It’s been a while since you, the readers, have decided what performance should be analyzed in the Almost There series. Since it’s October, let’s do a Halloween-themed poll to spice things up. While AMPAS is notoriously allergic to horror movies, some performances came close to an Oscar nomination, whether their movies were otherwise embraced or not. Here are ten examples, complete with the precursors they won, why I think they were close, and where you can find each flick. The contenders are…
Anthony Perkins in PSYCHO (1960)
While most of the awards attention was focused on Janet Leigh, Psycho did get four Oscar nominations, including for Best Director. Anthony Perkins, a nominee for 1956’s Friendly Persuasion, was also recognized by the Bambi Awards in the category of Best International Actor.
The film’s streaming on Fubo, Showtime, DirecTV, and Spectrum On Demand.
Tippi Hedren in THE BIRDS (1963)
While The Birds was only nominated for a Best Visual Effects Oscar, Tippi Hedren won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer.
The film’s streaming on Fubo, Showtime, DirecTV, TCM, and Spectrum On Demand.
Mia Farrow in ROSEMARY’S BABY (1968)
Rosemary’s Baby won an Oscar for Ruth Gordon, getting an additional nod for Roman Polanski. That season, Mia Farrow was nominated by the Golden Globes, BAFTA, the Laurel Awards and won both the David di Donatello awards as well as a Fotograma de Plata for Best Actress.
The film’s streaming on Starz, DirecTV, and Spectrum On Demand.
Susannah York in IMAGES (1972)
Winner of the Best Actress prize at that year’s Cannes Film Festival. Images was also nominated for the Best Original Score Oscar.
The film’s streaming on Roku, Tubi, Kanopy, and ARROW.
Anthony Hopkins in MAGIC (1978)
The future two-time Oscar winner was nominated for the BAFTA and Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.
The film’s streaming on Tubi, Kanopy, and Plex.
Melanie Griffith in BODY DOUBLE (1984)
The actress was nominated for the Golden Globe. Addittionally, the actress won the Best Supporting prize from the National Society of Film Critics and was the runner-up for the New York Film Critics Circle Award.
The film can be rented on several platforms.
Jeff Goldblum in THE FLY (1986)
The actor was nominated by both the National Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Circle. Despite being a graphic body horror movie, The Fly managed to land an Oscar nomination and win, for Best Makeup.
The film’s streaming on Fubo, AMC+, DirecTV, and Spectrum On Demand.
Nicole Kidman in THE OTHERS (2001)
The same year she was Oscar-nominated for Moulin Rouge!, Kidman got nominated by BAFTA, the Golden Globes, Empire, Goyas, Satellite Awards and several critics organizations for The Others. She also won the Best Actress prizes from the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, while the London Critics Circle honored her with a Actress of the Year trophy. Even without the Baz Luhrmann musical, Kidman could have been nominated in 2001.
Unfortunately, the film’s currently unavailable for streaming.
Mila Kunis in BLACK SWAN (2010)
If not for Jacki Weaver, Kunis would have surely been nominated. She got nominations from SAG, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Golden Globes and many other critics groups. Black Swan was a Best Picture nominee and Best Actress winner.
The film’s streaming on Hulu and IMDB TV.
Emily Blunt in A QUIET PLACE (2018)
Along with various critics nominations, Blunt won the SAG for Best Supporting Actress. A Quiet Place was also nominated for a Sound Editing Oscar.
The film’s streaming on Paramount+, FXNow, DirecTV, and Spectrum On Demand.
You have until Sunday to pick which performance you want me to write about. Happy voting!