Q&A: Gene Kelly 1, Character X, and Best Actress 2: The Sequel
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 1:16PM It's time to answer a dozen reader questions pulled from the last two "Ask Nathaniel" suggestion-box posts. Please to note that in the podcast this weekend, we answered a few already that were Ex Machina related and last night we teased you with an appetizer about the emotions of Inside Out and actors who best embody them.
Jumping right in...
BVR: Do you think audiences will ever flock to dramas again the way they used to years ago?
I hope so, all things being cyclical. It happens once in a while still. The Blind Side (2009) and American Sniper (2014) were both supersized hits in the way movie star dramas of the past have been when they've hit big. Unfortunately they both felt like anomalies and only that successful because they managed to get people who don't go to the movies into the movie theater. The problem today is obviously at least four-fold: TVs got larger, the amount of content exploded, theatrical windows shrunk, and the theaters, rather than stepping up their game to compete, actually made themselves less hospitable with smaller screens and tons of commercials.
Movie theater chains seem to be trying again but once you've lost a regular moviegoer, it's hard to restore their habit. What is next in terms of technological advances? Will we ever get fully three dimensional hologram-like movies you can walk around inside? And if we do, won't dramas be the favorite, rather than special effects pictures, for the 'choose your own proximity adventure' in terms of closeups of the actors? I imagine they'll be performed very much like straight plays for multiple cameras and since you're the one doing the editing, theater training will be important and superb acting could rise again to "favorite visual effect" dominance.
Or did our recent sci-fi week warp my brain too much? This wasn't the answer you were looking for.
BROOKESBOY: Who will be the next winner of a second Best Actress prize?
More Questions and Answers -- a lot more -- after the jump
I'm going to say Jennifer Lawrence both because people are obsessed with her (obsessed enough that she was a true rival for an Oscar that would have otherwise been a slam dunk in Lupita Nyong'o for 12 Years a Slave) and because she gets her pick of meaty female roles for characters aged 20 through 50 (sigh). Otherwise I have trouble picturing it happening again anytime soon for any of the women who've won in the past 14 years or so.
Think about it: Blanchett already has 2 and winning 3 is extremely rare, Streep already has 3, nobody will feel like they owe Winslet anything. Moore already won the 'lifetime achievement' style tribute. Theron doesn't really make "Oscar films"... though if she did perhaps she could pull it off. A lot of the winners from further back in the 90s don't really work in leading roles anymore. But then again sometimes the people who win two are just beyond your imagination as to 'really, that happened?'... so if it's not Jennifer Lawrence... maybe... Helen Hunt (1997 and...????)
I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THEORIES IN THE COMMENTS.
TAYTAYHOLIDAY: Favorite performances by Gene Kelly?
Can I say "all"? No? Fine. Obviously Singin' in the Rain and Anchors Aweigh and Brigadoon. And I think For Me and My Gal is pretty fascinating to watch in terms of him learning how to do the movie star thing (his first movie role, and already a lead thanks to the days when Hollywood cherry-picked the best performers from the stage for big film careers). For the rare non-musical roles he really pushes himself in Marjorie Morningstar.
JAMES: What actor/actress are you incapable of separating from a certain role. ie. they will always be Character X to you
I don't really have this problem with movie actors though I suppose Mark Hamill never lost Luke Skywalker. It's more of a TV problem because the actor plays the role for so long. The person that fits this to a "T" is Sarah Michelle Gellar because Buffy was such a definitive enduring influential character and she was so perfect in it. When I see her in other things I'm like 'Buffy quit vampire hunting and decided to become an actress and now she's playing this role.'
STEVE: Who is your favorite recurring character on Mad Men?
