Tyler’s Films.

 

Amy Adams, Enchanted

Why?

• She’s being raved across the board by critics. Also, being a former nominee doesn’t hurt.
  
• Apparently, her character undertakes a great emotional transformation. As we know, Adams can pull off roles with not much to work with very well, so imagine if she did have a lot to work with, as critics indicate.
• The downside : The film, or even performance itself could be considered fluff by the voters.

Halle Berry, Things We Lost in the Fire

Why?

• Berry’s character is one of the most baity of the year. With this, comes a lot with Berry to work with, and she pulls it off par none.
• As a former Oscar winner in a slump, the Academy may find it a good time to give her a ‘break’ and give her another nomination.
• The downside : A fairly early release + the immense amount of competition could see her being snubbed.

Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth : The Golden Age

Why?

• Another strong performance by one of the most beloved by the Academy. This could be the year where we see her garner two nominations.
• While the film receives negative review upon negative review, her performance is still being called one of the best of the year.
• The downside : She’s already been nominated for this role, will the Academy nominate her again for the same role?

Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd : The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Why?

• As a former Oscar nominee, she has at the very least ’some’ respect among the Academy. This slight advantage could give her, her second nomination.
• She’s campaigning for lead, as opposed to supporting (where she apparently should be). This could be a good sign, because most of the time when a person campaigns for leading as opposed to their actual category, they normally get a nomination.
• The downside : No reviews as of yet. The same goes for what I said about Johnny Depp, she must know how to sing, for it is a musical and I’m sure she has musical numbers.

Julie Christie, Away from Her

Why?

• A three time Academy Award nominee. A veteran of forty years. If the Academy wants to go sentimental, she should be all locked up.
• A heartbreaking performance. Many critics are calling it the best of the year.
• The downside : The film’s release was in May. So, if the Academy doesn’t want to nominate a veteran, they may forget about her come January.

Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose

Why?

• The most acclaimed performance of the year.
  
• If the voters want to nominate someone new, Cotillard seems like the safest and least controversial bet.
• The downside : Early release, average reviews for the film as a whole, and foreign.

Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart

Why?

• An extraordinary performance from a former Oscar winner. This performance is also being called one of the best of the year. A truly authentic performance.
• Jolie portrays a real person that experienced a horrible incident. This incident occurred only a few years ago. So if people can connect the travesty with the performance come January, she may be able to get a nomination.
• The downside : Jolie is losing buzz…rapidly. This is her only major problem. If campaigned properly, she should be fine.

Nicole Kidman, Margot at the Wedding

Why?

• Nicole Kidman’s ‘comeback’ performance. She is being singled out in most reviews for the film.
• The film is an independent comedic drama. The academy loves to nominate these types of performances.
  
• The downside : The film is getting relatively negative reviews. Most films that get negative reviews do not generate enough attention for more than one performance to be nominated. And at this point, her co-star Jennifer Jason Leigh seems to be the most likely to be nominated from the film.

Keira Knightley, Atonement

Why?

• Keira is rapidly becoming one of the most beloved actresses in Hollywood today. Year after year she demonstrates her natural talent, and with this, it seems she’s only becoming better and better. When American critics see the film, I can assure you they will called it her best performance. With that, I can see a nomination.
• The film is one of the most acclaimed of the year, and the Academy loves to over nominate ‘great’ films.
• The downside : If American critics (by some off chance) take to the film negatively, Keira may be lost in the commotion that is this years Lead Actress race.

Laura Linney, The Savages

Why?

• Another independent comedic drama for the voters to swoon over. With this, comes another actress performance they will probably love. And unlike Margot at the Wedding, this film is being loved.
• Linney, being a former Oscar nominee, has some recognition to her name already. Since there is a lot of up and coming actress in the race this year, they may want to nominate her.
• The downside : There are a lot of indie-comedic performances in the race this year. Meaning there is that really makes her performance ’standout’ and is ‘different’. Besides this minor problem, she looks to be secured.

Ellen Page, Juno

Why?

• 20 year old, Ellen Page delivers one of the most comedic performances of the year. With this, she stars in (what seems to be most likely) the beloved independent comedy of the year.
  
• Last year, she starred in Hard Candy. Though that film was much to small to be in contention for Lead Actress, the Academy could think back on that performance and want to nominate her more so.
• The downside : She is only 20 years old. The Academy may be waiting for a later time to nominate her, especially due to the strong competition.

Keri Russell, Waitress

Why?

• An amazing performance from Mrs. Russell, who in my opinion, is this year’s true breakout actress. Delivering a fantastic performance, where others may have failed… and the critics recognize this as well.
• Though her film was small, it did manage to make 20 Million, which is very good under it’s circumstances. Possibly helping her chances.
  
• The downside : Alike ‘Away from Her’, her film was released in early May, which really does hurt her chances. Though, with her film ‘August Rush’ coming out closer to Oscar Season, it may enhance her exposure for this performance. The DVD release is also in Oscar season. We can only hope for the best here.

Uma Thurman, In Bloom

Why?

• A well liked actress, with a previous Oscar nomination for another controversial role. If done right in critics eyes, this could be the dark horse for Best Actress. (i’ve seen the film. loved her performance)
• Many people find that Thurman was snubbed in both 03 and 04 for Best Actress. Maybe this year will be when the Academy makes up for it.
• The downside : It’s a controversial film. It all depends on whether or not critics are intrigued by the film as a whole, or repulsed by it. If they think it does for high school shootings what United 93 did for 9/11, she will probably will win, just to the exposure.

Turquoise - My Predicted Winner
Blue - Top 5
Green - Top 10
Purple - Outside Shot

//////////***Predicted Nominees***\\\\\\\\\\

• Julie Christie, Away from Her
• Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
• Keira Knightley, Atonement
• Laura Linney, The Savages
• Uma Thurman, In Bloom

//////////***Rounding Out the Top 10***\\\\\\\\\\

• Amy Adams, Enchanted
• Halle Berry, Things We Lost in the Fire
• Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
• Ellen Page, Juno
• Keri Russell, Waitress