Tyler’s Films.

Cate Blanchett, I’m Not There

Why?

• By far the most raved supporting actress performance of the year, for one of the most interesting roles of the year.
• Blanchett is a voter favourite. Her popularity helps her a lot this year. Especially in this ‘weak’ category.
• The downside : The film isn’t being ‘loved’… but she’s basically a lock, in my opinion.

Ruby Dee, American Gangster

Why?

• An actress of 84 years in age. It seems each category will have at least one veteran nominee, and for this category, Dee seems very likely for this spot.
• The role is very realistic, which the Academy loves to vote for. Especially if the role has that ‘one’ scene that puts it up and above, and she does indeed have one of these scenes.
• The downside : Lack of screen time. Her performance is good for what it’s worth, but in my opinion, not exactly Oscar caliber.

Jennifer Garner, Juno

Why?

• Her performance is of a wife in duress. Since it’s predicted the film is going to make a splash, they may want to give it a nomination in an acting category.
• Garner works the role unlike any other actress could. Plus she was just fantastic.
• The downside : The role may be lost in all of the Juno love, which mainly focuses on Page and other members of the cast either more or the same amount as the reviews do her.

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Margot at the Wedding

Why?

• She, alike Garner, plays a wife in duress. Unlike Garner, her role is more comedic than anything. With this, comes a few very well place, very well executed dramatic scenes… which she works wonders with.
• To be blunt… she is sleeping with the director. If Baumbach can pull some votes for her, that’ll help her a lot.
• The downside : The film is receiving a predominant amount of negative reviews. This could hurt her chances.

Shirley MacLaine, Closing the Ring

Why?

• Not much is known about the role or performance, only that it’s about a person coping with crippled love that’s lost. Very baity.
• Maclaine is a very, very loved actress. She is the most likely actress to be nominated due to their status as a veteran.
• The downside : There haven’t been many reviews for the film, and most of them are quite vague. So this prediction is really just a shot in the dark.

Samantha Morton, Control

Why?

• A young, loved actress that can pull votes very easily due to her just being her.
• Gives the best performance in one of the best reviewed films of the year.
  
• The downside : The film is British and very independent, this could really hurt the film’s chances.

Vanessa Redgrave, Atonement

Why?

• One of the most loved veteran actresses in Hollywood.
• All the time she has on screen is great. A lot of dialog for her to work with. Could be the surprise nominee.
• The downside : Her role is only seven minutes in length. Also, the other two actresses that play Briony are getting either better or the same types of performance reviews.

Julia Roberts, Charlie Wilson’s War

Why?

• The most known woman in Hollywood. Popularity votes basically put her in an easy nomination.
• Judging from the trailer, she looks very witty, very sharp, and pulls off her accent very well. If her performance is like the trailer, she should be nominated.
• The downside : No reviews for the film as of yet. I’m just going on a hunch.

Saoirse Ronan, Atonement

Why?

• One of the most raved supporting actress performances of the year.
• A child actress that does a role extremely well. This alone could give her a nomination.
• The downside : The supporting actresses in Atonement could have a three way vote split, resulting in none of them being nominated.

Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone

Why?

• A role reminiscent of Mercedes Ruehl’s in The Fisher King. Foul mouthed, and very, very believable.
• While the role isn’t Academy friendly, it could be the ‘controversial’ choice in this category.
  
• The downside : Buzz for her performance seems to have faded. This certainly hurts her chances.

Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Why?

• As a veteran actress, with no previous Oscar recognition, they may give her a ‘makeup’ nomination.
• A highly regarded performance in one of the best reviewed films of the year.
• The downside : Her sadly minimal screen time, and lack of being singled out in reviews could cause her to be forgotten.

Evan Rachel Wood, In Bloom

Why?

• Broke out in 2003 with a Golden Globe nominated performance. Has had a few great performances since. This could be her year.
• Her role comes at a harsh time in today’s society. It’s about a teen being in a high school that got shot up. Her performance is devastating, and very realistic. If it isn’t considered too controversial, she should be nominated.
• The downside : If the film is deemed controversial… she hasn’t got a chance in hell.

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

For the lazy :

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

• Cate Blanchett, I’m Not There
• Jennifer Garner, Juno
• Shirley Maclaine, Closing the Ring
• Julia Roberts, Charlie Wilson’s War
• Saoirse Ronan, Atonement

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

• Jennifer Jason Leigh, Margot at the Wedding
• Samantha Morton, Control
• Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
• Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
• Evan Rachel Wood, In Bloom