Well, all I can say is, girlfriend better win Sunday or this TIME mag cover story will have been ill-planned. Mark Harris got the cover story:
Best Actress – Why it’s Kate Winslet
By Mark HarrisIt’s 11 days before the Academy Awards, and Kate Winslet is giving her third best performance of the year. The occasion is a lunch at New York City’s Oak Room at which 100 or so invited guests have gathered to honor her performance in Stephen Daldry’s The Reader. This particular publicity event, orchestrated in the 26th mile of the Oscar marathon, has multiple purposes: it’s designed to entice any wavering voters in the few days before the last postmark lands on the last ballot. It’s also intended to defuse complaints that the movie’s treatment of the Holocaust is too manicured. Thus, Elie Wiesel has been drafted to host the meal, which would have been a masterly counterstroke of damage control for distributor Harvey Weinstein had Wiesel not bailed at the last minute to attend — oh, bitter irony of the red-carpet campaign trail! — a bris.
70 Responses for "Kate’s Moment"
If Kate doesn’t win, I am DONE WITH THE OSCARS…I MEAN DONE!!!
tomorrow? are the Oscars tomorrow?
Also, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will be one of the biggest releases of Fall ‘08. It was on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, so it can’t miss. Woo-hoo!
Wow, we’re just all ready to annoint her aren’t we?
But….but, she gives the worst performances out of the bunch.
I love Winslet, but if she wins on Sunday I’m considering this a make-up for Eternal Sunshine.
I don’t care if she plays the lead role for Gigli. Girl needs an Oscar and she needs one NOW.
I Would LOL if she loses now .
Anne or Melissa SHOULD win .
But , very likely that Winslet will take it here .
Hope she gives a good speech , she has been practicing for 30 years .
Then again ,
it could be a trainwreck if she loses control of her emotions .
Either way , fun to watch .
It would be fair to say that someone at Time will seriously lose a job if Kate doesn’t win.
And i have been having a sneaking feeling that The Reader is going home empty handed. Or maybe a library card as consolation.
I’m surprised more people on this board weren’t impressed with Winslet’s performance. It’s one of the best, if not the best, of this entire year. I found the film to be wonderful and touching, and her performance was awe-inspiring.
I just saw “Frozen River,” and I thought Leo was great; however, not great enough…definitely not better than Winslet. Hathaway showed she can do more than bubbly rom/com crap, but, again, not enough. Streep is always brilliant, that’s nothing new. I really enjoyed Jolie in “Changeling,” and in another year, I may even be rooting for her. Not this year.
It’s not about her being “owed” an Oscar for me; it’s about this being the best performance by any actor this year.
-Vincent
OMG, I’m so buying this. Multiple issues.
Wonderful photo cover!
http://www.latina.com/blogs/vivo-por-tivo/6-ways-oscars-can-become-watchable-tv-again
Oscar will lose complete credibility for me if Kate loses on Sunday. It lost a lot of credibility when Judi Dench lost to Helen …. what her name, where is she these days …. Hunt!!!! Go Kate!!!
Wow. That’s presumption right there. I’m glad this is out too late to influence voters, because no-one likes being told who to vote for!
@#11 – Derek.
Yes Derek, Thanks. The Oscar committie should take note and get a star like Linamunalena Miranda instead of a B-List nobody like Hugh Jackman. Yes.
Ah, the power of campaigning! Thanks to Harvey Weisntein, if not, The Reader will just be another Holocaust movie.
I still believe that Meryl Streep should win this year, she gave an outstanding and memorable performance in Doubt, no doubt about it!
No campaigning at all!
Vincent
Once again, you articulately said what was buzzing in my head. I don’t get how some people think that Hathaway or Leo gave better performances than Kate. That is just plain ridiculous; say what you want about the movie but Kate delivered a rock solid performance.
…and she NEEDS to WIN!!!!!
Afrika, in another world (where I’m heterosexual) you and I would make a lovely couple!!
-Vincent
for me melissa leo’s perf in frozen river was the best of 2008. but i do love kate.
meryl was way too actressy in doubt, as much as i love her too.
Wow, if she loses, Time (and Kate) are going to feel really stupid. If I had an Oscar ballot, I would have voted for Meryl Streep in “Doubt.” If I’m not alone, then it’s a common sentiment that could upset Kate’s road to Oscar this year (and come on, she has multiple obstacles from playing a Nazi to the whole confusion of previous supporting actress wins and that misguided campaign).
