Actress - The Film Experience

85th Oscars. Predictions for Films of 2012
Last year's race was super tight... which is unfortunately rare in this category. Will there be another nailbiter?

April Foolish Predictions .... for entertainment and speculation purposes only. Read and discuss

*The Goddesses of the Race?*

Maggie Smith 6 noms \| 2 wins QUARTET Why? Haughty primadonnas are what we love her for. She's getting on in years and still working her ass off in films and TV to much audience love. But... If the film underwhelms or feels too ensemble-focused for lead traction.	Laura Linney 3 nominations HYDE PARK ON HUDSON Why? A beloved actress in the key role in an Baity project. But... since her character is presumably our window into the proceedings of flashier famous characters... might she go supporting?	Amy Adams 3 nominations THE TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE Why? She barely has to lift a finger to be nominated (not that she hasn't deserved most of them) so why not this father daughter drama with Eastwood? But... Sometimes you have the right players but it doesn't gel. Reviews will tell us.	Keira Knightley 1 nomination ANNA KARENINA Why? Though this is nowhere near the safe bet people are assuming (this is filmed all the time and rarely "hits") both of her period collaborations with Joe Wright yielded Oscar heat. But... She's still a divisive actress and she'll need more consensus than she usually gets	Barbra Streisand 2 noms \| 1 win * in this category* THE GUILT TRIP Why? It's surprisingly easy to imagine Babs enjoying her own "Keaton/Somethings Gotta Give" style public national treasure lovefest out of the blue. She's best in comedies and if it's a big hit, well, Oscar loves a successful dramedy. But... they don't always go for funny girls. See also...
*Ladies in Waiting?*

Kristen Wiig never nominated for acting IMOGENE Why? As a depressed playwright moving back in with her mother, Wiig presumably has another fine role to show her actorly gift. Wasn't she great in Bridesmaids? But... Might be one of those performers who makes it look too easy / casual. They like you to see you really sweating for affect.	Helen Hunt 1 nom \| 1 win THE SURROGATE Why? Sundance favorites are hit and miss once they reach lower altitudes but her sexual duet with a paralyzed John Hawkes could be just what she needs to be welcomed back into Oscar's shiny gold arms. But... Her post-Oscar film career was nothing much. Might that affect chances at traction?	Sandra Bullock 1 nom \| 1 win GRAVITY Why? From the earliest days of hearing about this movie it sounded like a challenge for an A actress. Solitude in space. But... It's a sci-fi picture and those almost never find actor's branch love. Even if it's great whose to say where the credit will fall? Will it be considered a directors piece first and foremost or will the heavy challenge lead to Oscar respect?	Marion Cotillard 1 nom \| 1 win RUST & BONE Why? Jacques Audiard makes dependably terrific movies usually with electric lead performances carrying them. But... ...he makes them in French and Oscar never notices (apart from that foreign film nod for A Prophet)	Nicole Kidman 3 noms \| 1 win THE PAPERBOY Why? The role looks like a rich one, even if the character isn't classy. With a showy character and quite a lot of screen time perhaps she's on the lead/supporting divide. See also Supporting But... It's tough to predict Oscar and critical love for Kidman; it runs hot and cold.in both cases.
Wild Cards?

Viola Davis 2 nominations WON'T BACK DOWN Why? The last Oscar race was presumed to be tight so she could be back soon -- maybe even consecutively with this education drama in which she plays a teacher risking her job for a crusade. But... those two lead movies always cause Oscar campaign tomfoolery so how will Maggie Gyllenhaal factor in?	Dakota Fanning never nominated EFFIE Why? She's been famous and widely understood as very talented for so long that it's tough to remember she's never quite had a signature role post- I Am Sam. If this is it... But... Small period indies are often lost in the shuffle.	Carey Mulligan 1 nomination THE GREAT GATSBY Why? Daisy may be a showy role (as in showpiece) but isn't exactly a baity role. But... The movie will have to be great to secure acting nods though technical love is easier to imagine.	Jennifer Lawrence 1 nomination THE HUNGER GAMES Why? The film is is huge. Her name will stay in the conversation and the Globes might bite. But... Silver Linings Playbook will probably redirect JLaw love come year's end.	Marion Cotillard 1 noms \| 1 win LOWLIFE Why? James Gray has many admirers if not a legion of ticket buying ones. This drama about an exploited immigrant woman sounds interesting. But... Even Two Lovers barely caused a stir despite great reviews / performances
It's Foolish To Predict in April. Anything Can Happen!
Other Leading Roles For Women This Year... Leslie Mann -This is Forty Helen Mirren - The Door Scarlett Johansson - Under the Skin Meryl Streep - Great Hope Springs Mia Wasikowska - Stoker Kathleen Turner -A Perfect Family Amanda Seyfried - Lovelace Naomi Watts - Sunlight Jr. Supporting & Lead Debates Forthcoming... Jennifer Lawrence - The Silver Linings Playbook Julianne Moore - The English Teacher Julianne Moore - What Maise Knew Maggie Gyllenhaal - Won't Back Down Super Young Leads So If There's Traction ... Supporting? Rachel Mwanza - War Witch Qvenzhane Wallis -Beasts of the Southern Wild Onata Aprile - What Maise Knew