comment #1

EDouglas says ...

It's called a "concensus", Jeff, and considering how little critics can agree on anything, it's strong support for Mirren to win the Oscar without much competition, just like Hoffman last year and Foxx the year before that. I really wonder how many of these later critics groups are just going along with the earlier ones in terms of their voting.

comment #2

bipedalist says ...

I hate when critics pick something else just to be contrary. There is such a thing as a clear "best" in any given year. Last year it was Philip Seymour Hoffman. There have been others. Why begrudge Mirren, who's NEVER WON A FUCKING OSCAR. Please!

comment #3

ydgmdlu says ...

Actually, Jeff, Mirren has now won 19 times.

comment #4

EDouglas says ...

I just can't believe they picked Cohen for actor over Whitaker or Smith. Life really must be boring in Utah for them to go that route. (I guess I'll find out when I got there next month.) I hope the Screen Actors Guild puts an end to that bad trend, because it saddens me how many people find Borat funny.

comment #5

Melquiades says ...

There is absolutely NOT such a thing as a "clear best" in any given year. Last year I think both Heath Ledger and Terrence Howard gave better performances than Hoffman. All were deserving of year-end awards, as were many other actors.

For my money, Penelope Cruz gave a "better" performance than Mirren. I think it's ridiculous to compare performances in terms of degrees, but Cruz moved me the most so I give her the nod. Mirren was outstanding. So were Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep.

Mirren will surely win the Oscar, and I'll be thrilled to see her win one. She's among the finest actresses in movies today. But I'm with Jeff in wishing there was a little moe variety in these year-end awards.

Keep in mind, too, that critics awards are usually given to the performer or film with the most points from a group of voters. So if Mirren was 2nd on everybody's list but they split on who their #1s were, she'll get the win. I suspect that's happening a lot.

comment #6

Hash says ...

I would rejoice if United 93 won Best Picture this February. Sadly, though, it is probably a stretch for it even to get nominated.

Im glad, however, that the whole "World Trade Center is a good film" thing has passed.

comment #7

Mr. Lazarescu says ...

Jeff didn't mention it, but the UFCA made some interesting calls other than just breaking from the Forest Whitaker herd. They chose Alfonso Cuaron as Best Director for "Children of Men," and gave a Best Screenplay shout-out to Rian Johnson for "Brick." The complete list is up over at Oscarwatch. Nice to see some recognition for "Brick." And Cuaron probably won't even sniff an Oscar nomination (Eastwood, Condon, Scorsese, Greengrass, Inarritu and others are probably ahead of him in line), so I'm happy to see him honored anywhere for what he did with "Children of Men."