OSCAR RACE 2009 ~ commentary by Nathaniel R


statistics: reflect acting categories only, # of films is approximate and excludes tv, shorts and voicework
color code: green (lock) yellow (safe bet) red (in the mix) blue (longshot)


Best Actor Nominees

WILL WIN: Jeff Bridges for "Bad Blake" and all of his other indelible performances. It's about time.
SHOULD WIN: Hmmm. I'll get back to you.
WHO GOT SNUBBED: Considering where the precursors were going, this is the best outcome. Though there are a handful of devout fans of Viggo Mortensen, Sam Rockwell, Sharlito Copley, Joaquin Phoenix who are surely disappointed.
MY PERSONAL BALLOT: coming soon
READERS CHOICE: coming soon...

discuss @ the blog

Jeff Bridges
"Bad Blake"
Crazy Heart
George Clooney
 "Ryan Bingham"
Up in the Air
Colin Firth
"George"
A Single Man
Morgan Freeman
"Nelson Mandela"
Invictus
Jeremy Renner
"Sgt William James"
The Hurt Locker

60 years old
57 films
5 nominations

Other Awards
(wins) Globe, SAG, BFCA, LA and 2 minor critics awards
Release
 December 16th
Box Office
$11,000,000
Role
Boozy has been country star, struggling for redemption and awaiting a break

More On...
Bridges | Crazy Heart

48 years old
31 films
3 noms / 1 win

Other Awards
(wins) NBR -tie and 6 minor critics awards
Release
Dec 4th
Box Office
$76,000,000
Role
Frequent flyer, determined loner, and corporate axe man.

More On...
Clooney | Up in the Air

49 years old
40 films
1st nomination!

Other Awards
 (wins) 4 minor critics awards
Release
Dec 11th
Box Office
$6,000,000
Role
A gay British professor and widower who can't get over the loss of his man.

More On...
Firth | A Single Man


72 years old
58 films
5 noms / 1 win

Other Awards
 (wins) NBR -tie
Release
Dec 11th
Box Office
$36,000,000
Role
Real Person Alert! Nelson Mandela, struggling to unite South Africa through sports

More On...
Freeman | Invictus

38 years old
18 films
1st nomination!

Other Awards
 3 minor critics awards
Release
June 26th
Box Office
$12,000,000
Role
Bomb diffusing expert and adrenaline junkie who is losing it in Afghanistan

More On...
Renner| Hurt Locker