53 responses so far

• 1 11-04-2009 at 4:49 pm
  
  Guy Lodge said...

  A-MEN.

  I’d like to add Shirley Henderson and Allison Janney, distribution issues notwithstanding.

• 2 11-04-2009 at 4:49 pm
  
  Derek said...

  Kris, can you talk more about Sandra Bullock? Have you heard something that has caused you to name-drop her twice recently?

• 3 11-04-2009 at 4:53 pm
  
  twc said...

  Gweyneth Paltrow? Did I miss something? I’m pretty faithful to this site (absolutely love this site) and I could have overlooked something but haven’t heard about what she’s in!

• 4 11-04-2009 at 5:05 pm
  
  Jester said...

  twc: Two Lovers

• 5 11-04-2009 at 5:06 pm
  
  "Julianstark" said...

  Gwyneth Paltrow was in Two Lovers with Joaquin Phoenix…

  and I have no idea who thinks that this year is a weak year for Best Actress or why. Best Actor is a much less competitive category…

• 6 11-04-2009 at 5:23 pm
  
  Michael said...

  you tell ‘em brother!

  I don’t think it is a weak year for any category, but I have been in a glass-half-full mood all year compared to last year. I really think the last two months of the year are really going to pull it all together. I guess it kinda has to…

• 7 11-04-2009 at 5:24 pm
  
  Marshall said...

  If you had left off Zooey Deschanel, I would have screamed.

  Also, I think some liked Michelle Pfeiffer in “Cheri.” I’m the first to admit that the movie sucked, but her performance was pretty good.

• 8 11-04-2009 at 5:27 pm
  
  Michael said...

  and kris- like derek was asking, do you mean Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side? That doesn’t really look like my cup of tea, but she could be very good in it. I don’t have anything against her personally, but I don’t think she would ever have a chance for The Proposal or All About Steve.

• 9 11-04-2009 at 5:29 pm
  
  qwiggles said...

  Have to say that even among the probable nominees — that is, excluding terrific but unlikely performers like Jarvis — the women in both lead and supporting have a distinct edge over the men for me. How can best actress be considered comparatively weak when two of the assumed slots in best actor — DDL/Freeman — haven’t even been seen?

• 10 11-04-2009 at 5:29 pm
  
  Andrew R. said...

  Agree 100%. Still need to see a few more of those you mentioned but what I have seen I can’t believe anyone would suggest this a weak year for lead actress. 2005 this is not.

• 11 11-04-2009 at 5:30 pm
  
  R.J. said...

  Ugh, it seems to be “the thing” to say every Oscar season. And while it’s certainly been true in the past – and certainly it speaks volumes about the dearth of meaty roles offered to female actors – it simply isn’t true this year. I actually think this years Best Actress race is the most exciting category, Best Actor has been much more of a snooze fest for me.

  …and while I don’t see it happening, if Gwyneth Paltrow got a nomination for “Two Lovers” I’d be ecstatic, it’s a very underrated film and her performance was pure magic.

• 12 11-04-2009 at 5:36 pm
  
  Mr. F said...

  Sandra Bullock, hmm. I am a fan of hers but I’d say that the trailers for “The Blind Side” don’t look too good and she looks over-the-top

• 13 11-04-2009 at 5:45 pm
  
  Marshall said...

  I assume whoever brought up Bullock means “The Proposal.” Of course she has no chance for an Oscar nomination, but a Golden Globe nomination wouldn’t be too far-fetched. They love to reward financially viable chick flick comedies with nominations … Reese Witherspoon got a nomination for “Legally Blonde” in 2001. I love Reese, but I don’t think many would have called that one of the great performances of the year.

• 14 11-04-2009 at 5:48 pm
  
  Guy Lodge said...

  “Reese Witherspoon got a nomination for “Legally Blonde” in 2001. I love Reese, but I don’t think many would have called that one of the great performances of the year.”

  I would. Without hesitation.

• 15 11-04-2009 at 5:49 pm
  
  Andrew R. said...

  Actually I would call her performance in Legally Blonde great. I would of liked to seen her get a nom actually over Judi Dench that year.

• 16 11-04-2009 at 5:50 pm
  
  Andrew R. said...

  Yay someone else thinks so too!

• 17 11-04-2009 at 5:50 pm
  
  "Julianstark" said...

  Agreed

  I think her work in Legally Blonde was just as good as, if not better than, her work in Walk the Line. I just think Miss Witherspoon is better at comedy than drama…

• 18 11-04-2009 at 5:56 pm
  
  Morgan said...

  Doesn’t Sandra Bullock’s appearance in All About Steve this year disqualify her from any sort of Oscar consideration for a couple of years at least? Come on, there has to be something about that in the rulebook somewhere.

• 19 11-04-2009 at 5:56 pm
  
  Eddy said...

