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The BFCA are rarely ones to take an individual stand on the awards trail, and such was the case last night, as they mostly stuck with Oscar frontrunners down the line. In the numbers stakes, “Avatar” (with six awards) and “Inglourious Basterds” (with three) came out on top.
But it was “The Hurt Locker” that emerged as the night’s real winner, maintaining its tight season-long grip on the Best Picture and Best Director prizes, even with this more mainstream-oriented group. (It should be stressed that, despite the name, this is not a critics’ award.)
Is this another “Sideways” — which also managed to parlay critical momentum into a top win here — or is something bigger afoot for the film? I’m starting to suspect the latter.
Kris can obviously offer more first-hand perspective at a later stage. Still, the sense I get from this is that, for all the claims of it being a level three-horse race, “Up in the Air” is actually trailing “The Hurt Locker” and “Avatar” — if any major precursor was going to swing the way of Jason Reitman’s film, I’d have expected it to be the sometimes safe-playing BFCA.
Meanwhile, George Clooney’s loss to Jeff Bridges — telling if by no means definitive — shows up the fact that “Up in the Air” has only a writing award safely in its pocket.
Elsewhere, it was business as usual, with Christoph Waltz and Mo’Nique’s stranglehold on the supporting categories remaining unchallenged, and the BFCA voters refusing to move the needle in the Best Animated Feature race — despite the hopes of some critics. Meanwhile, for Best Foreign Language Film, they unsurprisingly opted for the familiar auteur brand of Pedro Almodóvar. (What, you thought Haneke had a chance here?)
It’s difficult to know what to make of “Avatar”‘s near-sweep in the technical races, given that this is the first year the BFCA has awarded such categories — is this a signal of the film’s strength or the voters’ susceptibility? Meanwhile, the inconsistency of James Cameron’s epic beating “The Hurt Locker” to Best Action Film carries as little meaning as the award itself.
The most unexpected development here is arguably that odd tie for Best Actress — for the second year running, the BFCA couldn’t make up its mind in this category, and for the second year running, Meryl Streep received half an award.
Many might have suspected Streep had this one sewn up, but Sandra Bullock’s charm offensive is clearly persuading many. My guess: Streep split the more critical-minded vote with Carey Mulligan, allowing Bullock to balance the scales. (If you wanted emphatic proof that “Critics’ Choice” is something of a misnomer, there you have it.)
The Critics’ Choice Awards may pride themselves on their Oscar bellwether-status, but all they’ve told us here (and in some other top races) is that it’s anyone’s for the taking.
Best Picture: “The Hurt Locker”
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side” and Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds”
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, “Up in the Air”
Best Foreign Language Film: “Broken Embraces”
Best Documentary: “The Cove”
Best Animated Festure: “Up”
Best Cinematography: Mauro Fiore, “Avatar”
Best Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg, “Avatar”
Best Costume Design: Sandy Powell, “The Young Victoria”
Best Film Editing: John Refoua and Stephen E. Rivkin, “Avatar”
Best Makeup: “District 9″
Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino, “Up”
Best Original Song: T Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham, “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart”
Best Sound: “Avatar”
Best Visual Effects: “Avatar”
Best Ensemble: “Inglourious Basterds”
Best Comedy Film: “The Hangover”
Best Action Film: “Avatar”
Best Young Actor: Saoirse Ronan, “The Lovely Bones”
80 responses so far
1 1-16-2010 at 1:46 am
theoriginal.andrew said...
That Sandra Bullock’s win says a lot about this awards. The critics look stupid giving that award to her and her mediocre performance. At least Streep gave the category credibility, but why Bullock?
She hardly won any of the regional critics awards. Is this the result of her campaign? Man, if she wins the Oscar over Streep, I think I won’t be able to watch any awards show ever again without feeling that I’m wasting my time. Any of the potential nominees would make a good winner though, but Bullock wouldn’t. She’s there just because of her personality and success not her talent.
2 1-16-2010 at 1:57 am
Andrew2 said...
