It’s nearing the end of July, and we’re more than halfway through the year. We’re half of the way to the Academy Awards, and though the most prestigious films are released closer to the big day, there are still some contenders who have a chance of showing up on the ballots in 2009.
Best Supporting Actress
- Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City: The Movie)
- Olivia Thrilby (The Wackness)
- Amy Poehler (Baby Mama)
- Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshall)
- Bette Middler (Then She Found Me)
Winner: Cynthia Nixon- She’s a possible contender come Oscar time. She gave the strongest performance in Sex and the City: The Movie. The others on my list will long be forgotten in the next few months.
Best Supporting Actor
- Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
- Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight)
- Eugenio Derbez (Under the Same Moon)
- Ralph Fiennes (In Bruges)
- Pierce Brosnan (Mamma Mia)
Winner: Heath Ledger- There is absolutely no question that he will win the Oscar this year; he is definitely deserving.
Best Actress
- Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City: The Movie)
- Meryl Steep (Mamma Mia)
- Helen Hunt (Then She Found Me)
- Kate del Castillo (Under the Same Moon)
- Naomi Watts (Funny Games)
Winner: Sarah Jessica Parker- There haven’t been many strong female performances this year, but Sarah Jessica Parker gave one of her best Carrie performances.
Best Actor
- Christian Bale (The Dark Knight)
- Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man)
- Josh Peck (The Wackness)
- Richard Jenkins (The Visitor)
- Jason Segal (Forgetting Sarah Marshall)
Winner : Richard Jenkins- He’s the only one with prestigious movie credibility on my short list. He just edges out Josh Peck and Christian Bale.
Best Film
- The Dark Knight
- Iron Man
- The Wackness
- Wall-E
- The Visitor
Winner: The Dark Knight- It might be Oscar nominated, but I doubt that it will win. Right now, it’s probably been the best movie. It just barely beats Wall-E, a sure Best Animated Film win, and The Visitor, which was a modest indie hit.
