"; "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"; "Real Time with Bill Maher"; "Saturday Night Live"; "The 64th Annual Tony Awards."

? TV competition series: "The Amazing Race"; "American Idol"; "Dancing with the Stars"; "Project Runway"; "Top Chef."

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Online:

http://www.producersguild.org

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/movies/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120103/ap_en_mo/us_film_producers_awards

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