The results are all fairly consistent with most critics prizes so far, but BULLOCK?? She marches on toward Oscar and makes me want Streep so muc more!
3 1-16-2010 at 3:38 am
Nigel Bridgeman said...
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Bullock is going to win the Oscar. If I had any money she’d be the one I’d back.
4 1-16-2010 at 3:50 am
Guy Lodge said...
For the very first time this season, Nigel, I’m starting to believe you. I didn’t see the ceremony, but I hear her speech was a winner, which always helps.
5 1-16-2010 at 3:59 am
Annie said...
as a Mulligan fan I feel sick, I was ready to see her losing to Tilda, Gaby, Meryl or Cornish, but to Bullock in that awful film? its crushing me, the message I get is, dont mind doing crapy films, just try to be a star and you will get your oscar.
6 1-16-2010 at 4:05 am
aspect ratio said...
What bugs me about the notion that Sandra Bullock will win the Oscar is that she’s most certainly not due. As lovely as she is, and as much as I’ve enjoyed a great deal of her films, she hasn’t cranked out a lot of dramatic Oscar-y performances that have been snubbed over and over. This would be her first nomination, for the first thing she’s ever done that even came close Oscar recognition, and a nomination would really be award enough if they want to acknowledge that they love her.
The Academy certainly has a history of wanting to award the famous Hollywood starlets when they finally turn in a serious role, but is Bullock in The Blind Side on the level of Theron in Monster or Roberts in Erin Brockovich (probably the most apt comparison)?
Not that it’s hard to imagine Meryl not winning already having two Oscars.. But, I don’t know.. To me it feels like the nomination would be award enough in Bullock’s case.
Is Mulligan completely out of the picture nowadays? She went from top contender vs. Streep to hardly even considered anymore.. Odd.
7 1-16-2010 at 4:09 am
aspect ratio said...
Glad to see The Hurt Locker take the top prizes. I got worried when Avatar swept the tech categories (half of them undeserved, but that’s another essay).
Mo’Nique totally sealed the deal with her speech too, which was to the point, graceful and without ego. All the MONTHS of rumors and whispering got squashed.
8 1-16-2010 at 4:11 am
Aleksis said...
I think Sandra Bullock winning is less offensive than George Clooney being considered “the one to beat”.
9 1-16-2010 at 4:12 am
Guy Lodge said...
“Is Bullock in The Blind Side on the level of Theron in Monster”
In all fairness, is Streep in Julia & Julia?
I think you might be underestimating how much many people actually like Bullock’s film and performance. (And, yes, Bullock herself.) If she wins the Oscar, it won’t be because voters think she’s “due.”
10 1-16-2010 at 4:26 am
voland said...
The best thing were the wins for Bridges and Bigelow.
11 1-16-2010 at 4:31 am
Nigel Bridgeman said...
I haven’t seen The Blind Side so I don’t know if Bullock winning would be undeserving, but I have seen Julie & Julia and there’s no way Streep deserves an Oscar… he’ll, not even a nomination. Apparently some people think two Oscars in 32 years isn’t enough for her. Peter O’Toole heart must be breaking for her right now.
12 1-16-2010 at 4:32 am
Nigel Bridgeman said...
That should be ‘hell’, not ‘he’ll’. Damn you iPhone!
13 1-16-2010 at 4:39 am
med said...
I am firmly in the camp that Streep will win the Oscar come March. Come on, Bullock best actress, doesn’t that almost makes one, well , cringe. Bullock over Streep would be the most glaring, embarrasing upset in Academy history. I just don’t buy it…
14 1-16-2010 at 4:42 am
Loyal said...
I wonder if Mo’Nique’s “business partner” will accept her Oscar? (the 1:57 mark)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhpMTiz4Oqw
Their shared demeanor is pretty repugnant. Take your Oscar and never return please.
15 1-16-2010 at 4:46 am
Nigel Bridgeman said...
It’s only an upset if nobody sees it coming. I’m not a fan of Bullock, I never understood her appeal, but I think she’ll be the favourite come Oscar night which is still a while away.