  Wait a minute…. Katie Jarvis is eligible? Fish Tank is eligible in all categories? I thought it had no distributor? Can you confirm, Kris?

• 20 11-04-2009 at 5:57 pm
  
  Guy Lodge said...

  “Fish Tank” is being distributed by IFC. Old news.

• 21 11-04-2009 at 5:58 pm
  
  Mr. F said...

  in my opinion Witherspoon’s work in Legally Blonde is her best so far (my best actress for 2001 is Nicole Kidman for Moulin Rouge though). It is just one of those performances that elevates the whole movie to above average status (see Amy Adams in Enchanted or Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30 for other examples)

• 22 11-04-2009 at 6:03 pm
  
  Marshall said...

  Well, I guess I was wrong. Glad I switched my phrasing from “none” to “many.” Then I would be in deep doo-doo.

• 23 11-04-2009 at 6:15 pm
  
  JAB said...

  Witherspoon may have won the oscar for Walk the Line, but Elle Woods is the role of her life. Thus far anyways.

  Also, is Private Lives of Pippa Lee not coming out this year? I noticed Robin Wright Penn missing from this list and feel like any darkhorse buzz she had not even three weeks ago is all gone.

• 24 11-04-2009 at 6:18 pm
  
  R.J. said...

  I feel like I’m beating a dead horse now, but I also really loved Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde. And I think the Sandra Bullock thing may be coming from her upcoming flick, The Blind Side.

• 25 11-04-2009 at 6:28 pm
  
  JAB said...

  yeah it is, she’s listed as a contender for The Blind Side

• 26 11-04-2009 at 6:32 pm
  
  Mr. F said...

  can I expect a year-end surprise like “Bolt” being #2 in Kris’ best of 2008 list from “The Blind Side”?

• 27 11-04-2009 at 6:37 pm
  
  Encore Entertainment said...

  Pfeiffer!! Hello?

• 28 11-04-2009 at 7:17 pm
  
  RyanT said...

  “Witherspoon may have won the oscar for Walk the Line, but Elle Woods is the role of her life. Thus far anyways.”

  I think Tracy Flick will take issue with that. I know I do (and I love Elle Woods).

• 29 11-04-2009 at 7:21 pm
  
  Glenn said...

  Let me join the chorus, Witherspoon in “Legally Blonde” is fantastic. It helps that the film is of a higher calibre than many of its type, but Witherspoon knocks it right outta the park. Identical situation to Anna Faris in “The House Bunny”, except the latter film isn’t as good as “Blonde”.

  This argument happens (almost) every year . This year, however, it should be the men that are being called out for having a lacklustre year

• 30 11-04-2009 at 7:22 pm
  
  Glenn said...

  And I’d also like to throw Julia Roberts for “Duplicity” in there. I thought she was great in that one.

• 31 11-04-2009 at 7:25 pm
  
  Georgie said...

  Maya Rudolph was wonderful in Away We Go, imo.

• 32 11-04-2009 at 7:30 pm
  
  Manuel said...

  No Saoirse Ronan? She’s in your lineup yet not on this name-dropping list.

  I’d also like to add support to Ms Roberts work in Duplicity (she’s bound to get a GG nom, no? If they made room for her for Charlie Wilson’s War can’t see why they wouldn’t, no?) and Ms Rudolph’s work in Mendes’ (albeit uneven) Away We Go.

• 33 11-04-2009 at 7:37 pm
  
  Marshall said...

  OH MY GOSH! Thank you Glenn for reminding me about Julia Roberts! “Duplicity” is the most under appreciated of the movies that I have seen this year (that should fend off a few critics of my bold statement). It deserves so much more attention than it will get. Which will be next to none.

• 34 11-04-2009 at 7:56 pm
  
  Kevin said...

  “Witherspoon may have won the oscar for Walk the Line, but Elle Woods is the role of her life. Thus far anyways.”

  I think Tracy Flick will take issue with that. I know I do (and I love Elle Woods).”

  I think Vanessa Lutz would take issue with that more so than Tracy Flick.

• 35 11-04-2009 at 8:24 pm
  
  Amanda said...

  I would like to add Amy Adams for Sunshine Cleaning to the list. She was great in that movie, I wish it would get a little more love.

• 36 11-04-2009 at 8:25 pm
  
  Me. said...

  I AGREE!!!

  Oh, and there’s something I want to get off my chest as well:

  THIS HAS NOT BEEN A BAD YEAR FOR FILM.

  “Micmacs”, “Bright Star” and “A Serious Man” are masterpieces. From acting to writing to photography to directing, they’re stunning works of art.

