Best Performances of the Decade

I just had to share this video of a few actors' favorite performances of the past ten years...





In case this doesn't work, here's the link. And special thanks to In Contention for showing me first!

It's funny to see which actors choose which performances.

Nepotism
Jake Gyllenhaal chose all of Peter Sarsgaard's performances of the last ten years. I agree that he was phenomenal, but he's not my brother-in-law. I can't argue the validity of his statement. Sarsgaard is incredibly underrated, but it does seem a little odd to choose from your family. Ah well, at least somebody's giving him the recognition he deserves.

Tobey Maguire, good ol' buddy to Shutter Island star Leonardo DiCaprio, chose Leo's performance in The Aviator as the best. Yet again, no arguing from me about the value of Leo's amazing performance in the film, but it is odd that Maguire and Gyllenhaal chose their buddies/family.

Foreign Language
Woody Harrelson opted for Ulrich Muhe in The Lives of Others. If you haven't seen that, then IMMEDIATELY place it on your queue. It's not to be missed. I never would have though of Harrelson as somebody who would sit through The Lives of Others, it's weird isn't it?

George Clooney chose Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose. He's somebody I could see loving foreign cinema, but I am surprised that he chose this performance as one of the best of the decade. I honestly thought he would have picked something much more unknown.

She does it herself!
Julianne Moore hailed Sean Penn's work in Mystic River as one of the best of the decade. She loved how he humanized the grief of his character. This is coming from the woman who practically wrote the book on breakdowns in movies. If anything, Penn looked at Moore's work in Boogie Nights in order to do his role in Mystic River.


What do you think of the actors' choices? I thought it was pretty cool seeing these actors praise each other (I mean, outside of the Academy Awards, SAG Awards, Emmys...).

What are your favorite performances of the decade? Any actor you wish could have done this interview? Shocked by any of the choices? Do share in the comments!

SAG Award Nominees

SAG nominations have come out! Unless I'm wrong, this is the first industry-voted award of the season... let's have a look at the nominees!

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges Crazy Heart, George Clooney Up in the Air, Colin Firth A Single Man, Morgan Freeman Invictus, Jeremy Renner The Hurt Locker

The Hurt Locker certainly has been dominating critics prizes, and now with Renner getting some recognition from the Guild his Oscar chances are seriously upped. As for those who got snubbed, it seems Michael Stuhlbarg won't be receiving any Oscar attention for A Serious Man. Surprisingly, Daniel Day-Lewis was also snubbed.

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock The Blind Side, Helen Mirren The Last Station, Carey Mulligan An Education, Gabourey Sidibe Precious, Meryl Streep Julie & Julia

Sandra Bullock? Again? There seems to be some serious love for her in The Blind Side. One of those actresses nobody ever really expected to be nominated for an Oscar has now increased her chances. And farewell, Abbie Cornish. Your buzz certainly was fun, but that's all it turned out to be.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon Invictus, Woody Harrelson The Messenger, Christopher Plummer The Last Station, Stanley Tucci The Lovely Bones, Christoph Waltz Inglourious Basterds

Fun fact: This is the first time that the Golden Globe nominees for Best Supporting Actor and the SAG nominees for Best Supporting Actor are exactly the same. This group seems headed for Oscar. Poor Alfred Molina, he seemed like a sure thing awhile ago.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Penelope Cruz Nine, Vera Farmiga Up in the Air, Anna Kendrick Up in the Air, Diane Kruger Inglourious Basterds, Mo'Nique Precious

Vera Farmiga seems to be getting more attention than I would have thought. Diane Kruger's nomination probably doesn't do much for her chances at Oscar, and Julianne Moore will probably be the one to get onto Oscar's shortlist. Or will she?

Best Performance by a Cast
An Education, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Nine, Precious

All of these (except for Precious) only have one nomination in the other categories. If Up in the Air could snag three nominations (One for Best Actor, Two for Best Supporting Actress), then why does the cast get snubbed? Even Invictus got two nominations (One for Best Actor, One for Best Supporting Actor) so why does the cast get overlooked? Oh SAG logic, you sure are odd.


P.S., Congrats. Glee on your Best Enseble (Comedy Series) nomination!

Golden Globe Nominations (Comedy) and Supporting/Director

Continued from an earlier post! Let's see what Musical/Comedy has for us.

Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy
(500) Days of Summer, The Hangover, It's Complicated, Julie & Julia, and Nine

Only 3/5 with this batch. In the Loop and A Serious Man are apparently fading faster than I had believed. The Hangover, really? I know it was funny but it certainly did not live up the hype around it. Oh well. The Globes certainly do have weird taste.