Oscar is about momentum, popularity and ability, in that order. Look at Benigni: he won purely because of his acceptance speeches which were all over the TV. He had the momentum because of that, and the voters fell in love with him.
16 1-16-2010 at 4:49 am
Michael said...
The only two people with any visibility in the best actress category are Bullock and Streep. It is between the two of them all the way to the Oscars. As someone else mentioned in another thread – Bullock will get the GG on Sunday and deliver an awesome speech, and will possibly (probably) win the SAG (since Meryl just won it last year) and then it is just a hop skip and a jump away from the big prize. Mulligan just smiles a lot and looks happy to be there but has not mastered the art of being competitive without acting like you are being competitive (something that Meryl and Sandra have down pat being the veterans in the business.)
Obviously the award for best actress should really be between Charlotte Gainsbourg in Antichrist or Tilda Swinton in Julia. Or if they really wanted to be creative (and award raw natural talent) they could nominate Hee-yeon Kim from Treeless Mountain or María Onetto from The Headless Woman – but that is just a pipe dream.
In the Oscar game it is all about visibility, which is going to win out almost every time over just a merely award worthy performance. The best example of someone being visible in the awards game without actually showing up is Mo’Nique – whoever in her camp created that story about her demanding money to show up for publicity is a PR genius, combined with of course the fact that she steamrolled through the precursors and barely had to lift a finger. Absolute Perfection – she could write a book: How to win an Oscar without getting out of bed. I think Mo’Nique was great in Precious, but anyone could come up with more creative and worthy actresses who equally “deserve” the award – however no one could ever list a name of someone else who could actually win the award over her. Because she played the game better than anyone else. Well, except for maybe Christoph Waltz and Kathryn Bigelow.
17 1-16-2010 at 5:02 am
med said...
Streep has the GG locked and Bullock still has Mulligan & Sidibe to contend with. SAG is up in the air and Bullock by no means has it sewn up. Who does the academy favor – Streep….
18 1-16-2010 at 5:04 am
NoSandraBullock said...
It will be a joke if Sandra Bullock is even nominated for an Oscar when there so many more deserving actresses that gave far superior performances. And it will be a Helen-Hunt-style travesty if she wins.
Unfortunately, Sandra’s PR machine seems to be working in overdrive, and coupled with her box office hype, it’s paying off. I now fear Sandra Bullock wins the trifecta: the BFCA, Globes, and SAG. Obviously, if that happens, there wont be any stopping her tidal wave of momentum. And that wave will crash into the Kodak Theater and ensure Sandra an Oscar victory.
The only win will then be for Helen Hunt, who will no longer have to be the worst Best Actress winner in recent history. That dubious distinction will be bestowed upon Sandra Bullock.
Don’t feel sorry for Bullock. Her consolation prize is a bank account that makes Scrooge McDuck envious. A bank account larger than the other 4 nominees combined.
19 1-16-2010 at 5:07 am
aspect ratio said...
No one is describing Bullock’s performance as some kind of tour de force though, that’s why I can’t help but feel that a nomination is going to be reward enough. Even when Julia Roberts won she had previous Oscar nominations, too.
Maybe I’m just resisting the inevitable.. But it just seems too implausible that she’d win on her first nomination when it’s not that kind of an undeniable performance.
As for Streep, I remember reading or hearing just the other day someone saying that we forget how truly good she is because she makes it look so easy. I think that’s the perfect way to describe it. I don’t think she could ever give another performance where people would agree that performance alone is worthy of a third Oscar, but looking at all the performances she has given since her last Oscar win, in addition to this (great, imho) performance she’s certainly more than earned a third Oscar.
I mean, if you look at her performances after her last Oscar win, that filmography would’ve certainly earned her at least one or two Oscars if she hadn’t won any previously.
20 1-16-2010 at 5:10 am
aspect ratio said...
Loyal,
I think the one asking (Tom O’Neil) such a question backstage after someone has just won an award is the truly repugnant one.