  There’s also “The Hurt Locker”, a visionary near-masterpiece about being addicted to danger during wartime, “(500) Days of Summer”, an honest romantic comedy that makes you identify with the leads, and the best of it’s type since Woody Allen’s romantic comedies, “Baaria”, Tornatore’s sensible yet beautiful tribute to Sicile and his father, “Creation”, a beautiful portrayal of Charles Darwin’s life with masterful performances by Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly, “Inglourious Basterds”, Tarantino’s latest near-masterpiece with an amazing storyline and memorable ending…

  Oh and “The White Ribbon”, “The Lovely Bones”, “A Prophet” and “Nine” are yet to be released, and from their trailers, they look like really good films.

• 37 11-04-2009 at 8:33 pm
  
  R.J. said...

  “Duplicity” is an all around fantastic film, I wish it were more well received. Roberts was in fine form, and she was sexy as hell in that role. She’s never been so confident and at ease before, I think she’s got more great performances in her for sure. I also think its a bit of a shame that Michelle Pfeiffer’s “Cheri” buzz has dwindled, I just watched the film and absolutely loved it, her performance was top-notch.

• 38 11-04-2009 at 8:38 pm
  
  Danny said...

  Wow: 37 comments already on something you’re just getting off your chest. That’s gotta be a good feeling.

• 39 11-04-2009 at 9:42 pm
  
  /3rtfu11 said...

  Where are their clips? Best Actresses for me at least have to have clips – example Kidman in The Hours – her clip in the train station saying she’s “dying here” – Bates in Misery “He didn’t get out of the cock-a-dooie car!” – Cher “Snap out of it!” – where are their clips – I’ve seen nothing that strikes me – all these performances this year feel like you have to watch the movie to appreciate them.

• 40 11-04-2009 at 9:51 pm
  
  Patryk said...

  One word: Tilda.

• 41 11-04-2009 at 9:55 pm
  
  Kristopher Tapley said...

  Manuel: I forgot to mention her, indeed. And really, anyone added to the list because I forgot just further proves the point, no?

• 42 11-04-2009 at 10:08 pm
  
  R.J. said...

  Isn’t that the point, /3rtfu11? The award is for the full performance, not the brief clips shown during the ceremony.

• 43 11-04-2009 at 10:46 pm
  
  Kevin said...

  This might spark terrible outrageous indignation but I’m yet to actually see any of the performances mentioned… I know, crazy, isn’t it? Needless to say, my anticipation for all of these performances is boundless.

• 44 11-04-2009 at 11:58 pm
  
  j said...

  I actually think Witherspoon’s perf is not only the best of her career (though I don’t like her in a good # of her films) but one of the best acting performances of the decade. She made/carried that movie almost completely on her own.

• 45 11-05-2009 at 12:44 am
  
  mike said...

  so we all agree that reese witherspoon is the greatest actress of her generation? yep, thought so, and she can move dollars at the box office. love her.

• 46 11-05-2009 at 1:15 am
  
  j said...

  No. That’s the only performance I really like of hers. Kate Winslet, meanwhile…

• 47 11-05-2009 at 1:59 am
  
  Guy Lodge said...

  “all these performances this year feel like you have to watch the movie to appreciate them”

  You make that sound like it’s a bad thing.

  Anyway, many of the performances have obvious clip moments: Mulligan’s anti-education speech to her headmistress, Streep’s assorted applications of “bon appetit,” Gainsbourg’s “where are you” meltdown in the forest … not that we’ll be seeing the latter in any awards ceremonies, of course!

  I would also venture that few actresses this year own as great an individual scene as Pfeiffer’s final one before the mirror in “Cheri.”

• 48 11-05-2009 at 2:05 am
  
  Manuel said...

  YUPP! Witherspoon in Legally Blond is fantastic. Im surprised she did not get more praise or awards for her role. Though this is a girlymovie I must admit I LOVE IT he he

  What about Emily Watson in the Within the Whirlwind?

• 49 11-05-2009 at 5:46 am
  
  jason said...

  it seems like people have been claiming weak actress races for about the last ten years in a row

• 50 11-05-2009 at 8:28 am
  
  Nick Davis said...

  I think the person asking about Fish Tank meant to ask, is the movie eligible for awards consideration, or isn’t IFC holding it till ‘10?

  I think the list could stretch to include Kim Ok-vin in Thirst, Arta Dobroshi in Lorna’s Silence, and especially Catalina Saavedra in The Maid, still in theaters. Keep it international! Juliette Binoche in Summer Hours has her ardent supporters, as does Nasreen Faour in Amreeka. And Ellen Page kind of nailed her assignment in Whip It, right?

• 51 11-05-2009 at 3:35 pm
  
  Patryk said...

  2006 was one year in which all 5 nominees were Oscar-worthy. Then, I thought it belonged to Mirren. Now, I would go with Dench or Winslet. 2009 looks to repeat.

• 52 11-05-2009 at 3:53 pm
  
  Guy Lodge said...

  By “repeat,” you mean Mirren’s gonna win? I have a hard time picturing that, personally.

• 53 11-06-2009 at 5:52 am
  
  alex said...

  Please, Oscar for Michelle Pffeifer¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

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