Best Actress - Musical/Comedy

Sandra Bullock The Proposal, Marion Cotillard Nine, Julia Roberts Duplicity, Meryl Streep It's Complicated, Meryl Streep Julie & Julia

Like everybody else, I predicted Meryl Streep for the double nom. Also like everybody else I overlooked Julia Roberts in Duplicity. I had Michelle Pfeiffer in her slot and Zooey Deschanel in place of Sandra Bullock (or vice versa...it really doesn't matter). Goodbye Oscar nomination, Michelle Pfeiffer. If you can't get a Globe nod for the comedy category, you're done. And Sandra Bullock certainly is feeling the love from the Hollywood Foreign Press. She's without an Oscar nomination her entire career and as of today she has double Globe nods in just one year. Surely one of those (most likely The Blind Side) will result in an Oscar nomination, won't it? It pains me to say it but she just got a major profile boost. Nothing is certain until the SAGs though, which are more accurate in terms of Oscar because they have only five slots to fill, not ten.

Best Actor - Musical/Comedy

Matt Damon The Informant!, Daniel Day-Lewis Nine, Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes, Joseph Gordon Levitt (500) Days of Summer, Michael Stuhlbarg A Serious Man

5/5! That's always fun. Only two of these films are represented in the Best Picture category for Musical/Comedy. It's surprising given their love for The Hangover that Bradley Cooper didn't make the cut. Daniel Day-Lewis and Robert Downey Jr. seem to be the ones to beat in this category. Especially since A Serious Man failed to get a nomination anywhere else (ouch).

Best Supporting Actress

Penelope Cruz Nine, Vera Farmia Up in the Air, Anna Kendrick Up in the Air, Mo'Nique Precious, Julianne Moore A Single Man

5/5 again? That's sort of surprising because Vera Farmiga has been quite the question mark for awhile. She seems like more of a Globe nominee than an Oscar nominee. I can't see her right now making it to Oscar's shortlist. Oh SAG, where are you when we need you?

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon Invictus, Woody Harrelson The Messenger, Chirstopher Plummer The Last Station, Stanley Tucci The Lovely Bones, Chirstoph Waltz Inglourious Basterds

I had Jude Law replacing Stanley Tucci. giving me a 4/5. The Lovely Bones certainly hasn't been helped out critically, so why did the Globes go for Tucci's part in that over his delightful turn in Julie & Julia? Alfred Molina is not here, which can go either way for his Oscar chances. He could turn out to be like a Michael Shannon who gets snubbed by the Globes and continues on, or he could stop here. If he lands the SAG nomination the path to Oscar should be restored. I'm surprised Jude Law isn't here. He's a big name in what looks to be a charming movie, opposite Robert Downey Jr. and Rachel McAdams. Oh well.

Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow The Hurt Locker, James Cameron Avatar, Clint Eastwood Invictus, Jason Reitman Up in the Air, Quentin Tarantino Inglourious Basterds

Kudos James Cameron. I missed you in favor of Rob Marshall, giving me 4/5. Clint over Rob Marshall is interesting seeing as Nine seems to have its Best Picture category locked and Invictus didn't get a nomination for Best Picture - Drama. Quentin Tarantino establishes himself as a serious contender, and the whole Cameron vs. Bigelow ex-spouse thing will lead to an interesting awards season if they keep getting nominated together.

So, what are your thoughts on the Globe nominations? Surprised? Got them all right? Other? Tell me in the comments!

Golden Globe Predictions

Two Golden Globes at once!? These predictions can't see that happening two years in a row...

Best Motion Picture - Drama
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
Precious
Up in the Air

I'm sticking with these. Invictus seems to be their ticket to a historical prestige pic, and Up in the Air and Inglourious Basterds have the stars that the Golden Globes love to have come to their ceremony. Precious and The Hurt Locker seem to be the critical darlings that they will love to honor. I don't think The Last Station will make it, and Avatar has just started screening, so I can't imagine it making it here.

Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy
(500) Days of Summer
In the Loop
Julie & Julia
Nine
A Serious Man

Either Sherlock Holmes, It's Complicated, or The Proposal could sneak in here. But if Happy-Go-Lucky could sneak in then why can't In the Loop? Otherwise, I'm fairly confident here. Look for Nine to win come January.

Best Actress - Drama
Sandra Bullock- The Blind Side
Abbie Cornish- Bright Star
Helen Mirren- The Last Station
Carey Mulligan- An Education
Gabourey Sidibe- Precious

These acting categories is where I expect The Last Station to pick up its nods. Hilary Swank could get in here, but I don't think so given the general hate for Amelia. I'm hoping that Cornish gets recognized here. If not, it's probably the beginning of the end for her and Bright Star.

Best Actor - Drama
Jeff Bridges- Crazy Heart
George Clooney- Up in the Air
Johnny Depp- Public Enemies
Colin Firth- A Single Man
Morgan Freeman- Invictus

Yes, the Globes certainly do have a thing for Johnny Depp. He has eight nominations and a big biopic out this year should raise that tally to nine. Jeremy Renner is a close sixth, but I can't see him breaking in here. The only other upset I can think of is Viggo Mortensen for The Road.