21 1-16-2010 at 5:17 am
med said...
Don’t assume the SAG win for Bullock. The actors has been raving about Streep’s performance in J&J since it opened in August…
22 1-16-2010 at 5:27 am
Another Al said...
Oh how I mocked myself when I put $70 on Bullock at 40-1 to win the Oscar.
23 1-16-2010 at 5:37 am
m1 said...
Are you serious? Sandra Bullock, really? The Hangover, really? Inglourious Basterds for ensemble and screenplay, really? The Golden Globes better be smarter.
24 1-16-2010 at 5:40 am
med said...
Mulligan over Bullock at the Globes. Come on be sensible…
25 1-16-2010 at 5:46 am
The Other James D. said...
^They’ll be a better show with worse wins, I’m sure.
Sandra Bullock’s speech was hilarious. Actually, Meryl Streep’s was, too. But they announced the tie in parts: first Streep got her moment, and then after she wrapped it up, Bradley Cooper read out Bullock’s name.
Bullock walked up on stage and then began sizing up her prey (Meryl), before opening with “This is BULLSHIT!” Then, she kissed her on the lips.
They say acceptance speeches are auditions. Well, Bullock just got a first callback.
26 1-16-2010 at 5:48 am
theoriginal.andrew said...
I agree with Aspect Ratio about Streep. She deserves the win for Julie & Julia. She has been the most consistent actor in memory, and possibly the greatest American actress ever.
If Bullock wins, that would only damage the Academy’s reputation, judging by the general response of last night’s win. Most people acknowledge that she’s not the best of the year -far from it- and is only winning now because of being nice.
As for Mulligan, I have the slight suspicious she’s going to get snubbed and miss the Oscar nom. I say the final five will be: Streep, Sibide, Mirren, Bullock and Blunt or even Saldana. Not that I care ’cause I didn’t like An Education. Although Rosamund Pike is my wild card for BSA.
27 1-16-2010 at 5:51 am
Jamie said...
I still say that Meryl still wins, just like I’ve been saying for a while now that Mulligan would NOT (really isn’t the performance the Academy goes for). Sandra will possibly take the Globe tomorrow night and she benefits from the fact that Streep just won the SAG last year. If Bullock takes the SAG, then we have a close race, but if Streep takes it then I’d say the show’s over.
Keep in mind that Julie and Julia was sent way more screeners out to SAG than The Blind Side, so I wouldn’t be too surprised at a Meryl win there. Also, which film is likely to high more support within the Academy? I’d think Julie & Julia.
And right now, if Mulligan doesn’t start to pick up the pace, I’m even tempted to say that Streep could probrably nab the BAFTA too.
28 1-16-2010 at 5:56 am
Guy Lodge said...
Okay, some folks on the anti-Sandra Bullock train need to calm down. There’s plenty of time for this race to play out, and plenty of ways it could go. (For one, I don’t think Mulligan is entirely out.) No sense getting hysterical over one little award.
As for the much-repeated notion that Hollywood takes Streep for granted, or forgets how good she is, can I remind you that’s she’s about to receive her 16th nomination? A little perspective, please.
But hey, what do I know … I would’ve given Helen Hunt the Oscar too.
29 1-16-2010 at 6:03 am
The Other James D. said...
^What a relief! I felt like the last Hunt defender standing.
Granted, I still need to see Bonham Carter and Dench, but nevertheless, I thought Hunt was excellent. People attack her way too easily.
Regarding the Sideways factor, I was actually thinking about what Sasha Stone suggested: The Departed won BP here, but in essence was an underdog in some respects for the actual win @ the Oscars.
30 1-16-2010 at 6:08 am
McAllister said...
Carey Mulligan is my number one choice. Sandra Bullock my number two. Meryl Streep, though I love her, didn’t show us anything she hasn’t done a million times… she’s not in my top 5.
31 1-16-2010 at 6:18 am
Nel said...
