Hitfix’s Gregory Ellwood reports that Sandra Bullock’s Oscar bid for The Blind Side opened in second place, right after New Moon:
Almost as remarkable was this weekend’s No. 2 release, “The Blind Side.” Many questioned whether another female skewing drama could generate any business opposite “New Moon,” but the Alcorn Entertainment/Warner Bros. release proved everyone wrong. Fueled by word of mouth, “Blind Side” opened to an unexpectedly high $34.5 million and is now Sandra Bullock’s biggest opening ever, besting “The Proposal” which found $33.6 million this past June. Don’t call it a comeback, she’s been here for years, but 2009 has massively rejuvenated Bullock’s career.
Besting The Proposal? One has to admit it is sort of a feat. Being well liked and keeping the Hollywood economy alive goes a long way, not to mention Bullock is not exactly a spring chicken anymore. Can voters forgive her for The Proposal and honor her for The Blind Side? Moreover, are we looking at a potential double nomination at the Globes thus ensuring her a nod at the Oscars?
84 Responses for "Bullock Proves Hope Floats"
I’m surprised to see this movie do so well at the box office. it doesn’t really scream box office gold to me since it appears to be a melodrama. but in all honesty it doesn’t scream oscar gold for me either. Sandra still comes off as that fierce corporate maven she played in ‘The Proposal’ in nearly every one of her movies. i don’t think this movie will be around come oscar nominations.
She should also ask for forgiveness for the awful “All About Steve.”
I don’t see too many of the reviews on Metacritic singing passionate praises for Bullock. The movie itself didn’t get a single score higher than a 75. Most of the favorable notices for Bullock say she gives an effective performance, and some say she is good enough to save a saccharine movie from completely going off the rails. Still, while that certainly improves her chances, I don’t see enough genuine enthusiasm to nab this performance a nomination.
I think this is the late best actress entry that no one saw coming I think Sandra proved her b/off pull in 09 even All about Steve made decent numbers,The blind side will make over 100mill and will be hard to ignore plus it’ll be fresh in voters memories.my actress predictions
bullock,streep,sidibe,mulligan,cotillard.
Bullock is the sort of actress who seems destined to win a Best Actress award one day. She’s entering that stage in her career where she has enough of a history of good performances to validate giving her an award, but is still young enough to qualify as ‘eye candy’, even if she isn’t the spring chicken she used to be, as you say, Sasha.
I don’t think either this performance or this film (I haven’t seen it yet, though) will be able to bump Mulligan, Sidibe or Streep out of the way and bag Bullock the actual award, but I think she stands the chance of getting a nomination. She’ll have to fight, no doubt, due to the merely OK reviews and the fact that I can’t see the critics groups going for it, but the possibility remains.
And anyway, beyond those top three, it’s all a little up in the air regarding Best Actress. There’s Cornish, Deschanel, Tautou, Mirren, Monaghan, any one of the actresses in Nine (if any of them go for leading) and now Bullock. Who’s to say at this stage…?
Look, bottom line: Bullock can’t possibly get nominated for this. If oscar voters wanted mundane middle-of-the-road condescending fairy tale feelgood preachy “drama” over brilliant filmmaking they would have voted something like “Crash” best picture over modern masterpieces like “Brokeback Mountain”, “Munich”, “Good Night and Good L”… oh wait, nevermind…
Love Sa-Bu but BA is too crowded this year. Meryl,Carey and Gabby are locks so she`ll have to fight for remaining 2 spots where Saoirse, Marion and Abby look stronger (at least because they have movies that may get BP nom and boost them with it) and they are already 3 fighting for 2. What Sa-Bu has on her side is boxoffice. She opened the movie on her name which is a feat only Meryl can claim out of all hopefuls. AMPAS loves hits but that`s when they choose BP winner. Doesn`t work that way with other categories. Plus, this thing isn`t getting Erin Brochovich reviews to be Sa-Bu`s sure-fire Oscar vehicle. We`ll see. All the best to Sandy,though. She`s so underrated.
I went to a free screening of The Blind Side last week and it was a great move on their part, because I started telling all my female friends that they would like this movie — a movie I NEVER would have paid for. And my male friends already know the story of Mike Oher and are willing to watch the movie. So Box Office gold it will become.
As for the Best Actress nomination, I don’t think it is likely, but I also can see it happening. The Weinsteins need to push hard for Melanie Laurent if they are putting her in lead instead of supporting because competition for the last two spots is getting fierce. Sandra doesn’t deserve, but Melanie certainly does.
Streep, Sidibe, Mulligan, Mirren and Cotillard are my predix.
1. The Academy tends to go for A-list comediennes and romantic comedy queens if they get out of their comfort zone and go for a big, meaty role
1997 – Helen Hunt (she was a highly succesful sitcom-star with 2 Emmys and 3 Golden Globes under her belt before he got recognized by the Academy)
2000 – Julia Roberts (although she has a quite versatile filmography, her most succesful movies are her signature romantic comedies ; actually she was in a really similar place back then = America’s Sweetheart going for gold with a meaty role)
2005 – Reese Witherspoon (although she did have Pleasentville and Election, she got her breakthrough with romantic comedies like Legally Blonde and Sweet Home Alabama; and still came out as a winner that year although she was a first-time-nominee – just as Hunt and hopefully Bullock this year)
2. She has never been nominated and she has been in the biz for a while delivering some pretty big hits, so it could serve as a career-nomination/win. And especially after the Crash and Infamous snubs she is long-overdue.
3. The film itself got good reviews, too. Nothing spectacaular, but good enough not to hurt her chances.
4. The film’s Box Office is outstanding; it exceeded the wildest expectations on its opening weekend and thanks to its rare A+ Cinemascore + nearing Holiday and Awards Season it should have a nice, long run with a possible US total of something between 120-150 million. It is an important factor, since the three ladies above got their Oscars for blockbusters, too. It could definitely be the most-watched movie in her category.
