At the Academy Awards, Best Picture might be the big prize, but the ones that both the winners and the audience have the most emotional connection to tend to be the acting prizes. Seeing a beloved star, or a fresh-faced newcomer, finally pick up a statue more often than not ends up leading the mainstream media coverage; it's always more moving than some producer's acceptance speech.
This year, we saw Meryl Streep finally win her third, and Christopher Plummer win his first, becoming the oldest actor ever to pick up a statuette. Those might have been predicted a while off by many. Meanwhile, two relative unknowns, Jean Dujardin and Octavia Spencer, also became Oscar-winners. Anyone who claims that they predicted those twelve months ago is a liar. Once again, the awards season can be guessed at, but it also springs up all kinds of surprises.
After our picks for Best Picture yesterday, we're going to take our now-annual stab at picking the acting categories, starting with best actor and actress. Last year, we didn't do too badly, with four of the Best Actress nominees (if you count Viola Davis, who we'd pegged in Supporting), and three of the actors (albeit Brad Pitt for "Tree of Life," rather than "Moneyball"). But like anything this far out, it's educated guesses and luck rather than anything else.
The next twelve months promise has a number of meaty parts to choose from, with several previous winners coming back with roles that seem made for the category. Right now, Best Actress seems a little weaker, but that could all change by the time the awards season kicks off. So, with the usual caveats in place, below we've run down the major contenders for the two lead acting prizes, once more in descending order of likelihood.
Best Actor
Strong Contenders
Bill Murray – "Hyde Park On Hudson"
The other big presidential biopic of the year, this sees Franklin Delano Roosevelt being portrayed by Bill Murray, in a relatively straight role. And given that Murray was widely deemed to have been robbed nine years ago when he failed to win for his sole nomination to date, "Lost In Translation," and given that biopics are normally a goldmine in this category (eleven of the last twenty winners of Best Actor and Actress played real people), Murray can probably go ahead and order his tux.
Daniel Day-Lewis – "Lincoln"
Given that the man has two Oscars already, and only missed out by the skin of his teeth for "Gangs of New York," any Daniel Day-Lewis performance is going to get awards attention. But when that role is the part of a lifetime, President Abraham Lincoln, and directed by Steven Spielberg, it's pretty much a lock. The question is, will the Academy feel that he's been been honored too recently ("There Will Be Blood" five years ago) to take the prize again, particularly with such strong competition?
John Hawkes – "The Surrogate"
The toast of Sundance this year, John Hawkes' performance as journalist and poet Mark O'Brien, confined to an iron-lung because of polio since childhood, who becomes determined to lose his virginity, has all the makings of the kind of performance that Oscar eats up with a spoon. A few years ago, it might have slipped by, but veteran character actor Hawkes arrived on Academy radars with a nomination for "Winter's Bone," though he missed out this year for "Martha Marcy May Marlene." The only hurdle would seem to be the subject matter: will the Academy embrace the combination of sex and disability?
Clint Eastwood – "Trouble With The Curve"
When you realize that Clint Eastwood has never won an acting Oscar, you'll realize why we've pegged him this high for a film that's mostly under the radar at this point. He's been nominated twice — for "Unforgiven," and "Million Dollar Baby," but never picked one up, and given that he was already thought to have retired from on-screen appearances once before, this could well be the Academy's last chance to honor one of the movies' greatest stars? Does the film — a "Blind Side"-ish tale about a baseball scout losing his sight — sound particularly enticing? No. Will that matter? No.
Philip Seymour Hoffman – "The Master"
Another relatively recent winner (for "Capote" in 2006), Hoffman has reunited with Paul Thomas Anderson, for what could be the role of a lifetime: a charismatic intellectual in 1950s America who founds a Scientology-like religion. But will this film grab voters in the same way that Day-Lewis did as Daniel Plainview? Religion is a hot-button issue, even if the Scientology parallels have been dialed down since early drafts, and the film might well be less accessible, particularly given how strong the subject matter is. He's still a formidable threat though.
