Whenever Oscar buzz starts going around it’s usually the high profile projects that get talked about first… and that’s understandable to a degree. I actually had a debate with a friend of mine the other day who was INSISTING that if Heath Ledger doesn’t win Best Supporting Actor this year it would be a crime. I gently pointed out that his proposition was absurd since he hasn’t even seen most of the other contending performances yet. For all he knew Ledger’s Joker could end up being the 15th best performance of the year (unlikely, but you get my point).
Anyway, our friend Kris Tapley over at InContention.Com put up a great little post about the performances we haven’t seen yet but that we need to keep our eyes open for that could end up grabbing a lot of Oscar buzz. In his post Kris fleshes out each one so you should go on over and read it… but for now here is the list he gives:
10. Richard Jenkins, “The Visitor”
9. Tobey Maguire, “Brothers”
8. Clint Eastwood, “Gran Torino”
7. Elizabeth Banks, “W.” (I hope he’s right. She deserves more attention)
6. Marisa Tomei, “The Wrestler”
5. Liev Screiber, “Defiance” Damn I can’t wait to see this one)
4. Elsa Zylberstein, “I’ve Loved You So Long”
3. James Franco, “Milk” (He looked fantastic in the trailer)
2. Michelle Williams, “Wendy and Lucy”
1. Michael Shannon, “Revolutionary Road”
Great list. It’s a great reminder that even though we’re coming out of possibly the best summer for movies in my lifetime, the traditionally BEST movies of the year season is still to come. 2008 could end up being on of the best overall movie year in the last decade.
I agree with your comment about Elizabeth Banks for Best Supporting Actress as “Laura Bush”. She does indeed deserve more attention.
“W” is sure to be a controversial film but one packed with a number of great performances. I think Banks could very well stand out among them as the empathetic and grounded First Lady.
Sorry for the repeated sentences. Copy-paste deal
@Emad
Obviously, you check more websites than me. From the websites I read, they said she gave a wonderful performance but that was it. Obviously, you check more websites than me.
Sorry
these are supposed to be performances that people are not talking about.
sally hawkins is the most talked about contender right now
OK, Tapley predicted Penelope Cruz to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Then I’ll say Kathy Bates for Revolutionary Road
So these are the performances that are not really talked about but could get an Oscar nom?
Here is my list:
Actor: Viggo Mortensen (The Road)
Supporting Actor: John Malkovich (Burn After Reading); Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt)
Actress: Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married); Sally Hawkins (Happy Go Lucky)
Supporting Actress: Vera Farmiga (Nothing But The Truth); Penelope Cruz (Vicky Christina Barcelona)
I’ve heard buzz out of the Toronto Film Fest that Anne Hathaway’s performance in Rachel Getting Married could earn her a nom.
Hey William
You said:
“While i 100% agree, isn’t that a bit hypocritical of you john, considering how you, and most other bloggers on this site, always say how you will never see a film for whatever reason?”
Those are two very different things. My reasons for not wanting to see any film are subjective and personal. I already KNOW why I don’t WANT to see any particular movie.
It’s one thing to make a PREDICTION about something being good or bad (as above), but it’s another thing entirely to make an absolute statement like Leger MUST win best supporting actor when most of the other contenders haven’t even screened yet.
darren in case of rourke,the problem is he is already the most talked about lead actor candidate!
Strategery…. GO W!!!!!
I can almost garuntee MILK to be up for best actor, director and picture.
“I gently pointed out that his proposition was absurd since he hasn’t even seen most of the other contending performances yet”
While i 100% agree, isn’t that a bit hypocritical of you john, considering how you, and most other bloggers on this site, always say how you will never see a film for whatever reason?
Justice League, Saw V for example…?
footnote:
“The Wrestler”- don’t you think MIckey Rourke should be on this list as well?
I’m also looking forward to Defiance (which also stars Daniel Craig) and it’s nice to see a mention of both Marisa Tomei and rising actor Mike Shannon in the same breath.
Clint Eastwood is a no-brainer. But the question is: will they give it to him for acting, which would be nice if they did, or would they nom him as the director, which they most likely will anyway?
Agreed. This time is surely one of the 2000’s best. I can’t wait to see those guys gives their best performance. Hope they won’t disappointing.