Even though I would like Streep, Bridges and Bigelow to win come Oscar time – it is mainly out of sentimentality. 2009 has been a good year for cinema but in regards to the awards season – the movie choices for awards considerations are slightly underwhelming for me . There are movies in the ten and performances in the ten, which I really don’t like but if Sandra Bullock was to win over Meryl Streep come Oscar time. I don’t think I would be that bothered as at least the speech would be funny but seriously what would Meryl have to do win her third Oscar?
I think given the choices for consideration this year, Guy was right when he stated that this may be the year that ‘Hollywood pats its self on the back’.
32 1-16-2010 at 6:20 am
Guy Lodge said...
Other James D: Bonham-Carter is astonishing — I could just as easily retrospectively hand her the award. But I don’t think enough people appreciate what a tricky task Hunt faced in that film — with Nicholson larging it up, she has to offer the relatable human balance to the audience, and she pulls it off beautifully. Glad someone else sees that.
(And that perfectly-pitched line reading of the single word “Okay” is what got her the Oscar.)
33 1-16-2010 at 6:21 am
Nel said...
Oh btw talking about really excellent female perfomances, pretty sure Grey Gardens won for best TV movie.
34 1-16-2010 at 6:21 am
NoSandraBullock said...
There’s two of you, wow! One of you must be dissected and studied.
I’m not even sure Helen Hunt would even defend her Oscar win at this point.
Anyways…
Sandra Bullock’s performance will be forgotten in about a year. Mery Streep’s Julia Child will live on decades from now.
35 1-16-2010 at 6:22 am
Bia said...
It’s interesting to see all the Meryl vs. Sandra hate being spread around, because the two of them together seemed to be having the time of their lives on stage and in the press room. It’s no surprise the younger actresses like Carey and Gabby have taken a back seat to these two vets who can work a room. Sandra gave a great speech though, she’s quite good for being new to this. If she won The Oscar, I doubt anyone would be mad.
36 1-16-2010 at 6:22 am
Erik 815 said...
Thank you, Guy. I never thought I’d find another person who liked Hunt’s performance. I felt it was very balanced and she was unexpectedly subtle in a role that could’ve been played at full hystrionics.
The one tragedy in oscar history is Begnini winning over Norton, McKellen, Nolte, and Hanks in ’98. Other than that I appreciate that they don’t always go to the actor or actress who plays the most dramatic or tortured part. I loved both Streep and Tucci in J&J. Whoda thunk they could evoke such a deep passionate relationship between two people in half a biopic without any screaming, smashing plates, incessant crying, etc?
37 1-16-2010 at 6:25 am
NoHelenHunt said...
You are a disease that must be stopped from spreading.
38 1-16-2010 at 6:28 am
Guy Lodge said...
For the record, I’m fine with Benigni’s win too — that’s a very clever performance. (He was my second pick behind Norton, who obviously didn’t have a snowball’s chance.)
39 1-16-2010 at 6:34 am
NoSandraBullock said...
“Bia says: It’s interesting to see all the Meryl vs. Sandra hate being spread around, because the two of them together seemed to be having the time of their lives on stage and in the press room.”
That’s because Meryl is a great actress…
40 1-16-2010 at 6:54 am
The Other James D. said...
@Guy: As am I. And how fitting that I actually have The Wings of the Dove at home right now via Netflix…for the past four months. (All of the 2009 films, and real life, can be such nuisances.)
As for the NoSandra/Helen, LOL. It’s unhinged dung like this that has me hoping Streep DOES lose, just to watch people like you go batshit. I am sensing meltdowns that could rival that of the tweentard fallout from Adam Lambert losing to Kris Allen (yay).
41 1-16-2010 at 6:55 am
The Other James D. said...
Just for fun, here’s a little excerpt of this “No” troll from AwardsDaily:
“But can you imagine Sandra Bullock winning an Oscar? Can you imagine how embarrassing that will look 10 years from now? If Meryl Streep loses to Bullock, the poor woman may just kill herself… Do you want a Bullock to rob us of one of the greatest actresses EVER?”
Ain’t it cute?
42 1-16-2010 at 7:01 am
NoSandraBullock said...
