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BEST ACTOR
1. Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
2. Sean Penn, Milk
3. Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
4. Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
5. Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Strong Contenders: Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino; Richard Jenkins, The Visitor; Benicio Del Toro, Che
Longshots: Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey; Hugh Jackman, Australia; Daniel Craig, Defiance; Michael Sheen, Frost/Nixon
The top four actors are probable. All have earned raves in early reviews of their respective films, especially Rourke and Penn. And Langella, a respected vet, is playing Richard Nixon, an undeniable Oscar-bait role. Pitt seems less certain, if only because early reviews haven't explicitly leaned one way or the other on his performance. Once again, it comes down to Eastwood. If he's good, voters may feel like they need to reward him. Again. Jenkins, too, could resurface in end-of-the-year critics awards.
1. Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
2. Sean Penn, Milk
3. Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road
4. Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
5. Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Strong Contenders: Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino; Richard Jenkins, The Visitor; Benicio Del Toro, Che
Longshots: Dustin Hoffman, Last Chance Harvey; Hugh Jackman, Australia; Daniel Craig, Defiance; Michael Sheen, Frost/Nixon
The top four actors are probable. All have earned raves in early reviews of their respective films, especially Rourke and Penn. And Langella, a respected vet, is playing Richard Nixon, an undeniable Oscar-bait role. Pitt seems less certain, if only because early reviews haven't explicitly leaned one way or the other on his performance. Once again, it comes down to Eastwood. If he's good, voters may feel like they need to reward him. Again. Jenkins, too, could resurface in end-of-the-year critics awards.
BEST ACTRESS
1. Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
2. Meryl Streep, Doubt
3. Cate Blanchett, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
4. Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
5. Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Strong Contenders: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky; Angelina Jolie, Changeling; Kate Beckinsale, Nothing But the Truth
Longshots: Melissa Leo, Frozen River; Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy; Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey; Nicole Kidman, Australia
Once a sure bet, Jolie has fallen off given Changeling's mixed reviews. Hawkins has a major cheerleader (Ebert) in her corner, and could supplant Scott Thomas. Hathaway turned enough heads that she seems like a safe bet. But, this is a race between Streep and the two K/Cates. All three have earned high praise in early screenings (Streep's bizarre pan in Variety notwithstanding).
1. Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
2. Meryl Streep, Doubt
3. Cate Blanchett, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
4. Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
5. Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long
Strong Contenders: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky; Angelina Jolie, Changeling; Kate Beckinsale, Nothing But the Truth
Longshots: Melissa Leo, Frozen River; Michelle Williams, Wendy and Lucy; Emma Thompson, Last Chance Harvey; Nicole Kidman, Australia
Once a sure bet, Jolie has fallen off given Changeling's mixed reviews. Hawkins has a major cheerleader (Ebert) in her corner, and could supplant Scott Thomas. Hathaway turned enough heads that she seems like a safe bet. But, this is a race between Streep and the two K/Cates. All three have earned high praise in early screenings (Streep's bizarre pan in Variety notwithstanding).
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I'd love to see Richard Jenkins get a nod for Best Actor. And The Visitor surprise everyone with a Best Picture nomination.
Milk isn't an original screenplay.
Wait, why would Dev Patel be in Supporting category when you yourself acknowledge he's lead?
Ita all so contrived and predictable:
An English Actress will be nominated in both support and lead roles.
The best film will embrace a controversial topic ie Milk
Brad Pitt was criminaly underestimated in last years Jesse James so i see him getting a best actor nod and because he is working with Fincher he too will be represented in the best director category.
Clint has said that this is his last year as a actor so he could be a sentimental bet for best actor.
Hathaway will be the pretty young thing outside bet.
Keep an eye out for Hunger which is picking up indie awards left right and centre. It embracesses a controversial topic and no doubt this will influence the academy voters. However, the Director is a former artist and the lead actor Fassenbender lost alot of weight for the role. They like it when an actor does this. Both these men could pick up noms in Director and Actor categories respectively....just dont expect them to win.
Yes, Eastwood's plan to retire is a gimmick to get the Oscar he has always dreamt of: the Best Male Lead Award. Sincerely, he has been overpraised by modern voters. Giving him an Oscar in this category would be laughable.