5. Crowd-pleaser with an excellent world of mouth. People will root for this movie if it gets any nominations.
6. A-list star with lots of fans, could definitely boost the ratings.
7. The Proposal. It never hurts if you are extremely popular in your Oscar-year.
8. Southern Accent. Uh, Academy loooves that.
9. Socially and politically sensitive theme. (last year The Reader had worse reviews and it still got a best picture nom because of its lead actress and the sensitive subject matter; and there were only 5 slots then….this year there are 10……hint hint dream on hint)
10. Playing an ispiring real-life person.
i know she is sandra bullock, but how many times ampas gives nominations to people that dont deserve? or they are so overrated ? ALWAYS
so… it would be nice to see sandra bullock getting finally a nomination…
i gave my vote to her
Plus Gabourey Sidibe and Carey Mulligan are the only locks at the moment for a best actress nomination.
There is some serious category confusion around Streep, Ronan, Cotillard and Mirren that unfortunately hurts their chances and therefore they could still end up in the supporting category, and while Cornish and Monaghan easily have the critics behind them, right now their buzz is fading, they desperately need the precursors or they will become this year’s Keira Knightley-The Duchess/Atonement and Keri Russel-The Waitress.
If Annette Bening would be eligible and finally got a release date, due to previous snubs, she could easily emerge as the frontrunner. But right now at the end of November, that’s a big if.
Bullock had two hits this year, she is in. Streep, Mirren, and Ronan are not. Sidibe may be in but not sure if Monique is nominated in the Supporting Category, and Mulligan will play the role of the new little marvel and will probably be in.
That leaves two slots. One for Marion Cotillard and the second one for Monahan or Robin Wright.
I personally don’t think there any locks for Lead Actress. Very open. Sidibe might be so as one of the Best Picture couplings. Mulligan is no longer the lock to win like she was early in the summer. Cotillard in Nine, Ronan in Lovely Bones, Streep in one of her two films, Mirren, Cornish. That’s a good 7 right there would not be shocked by a Bullock inclusion. This film looks like it’s going to play in the 100-120 range domestically. Reviews are good, will do good Holiday numbers (very small drop next weekend). Very good alternative to the Oscar stuff coming out over the next month that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. I wouldn’t waste my 12 bucks on it but still.
I think the top5 will be
Carey Mulligan
Gabourey Sidibe
Sandra Bullock
Annette Bening (if she isn’t eligible: Marion Cotillard)
Meryl Streep (if she goes supporting : Abbie Cornish)
I don’t think there is any category confusion about Streep and Ronan, and there shouldn’t be: Ronan clearly is the lead in her film, Streep is an equal co-lead and in no way supporting to Amy Adams. Cotillard definitely has a much smaller part than Day-Lewis, and it remains to be seen how much bigger her part is than her female co-stars to deserve the category. Mirren I can’t really predict as I don’t know the film that well (can you really put her in lead and call Plummer her support?). But all are campaigned in lead, and I only ee the academy possibly shuffle Cotillard to supporting.
But most importantly: Sandra Bullock can work the press. When the academy votes many will have several magazines with her face on it lying around, they’ve just seen her on a bazillion talkshows, and they remember how much they like her. And they struggle to remember the name of that nice girl they saw in “an Education” when they popped in the screener a few months ago, or forget who had the biggest female part in “Nine”.
First off I think a lot of people should see the movie first. I haven’t, but I’ve read a lot of comments that clearly show that people are biased by the idea, the trailer, the poster and Bullock herself and are giving opinions on her nomination based on that.
Also, I don’t think “The Academy” needs to forgive her for The Proposal. While a horrible movie, it was extremely well liked by the audience and wasn’t ripped apart by critics as it should have, so if anything, she needs to apologize for All About Steve…which sadly didn’t go away because even in that, people wanted to watch Bullock and gave it decent Box Office, giving more fuel to 2009 being “her year”.
Just like Downey Jr last year, people might feel inclined to vote for Sandra for having what has to be the best year of her career. I’m not saying that Downey didn’t deserve it (HE DID!), and of course I haven’t seen Bullock, but there’s not denying now with nice reviews, plus this huge success story, that she has to be taken seriously for a nomination, specially from the Globes (who will eat this up and give her the double nod) and SAG who loves a career achievement, both of which will only help her get a nomination.
In no way is she getting the reviews of Roberts, Downey or Witherspoon, but a star who finally gets a chance? She will probably be nominated and other people, specially Hilary Swank who was on her last thread of a chance waiting for that potentially saving Globe nod, and Abbie Cornish who was resting on just her reviews and well wishes, are close to over now.
In the end I think the most important thing to remember is that she’s a good girl who has proven herself to be a great actress before, apart from being “the star” she clearly is, who wouldn’t love to see Sandra with an Oscar nod? Is too much to ignore…
Well, Sa-Bu`s movie and role are very rewatchable. And we know that the rule that rules them all is they like what they like. if they like her, they may snub some better reviewed, more Oscary but less likable/rewatchable performances.
Also, there better NOT be any catgeory confusion about those actresses because the most talented actress of the year Anna Kendrick must be in. Don`t want any bigger name take her spot just because they are pushed to BSA since it`s easier win.
Yes Abbie Cornish is still a possibility.
Mulligan
Sidibe
Bullock
Cotillard
Cornish
But Mulligan + Cornish may be too much young chicks for the Academy.
How is Robin Wright in “the private lives of Pippa Lee” ??
I dont know.
I think Bullock has a strong shot for the Best Actress category if Warner Bros. pushes her enough. I certainly would not mind seeing her get nominated.
Does WB have anyone else in BA category? I`m asking because their Oscar pony Invictus(that does sound like a race horse`s name) has no actresses to speak of.
Erik, Bambi
The category confusion isn’t my opinion, it is a fact. The roles might be obvious, but the greedy studios haven’t decided on these particular ones yet.