By recurring I assume you mean the non-principles? My favorite of the tertiary principles is Ken Cosgrove. But true recurring non principles? The actor's bench on that show is SO deep but from people who we only saw for a season or two, or who only pop up randomly or only have teeny tiny scenes, who can beat James Wolk as Bob Benson ("Not great, Bob!") who was so adorable at ruffling Pete's peacock feathers and also had such interesting scenes with Joan. Speaking of ruffling feathers, Darren Pettie made a great recurring antagonist of sorts as Lucky Strikes man Lee Garner Jr. I enjoyed the rare conversations with Hollis the elevator operator, too, but mostly it's all about the (mad) women, secretaries and wives and neighbors and moms and mistresses.
some favorite faces from Mad Men's whole universe of players
My favorite Mom was late arrival Julia Ormond as Megan's French mother. Rachel Menken was my favorite of Don's many flings on the side. Among the secretaries I adored Dawn and Shirley and for whatever reason, Meredith (Stephanie Drake) suddenly felt indispensable this last bifurcated season despite only offering wee comic amusement in her first two seasons. Talia Balsam was sensational every time as Mona Sterling, Roger Sterling's first wife (and I didn't even realize she is John Slattery's actual wife) and the few times that Sal's wife Kitty showed up, the actress Sarah Drew nailed the confusions about her marriage. And when Betty remarried and moved, I was sad that we never saw her best friend neighbor housewife Francine (Anne Dudek) again.
SVG: If someone from Mad Men were to win an Oscar, who would it be and for what?
For future film career awards, Elisabeth Moss has the best shot since she's already proven tremendous range outside of the show. As for what she'd win it for, who knows. The challenge for her will be finding a character that can be as beloved as Peggy Olson while also being very different than her. I still think Christina Hendricks has earned a leading star vehicle but it doesn't seem to be happening.
JO: Why did you discontinue Seasons of Bette? Have you thought about doing another series about a classic actress?
It was a failure on my part in terms of over planning. Both Anne Marie and I have discussed various actresses that would be worthy of a series so you will see additional series, but probably in mini series form. The trick is finding someone that's fun to write about repeatedly.
SOME QUESTIONS I CAN'T FULLY ANSWER AND WHY...
NIKITA: Can you please recast Birdman in another decade?
I confess I don't really get this question. One thing that's inherently marvelous about Birdman is how its like DNA of a very specific moment, this moment, in the film industry and stage industry and real life generation gaps. A moment where the stage still has their gods but they're nobodies to Hollywood and they're only doing old material anyway. A moment when someone can be "famous" but completely irrelevant because either young people don't care or they have zero social media presence. A moment where there is sudden hostility about actors being trapped by comic book roles. I mean they didn't even really make superhero movies until 1978 (Introducing... Christopher Reeve) and they didn't start casting actual movie stars in that type or role until 1989 (with Michael Keaton as Batman) so 2014 seems like the very earliest they could have made this movie. I appreciate its contemporary lightning-in-a-bottle pizazz, smart casting, and intricate spontaneity... however carefully orchestrated the latter was. Plus, I don't think you can improve on Michael Keaton and Edward Norton who both should have won their Oscar categories, hands down.
DAVE S: Which new TV pick-up for the fall are you most excited about?
I plan to cover this in some form but not until all the networks have announced their schedules. The news comes in so piecemeal from the upfronts. One show that would have been on the list was the new one starring Megan Hilty as a retired-from-the-stage Tony winner somehow involved with the world of sports (?) but it was not picked up to series.
MAGICUB: What is your opinion about The Americans?
My opinion is that it's too early to have one since I'm not very far into the series yet but I loved the first five episodes.
EUROCHEESE: You told Nicole Kidman in your interview with her that she was the most important actress of the last decade. (I completely agree.) We've reached the halfway point for the 10s (Teens?). Who looks likely for this decade?
This will require a lot of thought and extensive articles but I do plan to do another thing like Actress of the Aughts soon for this current decade.
ST JEANS: Of the Palme d'Or winning films you've seen what are your 10 favorites.
We did a team top ten on this a year ago yesterday which is the closest I'll get to answering this question fully since I love most of those movies that were cited. Of the ones that didn't make that top ten cut I'm pretty sure I remember voting for Romania's 4 Months 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007) and Brazil's Black Orpheus (1959).
Your turn. There's a lot here to discuss and I love reading your answers to these same questions. I do read all the comments.