Hugh Jackman – "Les Miserables"
Of all the roles in musical theater, Jean Valjean, the escaped convict turned wealthy factory owner caught up in revolution around whom everything revolves, is one of the real doozies. And Tom Hooper's film version provides the first cinematic musical role for Hugh Jackman, who's had great success as a stage song and dance man over the years, so this certainly provides the Australian star, and former Oscar host, his best chance at a nomination. Indeed, in a weaker year, he might be the frontrunner. But musicals are so execution dependent, and Jackman might end up going the way of Daniel Day-Lewis in "Nine" if the film doesn't work.
Terence Stamp – "Song For Marion"
Arguably this year's Gary Oldman, Stamp has been nominated once before, but it was fifty years ago, for his screen debut in "Billy Budd." Few would deny that the British actor is due, and we've been saying since we read the script that Paul Andrew Williams' "Song For Marion" provides the perfect vehicle for the actor. But we didn't know then how fiercely competitive the year would turn out to be, and if the film fails to please crowds as "The King's Speech" did, Stamp's nomination could fall by the wayside. Then again, he has the best narrative of any of the contenders, and sometimes that's the most important thing.
Leonardo DiCaprio – "The Great Gatsby"
Always the bridesmaid at the Oscars, Leonardo DiCaprio has often found himself missing out for his mega-hits ("Titanic," "The Departed," "Inception"), and beaten out by others when he is nominated. He's perfectly suited for the title role in Baz Luhrmann's F. Scott Fitzgerald adaptation, but is this Leo's year? He was shut out for "J. Edgar" because of strong competition and the film in general being poorly-received. If Luhrmann's film doesn't work, Leo's chances will go with it.
Possibilities
Denzel Washington – "Flight"
Neither Denzel Washington or Robert Zemeckis have really been awards forces in a decade, but their first team-up, a drama about a substance-abusing airline pilot who becomes a hero after landing a damaged plane safely, certainly seems like it could be either's best shot for a long time. But, the film doesn't currently have a 2012 release date, and it's likely studio types are waiting to see a cut before they determind if they have a horse in the race. But if they do, Denzel can't be counted out and it's certainly a much more substantial role than the action fare he's been doing of late.
Bradley Cooper – "The Silver Linings Playbook"
Cooper has been ruling the multiplex the last couple of years with "The Hangover" films and "Limitless," but 2012 sees him tackle serious fare. Sundance entry "The Words" and Derek Cianfrance's "The Place Beyond The Pines" are both on the way, but it's his lead in David O. Russell's film as a high school teacher released after four years in a mental institution, that could see him head to the Oscars. The Weinsteins have given it a prime Thanksgiving slot shared in recent years by "The Artist" and "The King's Speech," but we feel like Cooper may need to earn his stripes a little more before he gets a nomination. He, and the film, could well end up surprising, though.
Long Shots
Ben Affleck – "Argo"/"Untitled Malick"
If anyone in 2012 seems likely to pick up George Clooney's polymath mantle, it's Ben Affleck: he's starring in the latest Terrence Malick film, while also directing and leading "Argo." Can either provide him with his first acting nomination? Perhaps. The risk is that they might cancel each other out (Clooney had two roles last year, but in different categories), and while "The Tree of Life" made it to nominations, none of them were for acting. Indeed, Malick's films have never won a single acting nomination. "Argo" may be his better bet, as the lead among a strong ensemble, but it doesn't strike us as the kind of part that gets a nomination.
Jamie Foxx – "Django Unchained"
Foxx has one Oscar already, but Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" provides by far the actor's best chance, post-"Ray," for another. Indeed, had Will Smith taken the role that QT wrote for him, he'd be in a very good position — a major star, playing against type in a big way. But it's a less surprising move with Foxx, and we maintain that the film is a tough sell for Academy voters, given its powder-keg racial subject matter, and pulpy treatment.