Of course Ronan is the lead and Streep is an equal co-lead, but the studios only care about maximizing their chances and that’s what they are working on now…probably at the actresses’s expense.
Mother and Child and The Last Station haven’t even been given a release date yet. Yes, it’s late November. Not good.
I love Sandra Bullock and wouldn’t begrudge her an Oscar nomination especially in a year where there is no clear front runner. Personally I would’ve nominated her for Miss Congeniality but that’s just me.
I’d be very surprised to see Sandra Bullock get an Oscar nomination. But, as I’ve said, Oscar loves surprises.
Speaking of BA leads, I saw An Education yesterday. I can’t for the life of me understand what all the fuss is about. The story was thin, a bit too neat and tidy if you ask me. I really tried to like it. While Carey Mulligan was good, she was not great. The supporting cast was just OK, nothing outstanding. I expect a nomination for Mulligan but not a win. Meryl Streep was simply transcendent in J&J (also a weak movie).
Honestly, I was doubtful until I saw the Box Office-how many female stars can open a film with $36 million? Aniston, Parker, Adams, and that’s only with an adorable dog, a wildly successful television series, and Disney backing them. Hollywood (and AMPAS) appreciate a movie star, especially one that’s never been nominated. In a weak year (and overall, that’s what this is), where we only have three locks, what’s stopping her? Cotillard is debatably supporting, Mirren is opening late, barely anyone saw Cornish’s film, and Ronan is 15 and already nominated. Plus, she’s battling them for not one slot but two-Bullock has a solid shot.
Thank you Sasha for posting this. Sorry about the other day I was just really tired of people not giving Bullock due notice for this.
Anyway, while nobody is a lock at this point while nominations are two months away, I’d say she’s very much in right now. Like it or not this really seems like ‘her’ year with two super big hits and one semi-decent (albeit crappy) movie. Also, I wouldn’t outright dismiss her potential to win. While it doesn’t seem likely right now, again, it’s still 3 months away, anything can happen. Two weeks ago, her nomination looked like a fan-fiction. So one never knows.
My question is, does anybody know if Tim McGraw or anyone else has an Original Song in The Blind Side?
And finally, maybe this is crazy talk, but could TBS even figure into Best Picture race? With 85 BFCA score and 70% at RT, that’s better than some films in the past that were nominated, or even won. Of course MC score is troubling, but the BO may be enough to overcome that.
Bullock is a lock – these people awarded Julie Roberts for her SuperBra.
I’m glad Sandra Bullock has finally been put on the tracker. I agree with Phantom, I think she has the Helen Hunt – Julia Roberts – Reese Witherspoon beloved comedic movie star thing going for her, and I’m sure Hollywood looooves that she’s had too major hits in one year. I haven’t seen The Blind Side, so I can’t judge her performance against the others. But I will say that I think the Best Actress race is very up in the air right now. I don’t think Mulligan is the lock to win that everyone thought she was – she was very good in An Education, but I wasn’t blown away. And even though the male critics fell head-over-heels in love with Mulligan, and even if they give her all their awards, that still won’t guarantee her an Oscar. Just ask Sally Hawkins and Virginia Madsen.
“And especially after the Crash and Infamous snubs she is long-overdue”
SORRY… WHAT?
She wasn’t the supp actress buzz in CRASH, that role was Thandie Newton’s.
After Catherine Keener’s nom for Harper Lee in 2006, Sandra wasn’t going to get nominated for the same role in 2007.
The nominees will be
CAREY MULLIGAN
GABOUREY SIDIBE
MERYL STREEP
HELEN MIRREN
MARION COTILLARD
and the Oscar will go to Carey Mulligan or even Gabourey Sidibe if SAG goes crazy making her winner. Gabourey is destined to win the CRITICS AWARDS in a true sweep. You’ll see it.
I’m still very skeptical about the idea that Sandra Bullock will be nominated for Best Actress for The Blind Side. I understand that the movie is making a lot of money at the box office, but box office performance usually factors more into Best Picture considerations than it does in the Best Actress field. If you look back at the actresses who have been nominated in the past, you find many examples of women whose movies have made peanuts at the box office. In short, I think she’s going to need more than a vehicle with hefty box office to make it into the Big Five, especially when (my opinion, of course) three of the slots are already pretty set with Mulligan, Streep, and Sidibe.
Plus, getting a nomination off this kind of movie feels a little 80s to me, somehow. I haven’t seen it so maybe there’s more to it than the trailer shows. But I just can’t join the bandwagon of the numerous posters who are already declaring her set in the Top 5, when her name was barely mentioned in this category two days ago.
What’s wonderful is that Blind Side was 2nd this weekend by such a huuuuuge margin to New Moon, but Awards Daily only has a blog going on Sandra Bullock and not on the New Moon cast.
You go Sandy. I loved your performance, and as much as I love Julie and Julia, your performance has resonated much more with me than Meryl’s. I hope you are able to ride the wave.
Cornish, Sidibe, Mulligan and Streep are probably in
Cant see any of the cast from Nine being lead. Helen Mirren may be fave for 5th spot – certainly cant see Bullock getting in
just saying what I’ve been thinking for a while now, but I don’t feel like Meryl, Carey, and Gabby are as secure as people are assuming.
Meryl’s problems: Overkill & vote splitting with It’s Complicated.
Carey’s problems: pretty horrible box-office takes which no one seems to be aware of, overhyped, & front-runner status
Gabby’s problems: Mo’Nique stealing the show, academy racism
i think 2/3 of them make it.
right now I see it panning out like this:
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Crazy Heart
Melanie Laurent, Inglourious Basterds
Okay, I don’t think Sandra Bullock is a lock. She’s a fine actress and I could definitley see her getting a nod someday, but not this year.
I pretty much agree with Ordinary Cow’s line-up, though it’s still unclear whether Marion Cotillard will go lead or supporting. If she does go supporting, then that spot will most likely land on Abbie Cornish, Maggie Gyllenhaal or Saorise Ronan.
