Not for a Best Picture nom, but the film initially appears to be well received, and early reviews suggest cinematography and costume/set designs are very strong here, as well as the acting. Ben Affleck appears to be in great shape for a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Brody's getting very strong reviews, too, but since he's probably lead actor and since he's already got a win, I'd say his chances aren't nearly as good. Diane Lane will be a Best Supporting Actress dark horse, as she is also said to be very good.

The acting is getting high marks in Hollywoodland. I think it's very possible somebody could be a factor.

"Hollywoodland is worth seeing for anyone who appreciates actors at their apex"
- About.com

"Adrien is a scene stealer as the weasely, media whoring Simo while Affleck is more subdued as Reeves."
-Cinemablend.com

"Adrien Brody delivers a winning performance"

"The depth of Affleck's tempered emotional enthusiasm tells you everything you need to know."
-Cole Smithey

"Hollywood land features an excellent cast all of whom shine. Affleck as Reeves has never seemed more charming and Brody's Louis Simo is pretty much a scumbag who still manages to gain our empathy. Both actors take control of their roles and without their excellent performances, the dual stories simply will not work. I was glad to see Affleck lay down a performance that reminds people he can act when given good material and as mentioned, Brody makes you care about Simo even though there isn?t much to like. The supporting cast is equally stellar, especially Lane as Toni, a sad woman trying to hold onto her youth and Hoskins as her doting husband who seems capable of ripping someone?s head off at any moment. Without sounding much more cliché here, I have to say both performances are deftly nuanced."
-Film Threat

"It would be excessive to call Ben Affleck a modern-day George Reeves, but I'm sure he was able to identify to a degree with the man - at least enough to deliver a great performance, probably his best to date."

"It could even earn him an Oscar nod, who knows?"

-Montreal Film Journal

"Brody turns in his best, most nuanced and confident performance to date"

"I say, best actor nominee! That good."

"There may be many good actresses from the mature age belt of early 40's to convey beauty and style... but a juicy and tasty appearance by Diane Lane shines with the glamor of a diamond and simply shouldn't be missed."

"Another casting achievement here is the canny choice of Ben Affleck. Even his detractors should find him perfectly suited to the personality he portrays, a rare matchup that obviates any need for stretching beyond his limits. In a Hollywood context, there's a quality that he and his subject share."
-Cinema Signals

"the movie features superlative performances from Adrien Brody, as the down-on-his luck private eye and Diane Lane as the adulterous wife of MGM's Eddie Mannix, and a decent but not greta turn from Ben Affleck, in a role that nonethelesse enables him to act after a long dry season of mostly poor and inconsequential work."
-Emanuel Levy

" The performances propel the suspense. Exuding sleaziness, Ben Affleck captures the bitterness of failed expectations, while alluring Diane Lane is slyly manipulative and Adrien Brody scores as the scummy gumshoe. "
-Susan Granger

" I understand that Ben Affleck is not doing any press junkets for ?Hollywoodland.? Good move Ben! Your work here is impressive and you show an understanding and sympathy for the character. As long as you stay away from whoring yourself out to the tabloids and magazines and show everyone you want to be a serious actor, (as well as staying away from Jerry Bruckheimer and Kevin Smith projects), there might still be a career for you. "

"Diane Lane is perfect as the wounded, older woman casually cast aside."
-FilmsInReview.com

"despite some terrific performances and finely detailed period touches, "Hollywoodland" ultimately falls short of reaching the pleasingly pulpy heights of an "L.A. Confidential" or a "Chinatown" despite those obvious aspirations."

"There certainly is no shortage of keeper performances, from Brody's hustling gumshoe to Lane doing her best Norma Desmond to Hoskins' casually menacing studio exec."
-The Hollywood Reporter

"Along with Affleck's happy change-of-pace turn, Lane impresses strongly while riding the emotional rollercoaster from self-assured seductress -- she at one point acknowledges she's got seven years left to trade on her looks -- to devastated woman scorned."
-Variety

yep.

Poor Affleck, the studios barley even wanna put him in the marketing and dont even acknowledge his name in the tv spots even though he's one of the best things about the film. Maybe it's a good move though, downplay it and have people be surprised by his comeback.