Robert Pattinson – "Cosmopolis"
Starring in a David Cronenberg film has never been the way to Oscar, but "A Dangerous Method" was certainly the director's most palatable film to date (some would argue too much so…), and things won't get too much freakier in his Don DeLillo adaptation. Indeed, the lead role, of a limo-bound billionaire, has the potential to be a real tour de force. But will Robert Pattinson be able to gain real respect by pulling it off? Word on "Bel Ami" from Berlin was fairly weak, but we're genuinely rooting for him to pull this one off. We suspect even if he does that this won't be a nomination year for him, but you never know.
Also In The Mix: Brad Pitt has another shot with Andrew Dominik's "Cogan's Trade," but it doesn't feel like Oscar material to us. Robert Redford could make a comeback with the impressively cast thriller "The Company You Keep," while Matthew McConaughey's been on the comeback trail. His ace performance in "Killer Joe" won't go anywhere, but could either "Mud" or "The Paperboy" earn him a nomination? Colin Firth's had good form in the category, but his best chance "The Railway Man," still hasn't started filming, so may well not end up making it to theaters in time.
Ryan Gosling and Tom Hardy both get new chances with "The Place Beyond The Pines" and "The Wettest County," respectively, and while it's an unknown quantity, Guy Pearce has the chance to pick up his first nomination for Drake Doremus' untitled next film. And finally, could Christian Bale get recognition for "The Dark Knight Rises"? Almost certainly not, but stranger things have happened.
Best Actress
Strong Contenders
Keira Knightley – "Anna Karenina"
While we we're still not quiet certain of the Oscar chances for the experimental "Anna Karenina" (which is not to slight the film), the title role is a doozy no matter how much Joe Wright plays with form, and he's already gotten Keira Knightley one Oscar nomination for "Pride & Prejudice." The actress hasn't got the nod since, but she gets stronger and stronger each time around, and the film's her best showcase in years. In what's looking like a thin year in this category at this point, she might even be the front-runner, unless critics wildly take against the film.
Viola Davis – "Won't Back Down"
Widely expected to win this past weekend for "The Help," Viola Davis lost out to Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady" in the end. But fortunately, she has another film in the pipeline, albeit one not on many radars yet: Walden Media's inspirational drama "Won't Back Down." Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal play parents who help take over the kids' failing schools. It seems like the kind of "Blind Side"-ish tale that could connect with voters, and Davis losing out this year may help her out next time around. On the down side, it's written and directed by "Beastly" helmer Daniel Barnz, but then, Tate Taylor didn't exactly hurt "The Help" much.
Laura Linney – "Hyde Park On Hudson"
While all the headlines on "Hyde Park On Hudson" lead with Bill Murray playing FDR, Roger Michell's film isn't exactly lacking in acting talent elsewhere. The film centers on Roosevelt's rumored extramarital relationship with his distant cousin, Margaret Stuckley, and it's three-time nominee Laura Linney who has that role, opposite Olivia Williams as Eleanor Roosevelt. Linney's never won, and the film seems to display the kind of tragic, thwarted love that always plays well, but it's conceivable that she could end up going supporting, although our money's on lead for now.
Helen Hunt – "The Surrogate"
Helen Hunt is arguably the Best Actress winner of the last few decades who's had the most disappointing post-Oscar career (on second thoughts, Halle Berry might beat her to that one…) Choices like "Pay It Forward" failed to keep her on the A-list, and she's been barely seen on the big screen in the last few years. But Sundance reviews of "The Surrogate" suggested that Hunt, who plays the forward-thinking sex therapist of the title, might well be heading back to the Oscar stage this year. As with co-star John Hawkes, the frank, explicit material could hurt her more than help her, but that's arguably less of a deal-breaker for an actress than for an actor (see: Berry in "Monster's Ball")…
Possibilities
Sandra Bullock – "Gravity"
No actress in 2012 has to face a tougher physical challenge than Sandra Bullock in Alfonso Cuaron's "Gravity" — the 2010 Oscar-winner has to carry the vast majority of the film on her own, acting mostly against CGI, while being suspended in an approximation of zero-gravity, in a spacesuit. There's no reason to think she won't be able to pull the part off: the big question is, will Academy members be able to get past the genre nature of the film?
