• The Academy finally named the producers for next year’s Oscar telecast, first-timers Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic.
• All of which added weight to the speculation that Hugh Jackman might return as host.
• The Gotham Awards provided the season with its first set of nominees, though it inspired more talk for its omissions.
• Chief among those omissions: “Precious,” prompting talk of a backlash, despite generous media exposure positioning it as the one to beat.
Of all the actors I’ve spoken to over the years, I do not remember having such a great time as I did with Michelle Monaghan, currently on screens in “Trucker” and generating some awards chatter for her work. The actress is funny, honest, refreshingly frank and grateful for her career, unaffected by her fame, and a genuinely nice gal, still obviously remembering the lessons she learned growing up surrounded by working class values.
She laughs often and it is a deep, infectious laugh that seems to surge right through the phone line. What she has achieved in a very short time is special indeed, and despite having no training as an actor, she may be one of the finest American actresses of her generation; she is certainly the best I’ve seen this year.
Monaghan has been visible on the American film scene since earning strong reviews for her riveting performance in “North Country” in 2005, with Oscar winner Charlize Theron, which she followed with “Mission: Impossible III” a year later, more than holding her own opposite Tom Cruise. Her performance in “Gone Baby Gone” was remarkable, resonating with a great deal of sadness, and she ran around the blockbuster “Eagle Eye” with Shia LaBeouf, managing to find an actual character amid the fluff.
The girl can act, and she is getting better with each film. Her turn in “Trucker” is astonishing.
• Dave Karger, in a slow news week, digs up the old “‘Hangover’ for Best Pic” notion. No. [Oscar Watch]
• Jeff Wells face-to-face with “Fantastic Mr. Fox” director Wes Anderson. [Hollywood Elsewhere]
• Susan King talks to editing legend Anne V. Coates, whose career was showcased at the Academy last night. [Los Angeles Times]
Now is the time when everyone begins assessing the race at its beginnings, and the gist I’m getting is that no one really knows what to write about. Stabs at analysis end up being responses to other takes or rehashed arguments, and nothing really insightful is being brought to the table.
And let’s face it. As we dip into what looks to be the longest early-season lull in some time, there really is nothing insightful to offer. So let’s just spit-ball…
I think the Sony Classics acquisition of “The Last Station” is more significant than most seem to be aware right now. There are only a handful who have seen it (Telluride being the film’s only festival stop so far), so that’s understandable. And the film isn’t a knock-out, one that will be damned as merely efficient in some circles. But with Helen Mirren in the lead actress race, it’s worth noting that suddenly that category is further framed as the old guard versus the new.
And I may be wrong in my conviction, but I have to say it again: Mirren is VERY much in this race. As the fiery Countess wife of a literary titan, she brings equal parts passion and delicacy to a complicated, certainly flawed character. She’s afforded a number of moments that give her room to chew the scenery, and if Christopher Plummer happens to ride a wave of sentiment to a nomination as well, part of me feels that he will owe something to Mirren’s coattails.
My predictions for the leading ladies this week are Mirren, Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan, Gabourey Sidibe and, my weak link, Marion Cotillard (who is expected to be a lead actress push for “Nine,” but things could change). In that collective we have three former winners, two legends of the form, two newbies and one performer shifting into the second gear of her career. I think that’s a pretty good balance.
The buzz, manufactured or not, is swirling around Michelle Monaghan’s performance in “Trucker.” There is plenty of room in the lead actress category, so maybe there’s a play here, I don’t know. Here’s the new trailer:
I haven’t seen James Mottern’s “Trucker,” which had a world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and was praised in many quarters, most agreeing that Michelle Monaghan’s lead performance was awards caliber.
Ironically, the press release (published in part after the jump) quotes The Hollywood Reporter’s Roger Friedman front and center just a few days after he bemoaned what he perceived as a weak year for Best Actress contenders.
The strongest contenders right now look to be Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia,” Carey Mulligan in “An Education” and, sight unseen, Hilary Swank in “Amelia.” If enough voters see “The Burning Plain,” Charlize Theron certainly has a shot. But the bubble is big on this race, I’ll give Friedman that.
Monterey Media has decided to release the film up for an October 9 release, right in the middle of the awards season. We all know surprise contenders show up sooner or later. Maybe we’re looking at our first one right here.
A snippet of the press release after the jump.