This would be the kind of Best Actress nomination Oscar odds makers love, because it would mean they only have to calculate best of 4 instead of best of 5.
“Well, Sa-Bu`s movie and role are very rewatchable.”
And she was terrific in The Thief of Baghdad.
Ordinary Cow
Thandie Newton was the big buzz, yes, but Bullock had great reviews, too and just because Keener played the same character shouldn’t take anything away from Bullock’s superb portrayal of Harper Lee. If I can recall nobody had a problem nominating Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett in the same year for the same character etc. so that shouldn’t be an excuse.
I don’t think newcomers can win this year. First of all there are several of them – Sidibe, Mulligan, Cornish, Ronan, Blunt – so the votes will split and if anyone of the Streep-Bullock-Bening trio winds up in this category in the end, one of them will win.
Streep hasn’t won for 25 years (!!!), Bullock could get a “thank you for the blockbusters” award (like Julia Roberts) and Bening – the most fitting in my opinion – could finally win. It’s ridiculous that she isn’t an Oscar winner.
I would have thought Bullock’s best shot at a nod came a few years ago with Infamous, the other Capote film. Of course, she had the misfortune of playing the same character as Catherine Keener, who did score an Oscar nom.
I haven’t even seen the movie but I would much rather see Bullock, hell, anyone, nominated then Abbie Cornish. I like her and she was superb in Candy, but Bright Star is one of the worst movies I’ve seen this year. I really hated it.
Sorry, i know it’s off topic but I’m really mad about the two hours of my life that I’m never going to get back because of that film.
I definitely see Bullock being nominated, but I can’t see her winning. She doesn’t have the early-career noms to validate her like Julia Roberts had for Steel Magnolias and Pretty Woman.
I’m still very skeptical about the idea that Sandra Bullock will be nominated for Best Actress for The Blind Side. I understand that the movie is making a lot of money at the box office, but box office performance usually factors more into Best Picture considerations than it does in the Best Actress field. If you look back at the actresses who have been nominated in the past, you find many examples of women whose movies have made peanuts at the box office. In short, I think she’s going to need more than a vehicle with hefty box office to make it into the Big Five, especially when (my opinion, of course) three of the slots are already pretty set with Mulligan, Streep, and Sidibe.
I’m very skeptical too. I actually like Sandra Bullock and her movies. I also love her personality, and I bet that she’s as nice as everyone says about her. However, I’ve never really thought of her in the same sentence as Oscar even when I could think of Meg Ryan that way.
This is not to say that she couldn’t be nominated some day, but I don’t think it will be this year either. I agree she needs more than big box office, and some decent reviews, she needs a vehicle built around her like Julia Roberts and Erin Brockovich or another supporting turn like in Infamous, but which more critics are wowed by.
I mean she’s fine in The Blindside, but I don’t feel like it’s anything new that she hasn’t already covered in movies like Hope Floats or Divine Secrets…. Not exactly, but I don’t see anything relatively groundbreaking except The Blindside and her role is of better quality than the other two movies mentioned.
If she did more movies like The Blindside, I probably would be less skeptical, but she’s made such terrible choices in her career, even though again I think she comes off as highly likeable and charming, that it’s hard to suddenly take her Oscar buzz seriously. Every actor has made misteps, but I honestly wonder what the heck she was thinking in a lot of her choices when I at least get why another actor or actress made a mistep in his/her career.
Plus, getting a nomination off this kind of movie feels a little 80s to me, somehow. I haven’t seen it so maybe there’s more to it than the trailer shows. But I just can’t join the bandwagon of the numerous posters who are already declaring her set in the Top 5, when her name was barely mentioned in this category two days ago.
I admit it’s certainly very tempting to jump on the bandwagon just in case I’m wrong, but I think her buzz will fade once reviewers are allowed to talk more about Nine, and there’s more word about Helen Mirren, Saoirise Ronan, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Those who praise Sandra’s box office performance seem to ignore (or forget) All About Steve. If she was enough to make people go and see her movies that movies would have been a hit too. But it was not!
For some reason, in my mind Sandra Bullock= Julia Roberts wannabe! But unfortunately she is not in the same league with Julia Roberts.
Annette Bening in Mother and Child got purchased by Sony Pictures Classics, and is being released late next year. I thought everyone knew that???
For some reason, in my mind Sandra Bullock= Julia Roberts wannabe! But unfortunately she is not in the same league with Julia Roberts.
I’m not sure I would go that far, but I do think it’s terrible that Duplicity, a much better film than The Blindside did so badly at the box office and has no Oscar chance whatsoever. I don’t even like Julia Roberts that much, but I wouldn’t mind if she had some Oscar buzz about right now.
I don’t think she needs to be asking for forgiveness for The Proposal. Sure, it ain’t art, but it was an enjoyable enough yarn (and seeing Ryan Reynolds almost naked didn’t hurt, either
). Haven’t seen All about Steve, but I heard it’s terrible. I think The Blind Side is to her what The Pursuit of Happyness was to Will Smith.
Julia Roberts > Helen Hunt > Reese Witherspoon >>> Sandra Bullock. So, bye bye Bullock.
Oh, yeah, Ryan Reynolds saved The Proposal for me just by his naked scene. Freaking hot!
I think what saved the Proposal was Betty White!!!.. May be she should get best supporting actress nomincation.
I’m sorry to say that I’m suffering from Meryl Nomination Fatigue Syndrome, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she is too.
11 unsuccesful nominations in a row, and we wonder if another actress deserves her first after many many years in the business! 11?!?!?! Seems to me that the Academy have no intention of giving her another, so why they keep nominating her I don’t know…
This would be the kind of Best Actress nomination Oscar odds makers love, because it would mean they only have to calculate best of 4 instead of best of 5.
Ryan, you sly puss . . . though you’re right.