Not as cute as Sandra Bullock, am I right?
43 1-16-2010 at 7:17 am
Chris said...
“For the record, I’m fine with Benigni’s win too — that’s a very clever performance. (He was my second pick behind Norton, who obviously didn’t have a snowball’s chance.)”
Guy, you’re my hero. After all these years of defending Benigni finally someone I respect agrees with me.
About the Bullock situation: I think something many people underestimate at this point is that the BFCA is an exclusively American group – while AMPAS is much more of an international organisation. It is very likely the Brits won’t vote for her, because over here people just don’t care about her at all. So I still think it’s Streep’s to lose.
44 1-16-2010 at 7:32 am
cineJAB said...
Meryl Streep has tied for this award two years in a row now. Last year her and Anne Hathaway were nominated for the Oscar, but lost to a Weinstein pony in the form of Kate Winslet that wasn’t even in this category in this awards show. This year she and Sandra Bullock will lose to a Weinstein pony in the form of Melanie Laurent. Or at least I hope so.
45 1-16-2010 at 7:34 am
Craig said...
Avatar is going to be following that theme. Mark my words. Don’t know who the hell decided it was a frontrunner for best picture…
46 1-16-2010 at 7:35 am
Guy Lodge said...
Dream on, cineJAB ;)
47 1-16-2010 at 7:39 am
Adam M. said...
You crazy kids. These awards actually don’t mean all that much. :P
I still think it’s Streep v. Mulligan for the Oscar. And Streep will have it in the bag if Mulligan loses the Globe tomorrow.
48 1-16-2010 at 7:44 am
Me. said...
SHIT!!! I was expecting a snub for Bullock and a surprise nom for Cornish during the Oscar nominations. Guess that won’t happen. But Bullock winning the Oscar for your average, watch-on-TV-when-you’re-bored, sentimentally flick? That makes no sense.
Also, predicting the Globes is very tricky this year.
49 1-16-2010 at 7:46 am
Me. said...
And I think we can all agree that Waltz and Mo’Nique are locks for the wins at the Oscars. No problems with that from my part. They were both great.
50 1-16-2010 at 8:00 am
Nel said...
Changed the picture eh Guy? I was wondering when that was going to happen.
Right admit it, who thought that kiss was hot? (o;
51 1-16-2010 at 8:05 am
Guy Lodge said...
Haha, it took me a while to find a good one.
52 1-16-2010 at 8:13 am
cineJAB said...
i didnt watch the show, what’s the deal with that kiss???
53 1-16-2010 at 8:15 am
Me. said...
Bullock and Streep made out? LMAO I gotta admit that’s pretty awesome.
I’d like a Golden Globe predictions post. I’m going to predict Inglourious Basterds for the wind because the Globes usually give their award to the most international film (Slumdog Millionaire, Atonement, Babel) of the bunch and Basterds has cast members from different countries and many languages. The Hollocaust subject doesn’t hurt it either.
54 1-16-2010 at 8:27 am
Guy Lodge said...
cineJAB: Just good-natured goofing on their part. The Other James D explains how it all played out in comment #25.
55 1-16-2010 at 8:31 am
John said...
Honestly, I have to admit that I was initially cheering for Streep or Mulligan, but all of this horrible haters of Bullock have made me want Sandy to pull this thing off. I’m guessing the more press & blogs goes against this quality, nice person with personal attacks (and that’s what they are-they’re not attacks on her performance anymore), the more people who will feel that way.
I think she’s going to win at this point, though Streep could still take it.
56 1-16-2010 at 8:33 am
Jim Τ said...
I guess that photo is more evidence that this is the year of women. They even prefer to make out with each other. :p
57 1-16-2010 at 8:35 am
Craig said...
They should both lose to Laurent, but they won’t.
58 1-16-2010 at 8:37 am
Jim T said...
With Tilda out, I don’t think I’m rooting for anyone this year. I love Meryl but I don’t want her to win for this. I probably want Mulligan to win but I’m sure there are juicier roles for her in the future. I think Bullock is trying to make me like her. Well, maybe she will succeed at some point.
