Wednesday, February 20, 2013

85th Academy Awards – 'Best Actor’


  

    


3 for 3… let’s do this

For a complete look at eligibility and voting procedures, please take a look at last year’s post:  84th Academy Awards – Best Actor.

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Nominations:

·         Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook
o   1st nomination.

I think Cooper surprised a lot of people with his performance in this one.  It’s always been rock solid, however, in Silver Linings Playbook he showed the chops of legitimate star, not just a pretty face.

I loved this movie, however, mathematically; Cooper is in third place.

Cooper has won the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Comedy, the Capri Award, National Board of Review Award, and named “Actor of the Year” by the Hollywood Film Festival.


·         Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln
o   5th nomination, two wins for My Left Foot and There Will Be Blood.  Also nominated for In The Name of the Father and Gangs of New York.

Day-Lewis is the kind of actor who is so good that you just want to kick him in the knee!  It think he’s got this award locked up, which will make him the ONLY man to have won 3 Academy Awards for Best Leading Actor.

Day-Lewis has already won the pre-Oscar triple crown:  the BAFTA Award, the Golden Globe (Drama), Screen Actors Guild Award.  Plus, he’s been named Best Actor by 13 other major critic and industry organizations.


·         Hugh Jackman – Les Miserables
o   1st nomination.

To be honest, I originally thought this was going to be a foot race between Day-Lewis and Jackman… however, the more I look at the numbers… I think Jackman will have to settle for second place.

Jackman has only won the Golden Globe (Comedy/Musical)… … … perhaps I should rethink my comment about Cooper being in third place… based on this, Cooper is in second and Jackman is in third.

·         Joaquin Phoenix – The Master
o   3rd nomination.  Previously nominated for Gladiator (Supporting) and Walk the Line (Leading).

Hmmm… perhaps I am underestimating Phoenix just because I didn’t care for the film… he has certainly done well in the critics’ awards:

Phoenix has won the Austin Film Critics Association Award, Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award, San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award, Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award, and named “Best Actor” at the Venice Film Festival.


·         Denzel Washington – Flight
o   6th nomination, 2 wins for Glory (Supporting) and Training Day (Leading).  And previously nomination for Cry Freedom (Supporting), Malcolm X, and The Hurricane (Leading).

Washington has become a bit of an enigma to me.  He is incredibly talented, however, he doesn’t always do very good movies… and his performances in those mediocre movies aren’t all that fantastic either.  Not that he was bad… but the roles just weren’t a challenge.  I hate to say it… but it feels like he’s been phoning it in.

It’s been 9 years since Man on Fire, which was his last truly inspired performance… well… at least until Flight.  And I only have one thing to say about Washington’s performance in Flight:  “WOW!”  It’s great to see you back Denzel… I just wish your third Oscar would be headed your way… but it’s not.


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My Two-Cents:

I think I’ve said enough already.  This is Daniel Day-Lewis’ year to make history… in 85 years; he will become the 1st actor to win 3 Best Leading Actor Academy Awards.


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Prediction: 

1.      Daniel Day-Lewis
2.     Hugh Jackman
3.     Bradley Cooper
4.     Joaquin Phoenix
5.     Denzel Washington

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