Bullock is a good actress and likable personality whose presence elevates sometimes weak material. But an Oscar nomination doesn’t seem very likely to me, at least not for awhile — and only if she can find better material in a viable film.
All About Steve was trash, but I think it made it’s money back. She’s a cool chick, and Miss Congeniality is a guilty pleasure of mine…I actually legit liked it, but I don’t see a nom. It’s hard for me to say Oscar with Bullock, it’s the same, ahem, blinders I have with Mo’Nique I guess. It’s a fault of my own. If she keeps it up with the hits and the occasional dramatic flair I see no reason fr her not to pick up a nom though.
I hate Roberts, but she earned that Oscar. She was the front runner since that May and she did a great job. There was no real competition. Burstyn was supporting, hands down. If she was put in that category she would’ve won.
I really liked this movie, consider myself a big Sandra Bullock fan, but dont think she deserves an Oscar nod. If you want to see a strong southern woman in a football setting, check out Connie Britton from TV’s ”Friday Night Lights.” If Bullock does get nominated, its a weaker year for film then I first previously realized.
I don’t see a nomination for Bullock, unless the race is really thin this year. The comparisons to Hunt and Roberts aren’t appropriate – they were largely known as comedians then pulled out big, dramatic performances in weak years (esp. Hunt; still a waste of gold). And Witherspoon had a range of performances – comic and not, and good credibility as an actress. Some may argue that that performance or film was worthwhile, but not that she wasn’t talented enough to win sometime. Bullock, on the other hand, has been had chances in dramatic roles – including 28 Days. All of the reasons stated about her box office, her appeal and her staying power are true. And lord knows less have qualified nominees in the past. But I don’t think she’s getting a nomination. Probably ever.
Wait, why should Bullock apologise for “The Proposal”? It’s a movie that a lot of people liked, a performance that a lot of people liked and one of the highest grossing rom-coms ever.
I have seen the film and there is a maturity and confidence that is very evident in Ms. Bullock’s performance. It was a very assured turn and it was quite refreshing to see her play a middle-aged matron. A nomination? Quite possible, I think.
I agree with Hobbes at n°48 :
“11 unsuccesful nominations in a row, and we wonder if another actress deserves her first after many many years in the business! 11?!?!?! Seems to me that the Academy have no intention of giving her another, so why they keep nominating her I don’t know…”
………….
It would be pointless to nominate M. Streep only to complete a full dozen of unfruitul nominations.
This was the same problem with Kate Winslet last year : either you want to give her an Oscar, or you don’t want to. If you don’t want to then it is useless to give her a sixth unfruitful nomination. Therefore she had an oscar already attached to it when she got her nomination.
As i think M. Streep’s performance this year is not oscarworthy, i think she will not even be nominated.
Sandra Bullock is in. She is a mature and skillful actress, she made two nice hits this year, and she has a good international audience.
Pls excuse my bad english.
People, don’t be ridiculous!
Sandra Bullock is a mediocre actress and everyone knows it. There’s a difference between Julia Roberts, Helen Hunt, Reese Witherspoon (from the one side) and Bullock (from the other). Roberts, Hunt and Witherspoon are no geniuses of acting, but they deliver performances that feel natural and could be considered possible winners (and actually won). Bullock’s acting is always forced and unexpressive. And voters know it. I think that being well-liked as a person won’t boost her chances. She’ll get nominated at the Globes for comedy maybe, but in the end the Academy will go with:
MERYL – for the win, her time!
GABBY SIDIBE – the surprise!
CAREY MULLIGAN – well-liked performance in a well-liked film, needs momentum, because the buzz is fading!
HELEN MIRREN – an Oscar-y part and Mirren is Oscar-bait!
and maybe MARION COTILLARD for the fifth slot!
Bullock just doesn’t feel right!
But Meryl didn’t go for the showy. She remained charming and gave her character depth without turning it into melodrama. And she could have…
And about Meryl’s performance – I actually read a lot about Julia Child and I watched clips and stuff and I think that Meryl captured in a beautiful way her neurotically charming persona. In the beginning it felt like watching Katharine Hepbur. You just need a few minutes to adapt to the voice.
5 or 6 nominations for Julie & Julia wouldn’t surprise me.
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Costume Design
Best Art Direction
possibly Best Original Music
and you know what? Best Supporting Actress for Amy Adams too.
Anyone who bets against Meryl Streep getting nominated for a role this fun, this popular, this nuanced, doesn’t have the same taste and tendencies we know the Academy has. She’s very likely to win this year. There’s been a lot of effervescent froth in the Best Actress souffle this season, but I sense a lot of it is going flat. Meryl however, is still buoyant.
Yeah, as the second poster said, I don’t think voters are seeking forgiveness for The Proposal. From what I hear, it was better than expected.
All About Steve, however, not so much.
Brad
“I definitely see Bullock being nominated, but I can’t see her winning. She doesn’t have the early-career noms to validate her like Julia Roberts had for Steel Magnolias and Pretty Woman.”
Khm…Reese Witherspoon, Helen Hunt, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Marion Cotillard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Swank (first one). In the last 12 years we had 7 winners who were actually first-time nominees.
Sertan
“Those who praise Sandra’s box office performance seem to ignore (or forget) All About Steve. If she was enough to make people go and see her movies that movies would have been a hit too. But it was not!
For some reason, in my mind Sandra Bullock= Julia Roberts wannabe! But unfortunately she is not in the same league with Julia Roberts.”
So a 45 year old actress makes around 500 million dollars worldwide with two completeley different movies (and that’s still only the cinemas, DVD will be another – success – story) within a year and we should be concentrating on a low-budgeted critical flop of hers that STILL made considerable money ? Please…
Ross
“People, don’t be ridiculous!