I don’t know if Hunt deserved the win but it was a very good performance indeed.
59 1-16-2010 at 9:13 am
med said...
Bullock’s performance in the BS was the weakest of the predicted nominees. AMPAS is well aware of this and they will reward Streep’s solid turn as Child. Bullock nomination will be her reward. A win — NOT.
60 1-16-2010 at 9:30 am
Chris138 said...
As long as The Hurt Locker takes Best Picture and Best Director at the Globes, I don’t care who else wins in the other categories. Christoph Waltz is obviously a given for the supporting actor category, and deservedly so.
And as for this whole Sandra Bullock thing everybody keeps talking about, I don’t really know what to say. I haven’t seen The Blind Side, the preview turned me off to it (I don’t get suckered into those movies that try to look inspirational in their trailers, ESPECIALLY sports movies). So in all fairness, I can’t judge her performance until I see the movie… if that day ever comes.
61 1-16-2010 at 9:51 am
Bia said...
I thought Christoph Waltz gave a bizarre speech.
62 1-16-2010 at 10:16 am
Al said...
Many people want Streep to win just because of how talented she is, and she is very talented. But her performance wouldn’t be in play if it were anybody else. This whole Oscar talk is all about apologies for only 2 wins, not really a deserved win. Same with Bullock, although not as good an actress, people want to see her with an award. This whole leading actress season has been read into wrong. Carey Mulligan or Melanie Laurent are the only ones who even deserve a nomination as far as Im concerned.
63 1-16-2010 at 10:20 am
Adam said...
Its so obvious that this critics groups are nothing more than lock stop followers who are trying to PREDICT the Oscars rather than honor the best.
Not only has Bullock not won a single critics award she hasnt even PLACED in them. Yet ties for the Critics Choice?
64 1-16-2010 at 10:38 am
mhf89 said...
I think Carey Mulligan is going to pull an Amy Ryan–win several precursor awards but fail to get any of the biggies–GG, SAG, BFCA, BAFTA, etc. I hope not I’d like to thinks there is some justice in the world–that’s when I remember we don’t live in a logical, just world.
65 1-16-2010 at 11:06 am
Paul Outlaw said...
Hunt? Benigni? I feel like I’ve entered the Twilight Zone… ;-)
66 1-16-2010 at 12:27 pm
leocdc said...
I’m so tier of The Hurt Locker
67 1-16-2010 at 1:12 pm
Ivan D. said...
I think these awards are the best precursors for Oscar winners, much better than the GG. As for the best actress, I think there isn’t the slightest chance Meryl Streep won’t win. Just think how interesting this award season would be if BRIGHT STAR was released in December? Everybody would be talking if Meryl can beat Abbie Cornish!
68 1-16-2010 at 1:38 pm
Ren said...
@ Guy’s #28 comment:
“As for the much-repeated notion that Hollywood takes Streep for granted, or forgets how good she is, can I remind you that’s she’s about to receive her 16th nomination? A little perspective, please.”
I think this is the very proof that Hollywood does, in fact, take Streep for granted. Meryl has always been very gracious and enthusiastic about just being nominated but does one really believe it doesn’t hurt or sting or deflat the self esteem of Meryl each time out? Yes, they acknowledge her but time after time they expect the nomination to be enough, even for the times she should have won, because why? Because they all say she’s the best so that should be sufficient … right?
I’d also say that Meryl is 60 and to my knowledge (limited) she does not have another project ready to go. It’s been a busy decade for Meryl but I think we’re done seeing her in too many more films. And that fact alone is a sad thought.
69 1-16-2010 at 2:55 pm
/3rtfu11 said...
“The only win will then be for Helen Hunt, who will no longer have to be the worst Best Actress winner in recent history.”
You’re wrong. It’s painfully obvious you don’t know the rule about awarding Jack Nicholson and his female co-star. Everyone of his Oscar wins – his female co-star also wins.