Carey Mulligan – "The Great Gatsby"
Since breaking out in "An Education" (for which she was nominated for Best Actress), Carey Mulligan has turned in excellent performances in everything from "Never Let Me Go" to "Shame," but further Oscar gold hasn't followed. But if ever a part could give her another chance, it's Daisy, the love of Jay Gatsby's life, in "The Great Gatsby." If she wasn't already the most sought-after actress in Hollywood, it's the kind of part that would make her so, and no one's doubting her skills at this point. It's possible that she might campaign in Supporting Actress, but given that she has a good chance there too, for The Coen Brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis," we imagine she'll want to spread the love.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead – "Smashed"
While alcoholism drama "Smashed" didn't quite get the same buzz as fellow Sundance hit "The Surrogate," it got very enthusiastic reviews, most notably for lead, "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" star Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who carries the picture as a schoolteacher trying to kick the bottle. With Sony Pictures Classics, who took Carey Mulligan and Anne Hathaway to nominations in the last few years, picking the movie up, this could gain momentum as the year goes on, if the critics in general match the Park City enthusiasm. All that being said, she's a brand-new name in Academy circles, which may not help against familiar faces like Knightley and Linney.
Rachel McAdams – "Untitled Terrence Malick Project"
As we said above, Terrence Malick has not, as yet, led to any actors getting an Oscar nomination. But from what little we know about his next, which seemingly focuses on good old-fashioned affairs of the heart, it might be more relatable to Oscar voters. And Rachel McAdams might be the biggest beneficiary of that. That is if she's given more to do than Jessica Chastain in "The Tree of Life," and if the film actually comes out in 2012.
Long Shots
Meryl Streep – "Great Hope Springs"
A week ago, we'd have pegged this much higher, but then Sunday night came, and for the first time in thirty years, Meryl Streep won an Oscar. While that doesn't rule out the idea of an eighteenth nomination this year, there's no longer the same overdue factor to push that along, and a principally commercial film like David Frankel's comedy "Great Hope Springs" may play more like "It's Complicated" than "Doubt." That being said, only a fool would bet against Meryl entirely.
Kristin Wiig – "Imogene"
Having been nominated for her "Bridesmaids" screenplay this year, could Kristin Wiig follow it up with an acting nod in 2013? "Imogene" certainly provides her with the opportunity to stretch her wings, a dark comedy-drama about a woman who pretends to kill herself in order to win back her ex-boyfriend, and is forced to move in with her mother (Annette Bening). The independent film comes from "American Splendor" duo Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, who've had a spotty track record, but it sounds like it could be a slightly more palatable "Young Adult," and Wiig is the toast of the town right now, so this could end up surprising.
Andrea Riseborough – "Shadow Dancer"
Another highly-praised Sundance flick was James Marsh's "Shadow Dancer," in which rising star Andrea Riseborough is said to give a storming performance as a single mother involved in the IRA who's blackmailed into becoming a double-agent for the British government. In what seems like a quiet year, Riseborough could break out, but the film isn't really Oscar's home territory, and the picture was bought by small distributor ATO ("Casino Jack," "Terri"), who've never handled a serious Oscar campaign before. Riseborough has got a nomination coming one day, but we're not sure it'll be this one.
Also In The Mix: We're unclear if Jennifer Lawrence will be lead or supporting for "The Silver Linings Playbook," but either way, she could end up picking up a second nomination. Meanwile, Helen Mirren has another possibility with "The Door," although we suspect it's too European to really cross over, while in a line-up unusually free of big-name biopics, Amanda Seyfried is playing "Lovelace," which might be an attention-grabber to say the least. A nomination for Quvenzhane Wallis, the young star of "Beasts of the Southern Wild," would be nearly unprecedented: she's the same age as the current youngest acting nominee, Justin Henry ("Kramer Vs. Kramer"), but the film's getting an awful lot of love. Finally, maybe it's just us, but Emily Blunt looks delightful in what we've seen of "Five-Year Engagement" — could a Renee-Zellwegger-in-"Bridget-Jones'-Diary"-style nomination be on the way?
