• About Us
  • Sasha Stone
  • Editor Ryan Adams
  • Clarence Moye
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Awardsdaily - The Oscars, the Films and everything in between.
  • Home
  • Oscar Predictions
    • Best Picture
    • Best Actor
    • Best Actress
  • Good As Gold
  • AD TV
  • Podcasts
  • FYC Gallery
  • Interviews
  • All News
  • Home
  • Oscar Predictions
    • Best Picture
    • Best Actor
    • Best Actress
  • Good As Gold
  • AD TV
  • Podcasts
  • FYC Gallery
  • Interviews
  • All News
No Result
View All Result
Awardsdaily - The Oscars, the Films and everything in between.
No Result
View All Result

Best Actress – Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock Strongest Heading into Race

by Sasha Stone
February 17, 2014
in Amy Adams, BEST ACTRESS, Cate Blanchett, featured, Sandra Bullock
192
Best Actress – Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock Strongest Heading into Race

bestactress

With several potentially pivotal roles left to be seen — Emma Thompson in Saving Mr. Banks and Amy Adams in American Hustle, two names seem like they might dominate the category when the critics start handing out their awards. Those awards will then influence the Golden Globes, the Critics Choice, the Screen Actors Guild and ultimately, the Oscars.  The Golden Globes often reflect the early part of the race, not the late breaking changes that can sometimes occur.  The New York Film Critics and the National Board of Review both announce early and also tend to reflect the early part of the race.

Here is a poll for you to respond to whom you think is in the lead.  I make my own list after the jump.

[polldaddy poll=7448143]

If the race goes as expected, it will end up turning out this way:

1. Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
2. Sandra Bullock, Gravity*
3. Judi Dench, Philomena
4. Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks*
5. Meryl Streep, August: Osage County*
6. Amy Adams, American Hustle
7. Kate Winslet, Labor Day*
8. Adele Exarchopoulos, Blue is the Warmest Colour
9. Brie Larson, Short Term 12
10. Julie Delpy, Before Midnight

*previously won an Oscar for Lead Actress

What surprised me most about my second viewing of Gravity last night was Sandra Bullock’s performance. I suppose the first time through I was more dazzled by the visual effects and didn’t notice what she goes through emotionally, what a transformative performance it is.   It is not to be underestimated, despite her having won for The Blind Side fairly recently. Right now, she seems to be Blanchett’s biggest challenger because the reviews for Gravity are setting that film up to be a critics’ darling. If it makes a shitload of money at the box office, at least $100 million, it will not only be a strong contender for Best Picture, but an even stronger contender for Best Actress, if voters want to reward a film that has made such a strong impact this year.

Bullock carries Gravity entirely.  She has some help from George Clooney and even more from the visual effects, but this movie belongs to her. Were it not for her previous Oscar, there wouldn’t even be a discussion as to who’s in the lead in the race. But with that recent win, there might be a greater sense of urgency to award an actress who hasn’t won.

On the other hand, Gravity’s success seems to be surpassing expectations. It’s just this side of becoming a phenomenon.  The same could have been said last year with Jessica Chastain and Zero Dark Thirty but the difference here is the life-affirming message of Gravity, and Bullock’s heroism.  There’s a big difference between the two characters — Bullock’s “Oscar Story” will be her coming back from winning for The Blind Side, which many figured was the best she had in her, and doing an even more impressive job.  There is a narrative built in to seeing her succeed that none of the other actresses have; Bullock has proved herself more than worthy.

Blanchett, though, is at the moment, heads and shoulders above the rest. But that doesn’t necessarily amount to a win.  We’ve all watched in horror over the years as the most memorable, heart-wrenching performances lose the prize to the more popular contender.  Ellen Burstyn in Requiem for a Dream vs. Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich, for instance. But Blanchett is young enough and beautiful enough and charming enough to perhaps pull in a win.

Complicating matters is the Mia Farrow’s expose that’s about to hit Vanity Fair in November. In it, Woody’s daughter Dylan is interviewed for the first time.  How much will the press make of it? Are there still old wounds that haven’t healed?  Will the newly opened controversy disappear once Woody receives the Cecil B. DeMille award at the Golden Globes? Perhaps no one will care, and the film will continue its success — on the other hand, voters tend to shy away from controversy. Add to that, Jasmine not being a likable character — as opposed to the extremely likable Ryan Stone (Gravity).  All of this adds to a potential shift.

