Remember, everyone, these predictions are very early, so don't be afraid you'll be held to them. (unless the word lock is used ) These are only fun when everybody plays!

Demi Moore - Bobby has got to get some acting love, and the Supporting categories seem like the most likely place for that to happen, since the cast is large and a lead actor may not get enough time to chew up scenes. Emilio Estevez wrote and Directed Bobby, and with his long standing friendship with Moore (they used to date 20 years ago and were engaged at one time), it's very possible that he wrote the part with Moore (who has never been nominated...) and the Oscars in mind. He even finally got to marry her, as she plays his wife in the film. Also on Moore's side, is that she plays an alcoholic (mimicking Moore's own past problems with addictions), and it's a "comeback" performance, and if there is one thing Hollywood loves, it's a good comeback story.

Diane Lane - I'll go as far as calling her a lock for a nomination for her performance in Hollywoodland, and she just might be the one to win the thing. A well liked and well respected actress within the industry, Lane seems to have tackled a role that has all the ingredients for success. She plays a real life (and tragic) figure from Hollywood's past (yes, Toni Mannix really existed), she apparently ages and becomes unattractive, and she's getting rave reviews across the board. To me, that spells L.O.C.K.

Jennifer Hudson - While I don't expect Dreamgirls to be standing when it's all over (this year's Memoirs of a Geisha, Jarhead, and *gulp* King Kong (heh!)) it's hard not to recognize what it takes to pull off a performance that requires much more than just acting. This is why I believe Hudson will get a nomination. (and Murphy very well could win!) I don't believe Hudson will win, but the nomination will be enough to give her a strong career boost, and that's a reward in itself.

Natalie Portman has become a Hollywood darling, of sorts, and Goya's Ghosts seems like a logical choice for her to get a follow-up nomination to the Supporting nomination she received a few years back for Closer. Plus, her V for Vendetta performance definitely won't be a handicap.

If Meryl Streep goes "supporting" for The Devil Wears Prada, she obviously gets this last spot, and I think that is how she should go, but if not...

Abigail Breslin - Yes, I said it! She gave a powerhouse performance in Little Miss Sunshine alongside some very accomplished actors. Cute and adorable (God, I just wanted to hug her and protect her), and she was able to bring an emotional depth to the performance that's going to be very hard to bypass. It's been awhile since a child actor has received such attention at the Oscars, and this could well be the year.

Streep is going lead as far as I know.

Yes, but it's nothing in stone or anything. She/20th Century Fox could easily decide to push for supporting when the race shapes up more clearly.

I think it is not even that bad of an idea. I would compare her turn in Prada with Johnny Depp's in POTC and the Academy can once again show how "hip" they are by nominating her (not to say she's undeserving, but we all know the Academy...). Prada is quite a big grosser with $125 million, bigger than films like The Queen or Little Children or Running with Scissors or Factory Girl will ever be and the reviews uniformly praise Streep, so I think she'd get in with a lead just as well.

Diane Lane - Hollywoodland
Jill Claybourg- Running With Scissors
Sharon Stone/Demi Moore (or both???) - Bobby


these are the ones who seem to be generating the most buzz right now...

Jennifer Hudson should probably prepare her speech.

I'm not sure what the reviews are going to be like for Infamous, but Sandra Bullock is also a very real possibility to receive her first Oscar nomination, especially after not getting anything for Crash last year, despite her presence in the film and during the campaign being VERY responsible for the high level of visibility that eventually led to it's best picture win. I like to see her get a nomination.

I love Sandra!

"The harshest character, with the filthiest mouth among the hotel's guests is the alcoholic singer Virginia Fallon (Demi Moore), who is scheduled to sing before introducing Senator Kennedy at his California Primary Party. Walking around with her bottles (usually empty), she reminds her frustrated nebbish of a husband Tom (Emilio Estevez) who's the family's bread-winner in one bickering encounter after another (until he explodes) in scenes that recall "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (Note the similar ring of Moore's name, Virginia Fallon)." - Emmanual Levy

His comments certainly support that Moore has the showiest role in the film.

Refer to your username.

I need to talk to Arsi and Karl about setting up a crisis hotline for everyone when she wins.

Here are my totally-out-of-nowhere predictions:


Jill Clyaburgh, Running with Scissors
Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal
Diane Lane, Hollywoodland
Phyllis Somerville, Little Children
Frances de la Tour, The History Boys

Next:

Sharon Stone, Bobby
Jennifer Connelly, Little Children
Demi Moore, Bobby
Sandra Bullock, Infamous

I've got at least three actresses ahead of her right now.

In order of likelihood:

1. Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls
2. Jill Clayburgh - Running With Scissors
3. Cate Blanchett - She has several chances, not sure for which movie.
4. Angelina Jolie - The Good Shepherd
5. Phylis Somerville - Little Children

Everything after Hudson is just filler.

LOL.

Kidman didn't win for Moulin Rouge.

Zellweger didn't win for Chicago.

And those were Zellweger and Kidman!

Hudson ain't winning this.

\

Yes, but Catherine Zeta Jones DID win for Chicago. In the supporting category.

Wouldn't it be fun to see an American Idol loser win the Oscar? Especially when she beat out the winner, Fantasia, for the part?

double post

True, but Hudson is no Zeta Jones either and Chicago was a huge powerhouse with 13 noms, four of them being acting nominees. They couldn't have just awarded nothing to it and currently Murphy looks more likely anyway.

I don't understand the Hudson love. She hasn't acted in anything and there's nothing to show that she can. Catherine Zeta Jones was already an established actress when she won for Chicago.

The supporting actress slot looks relatively weak this year, so I don't know why you're so adamant Hudson's rather buzzed-about performance will not receive any recognition.

If Annette Benning goes supporting for Running with Scissors and it gets alot of critical support... I don't see how she would miss out on a nomination and given her track record, were she to be nominated, I'd say she'd be in the running to win.

The category is so weak that either Benning or Streep would win going away if they're campaigned for supporting. It'd certainly be great to see both Winslet and Benning winning this year instead of competing against each other.

Um, how is getting nominated not receiving any recognition? Or are you only recognized when you win?

Oh I thouyght you were saying she wouldn't be nominated Nevermind

I agree, but I think Bening will be campaigned lead and Jill Clayburgh will be campaigned supporting for Running With Scissors. Clayburgh was a big star with several nominations in the 70's and this will be a big comeback for her, I think.