I'm glad John Travolta didn't get the token nod for "Hairspray." But I mourn the following names: Robert Downey Jr. All of these nominations are stellar - and I'm thrilled to see Casey Affleck nominated for such an assured performance, albeit a definite lead, not supporting, despite where they put him. For whatever reason the cinematic world tilts in a direction favorable to supporting men. Who should win: I'd be happy with either Christie or Marion CotillardĬasey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men" Hal Holbrook, "Into the Wild" Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War" Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton."Ĭomments: This is always a tough one.
Why not Kerri Russell in "Waitress" or Naomi Watts in "Eastern Promises"? Or Markéta Irglová in the simply beautiful "Once"? Since it's going to come down to them anyway, the Academy should've gotten creative with the other open slots. It looks like a weak year for women, except for the two main nominees - Christie and Cotillard. Keira Knightley for "Atonement"? Rather not. I continue to be bewildered by "Juno," but who would've taken those two spots? Angelina Jolie for "A Mighty Heart"? Rather not. She deserves an A for effort, but leave it there. Who should win: The pipes, the pipes are calling you back for a second trophy!Ĭate Blanchett, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" Julie Christie, "Away From Her" Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose" Laura Linney, "The Savages" Ellen Page, "Juno."Ĭomments: Look, I love Cate Blanchett as much as, if not more than, most mortals, but even her valiant attempts couldn't save "Elizabeth" from being Razzie-worthy. Give the other spot to Mathieu Amalric for "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," a disastrously underappreciated gem. The more I think about "Into the Wild" the more I appreciate it and wish Sean Penn would make a few more just like it. I'm fine without James and anything with the word "Atonement" in it, though I'll miss staring at him at the ceremony. Tommy Lee and Johnny took the places James McAvoy and Emile Hirsch could've had. Sad to see Josh Brolin's name missing from this or the supporting list as well. Interesting that he was nominated for the near-forgotten "Elah" instead of his juggernaut, "No Country for Old Men." Too subtle, perhaps. George Clooney, "Michael Clayton" Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood" Johnny Depp, "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street" Tommy Lee Jones, "In the Valley of Elah" Viggo Mortensen, "Eastern Promises."Ĭomments: Woo hoo, Tommy Lee! Have at it, boy. Who will win: Well, it's one or the other: "Blood" or "No Country." I want to be loyal to my fave, but I'm thinking it's "No Country for Old Men." Like "Into the Wild" or "Eastern Promises" or *gasp* a really good just-for-entertainment film, "The Bourne Ultimatum." Comments: Curse the gods the day they conjured the overrated beast called "Juno." I didn't care for "Atonement" but care even less for the Academy's habit of supporting little feel-good films over titles more worthy.