@ Vincent
I think Afrika is a 21-year-old man…
I don’t get how anyone can say that one performance is really better than another. It seems to me that in this case, Winslet, Leo and Streep could all claim the trophy with pride. Maybe even Hathaway. The only person who seems unworthy of the award this year is Jolie — and we assume that she beat out such Oscar-worthy actresses as Hawkins and Scott Thomas.
The Oscar could easily be divided between at least 3 of the nominees. But it can’t be. So I say that Winslet’s overall contribution to cinema combined with her lack of recognition puts her over the top this year (in a good way, not in an over-acting way).
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Oh, goodness, I feel so stupid now!!
-Vincent
Summary: She hasn’t won a oscar yet, so that makes her average performance 100 times better. Also, Harvey paid us big bucks.
> “Summary: She hasn’t won a oscar yet, so that makes her average performance 100 times better. Also, Harvey paid us big bucks.”
Sounds like par for the course for the Oscars…..
If Kate wins I want whomever gives her the award to kiss her on the lips–kind of hoping it’s Daniel Day-Lewis or Leonard DiCaprio.
Love Kate, but that final chapter with the gooey makeup and slumped posture made it cheap. I wish they would save it for a worthy performance. Melissa Leo is incredibly real. If the Oscar gods are paying attention, they will reward the best performance: Melissa Leo.
Now, be HONEST. How many of you Winsletphiles actually saw all 5 nominated performances. If you didn’t, then your opinions are meaningless.
IF KATE WINSLET DOESNT WIN I AM GONNA FART ON THE ACADEMY!!!!
KATE WINSLET!!!!
THE READER.
I consider myself a fan of great acting; so, if that makes me a “Winsletphile,” so be it.
I expressed in an earlier post why I think hers is the best performance of the year. I haven’t once dogged any other nominee (or fan of a nominee). I also don’t think that she’d be winning as an “Ode to Kate Winslet.” I truly feel her performance was the strongest one in this season. For someone of her age to have such a body of work, where such a large percentage of her work always gets nominated, to not have an Oscar is odd; however, an Oscar doesn’t mean everything. It doesn’t make her any less of an actor, I’m sure she’s glad that she’s able to do what she loves for a living (many of us would kill for that opportunity). So, maybe it is time the Academy award this wonderful talent.
In another year, if “The Reader” hadn’t come out, I’d be rooting for either Melissa Leo or Angelina Jolie.
This is one of the best interviews with Winslet I’ve read. Mark Harris is such a good writer. His evaluation of her ten best performances is also very well done.
It will be strange if she loses now. Why didn’t Time magazine wait to see if she had won? But the interview needed to be printed, no matter what.
That’s a beautiful cover of Kate. But I still want Meryl to win. I’m so damn sick of the media telling us who THEY want to win.
Vincent, don’t get me wrong…I am a strong admirer of Kate’s body of work. I think she should have won for “Eternal Sunshine,” “Iris,” and I think she is the most versatile actress of her generation. And her greatest work is ahead of her, I am sure.
What bothers me is the wave after wave of voices saying she should win because she has been nominated 6 times. And she is only 33. Melissa Leo’s work was subtle and touching. Never once did I think she was “acting.” I have serious problems with the final act of “The Reader.” You will probably be happy and see Kate win on Sunday. But years from now, the media will loudly proclaim that she won for the wrong role. And Melissa was robbed.
Patrick, I appreciate what you’re saying, I just disagree. She was robbed for her work in “Iris” and definitely for her work in “Little Children” and “Sense and Sensibility.” Hilary Swank won for “Million Dollar Baby,” which I adored the year Kate lost for “Eternal Sunshine…” so, I wasn’t too upset over that loss.
I loved Melissa Leo in “Frozen River.” I just loved Kate more in “The Reader,” and I thought the final act was well done; the make-up a little odd, but, still a great commitment and a natural performance by Kate Winslet…I feel.
-Vincent
Vincent
I am actually a heterosexual and I like women (
) so can we be a couple? I might be a little too young though lol lol
Cheers!!
> “She was robbed for her work in “Iris” …”
I was surprised she (or Dench or Broadbent) were even nominated for Iris. I figured no one actually saw that film and that Broadbent only won because the Moulin Rougies voted for him….
I think she was lucky to get nominated there…
brainypirate
I have noticed you perpetaul anti-winslet comments. Ok! so let me genuinely ask you, who should have been nominated in the place of Winslet for her performance in Iris? also, who do u think is the best actress of Winslet’s generation (women in the early 40s, 30s and younger) and who should win best actress this year and why u think your choice gave a better performance than Winslet
p.s
feel free to sip on some pirate rum for inspiration while penning a response
“who do u think is the best actress of Winslet’s generation (women in the early 40s, 30s and younger)”
The answer is Cate Blanchett.