Reader Comments (57)
I love Midge Daniels. She was so important to setting the tone of the show in the beginning: Betty was peak Betty Draper, Peggy was a wallflower, Joan was office eye candy. Midge as an early paramour for Don helped alert me that the show would tell interesting stories about women. And would cast phenomenal women to tell them.
Also, Rosemarie Dewitt needs an Oscar. My love for her knows no bounds.
I like a lot of your choices for favorite recurring Mad Men characters - Bob Benson, Rachel Menken, Dawn and Meredith. I also loved Miss Blankenship, Freddy Rumsen and Pete's mom. And my favorite tertiary principle is Trudy (unless you count Sally, but I don't, since Kiernan Shipka is a regular cast member). I've said before that I think Elisabeth Moss will be an Oscar nominee within 5 years - her career just seems to be headed in that direction.
J.Law is a prospective double winner. She gets so many high-profile roles that she is going to continue to rack up nominations and eventually it will seem like she's "due" for a second. I could also see Natalie Portman winning again, since she takes on solid projects with good directors (it's hard to imagine that she won't get nominated for the Ginsburg biopic).
After seeing Teyonah Parris in "Dear White People," and realizing what range the actress has, I'm sad we never got more of Dawn in Mad Men. Maybe she'll show up in the finale? I have hopes to see Annie Dudek again, too, as Francine, since we might be in the Betty Draper for the last episode. (PS: We did get one Francine appearance after Betty married Henry...they had lunch together and Francine talked about her new, very 70s career as a travel agent.)
Nat you once wrote on your blog Best Actress double winners usually happen within 10 years of the first win so that leaves Reese,Marion,Kate,Jennifer,Meryl,Cate,Helen,Moore,Bullock & Portman.
James Wolk/Bob Benson would be my pick - but I'm so glad you mentioned Talia Balsam. She's fabulous. I'd have been interested in seeing a version of Mad Men that gave Mona (and Trudy) more screen time.
I'm curious if there's a specific reason you didn't mention Marion Cotillard. She continues to make movies that would seem to put her in the running. But I suppose the fact that she hasn't attracted more awards traction even though she's starring in films like The Immigrant, Two Days One Night, and Rust and Bone is a sign that it's just not going to work out for her.
@Hayden: I was about to say the same thing! The Midge Daniels plotline was so fantastic and ended up in some of the best episodes of the entire series.
And thank you for mentioning Meredith! Her small interjections have become some of the funniest moments on the show.
I *really*hope you're wrong about Jennifer... Based on the work that they've been doing, I think either Charlize, Marion, or Natalie (in that order of likelihood) will win next. I could also see Emma Thompson winning again in the next 5 years with the right role.
James Wolk is the prettiest of all the pretty people in Prettyland.
I can see Anne Hateway winning a second Oscar, but then I would be worry that she would become an Hillary Swank. Since people who hate Hateway, seem to REALLY hate her which I don't get at all. I can (Or maybe it's just wishful thinking) also see an older beloved Oscar winner like Susan Sarandon or Diane Keaton making a comeback, it just takes the right role at the right moment (Ok I'l admit it I am an EXTRAORDINARY optimistic person!)
stjeans: We can pray that Oscar will finally take notice of Xavier Dolan and Sarandon will win #2 for "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan"!
If we're talking women who have already won best (leading) actress winning that award a second time, I'd second JL, but I also think Emma Thompson might have a chance. She's been working consistently, in a variety of genres, and Oscar loves her, as is evidenced by her second trophy for writing and numerous noms. She's a legend and I can see Oscar going for that if a perfect role / performance / timing incident should occur. Especially if it were seen as a late career or career capping award. I don't necessarily predict this, but I could definitely see it.
I can't believe no one has mentioned 'Bobbie Barrett' (Melinda McGraw), who didn't even rank in Rolling Stone's top 50 Mad Men characters (for shame). Bobbie was, hands down, my all-time favorite guest character, and incidentally gave Peggy the words of advice she needed to become the dynamo she eventually became. (Season two overall is my absolute favorite though.)
And I also l-o-v-e the evolution (deevolution?) of 'Stan Rizzo' (Jay R. Ferguson), who has been such a (consistently) interesting foil/point-counterpoint to Peggy. A part of me kind of feels like they're made for each other and should end up together.