And our super-early predictions, for clarification:
Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis – "Lincoln"
Clint Eastwood – "Trouble With The Curve"
John Hawkes – "The Surrogate"
Philip Seymour Hoffman – "The Master"
Bill Murray – "Hyde Park On Hudson"
Best Actress
Sandra Bullock – "Gravity"
Viola Davis – "Won't Back Down"
Helen Hunt – "The Surrogate"
Keira Knightley – "Anna Karenina
Laura Linney – "Hyde Park On Hudson"
I think Keira Knightley is the best actress. Her work in Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy was incredible.
Malick's film Breaking the Waves earned a Best Actress nomination for Emily Watson. Do your homework.
I thought Jennifer Lawrence's performance in The Hunger Games was very good – strongly reminiscent of her Oscar-nominated performance in Winter's Bone a few years ago. I've also enjoyed seeing the evolution of Kiera Knightley's acting ability over the last few years, so if she pulls off Anna Kerenina, good for her.
What do you think about Scarlett Johansson's Oscar chances for Jonathan Glazer's "Under the Skin"?
Glazer directed great acting showcases for Ben Kingsley ("Sexy Beast") and for Nicole Kidman ("Birth") and since Johansson got snubed by the Academy a couple of times ("Lost In Translation", "Girl With Pearl Earring" and "Match Point") and she seems to have a career comeback…
I think murray will end up like dicaprio did last year.
u forgetting sally field for lincoln????? if the film works deres a chance it may get the best 5 oscars… spielberg has picked everything carefully…
better chance that ben stiller wins a oscar than bill murray winning a oscar.
there's a genre bias working against teen films but the Perks of Being a Wallflower may prove the exception and the cast has some of the most promising talents in the business like Logan Lerman (who will dabble in drug use, sexual abuse, suicide, teen homosexuality and other dark teen issues), Emma Watson in a major post-HP role, Mae Whitman and Ezra Miller, exception in We Need to Talk About Kevin. The earlier Restricted rating now overturned on appeal to a PG-13 would indicate that they have stayed true to the tone of the book – it might surprise when it comes out in the fall
I strongly agree with the Quvenzhane Wallis pick. Her performance has gotten as many raves out of Sundance as Helen Hunt's did for "The Surrogate". Wallis's performance has also been described as one of the best in recent juvenile history, so no, I wouldn't be shocked if she came into the competition as a "Dark Horse".
I'm also curious to see how Salma Hayek does in Oliver Stone's "Savages".
Gosh, I can only remember how disappointed I was when Helen Hunt won over Julie Christie's amazing, extraordinary turn in Robert Altman's/Alan Rudolph's "Afterglow" a decade ago!
What an embarrassment!
And in fact Helen Hunt did not do much since this new Sundance's movie "The Surrogate" all to be determined, if it will even be released yet or not!
Same thing when Christie lost over Cotillard for "La vie en rose" while she was amazing in Sarah Polley's touching and simple "Away from Her" (for which she virtually won every other Award available,but the Damn Oscar!).
Ok Christie nabbed Best Actress at 24 in 1965 for Schlesinger's existential morality tale of customs "Darling", but she is such a special Star, and Woman, I really hope she'll get Nominated again for Redford's "The Company you Keep" where she plays the key, haunting role of Mimi Lurie.
And I hope she'll win again, because she's unique, and she does not walk the Red Carpets,wearing designers, to promote herself, she just needs to be in front of a Camera!
That for me is real movie acting Royalty!
I would like Clint Eastwood win the oscar for best actor with Trouble With The Curve.