Much is riding on the performances that haven’t been seen yet.  Saving Mr. Banks is a story that revolves around Emma Thompson’s character, and those kinds of films are so rare now.  The early buzz is good so far.  Amy Adams is such a versatile actress, and she was one of the best things about The Fighter.  As yet, there is no way to know how big or how important these performances will be.

 

Tags: BEST ACTRESS
Sasha Stone

Sasha Stone

Sasha Stone has been around the Oscar scene since 1999. Almost everything on this website is her fault.

Next Post

Thomson on All is Lost

Sign up for Awards Daily's Breaking News

* indicates required

Breaking Down the Animated Shorts Shortlist

Breaking Down the Animated Shorts Shortlist
by Joey Moser
March 6, 2021
1

Predictions Friday: The Producers Guild and the DGA

Predictions Friday: The Producers Guild and the DGA
by Sasha Stone
March 5, 2021
27

‘Soul’ Blends Traditional Jazz with the Unique Sounds of Reznor and Ross

A Sneak Peek at Disney / Pixar’s Upcoming ‘Soul’

© 2020 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

by Clarence Moye
March 5, 2021
0

Regina King’s One Night in Miami is a Best Picture Contender and a Resource to Teach American history

Regina King’s One Night in Miami is a Best Picture Contender and a Resource to Teach American history

Aldis Hodge and Director Regina King on the set of ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI Photo: Patti Perret/Amazon Studios

by Sasha Stone
March 5, 2021
2

Voting Now Open – Dear Oscar Hear My Plea

Voting Now Open – Dear Oscar Hear My Plea
by Sasha Stone
March 5, 2021
39

Emmy Tracker: Debuting The 2021 ADTV Emmy Tracker!

Emmy Tracker: Debuting The 2021 ADTV Emmy Tracker!

(Photo: Apple TV+)

by Jalal Haddad
March 5, 2021
2

Legendary Actress Ellen Burstyn On Putting Together the ‘Pieces’ of a Mother

Legendary Actress Ellen Burstyn On Putting Together the ‘Pieces’ of a Mother

PIECES OF A WOMAN: (L to R) Ellen Burstyn as Elizabeth and Vanessa Kirby as Martha.

by Clarence Moye
March 5, 2021
1

BAFTA Contest Up and Running

1917 Sweeps BAFTAs With 7 Awards
by Sasha Stone
March 5, 2021
0

AD Exclusive: Mira Nair Moderates Talk with Director and Producer of Live Action Short Contender ‘Bittu’

AD Exclusive: Mira Nair Moderates Talk with Director and Producer of Live Action Short Contender ‘Bittu’
by Joey Moser
March 5, 2021
0

A Q&A with the Filmmakers and Cast of Shortlisted Live Action Short, ‘Da Yie’

A Q&A with the Filmmakers and Cast of Shortlisted Live Action Short, ‘Da Yie’
by Joey Moser
March 5, 2021
0

Jayro Bustamante On the Powerful Pain of International Feature Contender ‘La Llorona’

Jayro Bustamante On the Powerful Pain of International Feature Contender ‘La Llorona’

(Photo: Shudder)

by Joey Moser
March 5, 2021
0

Fernando Frias de la Parra On the Loneliness of a Different Kind of Immigrant Experience for ‘I’m No Longer Here’

Fernando Frias de la Parra On the Loneliness of a Different Kind of Immigrant Experience for ‘I’m No Longer Here’

(Photo: Netflix)

by Joey Moser
March 5, 2021
0

BAFTA Preview: When Voting Members Can’t Be Trusted to Pick the Right Nominees

Joker, The Irishman, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, 1917 Top 73rd BAFTA Nominations
by Sasha Stone
March 5, 2021
39

Join us Facebook

AwardsDaily Crew

  • About Us
  • Sasha Stone
  • Editor Ryan Adams
  • Clarence Moye
  • Contact Us

ADTV Crew

  • ADTV Home
  • Megan McLachlan, Co-Editor
  • Clarence Moye, Co-Editor
  • Jalal Haddad, Senior Contributor
  • Joey Moser, Senior Contributor
  • Kevin Dillon
  • Shadan Larki
  • Ben Morris
  • David Phillips

Follow on Twitter

ADTV Twitter

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertising on Awards Daily

© 1999-2021 AwardsDaily.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Oscar Predictions
    • Best Picture
    • Best Actor
    • Best Actress
  • Good As Gold
  • AD TV
  • Podcasts
  • FYC Gallery
  • Interviews
  • All News

© 1999-2021 AwardsDaily.com