Sandra Bullock is a mediocre actress and everyone knows it. There’s a difference between Julia Roberts, Helen Hunt, Reese Witherspoon (from the one side) and Bullock (from the other). Roberts, Hunt and Witherspoon are no geniuses of acting, but they deliver performances that feel natural and could be considered possible winners (and actually won). ”
There is absolutely no difference between these 4 when it comes to acting abilities. They all have their commercial successes and their critical ones. Period
Oh, and by the way here are some acclaimed critics’ notes on her performances.
1994 – The Action Thriller (Speed)
„While Reeves and Hopper play a battle of wits, Sandra Bullock nearly drives off with the picture. As Annie, a passenger whom Jack puts behind the wheel when the bus driver is shot, the smart and sassy Bullock is a knockout. She makes us believe the impossible things Annie is doing and, better, makes us care.”
Pete Travers (Rolling Stones)
1995 – The Romantic Comedy (While you were sleeping)
„There aren’t many movie actors we simply like. Marilyn Monroe was one, and that quality, not sex appeal, is why she has remained such a durable memory. On the basis of “Speed” and “While You Were Sleeping,” Sandra Bullock may be another. She plays Lucy in a low key, as a shy, unassertive young woman, and so of course late in the film when she has to stand up for herself, we’re proud of her.”
Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun Times)
1996 – The Political Thriller (A Time to Kill)
„Although she receives top billing, Bullock plays a somewhat peripheral character who hovers around the edges of the central events until rather late in the game. All the same, she is very fetching as a young woman who knows her worth and proves it time and again.”
Todd McCarthy (Variety)
2000 – The Junkie Drama (28 days)
„Bullock gives it her all; she’s bristling and alive on screen in a way that she hasn’t been since ”Speed.” „
Owen Gleibermann (Entertainment Weekly)
The Action Comedy (Miss Congeniality) (not many actressed could tackle this genre)
„Bullock is just plain funny.”
John Anderson (Newsday)
2002 – The Dysfunctional Family Drama (Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood)
„Even Bullock, whose performances have been characterized more by charm and instinct than by pure acting talent, delivers an unexpectedly deep performance as a daughter who bears more of a resemblance to her mom than she might comfortably admit.”
Ann Hornaday (The Washington Post)
2004 – The Best Picture (Crash)
„It’s a great moment: shocking and scary and almost absurd—a laugh catches in your throat. The focus of Crash then shifts to Bullock and Fraser as victims—we follow them home, where Bullock—playing Jean, a racist harpy with all stops out, doing full penance for her recent Miss Congeniality 2—castigates her husband for his timidity, insists that the locks on their huge house be replaced immediately, and makes loud racist slurs when a Latino man (Michael Pena) comes to perform this labor.”
Ken Tucker (New York Magazine)
2006 – The Biography (Infamous)
„Bullock’s warm, wise and penetrating presence, as the To Kill a Mockingbird author – Capote’s childhood friend, assistant and conscience – is the soul of McGrath’s sumptuously art-directed (by Judy Becker) and scored (by Rachel Portman) film.
Carrie Rickey (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Still mediocre and one-note, huh ?
Don’t take this the wrong way, I know she isn’t acclaimed and she had her fair share of bad career choices, too but that shouldn’t effect her this year, when she is having THE best time of her career.
“There is absolutely no difference between these 4 when it comes to acting abilities. They all have their commercial successes and their critical ones. Period”
And of course they all had their commercial and/or critical flops, too. They are equally talented.
Come on¡ this is a nonsense in order to write something to fill pages, we can go so deeper and deeper in Oscars territory, we must see good films and not make excessive speculation.
Bullock is an horrible actress¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ If she is nominated and Pffeifer is not, the world is ending¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
Bullock bad actress, bad actress, bad actresss¡
Alex
No one is arguing that Pfeiffer is one of the best living actress today.
No one is saying that Bullock is. But she is not horrible or bad, she is decent and in this role, she is great.
If she were as horrible as you say she wouldn’t have been here for the last 20 years.
Pfeiffer can not be nominated just because she is a great actress in general. Her film is small and not really well-received. I would love to see her finally awarded but I think she is a real longshot this year, unless the industry support will become incredible.
I have not seen The Blind Side, and I really cannot judge her performance. But this could easily be a ‘career-recognizing’ nomination.
Her performance may not be as well received as the other nominees, but when are all the 5 nominees completely well-deserved?
Bullock has paid her dues. She’s proved this year that she IS the most bankable actress in Hollywood (I’d even say more than Nicole Kidman or Angelina Jolie). People generally like her, and that can go a long, long way.
Think about this logically…will voters really remember Abbie Cornish’s or Michelle Monaghan’s names come Oscar time? Bright Star was a disappointment at the box office, and Trucker flat out bombed. I don’t even really understand why anyone is still mentioning Monaghan to be honest.
I’d say the final five will be:
Streep
Mulligan
Sidibe
Bullock
either Ronan/Mirren/Cotillard (it’ll be tough for the final spot)
I’ve seen the film and personally I felt she was good, though not oscar worthy. But with the good box office it is getting (it apparently scored very high in audience exit polls so it could hold very well) and a career that seems to be soaring I think she could be a 5th slot kind of nom even if I’m not currently predicting it. She could also be one of those people to get oscar and razzie (All About Steve) noms in the same year.
I wouldn’t count out Cruz in Broken Embraces yet.
Shitty Sandra Bullock will NOT receive an undeserved nomination over anyone this year! Fanboys buying this hogwash over great box office (big f**king deal! means jacksquat come Oscar time!) without reviews to back it up reminds me of that one douche who kept trying to convince everyone in ‘07 that BEOWULF was a Best Picture lock! (not saying Bullock fanboys are douches, but they equally ridiculous statements to say with a straight face).
I hope Sandra makes it in.
“I wouldn’t count out Cruz in Broken Embraces yet.”
You better do that because she just gets naked in it and that’s all. Not deserving of anything, even Razzie.
XanderLJ
I respect your opinion, you are entitled to have one, but your style is very offensive and disrespectful.
