Oscar-nomics: Best Actress Predictions

Not going to lie, this is a nice batch of lovely ladies this year. Its mixed with the "saw coming from a mile away" nominees to the "good for her" nominees to the "Sweet, SHE MADE IT!!!" nominees. This maybe me balancing out my frustration of the Best Actor Race, but I am pretty ok with this list. I would've liked to see them take a chance with say Tilda Swinton, but a surprise nominee in this category made me overlook it, mostly since I have yet to see her movie (though the trailers are rather haunting in my opinion). That being said, while there has been talk of this being a highly competitive category, I think the winner was solidified at SAG's. Here are the nominees:

 
Glenn Close: Albert Nobbs
I chalk this one under "saw coming from a mile away" nominations, but its still a "good for her" nomination nontheless. Mrs. Close takes on the role of a transgender female so effortlessly, which might be chalked up to this being her dream project for quite some time. However, the film wasn't very well liked and her chances are slim based on the lack of awards support. She could gain some overdue love, but many are playing that up more so for Meryl Streep, which is kind of annoying when you think about it (Meryl Streep: 2 gold statues, Glenn Close: 0!?!?!). Sad to see her go 0-6, but I am still hopeful she will win one day.

Viola Davis: The Help
While many, including myself, saw this coming, I am still very happy for it because she was my favorite part. of the film. As a maid and, in reality, a second mom to a upper-class white family back in the times of racist segregation, Mrs. Davis gives the role, as well as the film, a heart and a sense of direction. She is very powerful in the role as Aibileen and slowly but surely finds the power within her to rise up against the segregation. While I thought the role to be a bit more on the supporting side, I have no problems calling this lady as your winner. Her role is very showy, the movie practically revolves around her, and she has been really passionate with her speeches and humility around the awards circuit, she's the perfect candidate in my opinion. The fact that she, as well as the win, won the SAG awards further points to a big, deserving, win for her.

Rooney Mara: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
This might of came at the expense of Tilda Swinton, but I am ok with that because this is my "Sweet, SHE MADE IT!!!" nomination. Its a role that one must truly commit to in all facets of the character, and she never skips a beat. Many will have qualms when comparing this to the original film, but if you read the book, Lisbeth is the pure image of Stieg Larsson's masterpiece (not saying Noomi Rapace's work was weaker by any means). It is too bad she, like Mrs. Close, didn't gain much awards momentum, because I could see Ms. Mara being an excellent competition. Sadly, the nomination is the reward, but on the plus side.... THE NOMINATION IS THE REWARD!!!

Meryl Streep: The Iron Lady
Raise your hand if you didn't see this one coming? Mrs. Streep can read the phonebook and get a nomination, she's just that darn good, and the Iron Lady is no exception. Many thought she could take down Mrs. Davis because of her Golden Globe win, but lets be honest, the Globes love Mrs. Streep. The fact is, her film wasn't that great, she is the reason why many people gave it a pass, and I think that hurts her more than helps her (Davis' film is a Best Picture nominee). I think as great a Streep's performances are and probably will be for years to come, she will be the bridesmaid and not the bride for many more excellent leading ladies (although I was upset Sandra Bullock took it from her when I felt Carey Mulligan should've).

Michelle Williams: My Week with Marylin
Another no-brainer nominee, but still a welcomed one. Ms. Williams throws herself into the role as Marylin Monroe, not simply a mimic but a transformation. In another year, I could see her taking this one, but I don't see that happening. Her film, while liked, wasn't as loved as our previous nominees and has done so so with audiences as well. I think Michelle Williams will one day receive the Oscar, but for now the nomination is the reward so I am happy for her, and I am sure the great Marylin Monroe would be as well.

Will Win: Viola Davis The Help
Runner-Up: Meryl Streep The Iron Lady

Should Win: Viola Davis The Help or Rooney Mara The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (I'm not picky)
Should've Been Nominated: Tilda Swinton We Need to Talk About Kevin

Jack's Movie Radar: Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Hey everyone,
I know I promised a Clint Eastwood review every week and I've sort of dropped the ball on that. I will be continuing on that path soon, but there is a film trailer I kind of wanted to mention before I go back into that stuff. It is the trailer for "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Now, if you are friends with me on facebook, you know I generally post new trailers on my wall with a snippet of my opinion, and I did that with this trailer initially a week or so ago. However, after much thought I decided to give this a further bump, even though this film doesn't come out until december.

The film is based on the popular trilogy of books by Stieg Larsson, about two people (Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander). In the first one, Dragon Tattoo, they attempt to solve the mystery around the disappearance of a young lady. It is through this disappearance that we learn more of said family, the Vangers, and their own past. I think thats about as much into the books as I can get without spoiling anything.

Anyway, I had read the book, currently on the second one, and I must say, these books are spectacular. The characters are VERY well defined, Mr. Larsson is a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to writing the backgrounds of the characters. The story is well paced and its sort of written like a journal, so it flows well and doesn't really fall apart, it makes you want to go on to the next book. But I am losing track, on to the trailer.

The Swedish film version I though was ok, it definitely had its moments where it strayed from the books a bit. The cast was great, particularly Noomi Rapace as Liusbeth. Now, Rooney Mara (Social Network) takes the role with, what Im considering a perfect casting choice, Daniel Craig as Blomkvist. That's where I think this film will succeed, the cast I think is perfect. Stellan Skarsgard as Martin Vanger, the great Christopher Plummer as Henrik Vanger (the head of the family), and Robin Wright as Erika Berger, a "coworker" of Blomkvist. The trailer I think is very well done, it doesn't give much away, but if you've read the book, you will have a good idea of whats going on. Also, the great David Fincher (Seven, Social Network) is directing and Steve Zaillian (Schindler's List) is adapting it, I mean come on. Definitely keep this one on the radar come Christmas time, Im already feeling this is going to be a heavy hitter come oscars, but I also said that about Social Network, so we shall see.

p.s. The tagline for the film is "Evil Shall with Evil be Expelled" I think that's just an awesome tagline for this film.

Here's a link to the trailer, since my original attempt got taken down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yUwXwrR35U

Movie's I've Seen Recently:
Water for Elephants: B
Win Win: A (see this if you get a chance)
Bridesmaids: B-