P.S. Could Paltrow be a second-time Best Actress winner? As cool as I am on her and her career in general, I absolutely think she deserved her Oscar for Shakespeare in Love and was pretty great, too, in Two Lovers. In her 40s and with the right zeitgeist role it's possible.
Excited you finally caved and are watching the Americans. The central quartet in that show (Elizabeth, Philip, Stan & Nina) are so incredibly strong and only get better.
Considering it took Marion Cotillard seven years to score a second nod despite much-lauded work during that period, I'm surprised people think it would be easy for her to win a second trophy, at least within the next decade. No matter how much film lovers may adore her, the Academy clearly does not hold her in as high a regard. Like stjeans, however, I could see someone like Keaton claiming another prize in the right vehicle, especially given that she's been nominated once a decade since the 1970s, which means she'd be right on schedule within the next five years.
Speaking of Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle, I still think that Cameron Diaz undoubtedly would have killed in that role, which definitely would have led to her first (and long overdue) Oscar nomination. If I were her, I'd be screaming in my agent's ear daily to get me a meeting with David O. Russell.
I don't know if it's my favorite Gene Kelly performance, but I've always been fascinated by Cukor's Les Girls (1957), with its Rashomon structure, Cole Porter score and stellar cast including Mitzi Gaynor, Kay Kendall and Taina Elg. (Favorite is probably the more obvious choice of Singin' in the Rain, For Me and My Gal, On the Town or Cover Girl.)
Cotillard is going to get it next. Okay, Kidman. All right,Blanchett.Mad Men: I'm going to have a hard time seeing Slattery as anyone other than Roger Sterling; love Mona; Oscar for Hamm for directing.
The Americans rules.
Most important actress of the decade: Cotillard.
I could see Julia Roberts, Helen Mirren, Marion Cotillard, Natalie Portman, and ESPECIALLY Jennifer Lawrence winning second Best Actress awards. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lawrence win this year, but if she doesn't, I bet she'll win before the end of the decade. Her Spielberg project looks particularly promising.
As far as Streep goes, I see her winning another Best Actress award before the end of her career, but I'm not sure when that'll be. I wouldn't be too surprised to see her win this year though. She's managed to not lose any career momentum after her (somewhat controversial) Oscar win and I think, at some point, that will result in a fourth win.
Anne Hathaway will win again, but it'll be a Best Actress to go with her Best Supporting Actress.
I'd go with Cate Blanchett, Blanchett feels like a Daniel Day Lewis, he's not much older and he's got three Best Actors, over a greater period of time granted, but still.
Well, I certainly HOPE that Nicole Kidman can win another one, but that wasn't the question so I'll go with Lawrence as well. She has the momentum and much more time compared to the other winners.
Jennifer Lawrence could win a second Oscar as early as next year for 'Joy,' and it's a real shame. She won an Oscar for doing what any competent actress should be able to do and nearly won another for being downright awful.
As a personality, I find her offensive. The skinny-shaming, rape joke, insensitive remarks about hermaphrodites and Chaz Bono...she needs to grow up.
Theron and Lawerence are prob best bets. I wouldn't count out Theron, she still does baity projects now and then and could easily choose to do something oscar friendly after Mad Max (which will prob raise her star even moreso).
BEST ACTRESS ROUND 2
Anonny -- i hope you're right. Theron is somewhat up there with Pfeiffer for me -- ONLY in the way that they seem to have so much more in them than they show since they aren't the most regular of screen presences (it's really sucky to think of that super long break that Theron took - what was that about?)
thefilmjunkie -- i HOPE for Nicole too but i can't see it happening. She's a genius but she's also super divisive as geniuses (that aren't men) tend to be.
Keegan- i hope you're right baout Anne Hathaway
Mareko - i actually considered Paltrow long and hard before answering but she doesn't seem to care that much about acting so I decided not to think any longer or harder about it ;) (I also agree that she's a great actor. she's just one of those greats that doesn't care enough. sigh)
MAD MEN
Suzanne -- i love Trudy too. can't believe I didn't mention her
oh and Bobbie Barrett -- Mareko is right that she was a great catalyist for Peggy. But i dreaded her appearances kind of because i hated her screen husband.