Best Actress - Musical/Comedy
Marion Cotillard- Nine
Zooey Deschanel- (500) Days of Summer
Michelle Pfeiffer- Cheri
Meryl Streep- It's Complicated
Meryl Streep- Julie & Julia

A double nod for Streep seems to be the surest thing since Slumdog Millionaire winning Best Picture earlier this year. Pfeiffer seems to be an iffy choice, but I'm confident she can land a nod. Who else is there? Sure, she's been losing steam, but people haven't forgotten. (Or have they?)

Best Actor- Musical/Comedy
Matt Damon- The Informant!
Daniel Day-Lewis- Nine
Robert Downey Jr.- Sherlock Holmes
Joseph Gordon Levitt- (500) Days of Summer
Michael Stuhlbarg- A Serious Man
The only one who isn't a sure lock is Stuhlbarg. Bradley Cooper could get in there, or Alec Baldwin should the Globes promote him to a leading category. But I don't really think that The Hangover guys can get in here.

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz- Nine
Vera Farmiga- Up in the Air
Anna Kendrick- Up in the Air
Mo'Nique- Precious
Julianne Moore- A Single Man

This will probably be one of the few times Vera Farmiga gets any attention this awards season. Sorry to the other Nine ladies, but this is category is pretty packed. It'd be tough to break through.

Best Supporting Actor
Matt Damon- Invictus
Woody Harrelson- The Messenger
Jude Law- Sherlock Holmes
Christopher Plummer- The Last Station
Christoph Waltz- Inglourious Basterds

This one's tricky. Alfred Molina looked like he was definitely headed to Oscar, and he still could be, but the Globes might not go for him. Jude Law probably has you shaking your head, but the Globes love big stars and the supporting category is where they choose to honor stars for triumphant comebacks in supporting roles (Ben Affleck for Hollywoodland, John Travolta in Hairspray, or Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder). As you can see, it also helps if your in a funny movie, which Sherlock Holmes just happens to be.

Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow
Clint Eastwood
Rob Marshall
Jason Reitman
Quentin Tarantino

Sorry James Cameron, but I just don't see Avatar getting major nominations until later in the awards season. This is exactly why December shouldn't be the go-to month for release for Oscar-hopefuls. Lee Daniels or Nora Ephron have a very, very slight chance of getting nominated here if you ask me, but they don't seem like they can beat this stiff competition.

Best Supporting Actress

Having revisted the trailer for The Lovely Bones, I've been inspired to look at this year's Best Supporting Actress hopefuls...Here I will list who I want to be nominated.

Want to be Nominated (This is without having seen any of the films, but based on trailers, buzz, and the occassional favorite actress)

Julianne Moore for A Single Man - The trailer is genius and buzz has been strong. I know Mo'Nique seems to be the most-hyped actress this side of Nine, but Moore is consistently terrific and, from the trailer alone, I'm reminded of Moore's beautifully underappreciated (awards wise at least) work in Boogie Nights. Fingers crossed Moore, I'm sure more than just me want you to get nominated!

Penélope Cruz for Nine - Penélope should have two Oscars at this point, for Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Volver. The latter didn't come through, but at least she has one. Her work has become better with each new release and, taking the sexy, Tony award role from Jane Krakowski, I don't see how there can be any wrong. Also, Rob Marshall directs, and he knows his women.

Nicole Kidman for Nine - She'll probably be campaigned for lead actress, but with the ever-annoying Marion Cotillard hogging up the spotlight, I hope she'll be moved to supporting. Nicole's last musical was Moulin Rouge!, and if her work here is half as good, she'll deserve the nomination. I also love when big stars do go down to supporting performances. It's not always about being the lead ladies (See: Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago, which definitely could have been a co-lead).

Susan Sarandon for The Lovely Bones - Based on the trailer, Susan Sarandon seems her most Sarandon-y in years, no offense Speed Racer. It's hard to come by good parts when you're an actress over 40 in Hollywood, so this could be the comeback Sarandon needs. Hopefully audience affection will lean to her character, and enough momentum will build to beat that late release date in December (and even later wider release in January) to get Sarandon back to the Kodak since her win for Dead Man Walking back in 1995. It's time for a Sarandonssaince. Let's hope The Lovely Bones isn't killed by the late release date like Revolutionary Road was.

Sigourney Weaver for Avatar - James Cameron's first film since Titanic looks... interesting. At first I was anticipating it like no other, as mentioned in some earlier post where I tried to predict the Best Picture nominees, but now the interest in the special-effects bonanza has been fading. It's looking a bit video-gameish. However, my interest in Sigourney's part has been growing. She's great in everything, but I have a feeling that Avatar is going to be almost completely ignored in every category that doesn't deal with tech. I've barely even seen clips of her, but from what I can remember, it's traditional Sigourney, not so showy (The Ice Storm) but oh so good.

So fantasies aside, here's who will probably be nominated...
Mo'Nique for Precious
Julianne Moore for A Single Man
Anna Kendrick for Up in the Air (why can't I get excited over this?)
Penélope Cruz for Nine
Mélanie Laurent for Inglourious Basterds

So, what do you think? Who do you want to be nominated? Who do you think will be nominated?