Not that hard. Don’t even need to sip that rum.
Now, I haven’t seen Changeling yet, but from what I’ve heard, I’m not missing anything. Meryl Streep is alright, but it’s a bit hammy, a bit over-the-top, definitely not deserving a win, for my money. Anne Hathaway is quite good, and it’s a departure, but she wasn’t even the best actor for her film (that honor would go to Rosemarie DeWitt), let alone the best actress of the year. For my money, Kate Winslet’s was the most engaging, nuanced, and powerful performance of the four nominees I’ve seen. And as someone who was blown away by Melissa Leo, that’s saying something. I would be thrilled if Melissa Leo won, but Kate deserves it not because she’s due, but because she gave the best performance of the nominated actresses.
> “brainypirate: I have noticed you perpetaul anti-winslet comments. ”
???????
I’m pulling for Winslet to win, and I think she should have won for Eternal Sunshine as well! She’s my favorite actress in this year’s race! The only actress I want to be immediately Oscared more than Kate is Julianne Moore. So I’m not sure what “anti-Winslet” comments you’re thinking of.
I was surprised Winslet was nommed for Iris because I didn’t think anyone actually saw the film — not because of her performance.
JR
Blanchett over Winslet? you must have lost your damn mind. Alas! you did sip the rum
brainypirate
I must be confusing you with someone else then. My sincere apologies.
Just to quickly address a comment I saw up above, “Now, be HONEST. How many of you Winsletphiles actually saw all 5 nominated performances.”
I have seen all 5 performances this year and believe very deeply that Winslet should win. She gave the best performance by a female this year…in Revolutionary Road. Sadly that film was slighted at every turn this year.
The Oscars are well known for handing out to actors and actresses as a “sorry we missed you a year or two before” (see: Russell Crowe for Gladiator after The Insider and LA Confidential) or as recognition for an impressive body of work in one year.
While Winslet’s performance was not my personal favorite of hers, I still felt empathy for her as Hanna Schmitz, not an easy feat. I wasn’t particularly impressed with Jolie or Hathaway, Leo gave an excellent performance, but its not showy enough for many voters, and Streep is Streep. Always excellent, but it’s Winslet’s year. Whenever I look back I will just do a quick cut/paste in my head and trade out ‘The Reader’ for ‘Revolutionary Road.’
Ms. Winslet looks positively radiant! This is a fabulous TIME Magazine Cover. This tells everyone that she is the one to beat!
Typing this up, I am reminded once more of Hanna crying in the chapel with the choir pratice. That scene just stuck with me. Can’t or shan’t forget it.
> “Whenever I look back I will just do a quick cut/paste in my head and trade out ‘The Reader’ for ‘Revolutionary Road.’”
One of the interesting things about Oscar is that we very rarely remember what people one for. It’s just useful to be able to say “Academy Award winner” in the previews.
Heck, Ben Affleck used that strategy for years to market his movies, even though he won as a WRITER!
With this Time mag cover and Kate going on and on about wanting to win, everything is in place for Kate to lose.
> “Ms. Winslet looks positively radiant! This is a fabulous TIME Magazine Cover. This tells everyone that she is the one to beat!”
Yes, she looks a lot like a prettier version of Kidman-as-Woolf……
Fact is she doesn’t deserve to win this year. She’s not the Best Actress in the category but she has been running an effective if not annoying campaign but I can’t believe people are buying into she’s been nominated a few times so she should win. Tell that to the voters who didn’t vote for Peter O’Toole. I’ve kind of lost respect for her with the obvious campaigning. It’s not necessary.
Wasn’t Winslet the answer to Ted Casablanca’s Blind Item from either last year or the year before about an actress who has publicly stated she should have 2 or 3 awards by now?
Melissa #41: Ms. Winslet gave two very compelling performances this year. And I was torn. Boy, was I torn. I could not chose between the two. If someone put a gun to my head, and demanded that i choose (ala Sophie’s Choice), I would not know what to do.
But I am very grateful that AMPAS still managed to nominate her for The Reader. It was very evident from the start that her only major competition was Ms. Streep. And if she does take away this year’s Oscar from Ms. Streep, that, in itself, is a rare feat.
She’s not the won running the campaign. Weinstein does this all the time. I’m a Streep fanboy, but I thank god that Weinstein is handling and working his campaigns for a performance that haunted and moved me for weeks. She gave the best female performance of the year (right here with Viola Davis in Doubt), and she deserves it. The fact that her body of work is mesmerizing is just icing on the cake.