I can see Marion Cotillard winning again because she hasn't really given that knockout performance in an English language hit. If someone wants to cast a "European" or vaguely "eastern European" woman, they'd probably go to Marion first, no? Could be some possibilities. The clock is ticking though.
I don't know if there is a single Gene Kelly performance I don't like. I guess I reserve my, well, reserve for his directorial magnum opus, Hello Dolly.
About the mini-review of major old time actresses, I'd love to see something on say Vivien Leigh. An overview of her film career wouldn't even take that long. How many movies did she make? DItto Julie Christie.
Re: Christina Hendricks
After seeing her performance in the New York Philharmonic concert staging of Company with Neil Patrick Harris I believe that she could find a steady home on the stage, as she proved herself to be an extraordinarily natural theatre presence.
I'd prefer to see Cotillard win a second Oscar before Lawrence, but I'd bet that it will be, in real life, the other way around.
Also, for a couple of years after "The Queen," I couldn't see Michael Sheen in anything without thinking, say, "What's Tony Blair doing buying blood diamonds?" or "Why's Tony Blair managing a football club?" I've gotten over that, though.
@Bill_the_Bear: Did Underworld help with that? ;-)
It's debatable whether the Oscar doesn't care for Marion Cotillard. If they were capable of bypassing the major precursor love for romcom-movie-star-queen-gone-serious Jennifer Aniston and give that spot to Cotillard instead...
I think Oscar is just hot and cold with Cotillard. One minute they go above and beyond what is necessary of them (A win for La Vie En Rose, a nod for 2D1N) and the next she can't get an easy nomination (Rust and Bone). I'm sure there's more spastic love for her in the future as much as I'm sure she'll get snubbed for Oscar caliber work in the future.
So excited for Actress of the Teens articles! That sounds like a fun project.
It wouldn't be her second Actress Oscar, but I could see Judi Dench pulling a win in Actress for her second Oscar. Her initial Mrs. Brown/Shakespeare in Love rise to fame led to such incredible work for a long period of time, especially given her age. The Academy certainly wouldn't hesitate to give her another win.
I wonder if Julianne could be a legitimate player for back to back wins though? We'll have to see when Freeheld comes out, but it sounds baity as hell. Given the story though, I wonder if she may end up in supporting with Page pushed lead.
A late question, considering it is all about ACTRESS how come TFE has reviewed Far From the Madding Crowd? Did I miss that?
I agree somewhat with the quotation, "No one will feel like they owe Winslet anything," but I still believe it's possible to win without being "owed." The work just has to be undeniably good, like Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine. She's been playing it safe, but if Kate takes some risks and gives us another Clementine, I could easily see her winning again, especially in supporting. Unlike Bullock or Portman, she's actually got the talent to surprise.
Lawrence definitely seems like a safe bet. It will just be interesting given how polarizing she's become. That goes for Meryl too.
And Moore could definitely win again too. No one hates her, and many people didn't even see Still Alice, so maybe they'll forget that she got a long over due Oscar and give her another chance.
Even though she's in her 50s, which Best Actress tends to avoid for some reason, I could see Bullock winning again. She's such a beloved, incredibly non-polarizing figure. People who work in Hollywood seem to all like her if not love her. I don't think it could be for something as thin as The Blind Side. It'd have to be something harder hitting and more serious in its filmmaking, but I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility.
Because...although, maybe this isn't the widely held opinion..I just always assumed that had Blanchett not been in the running and/or Bullock had somehow lost in 2009 for The Blind Side that Best Actress 2013 would have clearly gone to her.
I think Lawrence as a double-winner seems the most likely (of the recent winners) right now, but we'll see how her career continues. I'm curious to see what Russell gets out of her in Joy. Her franchises are coming to an end, so this is a key time for her in terms of choices and I do think she has very good taste in that way. Though I like them both, she and Kristen Stewart are almost like test cases where one can be held up as an example for young actresses of choices to make while locked in a franchises and the other is clearly choices not to make. For an actor or actress, the franchise movies you make define your bank account. The choices you make between and after those franchise films are what define your career. Lawrence gets that, I think. Stewart and her agents are finally catching up.