I think Lane is close to a lock for supporting actress, Affleck for supporting is really hard to say, competition should be pretty brutal and it's Ben Affleck, seems as though everyone hates this guy now, but I do think he does have a chance to squeeze in there.

Yeah, Diane Lane could be primed for some love, and this is a good enough role for her to even make a run at a win. She's well liked and has paid her dues for years, but she hasn't really won anything major, and has had her share of major nominations. Hollywoodland's title could play into her favor (and Afflecks and some technicals), as Hollywood LOVES stories about the good old days.

the thing with affleck is a lot of people in hollywood have mad respect for the dude for whats hes done recently in staying out of the lime light and shit. make 95% of the people in hollywood as famous as affleck is and theyd look at the role of george reeves in Hollywoodland and say their too famous for such a small role.

make 95% of the people in hollywood as famous a saffleck is and theyd bitch and moan about not being top billing in hollywoodland or not being in the ads for it. but bens nothing like that, cause the people who know him as a person know he isnt the bad, arrogant dick people think, but hes actually a team player and has been all along. he was a poor kid from boston, which means hell be about as down to earth as possible, as well as about as un-stuck-up as you can get. ditto that to Matt Damon. If youve ever lived in boston youll know EXACTLY what I mean and how the people there are. it fdoesnt have a rep as being the oppositeof new york for nothing, where peopel are notorious dickheads when it comes ot social skills with strangers.

the public doesnt like him, but this is a very typical for a hollywood come back. the boy everybody knew could hit it big but fucked it up accidently gets his shit together and amazes everybody.

Affleck also has something MAJOR going for him, as he's playing a real life figure and icon. That pretty much writes the ticket for a nomination if the goods are delivered in the performance, and it appears he's delivered.

the thing is, he isnt the lead.

its a supporting part. if he was headlining the movie and was as good as he is, itd be a lock, but hes not, so it isnt yet. Im seeing this tomorrow, so ill let yall know if he is good.

Yeah, I know it's supporting, but that doesn't make any difference. It actually plays into his favor that he's up for supporting, because it'll be much easier to vote for him in that capacity than for lead. Cate Blanchet just won a few years ago for playing Katharine Hepburn in a supporting role. It's not an issue.

i hope hes get nominated though he has a lot of competition from foxx, murphy, nicholson, damon, and lots of others.

Pesci is another. Yep, he's got lots of competition. It looks like there are going to be several hot races in the acting races this season. (Good!) Katie is the only one that I don't think will be facing any competition in the Best Actress race, but lots of players this year.

Let us know what you think of Hollywoodland.

katie who?

jw.

"Katie" is my pet name for the beautiful and talented Kate Winslet.

Looks like a stylized treat, but I don't see it being a contender. Much like Dahlia, it is being dumped here because it just isn't quite good enough to compete with the big pictures, imo.

That said, I can't wait to see it. And I do hope for the best.

It was apparently well received in Venice:

http://hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/a ... 1003086149

A new rotten review came in, but it did say good things about the acting.

http://www.dannyminton.com/hollywoodland.htm

"The acting is also strong. Even Affleck, whose career could really use a Band-Aid, does a solid job as the troubled legend."

"While possessing solid production values and good acting, the ending makes the journey not worth the ride."

I'm with Zenn. I get the feeling it'll be forgotting for anything come December unless the critics groups jump on with it (Whioch is NOT happening). MAYBE Affleck, if people start saying its a comeback. He is an oscar winner, after all.

It should be due for a DVD release in December, though, if they release it 3-3 1/2 months after the theatrical release.

I think it will help Affleck come back to decent films, but I don't see it doing much beyond that for him.

If by "decent" you mean crap like Good Will Hunting then I sure hope not.

Your personal feelings of Good Will Hunting aside, and in all seriousness, there is a difference in quality and intent between Good Will Hunting and Surviving Christmas.

I think that's obvious to most hamsters. And don't play the devil's advocate on this one

I haven't seen Surviving Christmas. Have you?

In any case I will still contend that Armageddon is dozens of times superior to Good Will Hunting (the worst BP nominee I ever came across).

Yes, I unfortunately have.

James Berardinelli with a *** (out of ****) review:

http://www.reelviews.net/movies/h/hollywoodland.html

Solid reviews so far, indeed...


and Affleck with the biggest chance at a nom...? lol