Best actress of our generation? Cate vs. Kate
I actually had this conversation with my sister over the Christmas holiday. At the time, I gave Winslet the slight edge. Today… fuck it, it’s a TIE!
Juli Juli Juli Juli Juli Juli Juli….
Brainypirate: What makes you an authority in Beauty? You are definitely on a roll here babe. I have not seen a more smart-ass, smug and idiotic-sounding asshole in my whole life. And you know it!
It’s funny how you always have a comeback for almost every Awards Daily enthusiasts out here. And your response always starts with a quote from the previous entry. Why do you choose to spend a lot of time responding to people’s opinions and insights? Surely, you must have other chores to do in life. Get a life babe and Grow Up!
I love Kate and I want her to win on Sunday.
I simply think the pic reminded me of Kidman as Woolf. I’ve seen plenty of great Kate pics on magazines recently, and this one simply made me think of The Hours….
It does not matter what you think of the pic brainypirate. Your opinion means nothing. You get that? Absolutely nothing.
> “And your response always starts with a quote from the previous entry. Why do you choose to spend a lot of time responding to people’s opinions and insights? ”
It’s called conversation………
> “Your opinion means nothing. You get that? Absolutely nothing.”
That’s right. My opinion that Kate Winslet should win on Sunday means nothing. My opinion that Kate should already have 2 Oscars means nothing. My opinion that Kate is an incredibly intelligent, grounded, talented, admirable and beautiful woman who sets a great example for young women today means absolutely, positively nothing.
I just saw the Reader and I could barely finish that film. It wasn’t good, and the performance of Winslet was nothing extraordinary, IMO.
I haven’t seen Frozen River, but IMO both Streep and Hathaway deserved the award more this year. I hope to see an upset on Sunday.
If I was given the choice to die or converse with you, brainypirate, I would rather be buried six feet under the ground. And you know what? You’re not invited to my funeral either. You manage to turn everything around but then again, this is the type of response you were hoping for. This is not conversation. By God, this is the lowest form of guttural verbal ping-pong! This is the last response I shall give you.
I can just picture you clapping your hands with glee, thinking out loud how you managed to attract the attention of another. Again:
Get a Life and Grow Up!
People can keep saying Streep deserves the award over Winslet but she doesn’t. She overacts in the film and does not become part of the ensemble. She also never becomes the character. I would almost go as far to say she was miscast.
Leo and Hathaway and Winslet all deserve to win over Streep. I won’t comment on Jolie.
Man, this is has been a long, long season.
> “Man, this is has been a long, long season.”
And yet I still think that “Leo” refers to DiCaprio, not to Melissa….
How individuals react to art or performances is completely subjective. There is no such thing as best actress, and it’s embarrassing that Time magazine would enter the world of Oscar campaigns for a cover like this, at ANY time of year. They are supposed to be an objective news outlet. Given the choice, I would vote for Streep and Viola Davis. But no one here has any argument or standing as to why they are making the right choice, because it’s all personal and subjective. I hated “The Reader,” and I think it’s sentimental garbage. I know that I am not alone, but I don’t pretend that my choice to reject that film is the right one. Give me a break, you people are not in a court of law! They are just movies and there is no such thing as best actress.
#60…you can say that again.
I have to say this is my first time ever following “awards season” from beginning to end. I’m young (early 20’s) and new to all of this
so forgive me.
In the past I’ve always enjoyed watching the awards shows but I never knew this other world existed where people are so passionate about what film deserves to be recognized or who should win what and so on…(I don’t know if “passionate is the right word but I hope you understand what I mean)
I also never knew how many blogs existed just dedicated to the oscars.
I think I might be getting addicted to this…don’t know if thats good or bad.
Vincent: we respectfully agree to disagree.
Ditto Miss.E. This is my first “Oscar watching” season as well. A whole new world, indeed. Both incredibly interesting and horrifying.
#65 Haifa
I’m glad im not alone…;)
ANYBODY WHO DOESNT WANT KATE WINSLET (THE READER) TO WIN IS A NAZI.
THERE. I SAID IT.
I know this is random but my dream is to see Kate and Cate work in a film together. OMG! that would be just awesome!!!!
Linkinfan: I would so love that too. It would be fantastic to see those two great actresses work together.
I also had the argument about the two C/Kate’s, and I honestly would give the edge to Blanchett, but just by a little.
MY DREAM IS FOR KATE WINSLET TO RULE THE WORLD.
URNF
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