My favorite minor Mad Men character was Don's surrogate-mother/widow-of-the-man-he's-impersonating, Anna Draper. A naturally kind presence, and maybe the only woman Don felt a true connect with, except Peggy.
I could see Hamm winning an Oscar. He's funny enough he could do the roles Kevin Kline or Steve Martin did twenty-thirty years ago, and that could be good enough for an Oscar, esp given his dramatic past.
Helen Hunt would have had two already if The Sessions had a stronger campaign. How did that miss out on all but Supporting Actress (and pure category fraud at that)? The answer is bad campaigning. They needed to release earlier, push harder, keep the more intriguing original title (The Surrogate or The Sessions: you tell me which is better), and sell it as an inspiring true story. The title change alone was bad Oscar politics. They took the big Sundance hit from the year before and wiped away its identity by changing the title.
Jennifer Lawrence is destined to win a second Oscar before 30. Blanchett will win a third Oscar before Streep wins a fourth. Bullock is a solid bet for a second Best Actress Oscar based on the near miss of Gravity in the category.
I feel secure in those three. Anyone else would be a surprise. Though Mirren and Dench seem like good bets. And let us not forget some Best Actress winners will get traction in Supporting Actress instead.
I'd love to see someone like Helen Mirren or Emma Thompson come back strong and pick up a second award but when those sort of events come to pass, for instance Sissy Spacek and Julie Christie, they get incredibly close and some newbie prevails.
I never thought Gene Kelly was much of an actor, he had a facile, slick charm but heavy dramatics were not his forte. That's not to say he wasn't competent and in For Me and My Gal his rawness, and Judy's coaching, worked to his advantage. He also had some interesting moments in the dark Deanna Durbin drama Christmas Holiday were he played a psychotic killer overall though I liked him best in Les Girls. Oh and I loved the way he parodied himself in What a Way to Go!
Your Charlize Theron comments just make me sad that she wasn't nominated for "Young Adult". A gem of a performance, really.
Interestingly enough, Mark Hamill is known to a different generation not so much as Luke Skywalker but as the iconic voice of The Joker from "Batman: The Animated Series", its sequels and video games. Perhaps it's because he was so trapped in that famous role that he turned to voice acting.
One quick reminder about Paltrow. She is the only 90's Best Actress winner to be a one time nominee.
Bates 1/3, Foster 2/4, Thompson 1/4, Hunter 1/4, Lange 2/6, Sarandon 1/5, McDormand 1/4, Hunt 1/2, Swank 2/2
Why are we even talking about Helen Hunt (One my WORST Oscar win EVER)...
I agree that Lawrence is the safest bet for a best actress repeat, but Natalie Portman may surprise people. She has a kind of Particia Neal vibe that may serve her well for longevity. And some of the old guard (Kidman, Roberts) may come back, but I am not feeling it for them with audiences anymore. Streep and Lawrence may seem polarizing in web forums, but moviegoers and the Academy love them. As for the future of dramas, I like your suggestion that they may return in multidimensional formats we can't even imagine now. I just hope not with animated actors because I love real actors.
Question 1: I remember at the time thinking that 20 years before it was released, The Pursuit of Happyness would be the sort of film to win big Oscars.
The two cinemas in my home town have both reduced their ticket prices to $10. Any day, any time. That's incredible because the cinema makes most of their money from the candy bar anyway, so they're not really losing out. More people coming in to the cinema means more people buying food and drinks and seeing the commercials (more people viewing commercials = being able to command a higher price). You're never going to improve business with a reducing clientele.
Question 2: Agreed about Lawrence, although I wouldn't put it past Helen Mirren pulling another late career LION IN WINTER style role and taking one.
