BLANCHETT
MADSEN
PORTMAN
LINNEY
OKONEDO
take on
Hepburn is
more than an
impersonation;
she gets inside
the skin of the
woman in
funny, touching
scenes.
being scattered
among a few
names, nearly
every critics'
award went her
way. AMPAS
loves
re-discovering
someone.
victory at the
Golden Globes
puts her back
in the race.
Younger
actresses can
sometimes
claim wins in
this category.
drop in buzz
for "Kinsey"
her name has
remained a
constant. It's
a very Oscary
role -- crying,
yelling,
domestic strife.
Don Cheadle
perfectly and
lovingly in this
socially
important film.
Oscar often
invites newbies
to the big kids'
table.
wary of giving
so many
Oscars this
year to actors
playing real
people. Are
they honoring
Blanchett or
Hepburn?
competitors
like Laura
Linney and
Cate Blanchett,
she doesn't
have that
much screen
time. It's very
"supporting."
competition
has been
favored by the
critics. She
doesn't
"deserve it" as
much as
someone like
Blanchett.
overall love for
the film may
doom her
chances.
Voters tend to
side with the
frontrunners --
like "Aviator"
and "Sideways."
certainly not
known at the
level of the
competition.
This
recognition
should be used
as a
career-starter.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
I guess voters felt one nod was enough this year.
MERYL STREEP, The Manchurian Candidate
Chewed ice. Chewed scenery. Chewed Portman. No Oscar.
CLORIS LEACHMAN, Spanglish
It was unlikely that anything from "Spanglish" would make it.
SHARON WARREN, Ray
Her performance was singled out, but she got lost in the mix.
MINNIE DRIVER, Phantom of the Opera
When a film tanks overall, it's tough to wade out.
REGINA KING, Ray
She was great, but there was a vote-splitting problem here.
MAIA MORGENSTERN, The Passion of the Christ
Oscar avoided making "political" choices like this in '05.
