The coveted little guy (AP)
As predicted last week, no changes in the top three categories this week. Hopefully you are not shocked that
Awake, last week's one new wide release, did not cause any movement on the list. So this week seems like the right time to expand the list to include the supporting categories. And rest assured: this Friday brings some heavy hitters who will definitely make an impact on the 'ol list. As always, keep in mind that this list only includes movies that have come out in Dallas, and as new movies are released, I'll update the list. With that in mind, on to the list of nominees...
Best Picture
American Gangster
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Eastern Promises
No Country for Old Men
Into the Wild
Best Actor
Tommy Lee Jones (In the Valley of Elah)
Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild)
Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises)
George Clooney (Michael Clayton)
Denzel Washington (American Gangster)
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth: The Golden Age)
Julie Christie (Away from Her)
Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose)
Halle Berry (Things We Lost in the Fire)
Angelina Jolie (A Mighty Heart)
Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men)
Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild)
Tommy Lee Jones (No Country For Old Men)
Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton)
Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jessee James by the Coward Robert Ford)
The thinking: Bardem seems to be riding the movie's overall strength to the lead in this category. My personal preference would be for Affleck for his nuanced, internal performance as the picked upon member of the James gang. But I think he's a long-shot. Wilkinson may also stop short of the finish line, but he plays crazy as good as anyone.
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett (I'm Not There)
Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone)
Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton)
Ruby Dee (American Gangster)
Catherine Keener (Into the Wild)
The thinking: This seems to be Blanchett's category to lose. In a mess of a movie, she was the one element worth watching. Her portrayal of Dylan is more than just an impression. Ryan and Swinton are likely the only others on this list who have a real shot at remaining on the list through the end of the year; Dee and Keener, while giving good performances, are pretty much place-fillers on the list.
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Comments
Posted by Kip Mooney @ 4:08 PM Tue, Dec 04, 2007
I'm wondering how much longer it will before 'The Assassination of Jesse James' is banished from the list of Best Picture nominees forever. It's really just been taking up space since it made the cut. I really don't think it has a prayer for anything but Best Supporting Actor. I also think (and maybe this thinking is only wishful), that if the buzz for 'Things We Lost in the Fire' continues to deteriorate, maybe Keri Russell will pick up a nomination for her glowing work in 'Waitress.'
Posted by stephen becker @ 4:17 PM Tue, Dec 04, 2007
Kip -- If my crystal ball is clear, you can bet that Assassination is currently enjoying its final week on the list.