Question 4: Agreed that I have more of that problem with television, but then I don't think the actors help themselves a lot of the time. Kristen Wiig is lucky she didn't go from SNL to a sitcom. As much as I love Amy Poehler and Parks & Rec, will she be able to get out from that image? Even her voice work in Inside Out looks to replicate the sort of ultra-perky Knope trope. Gellar was smart to go away for a while and make her next couple of attempts at TV very different to Buffy.
Question 5: Oh geez. TOO MANY. I like to imagine that the characters played by Neve Campbell and Mimi Rogers in their single episodes are actually best friends.
3rtful - what delightfully odd trivia. You got me curious and it seems there's generally always one in the more recent Oscars. Halle Berry takes it for the 2000s, Paltrow for the 90s, Marlee Matlin for the 80s, Louise Fletcher for the 70s and Shirley Booth for the 50s. The other decades all have repeat winners/nominees, and I didn't count the 20s since it wasn't a full decade. Now I'm curious if the trend of having one actress win on their sole nomination will occur for this decade.
That said, I do wish Paltrow, Berry, Matlin and Fletcher the best of luck in getting a repeat win and/or nomination, the latter three ladies especially, to whom Hollywood has been short-sighted and narrow minded towards in one way or another.
Most important actress of the decade: Marion Cotillard. COMPLETELY AGREE
Hi Nathaniel, I understand now why you feel that Birdman can't be recasted for another decade. The truth is that I didn't really think those things through about Birdman, I just chose it as it was the most recent Best Picture winner. I should've made that clear, and I could've chosen a better movie to give you, anyway what I really care about (and like to think about) is reimagining a movie being made and casted in another time. It can be a lot of fun. I'll make a cool article about it one day and link you.
Actress of the half decade... Cate Blanchett? Marion Cotillard? Jennifer Lawrence? Maybe Meryl Streep since she literally does 50% of the actressing in Hollywood?
Next actress to snag a second Oscar... I realize that time isn't on her side, but I half think it could be Maggie Smith. (Since one of her Oscars is for supporting, I think she counts.) Otherwise, yeah, it's probably Jennifer Lawrence.
Jennifer Lawrence coming thissss close to winning for "American Hustle" is so gross. Even more so that she'll be that much closer to a 2nd Oscar than ur favs will for their 1st than many people realize here.
Helen Hunt? If that happens, I'm gonna turn myself from a rooster to a hen with one shot.
Would love to see Kidman win another Oscar (this time, a deserved one). She seems to be making the rounds of prestige directors. Why not stick with one through a couple of films?
Most important actress of the decade: Marion Cotillard for sure.
Nicole Kidman should have an Oscar and she does. Her category of rivals were weak tea except Moore and Zellweger.
3rtful, bite your tongue. Diane Lane in Unfaithful will always hold a special place in my heart. That scene of her train ride home was worth the prize alone.
You don't think Helen Mirren could Glenda Jackson her way to a second Oscar?
Nathaniel, thank you so much for answering my question! Our last double winner in Best Actress in close proximity was Hilary Swank, and I know that's a sore spot for many here, though she would be my No. 1 both years. I agree that Cate getting three Oscars total will be tough. And Jennifer is probably the likeliest, as her star just seems to keep ascending. Still, something could stir a backlash against her.
I would absolutely pee myself if Julie Christie, Jessica Lange, Diane Keaton or Ellen Burstyn got one of those late-career juicy roles and get that gold, though Kate Hepburn is the only one I can think of who managed to pull that off. This just reeks of sexism, ageism, and a few other isms, and also lines up with what Nathaniel has been saying all along about Oscar loving their nubile young thangs.
F, thank you for bringing up Louise Fletcher's Oscar win, which is so well-deserved and I think gets a bad rap today. Her performance is brilliant in its simplicity, and I can't understand why she didn't get better roles. Was The Exorcist II that bad of a curse? I certainly would have nommed her in supporting for Brainstorm.
I think Helen Mirren is the most likely to win a second if she picks some weightier material than what she's been coasting on for the last half-decade. She's a movie star AND a great actress, and if one of my faves can't win in their later years, then I would love for it to be her.
OH, and the thought of Nicole getting a second--such bliss! She deserves it.
Sorry for blabbering on!