Discuss.

I find this very hard to predict at the moment, to be honest. I know there's Amy Adams in The Master, and there is Anne Hathaway in Les Misérables. And maybe Helen Hunt in The Sessions. But then who? Lots of names, but still. Will Great Expectations even come out stateside this year? How big is Jessica Chastain's role in Zero Dark Thirty? Spielberg is not the most actress friendly director, so will Sally Field be given enough time to shine in Lincoln? So many variables and enigmas, lol.

Since Les Miserables hasn't been seen it...what if Hathaway doesn#t live up to the enormous expectations? I mean I am predicting her as well right now, but this is sight unseen. If she fails...who'll get into the frontrunner position? Adams? Hunt?

Adams feels so insignificant in The Master. A few nice moments, but no more. I can't see her winning her inevitable first Oscar for this role.

Hunt sounds right. Maybe Jessica Chastain will be fantastic in Zero Dark Thirty.

Isn't Helen Hunt lead?

People (over at Awards Daily, etc.) are saying Fox has decided to place her here.

Someone mentioned in the other thread that she's being pushed for supporting...?

Helen Hunt will go Supporting in all likelihood. Fox Searchlight will likely try to push Wallis in Lead and Hunt in Supporting.

Hunt will be supporting, FS has too many Lead actresses to push.

Probably Adams IMO due to her growing nomination total.

Maybe watch out for Helen Mirren in Hitchcock if the red sea opens in Supporting Actress (though there's rumors she's lead)

I dunno, the problem is that I don't see The Master winning Best Picure under any circumstances, yet I am predicting it to win Best Actor, Best Supportign Actor and Best Director. If it also wins Supporting Actress, it's hard to see it losing BP (but it will lose).

I think Adams will probably win her first for a leading role in some film.

Well, Hathaway's winning anyways unless Les Mis is received like Nine. If it's even Memoirs level and not nominated for BP I still think Hathaway wins without much of a fight.

I liked Doona Bae in Cloud Atlas.

She's already going to be Lead for Hitchcock so it would be wise to hold off on that, I imagine.

Current predictions in this category:

Amy Adams, The Master
Samantha Barks, Les Miserables
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions

I highly doubt that Samantha Barks will be nominated.

Why? Eponine is like everyone's favorite character. If the movie is a juggernaut she'll probably be swept along.

Really? Most people I know think Eponine is annoying and whiny. I love Barks. She was amazing in the 25th anniversary concert. I just... I don't know. I don't think there is enough of a character for her to be nominated, honestly. We shall see.

She has "On My Own." And people who think Eponine is annoying and whiny, frankly, suck. That's describing Cosette more accurately.

What will Hathaway win for? You're not suggesting that she wins for a Batman movie are you? or has she done something else this year?

Les Misérables

Oh right. But...nobody has seen it yet. Talk about "already knowing the winners" and Oscars being fixed/predictable.

She is the current front runner because people know what the role consists of, knows that Hathaway is loved by the Academy and the footage we have seen of her performance.

Kelly Reilly's performance in Flight should be a major contender. Fantastic and very moving, and none of the film's flaws stem from her. She does nothing but elevate and enrich.