You obviously hate her body of work BUT you haven’t seen the picture – if you had, you would have already mentioned it – and therefore your opinion is based on dislike and nothing else. Actually you are the one here, who doesn’t have much to back up anything you say about the subject.
And the “fanboys” didn’t start the buzz, the critics did, but you obviously haven’t looked up the reviews yet, otherwise you wouldn’t have created a post based on nothing but hatred.
She isn’t Meryl Streep, Michelle Pfeiffer or Annette Bening, but then again neither were Hilary Swank, Reese Witherspoon, Julia Roberts, Helent Hunt or Halle Berry etc.
Nobody said that she is an incredibly great actress but she is a decent one, and in this picture she is great.
You can find some logical reasons on this link why some of us believe she has an actual shot this year. http://www.awardsdaily.com/contendertracker/?p=462
“You better do that because she just gets naked in it and that’s all. Not deserving of anything, even Razzie.”
Nice. Hey, you never know. It won Berry an Oscar.
@ Aaron,
if you think that Helen Mirren (playing Tolstoy’s wife! in a biopic that got some very good reviews; and Mirren is in a showy, dominant role!) is less likely to get nominated than Sandra Bullock in a film that’s absolutely not Oscar-bait, think twice!
@ phantom,
I won’t change my mind, because I have my tastes and to me Sandra Bullock is a BAD BAD actress and no matter what critics say (and you know, most of them don’t have an idea of what they’re talking about) doesn’t matter to me. Sandra Bullock is a bad actress.
Ross
“I won’t change my mind”
Good, nobody asked you to. My problem is that your personal opinion is against the majority this time which is fine, you are entitled to it, but you are not willing even to consider that there are obvious FACTS (look back the 7th post) here that can hardly be overlooked or ignored.
P.S. I suppose you haven’t seen the film or read the reviews therefore you opinion at the moment is completeley irrelevant and inappropriate since you are commenting on a subject that you have no actual knowledge about whatsoever.
Oscar isn’t a lifetime achievement award it’s a yearly award, therefore if Bullock had played armchairs up until now wouldn’t and shouldn’t have been relevant if she had given a great performance this year in The Blind Side.
I don’t remember much people praising the acting abilities of Hilary Swank, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry etc. before they had proven themselves with that ONE big role. So why would you write her off instantly without even watching the film or at least wait for some precursors? Makes absolutely no sense.
Maybe Bullock can make sometimes a decent performance, but a decent performance doen’t deserve a nomination.
She is not very talented, and there are others that are not very talented and had 20 years or more at the movies (like Meg Ryan)
The box office it’s one thing and the quality it’s another thing.
But, Phantom, thanks for your comment, you seem very kind
How many actresses nowadays are capable of giving reliable and consistent performances? Very few, in my opinion. To me, Ms. Bullock has always belonged to that very small group. The nomination is a possibility.
I’m with Phantom on this one. I seriously think Sandra will be a strong contender come Oscar nom time. She is certainly top 10 and we still have movies to come which could impact. Only last month we were talking Swank being up there -now she is nowhere in sight. Nine has yet to come out of the blocks but I suspect they will all aim for Supporting and no one will be eligible for BA. Bright Star seems to be fading – UNFORTUNATELY – and An Eduction is too. Its a very weak actress year …. Sandy could just get in there and even win with the right push!
CROSSED FINGERS WITH SANDRA
I REALLY WANT TOSEE HER NOMINATED
I KNOW ITS TOO MUCH FOR HER TO WIN RIGHT NOW
BUT SOMEDAY SHE WILL
BUT NOW, I THINK SHE IS GETTIN IN TO THE TOP 5
Thanks, Glenn. Actually I think Sidibe is the strongest right now with the potential best picture nomination for her film and the surprisingly strong B.O while Bullock has the momentum and a lot more (9th post) going for her at the moment.
I still believe that this category is still much more open than many here would think.
Rave reviews but dissapointing B.O. and fading buzz
- Abbie Cornish
- Carey Mulligan
These two are considered this year’s Keira Knightley. But Pride and Prejudice was a big hit in limited release grossing around 40 million in the US and 120 million dollars worldwide. These two movies although have quite good best picture potential, they could easily fade away unless the audience discovers them at last.
- Michelle Monaghan
She desperately needs the precursors because the movie is INCREDIBLY small. It’s limited opening weekend couldn’t reach a 1000 PTA. That’s bad.
Category confuson (studios haven’t decided on them yet)
- Marion Cotillard (Nine) – how lead can she be with 8 other prominent female characters in the film ?
- Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia) – the studios might hope for a ‘Something’s gotta give’ kind of lead actress nomination for her work in ‘It’s complicated’ and put her in the supporting category for this
- Helen Mirren (The Last Station) – she is not only clearly supporting, but the movie doesn’t even have a release date yet
- Saoirse Ronan – while she is clearly lead, I can see why the studo hasn’t committed her to a category yet; there is already 3 very strong young newcomer contenders in the lead race (Cornish-Sidibe-Mulligan)and the supporting category seems really-really crowded right now – it already has a solid frontrunner (Monique), a long-long overdue (J.Moore), half-dozen Nine-ladies (including previous nominees,winners and beloved veterans) 2 ladies from the potentially best picture (Farmiga, Kendrick) and even a musical superstar (Mariah Carey). So it will be incredibly hard to organize a campaign for her relatively late in the game.
Split votes
- Marion Cotillard – with her well-reviewed performance in Public Enemies she is probably the best shot the Academy has to appreciate the film itself, while Nine will obviously have several nominations even in the worst case scenario (a’la Memoirs of a Geisha)
- Penelope Cruz – her Broken Embraces role could easily fade into obscurity in the shadow of her much more-hyped – although supporting – turn in Nine
- Meryl Streep – explained above
Actually I think the state of the race at this very moment is very intriguing. Let’s see the pattern.
