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Sparkle (2)
'Tis the season. Here in Los Angeles, the "for your consideration" billboards are up, screeners are traded like baseball cards, and the re-releases of the year's early contenders have begun. That's right: It's awards time in Tinseltown.
On Tuesday, the Hollywood Foreign Press announced their nominations for the Golden Globes, which most Oscar-watchers consider a strong indicator of who will nab those coveted Academy noms come January 25. And with 2011 something of a banner year for filmmaking, and last year's best picture nominees nearly a dozen strong, it still feels like this year's awards could be anyone's game.
The Social Network -- Movie of the Year?
Since we're all internet junkies here, I thought I'd kick things off with the movie people haven't stopped buzzing about since its (incredibly alluring) trailer first hit the fiber optics -- it's been called out by critics and fans alike as "the one to beat." The Social Network is Oscar bait for sure, but will it be a Titanic-like sweep, or an Avatar-like upset (if you can call winning three Oscars an upset...and why am I repeatedly comparing this movie to James Cameron epics?)
While the flick's true A-list stars: David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin, grabbed Globes noms and are unquestionably on the short list in the Directing and Adapted Screenplay categories respectively, and it's widely accepted that the producers could likely find themselves going home with the Best Picture statue, I'm more intrigued by which of the movie's breakout stars will find their way into Oscar's career-warming glow.
Though Justin Timberlake didn't snag a Globes nomination, his name has been floated around plenty for Best Supporting Actor for The Social Network he plays wily Napster co-founder Sean Parker). But I think it may be the actor soon to be known as Peter Parker in the next Spider-Man movie, Andrew Garfield, as Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, who ends up representing the movie with a Supporting Actor nom.
Best Actor
Jesse Eisenberg gave a show-stealing performance as Facebook Founder and TIME's Person of the Year Mark Zuckerberg (but oh my god, is Jesse socially awkward or what? Did you see him on Conan?). I think pretty much everyone on earth agrees he deserves to be among the nominees for Best Actor -- and the Globes agree.
Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network. Image courtesy Lionsgate
Leo's got a spot all but cinched up for that riveting creepfest Inception, and with three failed nominations and some outright snubs under his belt, the Academy may consider him long overdue for a statue. DiCaprio garnered early buzz with a stunning performance in February's Shutter Island. I've got to imagine Team Leo's hoping the Academy's forgotten right about now since a double nomination could split voters and ultimately cost him the win. On the other hand, he didn't get Globes love for either.
The Coen Brothers' dark remake True Grit may have put Jeff Bridges in position to return to defend the category he took last year. And I can't take two steps in this town without hearing someone gush about Colin Firth's emotional performance as the speech-impaired King George VI in The King's Speech. James Franco looks to be a likely contender for his turn as the ultimate real-life survivorAron Ralston in 127 Hours, while Ryan Gosling could sneak in under the wire for the Weinstein Co's NC17 rated Blue Valentine, due out this month.
Best Actress
Natalie Portman seems all but certain to be dancing her way to the Kodak stage for her disturbing portrayal of prima ballerina Nina in Black Swan (which even my anti-movie husband wants to see, because the Portman/Mila Kunis sex scene has a buzz all its own).
Annette Bening may find herself with her director by her side on nomination day for The Kids are All Right.There's also Halle Berry's late-season entry Frankie and Alice, the mind-blowingly powerful cast of Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls, or Diane Lane's inspiring turn in Secretariat (you laugh, but who thought Sandra Bullock was taking the
