Can he get a supporting actor nomination for Transsiberian? Will The Wackness help him possibly?

In the movie Transsiberian, he plays a suspicious russian inspector on board the Transsiberian Express with Woddy Harrelson and Emily Mortimer's characters. And in The Wackness, he plays a "bong-happy" therapist who trades session hours for weed with Josh Peck's character.

So, what do you think about Kingsley and his chance this year...?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bocaboy7,

Ben, one of the most versatile actors alive today, is way overdue for another Oscar. That he is game enough to play just about anything adds to my respect for him.

Kingsley is VERY offended if someone calls him "Ben." He insists on being called "Sir Ben."

Seriously - it is a major issue with him.

I mention this in part is that people were laughing at him behind his back the last time he was nominated, and whatever chance he had of winning pretty much disappeared. He enhanced an image of someone who takes himself far too seriously.

Also - request - when I see the name of an veteran actor leading a thread, I always think for a moment that he or she has died. Could people add some more body to the headline to avoid this problem? Thanks.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,

quote:

Originally posted by seanflynn:
Kingsley is VERY offended if someone calls him "Ben." He insists on being called "Sir Ben."

Seriously - it is a major issue with him.

I mention this in part is that people were laughing at him behind his back the last time he was nominated, and whatever chance he had of winning pretty much disappeared. He enhanced an image of someone who takes himself far too seriously.

Also - request - when I see the name of an veteran actor leading a thread, I always think for a moment that he or she has died. Could people add some more body to the headline to avoid this problem? Thanks.

It's funny you mention the "sir" thing, because I hear that it is exactly opposite with Peter O'Toole and Michael Caine (er, excuse me, Sir Pete and Sir Mike).

As for Kingsley's chances, I was predicting him for Transsiberian, until I saw the film's trailer; it just doesn't seem like a poignant enough role, at least from the limited footage that was featured in the clips. Sadly, I think the film may be overlooked, despite my like of Woody Harrelson (who plays the male lead in the film). The Wackness, believe it or not, may actually be just enough off-the-cuff to score him a nod, though again, I think this will be far too strong a year for 'decent' performances to get any spotlight.

Nearly all the recent Sirs and Dames have dropped them for daily use, particularly when they are in the US (Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench as well). Others, like Albert Finney, have refused the honor entirely.

Kingsley's insistence when it is not normal has had the impact on damaging his reputation, which of course should have nothing to do with acting awards, but this sort of thing (plus of course his previous win) likely works against his chances.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,

the man takes himself far to seriously. He is a talented actor, but he could ditch some of that EGO.

He has been lucky enough to have four nominations and 1 win.

He was particularly self-congratulatory on Letterman. Unfortunately, his personality (what little there is) hurts his chances. Having Mary-Kate Olsen as a co-star doesn't help matters either!

Great actor though. Too bad things like this get in the way of these award shows...

It's an honour to be given the title of Sir/Dame and I would use it too... probably not as religiously as Sir Ben is accused of. But anyhoo, months ago in Time magazine, he was asked 10 questions and I didn't get the impression he was full of himself.

One question asked him about the cheesy but fun sci-fi straight to DVD film A Sound of Thunder and it was in a tone implying how could such an esteemed actor as Sir Ben be a part of such a low budget film. Sir Ben came across as a little offended and said that he simply enjoyed taking on such fun projects as interesting sci-fi roles like that one was rare. If anything, I thought it was great of him to be in such a movie because he was in a role that was not usual for him. A cool deviation from the norm (I really enjoyed the film btw). Especially since I saw that film AFTER 'Sexy Beast' in which I thought Sir Ben was just a nasty creep in, but good and sexy.

just my two cents on Sir Ben.

Sound of Thunder had a normal wide theatrical release by Warner Bros, and came out on DVD several months later on a normal schedule.

Oh, I didn't know that. thought it was straight to DVD. Thx.

Kingsley has the right to want to be referred to as sir, but the reality is that nearly every British actor so designated (Ian McKellan is another example) prefers not to be, because it does come across as snobbish and self-important.

There is hardly limited to knighthoods - every lawyer you know has a law degree, and could insist on being called doctor. They don't. Same with most PhD holders (at least out of academic settings).

Again, it's his right, but I do think it is a character flaw to insist, including in credits, and it does make me think less of him.

quote:

Originally posted by seanflynn:
Again, it's his right, but I do think it is a character flaw to insist, including in credits, and it does make me think less of him.

Kind of ironic, is it not, that Ben Kingsley made his mark portraying Gandhi, of all humble and selfless people, but now insists on sashaying about as some idiot Brit toff while the peasants are expected to bow and curtsy.

quote:

Kingsley is VERY offended if someone calls him "Ben." He insists on being called "Sir Ben."

Seriously - it is a major issue with him.

I am only too happy to call my 'idol' Sir Ben, anytime. In fact, i pretty much planned to do that at first.
But then i thought, if i started off with Sir Ben, the posters on this forum will then jump at me and say there is no place for that kind of thing here.
Looks like either way, i still get jumped.

Vinny - do you say Sir Ian? Dame Helen? Dame Judi?

It's what sets him apart, and although you of course can do it, no problem with it, the problem is for better or worse it does affect how people think about him, and not to his benefit.

Last time I had lunch with Ben and Ian, they seemed perfectly fine with my dropping the "Sir." Judi, on the other hand, swiftly threw a smoldering cup of tea directly at my face. I had to laugh, and so did she after realizing what she had done. We then bumped fists and called it a truce.

This sir or dame title is very popular here in britain, but i find it dumb. People like John Lennon( he rejected his title years after being honored with the rest of the beatles), Julie Christie, Glenda Jackson or Vanessa Redgrave have refused to get this title. Titles are only apparence, for that, i find Kingsley's acctitude pretty dumb.

For instance, one clear example was the great and only Laurence Olivier, who get the title of Lord and he refused to be named with the lord thing and he asked every time to be named only Larry.