To compliment the Best Actress thread.

Just read a silly list of potential Best Actor nominees, and it is surprisingly thin. George Clooney seems like a good bet at this point, and if A Single Man is released and catches on at all, so would Colin Firth.

Other than that, it is hard to find good bets at this point.

The Ivicitus boys might get a slot depending on who is lead, but no one has seen the film.

No one has seen DDL in Nine either, and I would think his nomination seems less likely.

Plummer might seem like a good bet, but The Last Station might not be released.

Sam Riley and Jeremy Renner were in films with no audience. Wishaw would seem even less likely.

Michael Sheen seems like a nomination waiting to happen, but I can't imagine The Damned United making any sort of dent in the U.S. Another sports movie - Big Fan - didn't make a dent, despite Patton Oswalt's raved performance.

It's not Streep v. the ingenues like Best Actress might (but probably won't) become, but watching to see which performances rise in this category will be more exciting, I think.

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

I hope it's going to be Colin Firth's year (or if his movie is released Chrisopher Plummer's). It'd be so amazing if Colin became an Oscar winner. He needs some awards recognition!

I have noticed funny and interesting thing. When there's a thread about actresses it gets over twenty responses in one day, but threads about actors barely get 10 posts per few days. I know that most posters here are gay and we all know how gays love their actresses, but it kinda ridiculous.

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

Don't forget Robert Downey Jr. If Sherlock Holmes works with critics as Sony hopes. he could be a strong candidate.

quote:

Originally posted by seanflynn:
Don't forget Robert Downey Jr. If Sherlock Holmes works with critics as Sony hopes. he could be a strong candidate.

Do you believe in miracles?

quote:

Originally posted by seanflynn:
Don't forget Robert Downey Jr. If Sherlock Holmes works with critics as Sony hopes. he could be a strong candidate.

Maybe if he can pull off a Johnny Depp/"Pirates of the Caribbean" type nom but I do not think it likely. This is clearly a comic version of Sherlock Holmes and nothing like the character in the books or the Basil Rathbone/Jeremy Brett interpretations of the role. I could see a Golden Globe- Comedy/Musical nomination but think an Oscar nom is out of reach based on the competition.

P.S.
As the film seems to concern Sherlock Holmes fighting the walking dead I think comparisons to "Pirates of the Caribbean" may be apt as it combines humor, fantasy, horror and action.

From what I have read, Clooney seems to be the front-runner at this point. I can't wait to see "Up in the Air"...and I think that Colin Firth is sounding better every day. I hope that the film is released this year. Also, I wouldn't count out Renner- I can see the Academy recognizing this amazing performance. People have been nominated for smaller films based on buzz.

I wish people would pay more attention to Michael Sheen. He's long overdue his Oscar nomination, but I doubt he'll get it from "The Damned United." He's getting acclaim reviews for it though.

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Originally posted by NovicMode:
I wish people would pay more attention to Michael Sheen. He's long overdue his Oscar nomination, but I doubt he'll get it from "The Damned United."

Is that where the airline loses his luggage?

quote:

Originally posted by Pucifer:

quote:

Originally posted by NovicMode:
I wish people would pay more attention to Michael Sheen. He's long overdue his Oscar nomination, but I doubt he'll get it from "The Damned United."

Is that where the airline loses his luggage?

(Who would have thought my 800th post would be laughing at Pucifer's comment? What fun!!)

Does anyone know for sure if "Creation" will be released in the U.S. in time? Paul Bettany has been doing great work for years, and early word was that his performance was very strong - I can easily picture him among the final 5 if his film is released in time.

Did Creation get picked up by a distributor? I dont think it has.

I share your opinion of Paul Bettany. Even in light fare, he puts in honest performances.

I can't believe Sam Rockwell hasn't been mentioned for his performance in MOON. Is he eligible this year? His perf. has been getting rave reviews so far.

I'll also add Jeremy Renner for THE HURT LOCKER.

Creation has been picked up by Newmarket, and will be distributed by Abramorama, most likely next year.

It will receive a limited release without a lot of marketing. Short of winning a major award, I can't imagine they'd have money for a campaign.

quote:

Originally posted by Billow12345:
I can't believe Sam Rockwell hasn't been mentioned for his performance in MOON.

Probably because everyone knows you and I have as much of a chance of getting nominated as he does.

quote:

Originally posted by Billow12345:
I can't believe Sam Rockwell hasn't been mentioned for his performance in MOON. Is he eligible this year? His perf. has been getting rave reviews so far.

I'll also add Jeremy Renner for THE HURT LOCKER.

Sam Rockwell was mentioned in a lot of people's early predictions but since the film did little business most prognosticators have gone on to other films and performances. Jeremy Renner has tended to stay on people's radar since his film is a likely winner from various critics' groups and best picture Oscar nominee. A major critics' acting prize could revive Rockwell's chances but otherwise I do not think it likely. He would already have to overcome prejudice against sci-fi.

Also there's Viggo Mortensen for "The Road," Hal Holbrook for "That Evening Sun", and Matt Damon for "The Informant."

quote:

Originally posted by seanflynn:
Creation has been picked up by Newmarket, and will be distributed by Abramorama, most likely next year.

It will receive a limited release without a lot of marketing. Short of winning a major award, I can't imagine they'd have money for a campaign.

Good news. Despite lukewarm reception, I'd like to see this.

My favorite performance by an actor so far this year is Tahar Rahim in "A Prophet." I'm sure he's not eligible, but it would be great if he got some Oscar buzz.

quote:

Originally posted by Billow12345:
I can't believe Sam Rockwell hasn't been mentioned for his performance in MOON. Is he eligible this year? His perf. has been getting rave reviews so far.

I'll also add Jeremy Renner for THE HURT LOCKER.

I thought Rockwell was terrific in Moon. But his film and his performance seems off the radar.

quote:

Originally posted by NovicMode:
My favorite performance by an actor so far this year is Tahar Rahim in "A Prophet." I'm sure he's not eligible, but it would be great if he got some Oscar buzz.

He was good wasn't he. I also really liked Niels Arestrup from that film.