(only for nominations, the winner will be a later story)
Best actress in a leading role
1) Gaboury Sidibe (Precious)
This year’s more depressing version of Juno
Meaning= breakthrough star with limited chances to win
2) Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
This year’s patriotic, christian version of Erin Brockowich
Meaning= beloved girl-next-door A-list star who could be a big ratings draw since lots of people wanna see her succeed
3) Carey Mulligan (An Education)
This year’s more succesful version of Lost in Translation
Meaning= nod? yes; win? no
4) Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones)
This year’s even baitier version of the Whale Rider
Meaning= nod? probably; win? possible if the film is a hit
5) Meryl Streep (It’s Complicated)
This year’s Something’s gotta give
Meaning= nod? probably; win? no
6) Abbie Cornish (Bright Star)
This year’s Keira Knightley
Meaning= nod? probably; win? no
7) Marion Cotillard (Nine)
This year’s Chicago
Meaning= nod? possible; win? no
8 ) Michelle Monaghan (Trucker)
This year’s Frozen River
Meaning= nod? still possible; win? no
9) Audrey Tautou (Coco avant Chanel)
This year’s Frida
Meaning= nod? still possible; win? no
10) Helen Mirren (The Last Station)
This year’s Infamous
Meaning= too little, too late
11) Penelope Cruz (Broken Embraces)
This year’s Factory Girl
Meaning= sorry, not quite enough this year
12) Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart)
This year’s Maria Bello (History of Violence)
Meaning= sorry, your movie was a one-man-show
13) Michelle Pfeiffer (Cheri)
This year’s Becoming Jane
Meaning= decent performance from a great actress in a mediocre movie (yes, AH isn’t on her level yet, sorry)
14) Robin Wright Penn (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee)
This year’s Joan Allen (The Upside of Anger)
Meaning= a great, underrated performance in an underrated movie
15) Zooey Deschanel (500 days of Summer)
This year’s Emily Watson (Punch-Drunk Love)
Meaning=adorable performance in an indie masterpiece
Best actress in a supporting role
1) Mo’nique (Precious)
This year’s much darker version of Effie (Jennifer Hudson)
Meaning= frontrunner from Day 1 with a controversial role
2) Meryl Streep (Julie and Julia)
This year’s Vanessa Redgrave (Julia)
Meaning= titular character winning in supporting
3) Julianne Moore (The Single Man)
This year’s Renée Zellweger (Cold Mountain)
Meaning= Academy paying their debt by awarding a leading lady for a baity supporting turn
4) Marion Cotillard (Public Enemies)
This year’s Jennifer Connelly
Meaning=obvious female lead in a male-oriented drama banished to the supporting category
5) Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)
This year’s Kate Hudson
Meaning=early breakthrough with a great supporting turn
6) Penelope Cruz (Nine)
This year’s Catherine Zeta Jones
Meaning=maybe banished to the supporting category, but – just like in the movie – once again could easily stole the show
7) Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)
This year’s Patricia Clarkson
Meaning= getting an “ok, we got it, you’re here” kind of nomination
8 ) Susan Sarandon (The Lovely Bones)
This year’s Holly Hunter (Thirteen)
Meaning=former lead-winner getting an “it’s nice to see you back” kind of supporting nomination
9) Mariah Carey (Precious)
This year’s Cher (Silkwood)
Meaning=musical megastar tackling some heavy-drama
10) Rachel Weisz (The Lovely Bones)
This year’s Debra Winger (Rachel getting married)
Meaning=the grieving mother role doesn’t pay off every single time anymore
11) Sophia Lauren (Nine)
This year’s Lauren Bacall
Meaning= it’s always nice to welcome back a beloved veteran
12) Judi Dench (Nine)
This year’s Brenda Blethlyn (Pride and Prejudice)
Meaning=just because you’re good, you won’t get nominated every time you accept a role
13) Nicole Kidman (Nine)
This year’s Uma Thurman (The Producers)
Meaning= while it would be great to have her back among the nominees, she is facing ridiculously intense internal AND general competition
14) Kate Hudson (Nine)
This year’s Christine Baranski (Chicago)
Meaning=you might have your moments Mrs. Reporter, but you are still only a small part of a huge ensemble
15) Natalie Portman (Brothers)
This year’s Scarlett Johansson (A Love Song for Bobby Long)
Meaning= it might have looked good on paper, but in reality the mixed reviews and the small buzz is killing her chances + it’s category fraud and it’s all about the Brothers anyway
Phantom, very good analysis but I am confused…Is there any winner???
Mariah? No way…Her role was very small and she did nothing but sitting down on a chair..I think the actress who plays the teacher was better than Mariah…Next to Gabby and Monique I dont think many people could watch other actresses!
FromChelseaManhattan
I would say the lead actress category is extremely open (and it might sound shocking, but right now even Sandra Bullock has everything a future winner would want – strong box office, decent reviews for the film, great ones for her, strong-popular year etc.)
But when it comes to the supporting actress category I am almost entirely sure that it will come down to this trio :
Monique – frontrunner in a potential best picture nominee
Meryl Streep – she is long over-due for another one, this could be an easy way to award her again
Julianne Moore – one of the most snubbed actress of our time when it comes to the Oscar (along with Bening and Pfeiffer), she would really deserve one finally
It is funny. Only 5-6 weeks ago everyone was praising Carey Mulligan, and now it seems that she lost some of her original support!
I hope Meryl will go Lead with Julie and Julia.
And I hope Julianne Moore will finaly win her long overdue Oscar. If she wins over Monique, be ready for all that “race” talk and “racisim” accusations (especially if Gabbi loses too!!!)
Since Julianne Moore should have won for Far From Heaven, discovering her black gardener was her Sirkian soulmate, the Gods of Irony might be up to something.
Blind Side is fast becoming a smash hit. It passed New Moon on Thanksgiving, and has now made another 16.2 million on Friday, more then it made on it’s opening Friday. Very film make more money on their second weekend then their first, unless they’ve expanded the number of screens.
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