Mightn't Helen Hunt be campaigned supporting in The Surrogate? Granted, I haven't seen the film, but from all the reviews I've read it seems that the film belongs to John Hawkes (I think he's a shoo-in). I really have no faith in The Great Gatsby, sorry. I love Carey Mulligan, but Baz Luhrmann is such an uneven film director and I just feel like he's going to screw this up like he did with Australia (and the film is being shot in 3-D. WTF?) I think if Knightley really wows then the Oscar is hers. It's such an iconic role and I have total faith in Joe Wright who is one of the best directors working today (robbed of a nomination for Atonement, and last year's Hanna was one of the best action/espionage flicks I've ever seen). Won't Back Down seems like sort of hokey material but I do think you could be right about Viola Davis. If there is continuous goodwill for her then she may land another Oscar nomination (but will the film receive ho-hum reviews?) And my wild card pick is Jennifer Lawrence for The Hunger Games and Kristen Wiig for Imogene. I am not familiar with the source material for Hunger Games but word has it that Lawrence is EXCELLENT in the film and she's just coming off a recent Oscar nomination. If she can get past the genre bias then why not an Oscar nomination? And Kristen Wiig has a lot of goodwill after Bridesmaids and if Imogene really is a comic-tour-de-force, then I think she can pull off a nomination (and also Annette Bening for supporting actress who's supposed to have a scene-stealing role).
You forgot all of the other actors in The Master. There is a lot of love for this picture already. Don't count out Noomy Rapace or Charlize Theron for Prometheus either. 🙂
Best Actor:
-Daniel Day-Lewis
-Leonardo DiCaprio
-Hugh Jackman
-Clint Eastwood
-Bill Murray
Best Actress:
-Keira Knightley
-Sandra Bullock
-Mary Elizabeth Winstead
-Helen Hunt
-Laura Linney
Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis – "Lincoln"
Leonardo DiCaprio – "The Great Gatsby"
Oscar Isaac – " Inside Llewyn Davis"
Philip Seymour Hoffman – "The Master"
Bill Murray – "Hyde Park On Hudson"
Best Actress
Carey Mulligan – "The Great Gatsby"
Anne Hathway – "Les Miserables"
Meryl Streep – "Great Hope Springs"
Keira Knightley – "Anna Karenina
Laura Linney – "Hyde Park On Hudson"
What about Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis ? I think he will be end up with Best Actor Nom.
Naomi Watts should be added to the prediction list for "Impossible". She deserves 2nd nomination.
I don't think Imogene will be nearly as good as Young Adult. I'm still pissed about that snub!
I'm 38 years old and I watched "The Haunted Airman" came out in 2006 on TV before Robert Pattinson even hit the Twi-hard tweens and I thought that movie was excellent! I didn't even really know who he was when I first started watching it until I realized he was in the HP film then I put 2 and 2 together. Then here comes "Twilight" now granted I READ ALL THE BOOKS before the movies were even made because the first series came out in 2005 then the movies weren't being made until 2008 and honestly everyone for awhile will always be thinking he can do nothing but sparkly vampire films and that's just not right. I've seen his acting even in his younger films as stated above and in 2007 "The Bad Mother's Handbook" was good also. He can act though he's "never' went to acting school. He is a very humble, pleasant, giving, open-minded to try any part as being an actor. I can guarantee you that if he was playing in the "Hunger Games" as Gale or Peeta and he got 'nominated for an Oscar we probably wouldn't be having this conversation. Because there's not a doubt in my mind if the roles were reversed while he would act in "HG" and then Josh Hutcherson or Liam Hemsworth did Twilight everyone would be saying the same thing about them.
What makes the difference "HOW OLD" you have to be to 'earn' the Oscar Shirley Temple won it when she was only 6 years old and there were bad comments made by people back then because they said you can't give a best actress oscar to a 6 year old! REALLY does it matter? Everyone has their opinions who they love or who they hate. I personally don't care for Bill Murrary and would rather much see Clint Eastwood to get it and of course he should of gotten it for doing "Gran Torino" that movie was beyond words I can't even explain.
Honestly Pattinson really doesn't care what type of movie it is as long as he can act even if the movie is a FLOP or a HIT he's that versatile. He just wants to act period and is thankful he can do so!
Mary Elizabeth Winstead СÐÐÐЯ СÐÐÐЯ СÐÐÐЯ лÑÑÑаÑ!)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))0 Love her!))))))))She's the best!))))))))))))
