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Oscar contenders appear on the horizon | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
By Neil Smith Entertainment reporter, BBC News | By Neil Smith Entertainment reporter, BBC News |
With three months to go until the 2012 Academy Awards, speculation is mounting as to which movies, stars and film-makers will be in contention. | With three months to go until the 2012 Academy Awards, speculation is mounting as to which movies, stars and film-makers will be in contention. |
Yet predictions have been made harder this time by recent changes to the guidelines that govern this annual industry celebration. | Yet predictions have been made harder this time by recent changes to the guidelines that govern this annual industry celebration. |
Where there were 10 titles in the best picture category in 2010 and 2011, the number of nominees in 2012 could be anywhere between five and 10. | Where there were 10 titles in the best picture category in 2010 and 2011, the number of nominees in 2012 could be anywhere between five and 10. |
In an attempt to introduce an element of surprise, the precise number will not be confirmed until the Academy unveils its full list of nominations on 24 January. | In an attempt to introduce an element of surprise, the precise number will not be confirmed until the Academy unveils its full list of nominations on 24 January. |
Given that February's event has already lost producer Brett Ratner and original host Eddie Murphy as a result of ill-judged comments by the former, some may feel there have been enough surprises already. | Given that February's event has already lost producer Brett Ratner and original host Eddie Murphy as a result of ill-judged comments by the former, some may feel there have been enough surprises already. |
But what of the nominees themselves? Even at this early stage, there appear to be runners and riders who are racing ahead of the pack. | But what of the nominees themselves? Even at this early stage, there appear to be runners and riders who are racing ahead of the pack. |
Third Oscar for Meryl? | Third Oscar for Meryl? |
Since being crowned best suporting actress in 1980 for Kramer vs Kramer and best actress in 1983 for Sophie's Choice, Meryl Streep has been Oscar nominated for best actress a whopping 12 times. | |
On each of those occasions - most recently in 2010 when she was shortlisted for Julie & Julia - another leading lady has walked away with the prize. | On each of those occasions - most recently in 2010 when she was shortlisted for Julie & Julia - another leading lady has walked away with the prize. |
Yet many believe it will be Meryl's year on the strength of her performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. | Yet many believe it will be Meryl's year on the strength of her performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. |
Bookmaker William Hill has made her 5/4 favourite to be named best actress because of the "intriguing combination" of performer and role. | Bookmaker William Hill has made her 5/4 favourite to be named best actress because of the "intriguing combination" of performer and role. |
Her main competition would seem to be Viola Davis, whose moving performance as a Mississippi housekeeper in 1960s drama The Help has been showered with plaudits. | Her main competition would seem to be Viola Davis, whose moving performance as a Mississippi housekeeper in 1960s drama The Help has been showered with plaudits. |
Glenn Close is in with a shot too thanks to her role in Albert Nobbs as a woman in 19th Century Dublin who passes herself off as a man. | Glenn Close is in with a shot too thanks to her role in Albert Nobbs as a woman in 19th Century Dublin who passes herself off as a man. |
Michelle Williams's portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn could also make the cut, as could Tilda Swinton's performance in We Need to Talk about Kevin. | Michelle Williams's portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn could also make the cut, as could Tilda Swinton's performance in We Need to Talk about Kevin. |
While early reviews of The Iron Lady have been mixed, Streep's uncanny impersonation looks like the one to beat. | While early reviews of The Iron Lady have been mixed, Streep's uncanny impersonation looks like the one to beat. |
Is silence golden? | Is silence golden? |
At the very first Academy Awards, held in Los Angeles in 1929, the best picture award went to Wings, a film about fighter pilots in World War I. | At the very first Academy Awards, held in Los Angeles in 1929, the best picture award went to Wings, a film about fighter pilots in World War I. |
It marked the first and only time a silent film has received the top accolade at Hollywood's premier prize-giving event. | It marked the first and only time a silent film has received the top accolade at Hollywood's premier prize-giving event. |
Yet Wings could soon have company if French film The Artist becomes the toast of next year's awards. | Yet Wings could soon have company if French film The Artist becomes the toast of next year's awards. |
A black-and-white homage to silent cinema that is itself largely silent, this crowd-pleasing charmer has been winning fans ever since it made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May. | A black-and-white homage to silent cinema that is itself largely silent, this crowd-pleasing charmer has been winning fans ever since it made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May. |
There are more conventional movies in contention, most notably The Descendants - a Hawaii-set drama about a family coming to terms with one of their number's imminent demise. | There are more conventional movies in contention, most notably The Descendants - a Hawaii-set drama about a family coming to terms with one of their number's imminent demise. |
War Horse, Steven Spielberg's epic adaptation of the Michael Morpurgo novel, might also seem a safer bet given its director's distinguished track record. | War Horse, Steven Spielberg's epic adaptation of the Michael Morpurgo novel, might also seem a safer bet given its director's distinguished track record. |
Where The Artist may have the edge is in its wholesale celebration of Hollywood itself, something that can only reap it votes at this back-slapping time of year. | Where The Artist may have the edge is in its wholesale celebration of Hollywood itself, something that can only reap it votes at this back-slapping time of year. |
In a time of financial downturn and economic crisis, meanwhile, its uplifting, feel-good qualities are sure to appeal to much of the Academy's membership. | In a time of financial downturn and economic crisis, meanwhile, its uplifting, feel-good qualities are sure to appeal to much of the Academy's membership. |
George, George or George? | George, George or George? |
Clooney, Pitt or DiCaprio? Many ladies - and men for that matter - would find it impossible to choose between them. | Clooney, Pitt or DiCaprio? Many ladies - and men for that matter - would find it impossible to choose between them. |
All three, however, could well be on the same voting ballot that will be sent out to Academy members on 1 February. | All three, however, could well be on the same voting ballot that will be sent out to Academy members on 1 February. |
At present George Clooney would appear to lead the field thanks to his role as a father forced to look after his two children alone in Alexander Payne's The Descendants. | At present George Clooney would appear to lead the field thanks to his role as a father forced to look after his two children alone in Alexander Payne's The Descendants. |
Yet Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of FBI founder J Edgar Hoover in Clint Eastwood's J Edgar has a lot going for it as well. | Yet Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of FBI founder J Edgar Hoover in Clint Eastwood's J Edgar has a lot going for it as well. |
Pitt, who plays a father himself in the baseball-oriented Moneyball, could also be in the running but has an outside hope at best. | Pitt, who plays a father himself in the baseball-oriented Moneyball, could also be in the running but has an outside hope at best. |
There is a chance, however, that a dark horse could sneak in and steal the thunder from these three Hollywood heavyweights. | There is a chance, however, that a dark horse could sneak in and steal the thunder from these three Hollywood heavyweights. |
Could it be Gary Oldman, whose portrayal of George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has earned the British actor some of the most glowing reviews of his career? | Could it be Gary Oldman, whose portrayal of George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has earned the British actor some of the most glowing reviews of his career? |
Possibly. Yet this Oscar watcher suspects France's Jean Dujardin could trump the lot with his winning performance as George Valentin, the silent actor at the heart of The Artist. | Possibly. Yet this Oscar watcher suspects France's Jean Dujardin could trump the lot with his winning performance as George Valentin, the silent actor at the heart of The Artist. |