Had Jack not campaigned for Adrian – Kathy Bates would’ve won her 2nd Oscar!
“As for the much-repeated notion that Hollywood takes Streep for granted, or forgets how good she is, can I remind you that’s she’s about to receive her 16th nomination? A little perspective, please.”
I’ll give you a little perspective – Katharine (I hate you Meryl Streep) Hepburn has 4 Competitive Best Actress Oscar Wins – with just 12 Nominations – all for lead.
Jack Nicholson has 3 – give Streep her 3rd so this whole issue can be given a rest!
70 1-16-2010 at 3:16 pm
Sally in Chicago said...
Sandra is a better actress than people give her credit.
71 1-16-2010 at 3:51 pm
Anna said...
I’m sorry but I saw An Education and truthfully I found nothing special about Carey Mulligan’s performance, nor the film for that matter which I think borders on being kinda icky.
I think Sandra Bullock gives a great performance and two very different performances in two movies which shows what a versatile actress she is. I love Meryl Streep, but how many times are they gonna get the chance to reward Sandra Bullock? She deserves it and should win and audiences in droves agree.
72 1-16-2010 at 4:34 pm
juli said...
Anna I just dont agree with you, Sandra Bullock performance is one note the entire film, even her reviews werent that great. BUt the film broke box office records and THATS why she is winning awards.
73 1-16-2010 at 4:36 pm
annie said...
I think Sandra Bullock gives a great performance and two very different performances in two movies which shows what a versatile actress she is. I love Meryl Streep, but how many times are they gonna get the chance to reward Sandra Bullock? She deserves it and should win and audiences in droves agree
=======================
you have to be kidding me.
74 1-16-2010 at 4:43 pm
John said...
I think the Streep feeling bad thing is a little stretch-she had SIXTEEN nominations, more than any actor in history, and she’ll likely get 3-4 more in her career, creating a record that, considering the life cycle of actors’ popularity these days, will never be ignored. The history books are not going to forget this woman if she only wins two Oscars.
75 1-16-2010 at 5:20 pm
Big Braveheart said...
Where’s Tom Hardy for his performance in Bronson? Academy get real!!
76 1-16-2010 at 8:43 pm
NoSabu said...
“Anna says: I think Sandra Bullock gives a great performance and two very different performances in two movies which shows what a versatile actress she is. I love Meryl Streep, but how many times are they gonna get the chance to reward Sandra Bullock? She deserves it and should win and audiences in droves agree.”
Hahahahah!
Nice one, Bradley Cooper. This is the funniest thing you have ever done. The Proposal and All About Steve are definitely two Sandra Bullock rom-com classics. Not only are they two of the best movies of 2009, but perhaps the decade, too! And only a Sandra Bullock could have been quite as, uh, moving in the leads.
Hey, Wild Hogs was an enormous success. Audiences loved it! We should retroactively give Tim Allen an Oscar for that one. I mean, how often are we going to be able to give awards to Tim Allen. Think about that…
77 1-16-2010 at 9:56 pm
Travis said...
I actually think this is a 3-way race between “Avatar”, “The Hurt Locker”, and “Inglourious Basterds” rather than “Up in the Air”. If AMPAS is suddenly going to go “populist”, wouldn’t it make more sense for them to award Best Picture to a WWII film by a respected auteur over sci-fi escapism (which they’ve never done)?
Having ridiculous box office receipts does not make “Avatar” a surefire lock, as “The Dark Knight” can surely attest.
Also, this better be the only time “The Hangover” beats “(500) Days of Summer” for anything.. Just sayin’
78 1-17-2010 at 2:18 am
Jane said...
Man, what a bad year for award shows to suddenly go all populist. Too late people, it’s not 2008 anymore.
79 1-17-2010 at 4:44 am
Another Al said...
If Cuba Gooding can win an Oscar in a football movie, Bullock can too.
Not saying she does or doesn’t deserve it but she’s certainly in with a shot.
80 1-17-2010 at 7:39 am
Me. said...
The Proposal looks razzie worthy.