Smashed for Winstead!!!!
Ok on Rob – if you have watched 'Remember Me' and didn't like it, it's because you didn't get it = it's all about one line "Dessert first, because yeah never know", if everyone couldn get passed the 911 – which was the point, who new this would happen.. 'Water For Elephants' was good, great maybe not, but far more the Edward, 'Bel Ami' is gonna be a whole new side of Rob and time period peace and total dirt bag to woman, lol, and 'Cosmopolis' will be the one, Oscar actually I hope so, because if the acting comes across like the book and with the glory of Cronenberg directing, it will be great.. And if you have not seen 'Little Ashes' he was a fabulous wack job of a "Dali" quit looking at him as just Edward, thou I can't imagine anyone else being Edward, Robert Pattinson is far more then Edward Cullen
OMG ,I cannot believe all the Robert Pattinson Bashing going on on this page .,…what the hell …Rob has admitted he never went to an Acting School and that he has virtually taught himself ….he has never professed to be one of the greast or or God forbid he or anyone else should ever say he is Oscar worthy ..but still all he gets is nothing but hate and bad mouthing on every level….he is a young guy who is trying his best to just get on in the industry as best he can…all he is guilty of is starring in a TEENAGERS film and he has nothing but grief for doing so ….I know he has made lots of Money for Twilight but surely there is no need for all this hate and animosity towards a lovely young man ….who is absolutley fabulous with his fans …gracious ,..sweet and humble ….and NOT one person he has ever worked with has a bad thing to say about him….only positives about his commitment and dedication and fabulous work ethics….he may not be the most talented in some peoples eyes but his fans ( and I am one of his more mature supporters not a Twi Fan ) …think he is amazing and talented ….and I will be a loyal and dedicated fan for as long as he carries on acting which I hope he never decides to gives up on!!!
A friend saw an advance screening of WON'T BACK DOWN and said it was AMAZING!
Stupid comment about director and Beastly as he also directed the beautiful PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND. He is amazing with actors. I blame Beastly in cbs studios – heard they got in there and messed it all up.
Hugh Jackman should have been nominated twice – The Fountain and The Prestige but those movies are not "good-feeling" or "Oscar-bait" for the academics. So I hope he gets at least a nomination. There is one plus for him and Les Mis overall – unlike Nine, people cast in there actually can sing.
Who will be the Oscar winner? Actors and movies promoted or produced by Weinstein brothers.So Pattinson haters don't have to be worry,Weinsteins will not promote Cosmopolis.Besides this movie can get NC-17 rating.And of course Cronenberg is one of those directors that Academy members ignore (he is not promoted enough).
what about possibilities from among the young cast members of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" – it has Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman and host of others in a teen film about actual teen issues (homosexuality, teen suicide, drug use, sexual abuse)
Much as I hope they'll both stick the landing, I don't have the best feeling about either Gatsby or Les Mis. Baz is spectacularly hit-and-miss and the early promo stills for Gatsby, while pretty, didn't do much to assuage my misgivings. Still, if the whole thing comes together then Leo's going to have a hell of a shot. I'm not a fan of Hooper but I AM a fan of Les Mis and Hugh Jackman, so here's hoping that it will at least pay proper tribute to the show/not suck too egregiously. (Low expectations? Mais non…) Oh, and! All about the Andrea Riseborough train. She's just so good.
Robert Pattinson won't win an Oscar anytime soon. He knows that, the fans know that… As an untrained actor, he became too popular and big in a too short time, so they (critics) will give him a hard time before recognizing his eventual talent. Pitt, Depp were slammed too in the beginning of their career, it's kind of normal.
I saw his new movie Bel ami and read all the reviews. It was the film debute of the directors and it shows that they're used to stage perfomances. Robert was only 23, an age that actors mostly play in teenmovies or romcoms. There was a month of rehearsals before shooting, so he learned to act the way the directors wanted him. For me he portrayed Georges Duroy very well and yes, of course I've read the French classic novel. There were bad reviews but, not surprisingly for me, the good reviews came from those who know the former work of the directors and those who are experted in the work of Guy de Maupassant. They praised the setting and the performances and I can only agree, I loved the movie very much. David Cronenberg had to convince Rob that he could pull of the difficult role of Eric Packer in Cosmopolis. While I respect the opinions of the posters here, I have more trust in the judgement of those who work with actors for a long time in the business. Wether or not you like Robert as an actor, fact is that crew and directors praise his humble, down-to-earth attitude and his great work ethics. Let's just see what the future brings. As he doesn't want to be a star in the spotlights, I suspect him to leave the big screen and work behind the scenes after some years.
If Mary E. Winstead's acting in Smashed is as superb as the critics have been claiming then I don't see why she can't get nominated just because she's not an academy darling, everyone has to start somewhere – even people like Meryl Streep.
Best Actor: Oscar Isaac will for SURE be nominated.
Best Actress: I'm shocked Jessica Chastain isn't on this list, she is the female lead in Katheryn Bigelow's Bin Ladin movie…I'd say she's a shoe in.
You forget about Peter Jackson's "Hobbit", Martin Freeman might be an Oscar winner, there's also a chance for Michael Fassbender with his Irish hero in plans or with Steve McQueen project "12 years a slave" .
A friend of mine has seen a cut of The Silver Linings Playbook, and says it's some pretty dark stuff
Noooo Carey Mulligan CAN NOT be snubbed this year… again! It might hurt as bad as Charlize being snubbed. Again, Baz please do not f**** this up. I want the movie to soar and I want Mulligan and DiCaprio to win EVERYTHING! Everything, I tell ya!
With the MPAA throwing NC-17 ratings around The Surrogate could end up a victim killing John Hawkes and Helen Hunt's chances at a nomination. Didn't you predict Kiera Knightely for A Dangerous Method?
I believe they will market Linney as Supporting for Hyde Park on Hudson. It looks like Murray's film through and through. I think Wallis has a better chance because the Academy loves to throw in surprises like that from youngsters (Gabby Sidilbe?). Also, I don't think Eastwood has such a good shot. The only acting nominations he got was when he directed himself, and he didn't even manage to get a nom for Gran Torino (his last "last performance"). Unless Les Mis completely tanks, Hugh Jackman should be a shoe-in here. Other than that, your predictions match mine exactly! It will be the battle of the presidents for the Actors and what looks to be a much more varied group of women for the Actress with Knightley perhaps getting her first Oscar? Time will tell.
I'm sorry Robert Pattinson, since when can he act? You think Cronenberg can change that, it certainly didn't work for Knightley. She's got strong jaw acting.
quote for KNIGHTLEY " she gets stronger and stronger each time around". Did you watch A dangerous method? she was terrible! Where is Cotillard on your list, you should consider her for LOW LIFE.
Philip Seymour Hoffman for the Master and Sandra Bullock for Gravity. Mark my words.
Robert Pattinson? Oscar? Please, tell me you're kidding me.
Seems odd you don't have Oscar Isaac anywhere for "Inside Llewyn Davis" I mean he's the lead in a new Coen Brothers film.
Having read the script for chan wook parks "stoker" i think mia wasikowska is a strong contender in the best actress category. While i think nicole kidman is going to pick up a supporting nomination either for stoker or the paperboy. im calling it now!
It would be cool to see Carey and Keira nominated since they're not only two of the most talented of their age group but also good friends. Carey's best chance lies with Gatsby – you can find the script for Inside Llewyn Davis online, and not only does she play a toned down/ less dynamic version of Sissy, she has no more than 15 minutes of screen time.
Two huge contenders you're missing are Penelope Cruz for Venuto al mondo and Cotillard for either Low Life or Rust and Bone.
I just keep looking at the list of Best Actor predictions and am frankly awed. I'm just trying to imagine the caliber of performance that someone will need to break into that group. I don't think Eastwood will be there in the end but I can more than imagine you announcing this time next year that you went 4/5 in 2012.
I feel like with Gatsby and Django this is Leo's year, possibly with Supporting for Django